Paradoxy Study Guide
PRACTICINGPARADOXY.COM
Pa r a doxy
EACH
SECTION I wrote Paradoxy: Creat-
CONTAINS:
ing Christian Community
 Purpose of the Beyond Us and Them to
Chapter help individuals, congrega-
tions, and denominations
 Bible Readings
understand why many of the
 Bible Reflection old familiar ways of being
Questions Church are no longer work-
ing and to join together in
 Questions for
exploring the outlines of a
Group Discussion
new way of being Church
 Your Notes that does not require a
“Them” in order to create an
“Us” — a radical new mid-
dle way that transcends cate-
gories like “conservative”
and “liberal” and all the
S E C T I O N S other divisive labels we have
used to slice and dice the
body of Christ into the many
Introduction 2 narcissistic tribal groupings
in which we find ourselves
Chapter 1 4 today.
Changing paradigms is no
picnic. Even in fields like
Chapter 2 6 Science, whose job is to con-
tinually refine our paradigms
about the nature of reality
Chapter 3 8 and the functioning of the
world around us, paradigm
Chapter 4 10 shifts have more often taken
the form of revolutions
against an entrenched status
Chapter 5 12 quo than that of dispassion-
ate consensus building. Is it
Chapter 6 14 any wonder that when major
paradigm shifts have con-
fronted the church, the re-
Chapter 7 24 sulting turmoil has often
Inventory 26
been angry, fierce, and
sometimes violent?
Study M a t er ia l s
Reading a book like Para-
doxy, which describes the
nature of the multiple para-
digm shifts we are currently
experiencing and suggests a
pathway through them, is a
good first step toward suc-
cessfully navigating these
Paradoxy: Creating Christian
Community Beyond Us and Them
turbulent times. But knowl-
edge alone, while necessary,
is not sufficient. Because of
our very human tendency to
react anxiously and defen-
sively to change, most of us
need a bit more guidance and
structure in order to adapt.
That’s why I designed
Paradoxy the way I did: with
structured biblical reflections
and suggested discussion
questions.
This Paradoxy Study
Guide and its accompanying
Paradoxy Facilitator’s
Guide are intended to pro-
vide additional guidance and
structure that will make it
possible even for groups
with very diverse theological
opinions to explore the im-
plications and possibilities of
Paradoxy together.
The Paradoxy Facilita-
tor’s Guide provides pro-
spective group discussion
leaders with guidelines,
ground rules, and other prac-
tical information to help
them plan, adapt, and carry
out their groups successfully.
The Paradoxy Study
Guide is designed to help
individual participants more
effectively collect, organize,
and share their thoughts with
the other members of the
group, as well as to reflect
on their learnings and record
their insights between gath-
erings.
I hope you find these ma-
terials helpful to you in put-
ting the concepts of Para-
doxy to work in your congre-
gation, your ecumenical
community, or your denomi-
nation. And I welcome your
feedback at my website:
practicingparadoxy.com.
Ken+
P a g e 2 P a r a d o x y
I n t r o d u c t i o n :
M a y Y o u L i v e I n I n t e r e s t i n g
Bible Reading 1
This chapter John 17:22–23
is intended to help The glory that you have given
me I have given them, so that
participants understand they may be one, as we are
one, I in them and you in me,
how the dangers facing that they may become com-
Western Christianity pletely one, so that the world
may know that you have sent
today also present me and have loved them
even as you have loved me.
the Church with
an epochal opportunity.
Bible Reading 2 Reflection
1 Corinthians 13:12 How confident can we be
that our knowledge of God’s
For now we see in a mirror,
will is complete and correct?
dimly, but then we will see
What does this say about the
face to face. Now I know only
attitude we should hold to-
in part; then I will know fully,
ward those who disagree
even as I have been fully
with us?
known.
Bible Reading 3
Luke 24:30–33
When [Jesus] was at the table
with them, he took bread, blessed
and broke it, and gave it to them.
Then their eyes were opened, and
they recognized him; and he van-
ished from their sight. They said
to each other, "Were not our
hearts burning within us while he
was talking to us on the road,
while he was opening the scrip-
tures to us?"
S t ud y Gu i d e
T i m e s
Reflection Your Notes
Jesus called us to be one in ______________________
the same way that he (God ______________________
the Son) and God the Father ______________________
______________________
are one. In what manner are
______________________
God the Father and God the
Son One? What then are the
______________________
______________________
implications for how we, as
the followers of Christ, are to
______________________
______________________
be one? ______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Your Notes
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Reflection Your Notes
On the road to Emmaus, ______________________
Jesus taught the disciples ______________________
from the Scriptures, but it ______________________
was not until he communed ______________________
______________________
with them in the breaking of
______________________
bread that they recognized
______________________
him. What does this say ______________________
about the relationship of ______________________
doctrine and common wor- ______________________
ship to our recognizing that ______________________
Christ is among us? ______________________
______________________
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 3

WHAT WAS YOUR IMAGE OF GOD AS A CHILD? . . . AS A TEEN? . . . AS A YOUNG

ADULT? AT THE AGE YOU ARE NOW? HOW HAS YOUR IMAGE OF GOD
CHANGED?

IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH DO YOU BELIEVE IS MORE IMPORTANT TO THE

CHURCH: CORRECTNESS OF BELIEF OR THE UNITY OF THE BODY?
HOW ARE THEY RELATED?

DIVIDE INTO TWO GROUPS: PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS THEOLOGI-

CALLY LIBERAL AND PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS THEOLOGICALLY
CONSERVATIVE. IDENTIFY THE THINGS UPON WHICH YOU AGREE AND THE
THINGS ABOUT WHICH YOU DISAGREE. ARE THERE OTHER CIRCLES?
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
T
Y H
L C E
L O O
A N L
IC L S O
G A E G
O R R IC
L E V
O
E LI
B A A
H T LL
T IV Y
E
P a g e 4 P a r a d o x y S t ud y Gu i d e

C h a p t e r 1 :
C o l l a p s i n g p a r a d i g m s

Bible Reading 1 Reflection Your Notes

This chapter
is intended to help Deuteronomy 8:2 As the old saying goes: it took ____________________
God a day to get the Israelites ____________________
Remember the long way that
participants recognize the Lord your God has led
out of Egypt, but it took God ____________________
forty years to get Egypt out of ____________________
how many of the you these forty years in the ____________________
the Israelites. Why is it so diffi-
wilderness, in order to hum- ____________________
challenges facing our ble you, testing you to know
cult to leave behind even a
____________________
paradigm that has ceased to be
churches today are natural what was in your heart, ____________________
healthy? A whole generation of ____________________
whether or not you would
and expected results of the keep his commandments.
Israelites had to pass on before ____________________
the Israelites were prepared to ____________________
fact that we are in the enter the Promised Land. What ____________________
midst of a major has to die before we are able to ____________________
enter a new paradigm? ____________________
paradigm collapse. ____________________

Bible Reading 2 Reflection Your Notes

Acts 10:11–16 In a dream, God revealed to ______________________

Peter a new paradigm for a ______________________
[In a dream, Peter] saw the heaven opened and
community of faith, yet Peter ______________________
something like a large sheet coming down, being
was resistant to giving up the ______________________
lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it ______________________
old way. If God were to reveal
were all kinds of four-footed creatures and rep- ______________________
to us a new way of being a
tiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice ______________________
Christian community, what ______________________
saying, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat." But Peter
might hold us back from liv- ______________________
said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten
ing into that revelation? ______________________
anything that is profane or unclean." The voice
said to him again, a second time, "What God has ______________________
______________________
made clean, you must not call profane." This
______________________
happened three times, and the thing was sud-
______________________
denly taken up to heaven. ______________________

Bible Reading 3 Reflection Your Notes

Matthew 7:3–5 Imagine a conflict that you ______________________

have experienced in church. ______________________
Why do you see the speck in your
To what extent was each ______________________
neighbor's eye, but do not notice
side criticizing the other for ______________________
the log in your own eye? Or how ______________________
things they are overlooking
can you say to your neighbor, "Let ______________________
in themselves? In what ways
me take the speck out of your ______________________
do we engage in this dy- ______________________
eye, while the log is in your own
namic on a routine basis? ______________________
eye? You hypocrite, first take the
log out of your own eye, and then ______________________
you will see clearly to take the ______________________
______________________
speck out of your neighbor's eye.
______________________
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 5

WHICH PART OF YOUR CHURCH’S LITURGY WOULD YOU BE

MOST RESISTANT TO CHANGING? WHICH ITEM OF LITURGICAL “FURNITURE”
(ALTAR, BAPTISMAL FONT, ETC.) WOULD YOU BE MOST RESISTANT TO MOVING?
WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL MEANING YOU INVEST IN THE AC-
TION OR ITEM IN QUESTION?

LIST SEVERAL THINGS YOU VALUE ABOUT THE NATURE OF

SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY IN YOUR CONGREGATION. WHICH THING ON YOUR LIST
DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT? THE LEAST IMPORTANT?

WHICH OF THE ABOVE WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO GIVE UP FOR THE SAKE OF
CHRISTIAN UNITY? EXPLAIN. ANSWER THE SAME QUESTION FOR YOUR
CONGREGATION AND/OR DENOMINATION.
P a g e 6 P a r a d o x y
C h a p t e r 2 :
C h r i s t e n d o m
Bible Reading 1
In the next three
Mark 12:17
chapters we explore how “Give to the emperor the
three paradigms of things that are the emperor‟s
and to God the things that
Christian unity are God‟s.”
came to dominate
Western Christianity for
centuries, how they are
failing us now, and what
may rise from their ashes.
Bible Reading 2 Reflection
John 18:36 Where is our kingdom? How
does this influence our rela-
Jesus answered, "My king-
tionship with this world?
dom is not from this world. If
my kingdom were from this
world, my followers would be
fighting to keep me from
being handed over to the
Jews. But as it is, my king-
dom is not from here."
Bible Reading 3
Matthew 5:43–45
“You have heard that it was said,
„You shall love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.‟ But I say to
you, love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, so
that you may be children of your
Father in heaven; for he makes
his sun rise on the evil and on the
good, and sends rain on the right-
eous and on the unrighteous.”
Reflection
What belongs to the em-
peror? What belongs to God?
How do we discern the differ-
ence?
Your Notes
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Reflection
If this is how Jesus asks us
to treat those who are ene-
mies of the gospel, how then
should we deal with brothers
and sisters with whom we
disagree?
S t ud y Gu i d e
Your Notes
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Your Notes
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 7

