Shifting Paradigms

Paradigm Shift – A radical change in underlying beliefs or theory.

I remember it like it was yesterday. We were on a family road trip sometime in the early 90′s, and had just finished eating lunch at Cracker Barrel, a family favorite during such trips. To help get me through the next few hours on the road I picked up a book-on-tape from their vast selection. This time I decided to venture from my usual John Grisham or Stephen King novel, and selected something that had to do with business. (I was in high school at the time, and I still had my mind set on going to business school for the sole reason of eventually walking around in suits and driving a Mercedes. It only took me four years of college to realize these weren’t worthwhile life goals.)

So we checked out, made one more trip to the bathroom, and loaded back into the van. I immediately popped that cassette tape into my Walkman and slapped on my headphones. As we merged back into traffic, the book began by talking about paradigm shifts, and I was immediately captivated.

Paradigms are generally defined as the way we see the world, not through visual sight but through our perceptions, understanding, and interpreting. They are like maps and each of us has many, many maps in our head, which can be divided into two main categories: maps of the way things are (or realities) and maps of the way things should be (or values). We interpret everything we experience through these mental maps. Paradigm shifts create change moving us from one way of seeing the world to another.

“We can only achieve quantum improvements in our lives as we quit hacking at the leaves of attitude and behavior and get to work on the root, the paradigms from which our attitudes and behavior flows.” –Stephen Covey

So needless to say, I have always had a soft spot for paradigms, and for their shifting possibilities. In my life I have encountered quite a few, but easily one of the biggest has been in the area of religion/theology.

I grew up as the first in my family to go to church. A neighbor took me to sunday school every week. Eventually my mother would join us, and then my father, who ended up leaving the military to attend seminary and eventually become a full time pastor. Our flavor of choice was the Church of Christ. The denomination of non-demominationals. In the first twenty-nine years of my life I didn’t do very much questioning when it came to religion. I always figured that my parents had done the legwork for me.

Then sometime in 2004 that started to change for me, with the doors fully flying off that bus in 2005. During that period I read a book called A New Way To Be Human that helped shape my thoughts to this day. Here’s a quote from that book that I believe aided in shifting my paradigm:

“The Bible is far from exhaustive with respect to the knowledge of God. It does not reveal with radical clarity everything there is to know about God, or all that ever was, is, or will be with respect to what is seen or unseen.” —Charlie Peacock, New Way to be Human

Chew on that for a minute, or a lifetime.

It is this type of thinking that allows me to read books like Love Wins by Rob Bell and know exactly where he is coming from. It is this type of thinking that allows me to give credence to the idea that God just might have used evolution in the creation of our world. And it is that type of thinking that now gives me pause when I previously would have rushed to judgement to defend my own personal religious dogma.

I now embrace the mystery that is our Creator,
that is our beginning,
that is our life,
that is our afterlife.

I’ve come to terms with the knowledge that God is God, and I am not. I am well aware that there are absolutes that exist, but I believe that too many Christians talk about things with way more certainty than they should. And I think that perspective does more harm than it does good.

As Rob Bell famously once said, “God has spoken, and the rest is commentary, right?”

Filed under: Paradigms, Religion, Rob Bell, Theology

Throwback: Puzzling Theology

If Mountain Dew can do a throwback, than so can I.

Here’s a post I wrote in 2005 that I happened upon today. It’s still one of my favorites to this day. Hope you enjoy.

——

Puzzling Theology
November 27, 2005

Sometimes I amaze myself. Like the time I fasted for 40 days without television and it just so happened to fall during the time we invaded Iraq as well as during March Madness and Spring Training and the NBA Finals. For a guy who thrives on staying current, who loves sports and who happens to enjoy watching television, this was really tough, but I got through it. And was better for it. This latest task was just as tough, and just as rewarding in the end.

Here at the end of November, I have completed my recent goal to read a book per week for the month. It took some serious dedication and a little loss of sleep at times but the authors and books I choose to read made it all worth while. I even topped it off by watching a great movie that aligned directly with the type of things I have been wrestling with. (City of Angels for those interested. I highly recommend this movie!)

