PARADIGM

What is a paradigm? Simply stated, a paradigm is a way of looking at something. It is a perspective or a set of ideas. It can also be understood as a set of assumptions that enable you to understand things. It is a model for understanding. A paradigm shift is a change of approach or change in underlying assumptions. 

We all have paradigms.....ways of understanding things. Even when it comes to Biblical things. When we study the Bible our perspective determines how we understand a passage of scripture. Christians who believe in healing today will interpret scripture differently than someone who doesn't think God heals today. Someone who believes in speaking in tongues understands the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in a totally different way than someone who doesn't. 

You are a product of what you have been taught. It's not impossible but it is very difficult to see things in a new light when studying scripture. Difficult..... but not impossible if you ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. That is what you must do as we proceed on this journey to learn to be effective in ministry and do things in a Biblical way. You will need to judge the points being made by the Word of God not by what you have always been taught. You may need a paradigm shift. 

Let me give you some examples. A Yale University researcher studied the church from the year 100 to 400 AD. This secular researcher concluded that one of the greatest causes of church growth in that time period was the evidence of miracles, healings, and deliverance as the Word was preached. This professor, who wasn't a Christian, saw the reports of supernatural ministry and how the church grew exponentially. A  professor of religion who didn't believe in miracles and supernatural ministry after the time of the Apostles wrote a book about the same period of history. He barely mentioned miracles and didn't mention any impact on church growth. 

Cessationists are Christians who believe that miracles ended with the death of the last Apostle. They interpret scripture differently than Pentecostals. For example, a cessationist Bible commentator commented on Mark 16:17. He said that although it says these signs will follow those who believe, they will cast out demons, speak with new tongues, and heal the sick, that doesn't mean it will happen today. It happened after Jesus in the Book of Acts and if it happened even once then the scripture was true, but we shouldn't expect a miracle today. You and I would interpret that scripture differently....and do! It's because our perspective or paradigm is different. 

The question arises, What have you believed and done as a ministry because of your perspective that is wrong? Good intentions and love of God are great. But if you are wrong and don't do things the way Jesus did then you won't get the results Jesus got. How about spiritual warfare? I am going to teach a course on spiritual warfare because I think our paradigm has been wrong. We have been taught to bind principalities in the heavens over our city. But when did Jesus do that? Or the disciples? Where in the Bible are we taught to do that and how to do it? In other words, what is the Biblical basis for that "ministry"? We have people confronting principalities and strongholds, binding them, and pulling them down. But most of these people who do that have never cast a demon out of anyone. Casting out demons is something Jesus did. It is in the Gospels. The disciples did it too in the Gospels and the Book of Acts. Interesting, isn't it? We do this high-level spiritual warfare that Jesus didn't do but don't engage in deliverance which was the warfare that He did do. Why? Because that is what we were taught. We need a paradigm shift! 

Here's another paradigm that needs changing. Other than in James 5 you don't see prayer in the New Testament for healing. How did Jesus heal? How did the disciples heal? I find it interesting that after teaching people on healing and they actually see and understand what the scriptures teach, they will always go back to doing what they had always done. Most beg God for a healing. "Oh God please heal my brother. He needs to be healed. and on and on." We need a paradigm shift!

The only way your perspective will be changed is to hear the Truth, study the scriptures, and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. You can know Truth and do ministry the way Jesus did it. Study..... don't just listen to me and agree. Let the Holy Spirit teach you. 

We can refuse to change our perspective and continue to do the same things, But THAT'S INSANITY!