The Jerusalem Council

I was required to submit a paper yesterday for a graduate-level IT course I'm taking (Problem Analysis). After reading Drucker, Postman, Deming and other authorities on the topic of computer-age management and studying Kaizen, Six-sigma, and other predominant 20-th Century Quality Management principles, I was supposed to draw a process map (and then defend) my own problem-solving process.

One of our lectures concluded with the idea that "there is more than one way to skin a cat." In other words, all of these theories are great to put in your management "toolbox" but other theories will surely rise to the top of the American/International business popularity race for a time. No single theory has proven effective in all situations.

So I chose to go to the Word. What is the Biblical principal for problem-solving? I discovered The Jerusalem Council.
The name refers to a meeting of Christians and Jews described in Acts 15. Historically, these two groups held vastly different world views and in this instance, they were arguing over the act of circumcision.

A. Community Tension (15:1-2a). Christian teachers from Judea, having come to Antioch, teach that the Gentiles must be circumcised if they are to be saved. Paul and Barnabas vigorously disagree.
B. Initiation (15:2b-5). A delegation, including Paul and Barnabas, are sent to consult with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. The delegation is welcomed in Jerusalem, make an initial report, and the issue is quickly joined as believers from among the Pharisees insist that Gentiles be circumcised.
C. Exploration (15:6-7a). (Interpretation I) The meeting begins with “much debate.”
D. Narrative (Story)
◦ Peter’s Story (15:7b-11). Peter breaks into the debate and reminds the meeting of the story of his Joppa vision and experience with Cornelius, Roman centurion, in which it had become clear that God had accepted the Gentiles. He challenges them by reminding them of their own story in which they themselves had been unable to bear the “yoke” that they now wished to place on the Gentiles. {8} He concludes by focusing the Jesus story. Salvation, for both Jew and Gentile, comes only “through the grace of the Lord Jesus.”
◦ Barnabas and Paul’s Stories (15:12). The assembly is silent as they listen to these stories of what God has done among the Gentiles through Barnabas and Paul.
C’. Correlation (15:13-18). (Interpretation II) James begins with Peter’s story and shows how the prophets agree.
B’. Resolution (15:19-29). James proposes the conclusion. The apostles and elders, together with the entire church, agree and discern that the Holy Spirit approves. The answer is formulated in a letter.
A’. Community Action (15:30-35). A delegation is sent with Paul and Barnabas to convey the message to the church at Antioch. They are well-received in Antioch, and the Antioch church rejoices at the news.

Over and over, the Bible emphasizes discussion and putting differences aside (before the sun goes down).

I also appreciate this lesson, based on Old Testament: Nehemiah, Proverbs and Jeremiah.

Photo: West Jackson Council