Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

    Re: 0
    
    I have an idea of what you mean to infer by "paradigm" but I looked it
    up anyway and find that perhaps I don't!  My dictionary says "A list of
    all the inflectional forms of a word taken as an illustrative example
    of the conjugation or DECLENSION (woe, I didn't know that such a word
    existed) to which it belongs; 2)An example or model".  So I imagine you
    are using it in the final sense of "model", but the word still seems
    inappropriate...please explain since it is used several times in your
    basenote.  The subject seems excellent otherwise...
    
    Playtoe

    re: .1
    
    A paradigm is a way of perceiving that which we judge to be reality
    or truth.
    
    A paradigm is a set of filters through which we run all information.
    
    A paradigm is an understanding.  But more, a paradigm defines the
    parameters of our understanding.
    
    Others may wish to expand or modify this definiton.
    
    Richard

re .2

	I had heard of the word paradigm, but I am still not 100% sure about 
	it's meaning. However, using your definitions in .2 I would say that 
	Jesus'	life and ministry as recorded in the 4 Gospel accounts is a 
	paradigm for Christians to follow. By using Jesus' example we can see 
	how one can be pleasing to God. 1 Peter 2:21 reads "In fact, to this 
	[course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, 
	leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely." ( YOU is
	in capitals to show it is plural) In context with verse 20, Peter 
	showed that following Jesus' steps would show that one is doing good 
	and that this would be agreeable to God.

	From a Christian perspective this pattern of Jesus' life and ministry
	is important as a paradigm. Reasons being:-

1)	Christians should not use as role models those who are esteemed as being
	wise and knowledgable by this world, compare 1 Corinthians 1:20,21

2)	Christians need a pattern as role model for their own lives, for 
	Proverbs 3:5-7 NWT reads "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do 
	not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him,
	and he himself will make your paths straight. Do not become wise in your
	own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad."

3)      The Scriptures tell us that one should follow Jesus' pattern, 1 Pet 2:21



	Once one begins to meditate on Jesus' life and ministry one can then
	start to see things through Jesus' eyes as it were. Through taking
	in knowledge of the Gospel accounts in the Bible, one can then use
	discernment as to wether or not Jesus would do the things that we
	do in our every day lives and then through application make adjustments
	so as to follow the steps more closely. As knowledge increases one can
	then begin to use intution and through this people will begin to see 
	the godly qualities reflected.

	But, it takes time and like the Ehopian eunuch we all need directing
	to accurate knowledge. There is a book entitled "The Greatest Man
	Whoever Lived" this goes through the 4 Gospel accounts of Jesus'
	life and ministry in chronological order, and is in a format that
	makes reading it a very enjoyable experience with many colourful
	illustrations. Also the questions that it poses after each chapter
	helps one to meditate on the Scriptures . Any Jehovah's Witness  
	anywhere should be able to obtain you a copy, it is very inexpensive.

	Phil.	   

>                <<< Note 418.1 by SWAM1::DOTHARD_ST "PLAYTOE" >>>

     Playtoe:

     Kudos on .1.  An excellent REPLY, even if it's  *exactly*  the  one  I
     would have entered!

     Think "Peace",

     Alvin

    Re: Basenote
    
    I don't know that "paradigm" explains "why", but is surely outlines the
    "process" or "how" of rejection.  The why of it is has to do with the
    particular ideas, or content of the "paradigm".  The why also gets into
    other aspects above and beyond mental models, but gets into character
    and personality traits.  We could see that a mentally handicapped
    person has a "mental model of life/paradigm" and because of it rejects
    "such and such", which would be crass, but we could say that.  It would
    be ridiculous to say that is the basic reason "why" that person rejects
    it, however.  One's personal paradigms is not adequate as reason why
    one rejects something, though we might settle for that as a reason out
    of respect for a person's privacy and independence.  But because we
    have this privacy and liberty/freedom rights does not mean that such in
    turn makes ideas emanating from the "social contract" scientific fact
    or a "natural principle".
    
    It's a broad and far reaching matter.  But the Paradigm should probably
    be discussed in a relative and individual sense and not so much the
    collective.  
    
    To a great extent Leaders rejected Galileo and Jesus because of
    perceptions of "power" displacement...not somuch because they were
    trying to preserve their personal views of the world.  They had systems
    and operations set up based upon the people believing certain things,
    and the feared if other ideas came into play people might do things
    differently, or at least desire to.