A paradigm is a model of reality. All of us have paradigms whether we realize it or not. We interpret literally everything we see through one or more of our paradigms. Paradigms often dictate how we are able to view something. If we do not understand how an inappropriate paradigm can confuse our understanding, we are easily misled. Everything new we experience will be viewed initially through our existing paradigms. We usually give no thought to whether or not our paradigms might confuse us. We usually come to know that our previous experiences have not prepared us to understand something new only when what we perceive clearly falls outside of the realm of possibility. At that point, we learn that the paradigm we were attempting to use is invalid. When we come to understand reality, we develop a new paradigm which is valid for the new situation. (Ephesians 5:11)