Last night I was trying to break down what this latest feat did for me and at first I related it to a boot camp scenario. You know, like I went to basic training and the authors/drill sergeants ripped apart everything I always thought was true and right and made me question everything, then built me back up to a much stronger man than when I started.

That analogy was decent and on track, but I think I came up with a better one.

Have you ever started building a puzzle by building the perimeter. By taking all the edge pieces and boxing the puzzle in. Then you start to dive into the guts only to tire of it eventually? This was my theology before I started my “basic training”. I had religion, God, Jesus and The Church boxed in and and was trying to make sense of the guts within the perimeters I set up.

The problem is that I was trying to build a flat, square puzzle, when in actuality the puzzle was designed as one of those 3D puzzles. No wonder I tired of trying to figure it out. I was building the wrong puzzle to begin with. I built a perimeter and it wasn’t even a puzzle that had a perimeter. I thought I was way ahead of the game and I found out I had to scrap it all and start over again. The cover of the puzzle box wasn’t even the puzzle I was working on.

You know another thing I learned? The puzzle was supplied to us without all the pieces in the box. Sometimes we get new pieces and get to attach them and it’s so exciting to see how they fit into the puzzle. But we will never get all the pieces until the puzzle creator visits and places it Himself.

Filed under: Books, Theology

Lawn Theology

I finally got to mow my lawn today. It’s been over six months since my last mow, and boy did I miss it. I’m not one of those people that have finely designed lawns on anything. Far from it to be honest. I have more rocks, sticks, and weeds in my yard than I know what to do with. And don’t get me started on the hills and valley’s (stupid moles).

No, I love mowing because it’s 45 minutes that I get to slap on my ipod and meditate. And it never ceases to amaze me how many epiphanies I’ll get by simply mowing my lawn. I’ll solve the worlds problems, not to mention my own, by simply walking back and forth in my yard attached to a beat-up Briggs & Stratton.

Last year my favorite epiphany came to me when I solved a problem I had been having all Summer. You see there’s this one stretch of about 50 feet where I have to define the line between mine and my neighbors yard. And every single time I’d get to the end of that stretch only to look back and find a winding mess. I couldn’t mow a straight line to save my life. But then one day I tried something new. I focused on this tree that was on the line between our plots, and kept my eyes focused on that tree the entire length of the strip. Wouldn’t you know it that when I looked back my line was straight as an arrow.

The problem I was having was that my focus was one foot in front of me, instead of seeing a much larger goal. A bigger target. With all my effort trying to perfect my route inch by inch, and foot by foot, I couldn’t keep the line straight. I needed an ending point. A object of focus to guide me in. I couldn’t help but think about my walk with God. How often do I take my eyes off Him like Peter did, only to find myself waist deep in the ills of life—all the time being able to walk on water had I only kept my eyes focused on Him.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:12-14

Filed under: Faith, Goals, Inspiration, Religion, Theology

Archaic Theology

I was reading this article on WIRED yesterday about evolution and Mike Huckabee. It takes exception to Mikes answer of an evolution question during a recent debate. Despite the fact that most scientists claim that the earth is 4.5 billion years old, Mike said he doesn’t know.

The church seems to have a hang-up with the idea of an earth that’s been around for millions of years, but can’t that be true and still fall within the concept of a creator?

Do you believe that the earth is 4.5 billion years old?

How does your answer mesh with your faith or beliefs? …with science? …with your ability to make decisions? Do they make a point about Mike denying scientific evidence?

Filed under: Creationism, Evolution, Faith, Mike Huckabee, Politics, Science, Theology, WIRED

One Book Meme

I got tagged by Jake (Blah Blah).

01. One book that changed your life
The Barbarian Way – Erwin McManus
I saw him give this lesson on DVD first, then I bought the book and read it over a weekend. It felt like it gave me a new lease on life. Very short and powerful.

02. One book that you’ve read more than once
Wild at Heart – John Eldredge
I went through this twice with men’s groups recently, and I’m going to have to read it again soon. It’s just packed with great stuff.

