Paul went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. – Acts 17:16-18

Regular readers likely recall that for me teaching is always a learning experience. It’s the preparation, it’s the interaction, it’s the Holy Spirit, it’s the other participants, it’s the reflection. All this and more.

Well this week has been another case in point. We were talking about “arguing” and the dysfunctional need so many people have to be right, when what I’m calling “The Apollo 13 Principle” dropped into my mind.

First, I had asked the guys how arguing usually works for them. This was in response to scripture references where the Apostle Paul argues with folk both in the synagogue and the public square.

“I like the word ‘debate’ better,” one of the men said. “‘Argue’ always suggests an element of hostility.”

Fair enough. Depending on the translation Paul argues, he reasons, he debates, he disputes, he interacts and sometimes he is “in discussion.”

“Regardless,” I offered, “how does arguing tend to work for you?”

“Not well,” they all tended to agree. And, tellingly, “Even when I win we both lose.”

“And in the end does it even matter who is right or who is wrong?” I queried. Again, their answers suggested being right or wrong has little bearing, and it is never cut-and-dried.

“What if,” I wondered aloud, “the emphasis is less on being right and more about finding a solution?”

Nods of ascent.

Apollo 13:

That’s when I remembered – and shared – the amazing story from the Apollo 13 mission. You know, the one where part of the space capsule blows up and the three astronauts are essentially stranded with Earth a couple of hundred thousand miles in the rear-view-mirror.

Back in Houston there is a flurry of opinion and theory and points of view regarding what should be done to find a way home, a fix. Then somebody gets smart and the following scenario unfolds.

A handful of brilliant engineers sit around a conference table and someone brings in a cardboard box containing everything the Apollo 13 crew have to work with. Nothing more, nothing less.

At this point opinions, posturing, speculation and ideology are a complete waste of time and effort. “This is what they have. Our guys are 249,205 miles from home and there is nothing they can use to save their skins other than the exact same stuff we have in this box.”

The contents of the box are emptied onto the table.

“This is what we have. Let’s work together to figure something out.”

And they do.

If the story was about the need for oneupmanship, to be proved right, or to show how wrong the other guy was, then the Apollo 13 crew would have died in short order. But the only job was to come up with a solution.

I don’t care what our situation is or what ideological points need to be scored. There is only one practical path forward and that is the one that recognizes where we are, what resources we have, and then works – together – for a solution.

In a nutshell, isn’t that what we send people to Congress to do? – DEREK