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In the Sixth Paradigm

The Roman Catholic theologian, Hans Kung, says that over the past 2000 years the Church has moved through five paradigms. These are the apocalyptic era (up to 100AD), the Hellenistic era (100 - 500AD), the Medieval Roman Catholic era (1000 - 1400AD), the Protestant Reformation (1500 - 1700AD) and the Modern era (1800 to 20th century). Over time, the Church's theology and self-understanding have changed. We are now moving into a sixth paradigm.

In our post-Enlightenment and Darwinian world and in a society which is paradoxically secular and multi-faith, institutional authority is viewed with suspicion and belief in the inerrancy of Scripture no longer makes any sense. Too often, churches are spiritually and ethically out of touch. In a multi-faith society, it is plain wrong for the churches to make absolute claims about Jesus. The Hindu mystic Swami Vivekananda said that 'All religions are equal and that God is inside everyone.' He said that he wanted people to discover the Prophet, the Buddha and the Christ inside themselves.

One feature of the sixth paradigm will be spirituality. Individual encounter with the Holy will matter more than doctrinal purity. The practice of silence - worship we can share with people of other faiths - will become more important. Mindfulness, allowing the Sacred to soak into the soul, will matter more than hymns or obtuse Bible readings. Worship which celebrates oneness with creation and the Earth's healing will feed the soul. Sacred space and stillness, reflective reading of the Bible's stories and silently gazing into icons will lead to a peace this world can neither give nor take away.

Scott S McKenna