Leaders' Ignorance

There is a phenomenon in business called the innovators dilemma. It occurs when nimble competitors use disruptive technologies to overtake a leader that is unwilling to cannibalize its own business, one that is based on traditional technologies. I liken it to Christian faith overtaking Jewish legalism.

In Mark 2:18-22, Jesus was questioned about his disciples not fasting when the Pharisees were doing so. His answer about old wineskins and garments implied that old ways hamper new ways. This speaks to the innovators dilemma. Jewish leaders resisted the newness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Reading Romans 9:30-33, the Jews were the religious leaders. However, in a dilemma they stumbled over the disruptive arrival of “righteousness from God”—the person of Jesus Christ. Their tradition was salvation by works. They were in a dilemma because they chose to cling to their old ways rather than by faith accepting God’s righteousness as a gift.

Romans 10:1-4 indicates the ignorance of unbelievers (Jews in this case) and their stubbornness to not submit to God’s righteousness. The smartest guys were the most ignorant. They were blinded and trapped by their system of beliefs built around a meticulous legalism. How is this also true of unbelievers today? I think of cults, which you might want to check out specific ones at Watchman Fellowship. On their web page you can locate the video of Oprah insisting that Jesus “can't possibly be the only way” to God”.

Step2 of this LifeWay lesson “Call to Faith” summaries the teaching in Romans 10:1-4 as “We cannot save ourselves.” Capture and play the video of dialogue with Oprah and talk about the issue of “ways to God.”