4 paradigms

Reading "Reimagining Church" by Frank Viola. He is a participant and one of the acknowledged experts in the emerging/organic church movement. He is also co-author with George Barna of "Pagan Christianity"
Viola suggests that there are four paradigms for church restoration identifiable today;

Biblical Blueprintism
The New Testament contains a meticulous blueprint for church practice. Simply tease out the blueprint and follow it. A rule based system did't work for the religious leaders in Jesus' time. It doesn't allow for God's will or the fellowship of Christ in the Spirit.

Cultural Adaptability
This paradigm is based on the idea that in every age, the church reinvents itself to adapt to the present culture. This is based on contextualization, a theological method that tries to translate the Biblical message into different cultural settings. Even the most radical adherents admit that certain traditions such as communion and baptism shouldn't change but the question arises as to how much should be changed. Another good question would be how does an unchanging and eternal God feel about us reinterpreting His word to fit a sinful and perishing world.

PostChurch Christianity
This paradigm is rooted in the attempt to practice Christianity without belonging to an identifiable community that regularily meets for worship,prayer, etc. They advocate spontaneous, social interaction and personal friendships. Church is like coffee at Tim Horton's with friends.
Church is amorphous, nebulous and a phantom. It is like the contemporary desire for intimacy without commitment.

Organic Expression
The church is like an unchanging biological entity reflecting these four elements;
1. It will always express the Headship of Jesus Christ in His church over against the headship of a human being. Christ is both the authority and source of the church.
2. It will always allow for and encouage the every-member functioning of the body.
3. It will always map to the theology that's contained in the New Testament, giving it visible expression on the earth.
4. It will always be grounded in the fellowship of the triune God.


"neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.... you are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. Mark 7:8-9, NSAB