TO WHAT DEGREE DOES YOUR CHURCH OR DENOMINATION DEMAND

UNIFORMITY AS THE PRICE OF ADMISSION INTO ITS SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY? LIST
THE AREAS OF YOUR CHURCH’S OR DENOMINATION’S CORPORATE LIFE IN WHICH
COMPLETE AGREEMENT SEEMS IMPORTANT. WHICH DO YOU MOST WANT TO BE
ENFORCED? LEAST WANT TO BE ENFORCED? HOW MUCH UNIFORMITY CAN YOU
ENFORCE WITHOUT PRODUCING DISUNITY? HOW MUCH UNITY CAN YOU
TOLERATE BEFORE YOU STAND FOR NOTHING? WHERE IS THE BALANCE POINT?

DESCRIBE FOR YOUR CHURCH OR DENOMINATION: WHO IS “US” AND WHO IS

“THEM.” IS THERE MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY OF “THEM”?
WHICH OF THESE GROUPS WOULD BE THE HARDEST TO INCLUDE?
IS IT NECESSARY FOR THERE TO BE A “THEM” FOR THERE TO BE AN “US”?

WHAT SOCIAL OR MORAL ISSUES DO YOU, YOUR CHURCH, OR YOUR

DENOMINATION FEEL STRONGLY ENOUGH ABOUT THAT YOU WANT TO
DIRECTLY EXERT POWER OR INFLUENCE IN ORDER TO EFFECT CHANGE? IN
WHAT WAYS HAVE YOU ATTEMPTED TO EXERCISE THIS KIND OF INFLUENCE?
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE RESULTS? IS IT POSSIBLE TO INFLUENCE THE CULTURE
WITHOUT RESORTING TO POWER AND COERCIVE METHODS?
P a g e 8 P a r a d o x y S t ud y Gu i d e

C h a p t e r 3 :
F o u n d a t i o n a l i s m

Bible Reading 1 Reflection Your Notes

In this chapter
we explore Exodus 33:18–23 God tells Moses his name, ____________________
which is not humanly pro- ____________________
Moses said, “Show me your glory, I pray.” And
the rise and fall [God] said, “I will make all my goodness pass
nounceable, and allows ____________________
Moses to see only a small ____________________
of a second before you, and will proclaim before you the ____________________
part of God’s glory, because
name, „The Lord‟‟ [Heb. YHVH (with no vowel ____________________
paradigm of points, making it unpronounceable)]. . . .
no human being can see
____________________
God’s “face” and live. To
Christian unity “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face; for ____________________
what extent can finite human ____________________
no one shall see me and live . . . See, there is
and how its loss a place by me where you shall stand on the
reason comprehend ultimate ____________________
reality? How confident can ____________________
may open the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put
we be in our certainties ____________________
you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you
door to with my hand until I have passed by; then I
about God? ____________________
____________________
a different way. will take away my hand, and you shall see my ____________________
back; but my face shall not be seen.”

Bible Reading 2 Reflection Your Notes

John 14:5–6 What does it mean for a per- ______________________

son to be the Way, the Truth,
Thomas said to [Jesus],
and the Life? How do your
“Lord, we do not know where
answers to this question
you are going. How can we
inform and influence the way
know the way?” Jesus said to
you understand truth? The
him, “I am the way, and the
way you live out your faith?
truth, and the life. . . .”
The way you relate to Christ?
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________

Bible Reading 3 Reflection Your Notes

Matthew 18:20 What is the significance of ______________________

Jesus promising to be pre-
Jesus said, “For where two or
sent AMONG two or more
three are gathered in my
gathered in his name, as
name, I am there among
opposed to being present
them.”
WITHIN an individual be-
liever?
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 9

IN WHAT AREAS OF YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE DO YOU FEEL THE NEED

FOR CERTAINTY? HOW DOES THAT NEED FOR CERTAINTY EXPRESS ITSELF?
WHEN DECIDING WHAT IS TRUE, TO WHAT DO YOU TEND TO GIVE THE
MOST WEIGHT: SCRIPTURE, TRADITION, REASON, PRAYER, OTHER?

HOW DOES YOUR NEED FOR CERTAINTY INTERFERE WITH YOUR FAITH?

