In this short blog we’ll answer the question ‘What does the Bible say about being innovative?’ This is part of our larger series concerning Christian innovation and design, and fits within the most recent conversation about creativity and innovation in the Bible.
So, what does the Bible say about innovation? For starters, let’s be clear that “innovation” wasn’t a term employed by the biblical writers. There is no perfect parallel between our modern languages and theirs. The closest you get is the word “new”. However, that doesn’t mean the Bible is silent on the topic of innovation. As we’ll see, the scriptures are FULL of innovation-affirming and innovation-inspiring material.
So, by way of introduction (and just to keep it fun), here are the top 7 Bible verse on innovation in the KJV.
“No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.”
– Mark 2:21-22, in which Jesus reminds us that we’re going to need to stay fresh in order not to cause harm
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
– Romans 12.2, in which Paul reminds us that our innate patterns of thought need to be changed in order to please God
“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord all the earth.”
– Psalm 96.1, in which we are instructed not to rely upon the former things alone, but to create newness.
“Behold, I make all things new.”
– Revelation 21.5, in which we see Jesus revitalize All
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God…”
– 2 Timothy 2.15, in which we’re reminded we don’t yet know all that is required, much less how to apply it. We have to learn!
”Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.“
– Isaiah 43.19, in which God demonstrates the divine prerogative to perpetuate change
”Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare…“
– Isaiah 42.9, in which God reminds us that there’s always more to come…
In all these scriptures—and many more—you see a clear preference from God for new ideas, new thoughts, and new understanding.
So, let’s return to our big question and ask, again, What does the Bible say about being innovative?
I always find it helpful to turn to the example of Jesus in any question like this, and Jesus was the ultimate innovator. Theologically, he embodied the ultimate fulfillment of Torah alongside the ultimate sensitivity to the Spirit. Metaphysically, Jesus demonstrated what it meant to be a human being in submission to the Father, overcoming temptation and applying the scriptures with fresh insight to unforeseen events. Rhetorically, Jesus employed narrative techniques to confound his adversaries and inspire his adherents. Jesus was an artisan (a tekton was more than just a “carpenter”), an intellectual (“you’ve heard it said, but I say to you…”), and a man-of-the-people (“no longer do I call you servants but friends”). In essence, everything the Bible says about following Jesus is a summons to a more innovative life.
And it wasn’t just Jesus who demonstrated this proclivity toward innovation. We have all sorts of contenders for the most innovative leaders in the Bible. Consider Joshua with his sound-infused strategy for toppling Jericho, Deborah for her use of Jael’s womanly wiles, David for use of a projectile weapon in hand-to-hand combat, and Abraham marching into uncertainty. Of course, there are other examples we might provide, but this is just to get us comfortable with the idea that change happens, and innovation is creative change put toward practical purpose.
What does the bible say about new ideas? “Newness” is neither a virtue nor a vice, according to scripture. Scripture often impresses the need for new ideas (see top 7 Bible verse on innovation KJV), but sometimes cautions against new ideas that lead others astray (cf. Gal.1.8). What I find most fascinating about a survey of new ideas in the scripture is how change-averse people tend to emphasize the few cautionary scriptures and almost completely ignore the ways in which the Bible, in general, and Jesus, in particular, were champions of creativity, innovation, and change.
For reference, here are my top 7 Bible verses about change and new beginnings:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!“
– 2 Corinthians 5.17
”I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”
– Ezekiel 11.19
”See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”
– Isaiah 65.17
”Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.”
– Job 8.7
“I am making everything new!”
– Revelation 21.5
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
– Isaiah 43.19
“Put on your new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
– Colossians 3.10
But, again, understanding the biblical material on innovation and creativity is not simply matter of citing verses. Repeatedly, we receive case studies on creativity and innovation in the Bible, from Joseph storing grain (Gen.41) to Moses appointing judges (Deut.16), from the Jerusalem Council amending their holiness code (Acts 15) to Peter agreeing to set aide his kosher diet (Acts 10)…everywhere—EVERYWHERE—the Bible resounds with a clarion call to stay in step with the Spirit and not become rigid.
What does the Bible say about organizational change? In sum: you can’t put new wine into old wineskins, or they’ll burst! We’re called to be constantly changing, learning to sing the Lord’s song in a strange land (Ps.137.4), acknowledging that the former things pass away (Isa.42.9).
Now, much of the biblical material shows favor toward artistic pursuits, which means it’s worth asking What does the Bible say about being artistic?
Artists were often employed by God to beautify (Ps.96.1), to minister (1 Sam.16), to soothe (Isa.40), and to emulate their Creator (Gen.1.26-28). Additionally, artists were seen as spokespeople for God, calling God’s people into holiness (2 Sam.12). In the scripture, to be artistic was to emulate divine creativity as an act of obedience, identity, and calling.
This begs an even larger question, Why is creativity important to God? Because God is the Creator, and we most faithfully emulate God when we perpetuate God’s creativity on earth (cf. Gen.1.26-28). To be creative is to be god-ly.
So you see, all our innovative and creative efforts, when offered in service to God, are actually demonstrations of worship and obedience. Far from being shy about our creativity, we ought to cultivate it with righteous abandon.
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