03. One book you’d want on a desert island
Man’s Search For Meaning – Victor Frankl
This book is amazing. And if you’re on a desert island, you’re sure going to want the information contained within. I’ll be reviewing this book very soon.

04. One book that made you laugh
To Own A Dragon – Donald Miller
All of the Don Miller books made me laugh, but this one happened to be the most recent.

05. One book that made you cry
Christmas Jars – Jason Wright
Luckily it was late, and everyone was sleeping. Stupid book had my face all messed up.

06. One book that you wish had been written
From The Mire: The Tom Hawkins Story – Tom Hawkins
This is a #1 best seller if it ever does get written. Maybe the leadership at NewSong will wise up, give him a raise and a 6-month sabbatical to write it.

07. One book that you wish had never been written
If I Did It – OJ Simpson
What a moron.

08. One book you’re currently reading
Just finished Man’s Search For Meaning last night, and looking for another at the moment. The Flames of Rome was supposed to be the next book, but the copy I was going to read is missing. So maybe if I can find one, that will be the book.

09. One book you’ve been meaning to read
A Generous Orthodoxy – Brian McLaren
This book really intrigues me, but I’m trying to steer clear from theology books for awhile. I’m suffering from a bit of fatigue.

10. Now tag five people: Tom Hawkins, Shane Bertou, CEC Worship, Ragamuffin Soul, Mandy Thompson

Filed under: Books, Brian McLaren, Donald Miller, Erwin McManus, Life, Meme, O.J. Simpson, Theology, Victor Frankl

Tongues

Last night at our men’s group the topic of speaking in tongues came up. It’s always been a topic I avoid because it’s something I don’t understand very well.

I won’t go as far as saying that I don’t believe it’s still possible today, but I will say that I have grown up going to church, and have visited quite a few in my lifetime, and I have yet to see anyone speaking in tongues. You’d think after 32 years and dozens of churches I would have seen it happen at least once.

So what’s your take on speaking tongues?

Filed under: Church, Gifts, Religion, Theology, Tongues

Puzzling Analogy

So I’m reading Brian McLaren’s newest book (yet to be released), Everything Must Change, to review on this blog. Three quick notes:

1. It’s a bit heavier than books I have been reading recently, so it’s taking longer than expected.

2. I have a post brewing from thoughts I’ve been having while reading this. Look for that very soon. (Later today?) Here it is.

3. Brian clearly hacked an analogy I came up with two years ago in a post called Puzzling Theology. He did an entire chapter/section on this analogy, with a similar title!! I was blown away while I was reading it. Of course he’s a better writer than I am, but it was the exact same premise! (Only I came up with it first!) Do you suppose he reads my blog? He could have at least given me a hat tip.

Filed under: Books, Brian McLaren, Everything Must Change, Theology

mpv1_retro #2

One of the very best things about blogging is being able to go back into the archives and read your life like a book. It’s like keeping a diary, but without the flowery notebook under your mattress with a key hidden in the sock drawer.

While browsing for a new “old” post I started wondering what happened to all the peeps that used to frequent this blog back then. Where did they all go? I don’t think it’s because they’re doing more than they were back then. It can’t be because I took some of them off the front page. Perhaps the wonder of the blog wore off. Maybe they don’t like me anymore. Maybe they’re laughing too hard to respond.

Whatever the reason, we sure had some good times back then…

Theological Etiquette — 11/15/2005

Filed under: Blogging, Mudpuppy, Theology

mpv1_retro #1

One of the very best things about blogging is being able to go back into the archives and read your life like a book. It’s like keeping a diary, but without the flowery notebook under your mattress with a key hidden in the sock drawer.

Anyway, most of my readers these days weren’t around for Mud Puppy v1. Of course I would love for everybody to read through my entire archive to catch up, but that’s unreasonable. So I thought I’d dust off a post every now and then and post a link to it over here.

To get us started, here’s one that was written after an intense reading session where I read four influential books in a month.

Puzzling Theology — 11/27/2005

Filed under: Blogging, Mudpuppy, Theology