The 7 Modalities Paradigm, a signature course at King's College Seminary, offers a unique and profound journey for modalities researchers pursuing a Master's degree. This journey is not just about academic growth, but also a deeply personal and spiritual voyage to the center of the self, a concept richly rooted in Christian theology.
At the heart of this paradigm is the journey to the center of the self. In Christian theology, the self is not merely a psychological construct, but a theological reality. It encompasses the "soul" that is believed to be created in complete innocence ab initio, or from the beginning, and before the fall. This state of original righteousness, often referred to as the 'pre-fall condition', is marked by a harmonious relationship with God, untainted by sin or moral failure. The self, in this context, is therefore much more than the seat of personal identity or consciousness. It is the image of God within us, the spark of the divine that sets humanity apart from the rest of creation.
The 7 Modalities Paradigm invites researchers to explore this inner landscape, to understand the self not just in psychological or sociological terms, but as a theological and spiritual reality. This journey is not about navel-gazing or self-absorption, but about self-discovery in the light of God's truth. It is about understanding the human condition in its fullness, appreciating the depth of human depravity on the one hand, and the height of human dignity on the other.
Therefore, the 7 Modalities Paradigm is much more than a methodological tool or a research framework. It is a transformative journey that challenges researchers to integrate their academic pursuits with their personal faith, to see their research not just as a means of understanding the world, but as a way of understanding themselves in relation to God. In this sense, the 7 Modalities Paradigm is not just about producing excellent scholars, but about forming whole and holy individuals who are as much in love with God as they are in love with learning.
Executive Summary
Across the biblical spectrum, from the patterns shown to Moses to those shown to John in the Book of Revelation, we observe a distinct set of natural abilities that align with the 7 modalities of life as taught by Paul and Peter. These modalities, which include prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy, are not just isolated to the New Testament but are also intricately woven into the Old Testament narratives and laws.
The patterns shown to Moses, particularly through the Tabernacle and its furnishings, prefigure the 7 modalities of life. Each piece of the Tabernacle and its use can be seen as a physical representation of the spiritual modalities that Paul and Peter would later expound on. For instance, the Lampstand could represent the modality of prophecy, bringing light to what is in the darkness, while the Altar of Incense could symbolize the modality of prayer and intercession.
Paul's teachings in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 14:26, and Peter's in 2 Peter 1:5-7, provide a New Testament framework for understanding the 7 modalities of life. These modalities are not just spiritual gifts to be used within the context of the church, but are also indicative of the broader spectrum of default natural abilities that God has woven into the fabric of His creation. They are a call to holistic stewardship of all aspects of life, including our abilities, resources, and callings.
In conclusion, the biblical evidence from Moses to John, when viewed through the lens of the 7 modalities of life, reveals a rich tapestry of default natural abilities that God has endowed His people with. These abilities, while they find their fullest expression in the context of the body of Christ, are also part of the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan for the world. They are a call to faithful and holistic stewardship, to the glory of God and for the common good.
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