GIVEN THAT THE BEST WE CAN HOPE FOR IS VERISIMILITUDE (A CLOSE AP-
PROXIMATION OF TRUTH), HOW MIGHT INTERACTING WITH SOMEONE WHOSE
POINT OF VIEW IS DIFFERENT FROM OURS HELP US TO GAIN A
MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF REALITY?
P a g e 1 0
C h r i s t i a n i t y A s R e l i g i o n
In this chapter
we explore the third
and perhaps
the oldest paradigm of
Christian unity —
organized religion —
and how a different
organizing principle
may be arising.
Bible Reading 2
Luke 9:49–50
John answered, “Master, we
saw someone casting out
demons in your name, and
we tried to stop him, be-
cause he does not follow
with us.” But Jesus said to
him, “Do not stop him; for
whoever is not against you is
for you.”
C h a p t e r 4 :
Bible Reading 1
Matthew 5:17–18
“Do not think that I have
come to abolish the law or
the prophets; I have come
not to abolish but to fulfill.
For truly I tell you, until
heaven and earth pass away,
not one letter, not one stroke
of a letter, will pass from the
law until all is accom-
plished.”
Reflection
What are the implications of
this text (and others like it)
for defining Christianity?
Bible Reading 3
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now faith, hope, and
love abide, these three; and
the greatest of these is love.
P a r a d o x y
Reflection
If Jesus never intended to
start a new religion, what
does it mean to follow Jesus
Christ?
Your Notes
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Reflection
In what ways do faith, hope,
and love order your life as an
individual believer? How
would your church be differ-
ent if it ordered its life
around these three atti-
tudes/qualities?
S t ud y Gu i d e
Your Notes
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Your Notes
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 1 1

IN WHAT WAYS IS THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR CHURCH MORE LIKE AN

ORGANIZATION? IN WHAT WAYS IS IT MORE LIKE AN ORGANISM? IN WHAT WAYS
CAN THE STRUCTURE BE EITHER A STRENGTH OR A POTENTIAL WEAKNESS?

AS A GROUP, DECIDE UPON THE TEN MOST IMPORTANT BELIEFS OF YOUR FAITH.
DIVIDE THEM BETWEEN THE THREE COLUMNS BELOW.

D O G M A D O C T R I N E D I D A C H E
The Church’s Core The Church’s Creeds The Church’s Traditions and Teaching
Mostly Paradoxical Beliefs

DISCUSS WHY YOU PLACED THE BELIEFS WHERE YOU DID. ATTEMPT TO COME
TO A CONSENSUS ABOUT THE PLACEMENTS. DISCUSS THE IMPLICATIONS FOR
YOURSELVES, YOUR CONGREGATION, AND YOUR DENOMINATION.
P a g e 1 2 P a r a d o x y S t ud y Gu i d e

C h a p t e r 5 :
C h r i s t i a n i t i e s T h a t M i g h t H a v e B e e n

In this chapter Bible Reading 1 Reflection Your Notes

we explore several Philippians 3:10 If this were the single most ______________________
important and defining char- ______________________
I want to know Christ and the
flourishing movements in acteristic of Christian com- ______________________
power of his resurrection and
______________________
the Church’s past whose the sharing of his sufferings
munity, what difference
______________________
would it make?
by becoming like him in his ______________________
very vitality led to their death. ______________________
suppression by the ______________________
______________________
dominant religious ______________________
______________________
authorities of their day, ______________________
and what lessons they ______________________
______________________
might have for us today. ______________________

Bible Reading 2 Reflection Your Notes

Galatians 3:28 If this were the single most ______________________

important and defining char- ______________________
There is no longer Jew or
acteristic of Christian com- ______________________
Greek, there is no longer
munity, what difference ______________________
slave or free, there is no ______________________
would it make?
longer male and female; for ______________________
all of you are one in Christ ______________________
Jesus. ______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________

Bible Reading 3 Reflection Your Notes

Galatians 5:6 If this were the single most ______________________

important and defining char- ______________________
For in Christ Jesus neither
acteristic of Christian com- ______________________
circumcision nor uncircumci-
munity, what difference ______________________
sion counts for anything; the ______________________
would it make?
only thing that counts is faith ______________________
working through love. ______________________
______________________
(The terms “circumcision”
______________________
and “uncircumcision” refer
______________________
not to physical characteris- ______________________
tics but to two different ap- ______________________
proaches to Christian com- ______________________
munity. )
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 1 3

ONE ADVANTAGE OF STUDYING THESE MOVEMENTS IS TO OPEN OUR EYES

TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH OUR PRESENT DOCTRINES, THEOLOGY,
AND PRACTICES ARE CULTURALLY CONDITIONED.
USING WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS CHAPTER, IDENTIFY ONE OR
MORE OF YOUR OWN CHURCH’S TEACHINGS OR PRACTICES THAT SEEM TO BE A
PRODUCT OF THE CULTURE IN WHICH IT DEVELOPED. DISCUSS.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THESE MOVEMENTS? WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE

BALANCE BETWEEN THE CHURCH AS MOVEMENT OR ORGANISM
AND THE CHURCH AS INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION?

IF RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST (THAT IS, BEING LOVED BY CHRIST) WERE THE
SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, AND ALL OTHER
ASPECTS WERE SECONDARY, HOW WOULD CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY BE DIFFERENT?
P a g e 1 4 P a r a d o x y S t ud y Gu i d e

C h a p t e r 6 :
P r i n c i p l e s f o r a n e w w a y o f c h u r c h

Bible Reading 1 Bible Reading 2 Bible reading 3

In this chapter,
which we will discuss
over several sessions,
we explore a number of
emerging principles
John 6:35
“I am the bread of life. Who-
ever comes to me will never
be hungry, and whoever be-
lieves in me will never be
thirst.”
John 8:12
“I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will
never walk in darkness but
will have the light of life.”
John 10:7, 9b
“I am the gate for the sheep .
. . Whoever enters by me will
be saved, and will come in
and go out and find pasture.”

which might form

the boundaries of a
mew paradigm of
Christian unity.

Bible Reading 4 Bible reading 5 Bible reading 6 Bible reading 7

John 10:11, 14–16 John 11:25–26a John 14:6-7a John 15:1, 5b

"I am the good shepherd. The “I am the resurrection “I am the way, and the truth, “I am the true vine, and my
good shepherd lays down his life and the life. Those who and the life. No one comes to Father is the vinegrower . . .
for the sheep . . . I am the good believe in me, even the Father except through Those who abide in me and I
shepherd. I know my own and though they die, will live, me. If you know me, you will in them bear much fruit, be-
my own know me, just as the and everyone who lives know my Father also.” cause apart from me you can
Father knows me and I know the and believes in me will do nothing.”
Father. And I lay down my life for never die.”
the sheep. I have other sheep
that do not belong to this fold. I
must bring them also, and they
will listen to my voice. So there
will be one flock, one shepherd.”

Reflection Your Notes

Recalling that “I AM” (Heb. YHVH), is _________________________________________

the name for God that God told
Moses, consider each of the above “I
AM” statements of Jesus as a lens
through which to view both Jesus
Christ and the rest of Scripture.
Which of these lenses feel most invit-
ing to you? Which feel most challeng-
ing? Which feel both inviting and
challenging? What tensions do you
experience as you consider these
things? What are the implications?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
 Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 1 5

CONSIDER ANY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE IN YOUR CHURCH.

HOW MIGHT YOUR INDIVIDUAL APPROACH TO THE ISSUE SHIFT
IF YOU STARTED WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT BOTH SIDES SHARED AN
ORGANIC, LIVING CONNECTION WITH CHRIST THAT COULD NOT BE SEVERED?
HOW WOULD THE INTERPERSONAL PROCESS SHIFT IF BOTH SIDES STARTED
WITH THAT ASSUMPTION?

Bible reading WHAT FORCES/ISSUES/CONSIDERATIONS SUPPORT

John 13:35
“By this everyone will know that you are
my disciples, if you have love for one
another."
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES BEING KNOWN PRIMARILY
FOR “HAVING LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER”?
WHAT FORCES/ISSUES/CONSIDERATIONS HOLD THEM
BACK? LIST THEM BELOW:

S u p p o r t i n g f o r c e s R e s t r a i n i n g f o r c e s

→ ←
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 1 6

IF JESUS CAME TO YOUR CHURCH, WHAT EVIDENCE WOULD HE SEE THAT YOU
“LOVE ONE ANOTHER”? WHAT EVIDENCE WOULD HE SEE THAT YOU DO NOT?

HOW IS HAVING LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER MADE MANIFEST? HOW IS GOD
CALLING YOU AND YOUR CONGREGATION TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER
MORE OBVIOUSLY?
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 1 7

E p h e s i a n s 4 : 1 4 a

We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown

about by every wind of doctrine. . . .

THERE ARE TWO WAYS OF INTERPRETING THIS TEXT:

 PAUL IS WARNING AGAINST DOCTRINES DIFFERENT THAN HIS OWN.
 PAUL IS WARNING AGAINST AN EXCESSIVE FOCUS ON DOCTRINE, BECAUSE IT IS A
HUMAN ATTEMPT TO DESCRIBE DIVINE REALITY, AND IS THEREFORE IMPERFECT AND
SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE VERY DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS?
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 1 8

WHAT DO YOU FIND ATTRACTIVE ABOUT THE IDEA OF CURBING YOUR DOGMA?
WHAT ABOUT IT MAKES YOU FEEL UNEASY?

WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO THE IDEA OF EMBRACING THE MYSTERY AND LIVING
AS THOUGH THE CORE, PARADOXICAL BELIEFS OF CHRISTIANITY WERE TRUE?
WHAT ABOUT IT MAKES YOU FEEL UNEASY?

WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTING THESE IDEAS IN YOUR LIFE?

IN THE LIFE OF YOUR FAITH COMMUNITY?
 Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 1 9

J o h n 1 5 : 7 – 1 2

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you
wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that
you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved
me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my command-
ments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's com-
mandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so
that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my
commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BELIEVING (AS IN DOCTRINE ABOUT

CHRIST) AND ABIDING (AS IN BEING IN RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST)?

WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD THIS DISTINCTION MAKE IN YOUR FAITH JOURNEY?

IN THE LIFE OF YOUR CONGREGATION?
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 2 0

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BELIEVING WITHOUT PROOF AND

TRUSTING WITHOUT RESERVATION?

HOW DO BELIEF AND TRUST INFLUENCE EACH OTHER IN YOUR FAITH JOURNEY?
HOW DOES BELIEF MOVE YOU FORWARD ON YOUR JOURNEY? HOW DOES FAITH
MOVE YOU FORWARD ON YOUR JOURNEY?
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 2 1

C o r i n t h i a n s 1 2 :2 2 –2 5 , n i v

On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are
indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat
with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated
with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special
treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has
given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
so that there should be no division in the body,
but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
HOW IS YOUR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY LIVING INTO THE SPIRIT OF
THIS SCRIPTURE?
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 2 2

WHAT PRINCIPLES AND CONSIDERATIONS HAVE GUIDED YOUR CONGREGATION’S

ORGANIZATION? WHICH, IF ANY, OF THESE PRINCIPLES AND CONSIDERATIONS
WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE PRIMARY ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLE?

IF THE GIFTS AND CALLINGS OF THE MEMBERS OF YOUR CONGREGATION WERE

ELEVATED TO BE ITS PRIMARY ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLE, HOW MIGHT THAT
CHANGE YOUR ORGANIZATION?

WHAT IS YOUR CONGREGATION’S VISION? HOW DID IT EMERGE? HOW DOES IT

INFLUENCE YOUR CONGREGATION’S DIRECTION?
Q u e s t i o n s f o r G r o u p D i s c u s s i o n P a g e 2 3

Bible Reading Reflection Your Notes

John 12:32 Consider the implications of ___________________________________________________

Jesus’ use of the word “all.” ___________________________________________________
And I, when I am lifted up
___________________________________________________
from the earth, will draw all
___________________________________________________
people to myself. ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

WHAT RULES OR TRADITIONS CREATE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN INSIDERS AND

OUTSIDERS IN YOUR CONGREGATION? IN YOUR DENOMINATION?
WHAT BELIEFS OR ATTITUDES?

WHAT WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THE DISTINCTIONS

BETWEEN INSIDERS AND OUTSIDERS IN YOUR DENOMINATION?
IN YOUR CONGREGATION? IN YOUR OWN LIFE?

IF THIS CHANGE HAPPENS, WHAT WOULD YOU APPRECIATE ABOUT IT?

WHAT ABOUT IT WOULD BE HARD FOR YOU?
P a g e 2 4 P a r a d o x y S t ud y Gu i d e

C h a p t e r 7 :
A N e w M i d d l e W a y

Bible Reading Reflection Your Notes

In this chapter
John 16:12–13
we take the next step (The Message)
in our journey: “I still have many things to tell
you, but you cannot handle them
exploring the now. But when the Friend
implications of this comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he
will take you by the hand and
New Middle Way guide you into all the truth there
is. He won't draw attention to
on how we carry out himself, but will make sense out
our day-to-day lives as of what is about to happen and,
indeed, out of all that I have
communities of faith. done and said.”
Might Christ have some- ______________________
thing to say to your ______________________
church that he has not ______________________
already said? In what ______________________
______________________
ways can the Spirit of
______________________
Truth be your friend as
you explore the difficult
______________________
______________________
or unfamiliar? ______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________

GROUP DISCUSSION ACTIVITY

REVIEW THE SUMMARY TABLE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE, AND

THEN COMPLETE THE CHURCH PARADIGM INVENTORY THAT
FOLLOWS. DISCUSS ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR YOU, YOUR CHURCH,
YOUR DENOMINATION, AND THE CHURCH AT LARGE.

CHOOSE AN ITEM FROM THE INVENTORY ON WHICH YOU WOULD

LIKE TO SEE YOUR CHURCH CHANGE FROM WHERE IT CURRENTLY
IS. CONSIDER WHAT MIGHT HAVE TO CHANGE FOR YOUR CHURCH
TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION. DISCUSS THIS WITH THE REST OF
THE GROUP.
 Key differences in theology, ecclessiology, and missional strategy
Characteristic Propositional Orthodoxy (Orthoproxy) Incarnational Orthodoxy (Paradoxy) Ethical Orthodoxy (Orthopraxy)
View of  Ultimate Truth is found in one  Religion is Irrelevant  Deepest Truth is shared by all
Religion religion.  Christ IS Way and Truth and Life religions
 Christianity is THE WAY to that  Christianity is THE BEST WAY
Truth to that Truth
Approach to  Assent to broad spectrum of doctrine  Kerygmatic (core paradoxical  Ethical action
Orthodoxy  Kerygma / Didache given equal dogmas)  Acting in love
weight  Kerygma over Didache  Communally creedal
 Individually confessional  Communally creedal  Truth is universal and inclusive
 Truth is propositional and exclusive  Truth is relational and collective (The Truth OF Jesus Christ)
(The Truth ON Jesus Christ) (The Truth IS Jesus Christ)

Theological  Doctrinal agreement/uniformity of  Bound by Christ’s Love in common  Ethical agreement / uniformity of
Basis for belief worship purpose
Christian  Conformity to Church’s teachings  Being transformed by God’s power/  Conformity to Jesus Christ’s ethic
Community mystery of love
Approach to  Conflict is evidence of dysfunction  Conflict is natural result of  Conflict is evidence of
Conflict  One side must be wrong authenticity dysfunction
 No compromise  All of us are a little wrong  At the deepest level we’re same
 Resolve by conversion or exclusion  Resolve by prayerful engagement  If possible, change the subject
and openness to transformation by  Focus on agreement, ignore
Christ’s love disagreement
Understanding Proseleo / aparche (externally encouraged Metamorphoo (transformation brought  Metanoeo (change of mind /
of Conversion change of allegiance) about by relationship with Christ) direction)
 Aversion to conversion, per se
Relationship of First Proseleo / aparche, then koinonia  First koinonia (full fellowship)  Koinonia offered w/out condition
Conversion to (full fellowship)  Then fellowship catalyzes  Inner faith experience leads to
Community metamorphoo metanoeo
(koinonia)
Evangelism  Conversional / Proselytizing (inviting  Relational (inviting to relationship  Conversational (inviting to
Approach to convert to Christianity or with Christ and the Body of Christ) conversation about the spiritual
“orthodoxy”)  Making (and being) disciples (lit. life)
 Making converts learners)  Making friends
Evangelist’s  Tell the story  Tell the story  Tell the story
Role  Require a “Yes/No” Decision  Invite into community  Call to repentance from injustice
Approach to Worship is bait; teaching is hook Neither bait nor hook; make friends with Teaching is bait; worship is hook
Relevance the fish
Ecumenical Opportunity to defend/convert Opportunity to engage in relationship Opportunity to seek common ground
Stance
Leadership Keeping people doctrinally unified Keeping the people engaged in Keeping people engaged in serving
Approach discernment God
Discipleship Obedience Call Service
Approach
Role of Leader Authority Visionary Catalyst
Exegetical  Seeking answers from the text  In dialogue with the text (like  Seeking the universal meaning of
Approach  What does the Bible say about _____? Midrash) the text
 What does it tell me to do?  What questions do I have of the  What questions do I have of the
text? text?
 What questions does it ask of me?  How is it relevant to my life?
Bible Emphasis Pastoral Epistles (to learn the doctrines) Gospels (to tell the story) Gospels (learn from Jesus’ example)
Dominant Mode Deductive (outside-in) Narrative / Transformative (two-way) Inductive (inside-out)
of Preaching/ 1. Identify principles in Scripture/ 1. Identify common issues: Salvation 1. Identify our deepest needs
Teaching Tradition Story / us 2. How do Bible/Church teachings
2. How do these principles apply to our 2. What is God calling us to be/ meet them?
lives? become?
 P a g e 2 6 P a r a d o x y S t ud y Gu i d e

C h a p t e r 8 :
C h u r c h P a r a d i g m I n v e n t o r y

Instructions: 5. How does your church interpret the existence of conflict

within a congregation?
Step 1: For each of the fourteen questions below, circle the
response that best describes your church. Give your “first glance” □ A. Conflict is the result of error
response (do not think too long about any question). (one side must be wrong).
Step 2: Transfer your answers to the scoring guide and tally the □ B. Conflict is the result of human nature
number of answers in each column. (we are all a little bit wrong).

Step 3: Respond to the Scripture Reflection and Discussion □ C. Conflict is the result of misperception
Questions at the end of Chapter 5. (at the deepest level we all are the same).

6. When conflict exists, how does your church respond to it?

1. Which statement best describes your church‟s view of religion?
□ A. Change the subject: downplay disagreement,
□ A. Ultimate truth is found in one religion focus on areas of agreement, agree to disagree,
(Christianity is the only way). exclude the conflict from conversation.
□ B. Deepest truth is shared by all religions □ B. Change the person (or the venue): correct the errant
(Christianity is the only way for me). party (or parties), if the person won‟t change,
□ C. Religion is irrelevant for following Christ exclude them from fellowship.
(Christ is the way, the truth, and the life). □ C. Change the context: correct the interpretation of conflict,
explore areas of agreement and disagreement,
2. Which statement best describes your church‟s understanding exclude exclusion as an option for resolution.
of truth?
7. Which statement best describes your church‟s
□ A. Truth is universal and inclusive. understanding of conversion?
□ B. Truth is relational and collective. □ A. Conversion is an internal change of heart and mind,
□ C. Truth is propositional and exclusive. that catalyzes profound changes of the direction in
the person‟s life.

3. Which statement best describes your church‟s approach to
orthodoxy?
□ A. Orthodoxy is right opinion: of Christ, of God,
of the church‟s traditional teachings.
□ B. Orthodoxy is right response: appropriate to
the incarnation of Christ.
□ C. Orthodoxy is right practice: of the love ethic
of Christ.
4. Which statement best describes your church‟s understanding
of the theological basis for Christian community?
□ A. Christian community is grounded on the experience of
Christ‟s love in common worship and the experience of
mutual transformation brought about by that love.
□ B. Christian community is grounded on ethical agreement,
uniformity of purpose, and obedience/conformity to
Jesus Christ‟s ethic of love.
□ C. Christian community is grounded on doctrinal agreement,
□ B. Conversion is a process of change that works from
the outside in and from the inside out transforming
the whole person.
□ C. Conversion is an externally encouraged commitment
of life and belief that catalyzes profound changes
of heart and mind.
8. Which statement best describes your church‟s
understanding of the process of including newcomers?
□ A. First conversion, then fellowship.
□ B. First full fellowship, then fellowship catalyzes
transformation.
□ C. Community offered with few conditions, then the inner
faith experience leads to the person‟s change of heart.
9. Which statement best describes your church‟s approach to
relevance?
□ A. Teaching is bait, worship is hook

uniformity of belief, and obedience/conformity to the □ B. Worship is bait, teaching is hook.

church‟s teachings.
□ C. Neither worship nor teaching are bait or hook.
 P a g e 2 7 P a r a d o x y S t ud y Gu i d e

C h a p t e r 8 : C h u r c h P a r a d i g m I n v e n t o r y
10. Which statement best describes your church‟s
ecumenical/interfaith stance? SCORING GUIDE
□ A. Ecumenical/interfaith relationships are an opportunity Question Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
to engage in relationship.
1 A C B
□ B. Ecumenical/interfaith relationships are an opportunity
to seek common ground. 2 C B A
□ C. Ecumenical/interfaith relationships are an opportunity
3 A B C
to defend orthodoxy.
4 C A B
11. Which statement best describes your church‟s approach to
leadership? 5 A B C
□ A. Leader as catalyst: engage people in serving God.
6 B C A
□ B. Leader as authority: keep people doctrinally unified. 7 C B A
□ C. Leader as midwife: engage people in discerning/following 8 A B C
a shared vision.
9 B C A
12. Which statement best describes your church‟s understanding 10 C A B
of the goal of discipleship?
11 B C A
□ A. The goal of discipleship is learning to obey.
12 A B C
□ B. The goal of discipleship is learning to hear and obey
one‟s unique call to serve. 13 C A B
□ C. The goal of discipleship is learning to serve.
14 B A C
13. Which statement best describes your church‟s understanding TOTAL
of biblical exegesis?
Total the number circled in each column. Use these numbers to
□ A. Seeking to search and be searched by the text. answer the questions below.

□ B. Seeking the deeper, universal meaning of the text. 1. Write your column 1 score here: _____
(This is your preference for Orthopraxy)
□ C. Seeking answers from the text. 2. Write your column 2 score here: _____
(This is your preference for Paradoxy)
3. Write your column 3 score here: _____
14. What statement best describes the questions your church (This is your preference for Orthopraxy)
brings to the Scripture?

□ A. What issues are present both in the salvation story
and in us? What is God calling us to be/become through
our interaction with the salvation story?
□ B. What principles are established by the Scripture,
as understood by the church‟s traditional teaching?
And how do these principles apply to life?
□ C. What are our deepest needs? How does our understanding
of the Scriptures help us to meet them?
REFLECT ON YOUR RESULTS
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
 Pa r a d o x y

For more information or Thank you for considering Paradoxy: Creating

Christian Community Beyond Us and Them
to order the book for your study group!

visit Paradoxy is intentionally structured to be

used in this type of group, and we‟re happy to
www.practicingparadoxy.com be able to provide you with this study guide.

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bulk discounts are available through the
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PUBLICATION DETAILS
TITLE: Paradoxy: Creating Christian Community
Beyond Us and Them
AUTHOR: Ken Howard
FOREWORD: Brian McLaren
AFTERWORD: The Very Rev. Dr. Paul Zahl
PUBLISHER: Paraclete Press, Boston, MA
Visit
PUBLICATION DATE: September 1, 2010
PAGES: 180 (Paperback) www.paracletepress.com
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ISBN: 978-1-55725-775-8
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STUDY GUIDE DESIGN BY
MARY BETH HOWARD

A b o u t T h e A u t h o r

A Christian of Jewish origins, Ken groups with opposing theological

Howard has been an ordained
priest in the Episcopal Church
since 1993, focusing on church
planting and congregational vital-
ity. Prior to ordination Ken was a
consultant in organizational
development, strategic planning,
and conflict resolution. Ken holds
a Master of Divinity degree from
Virginia Theological Seminary,
with honors in Church History for
his ground-breaking research into
the Jewish origins of early Christi-
anity, published in Jewish Christi-
anity in the Early Church.
Respected and trusted for his
expertise in conflict resolution
and consensus building among
and political views, Ken has been
called upon to facilitate dialogs
on issues ranging from human
sexuality to interfaith relations.
When not occupied with the busi-
ness of pastoring and growing the
theologically diverse congregation
he helped plant, Ken is available
for presentations, workshops,
and coaching on the concepts
outlined in Paradoxy: Creating Rev. Ken Howard
Author of Paradoxy: Creating Christian Community
Christian Community beyond Us
Beyond Us and Them
and Them.
Ken Howard is current the rector of Saint
Nicholas Episcopal Church in Darnestown, MD,
a suburb of Washington, DC.
To find out more about his home church, visit
www.saintnicks.com.