The Paradigm Shift

Changes Old to New Testament Explained Changes Between the Old and New Testament Changes Regarding the Land Changes Regarding the Use of the Sword Changes Regarding the Temple God’s Plan for Reaching the Nations Contrasts: OT Nation and NT Communities The Paradigm Shift Helpful Links Contact Page Statement of Faith ....... Documents & Images to Download Download God's Word ///// God Wants to Strengthen You Restoring Your Relationship with God Daily Exercises for Spiritual Renewal

 

Excerpts from:

Freely Gathered Communities of Faith and the Changes between the Testaments by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock 2019).

 

The Paradigm Shift and its Implications for Today

 

"The word “church” has inherited a great deal of Western baggage, much of which took place as a result of the joining of church and state which began with the impetus of the Roman Emperor, Constantine, and continued to grow and develop into the Middle Ages. This Western baggage has tended to obscure the actual change that was taking place. “Freely gathered communities of faith in Christ” is more descriptive of the actual paradigm shift that took place, a radical shift which enabled Christianity to spread through the ancient world in a remarkable way, particularly when tied to the empowerment and life of the Spirit."

"These communities were based on faith in Christ rather than ethnicity, social status, or wealth. Barriers between Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, male and female, rich and poor were removed “in Christ” (Gal 3:25–28). The Day of Pentecost is the beginning point for the Spirit being poured out on all flesh, and the unity of the Spirit that is demonstrated there continues to grow in Acts as the Spirit joins believers together in the new communities of faith..." (M. A Erickson, p. 119).

 

Excerpts from:

Freely Gathered Communities of Faith and the Changes between the Testaments by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock 2019). The book is available in print or Kindle formats at:


 Freely Gathered Communities of Faith and the Changes Between the Testaments at Amazon.com

 

 

For another recent book by M. A. Erickson which explains this paradigm shift from God's work in a nation to freely gathered communities of faith and a number of additional changes from the Old to New Testament, see also:

 

Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock Dec. 2023). The book is available in print or Kindle formats at Amazon.com, at:


 Amazon.com, Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament