Today Matt led a discussion on seeing the world through "different pairs of sunglasses" or different perspectives. We examined the teachings of Jesus through the lense of Game Theory. Game theory is the idea that each situation can be characterized as:
zero sum game: You either have a winner or loser. For example: in a game of chess, one person wins, one loses.
Non-zero sum game: People find a way for everyone to win. Turn the other cheek is non-zero sum game. For example: A woman was kidnapped in Atlanta. She talked to her kidnapper and helped him to see the wrong in his actions. They built a relationship, and he ended up turning himself in.
Matt talked about how often times human nature can lead us to view the world from the zero sum game perspective. If at the end of your basketball game the other team shoots from half court, do you pull for them to make or miss the basket? If you are a true competitor, then you have done what you can. Now, you let the chips fall as they will. Do you wish the best for others?
Matt talked about how there were many zero-sum games in Jesus's time. The affluent and wealthy religious leaders vs. the prostitutes and sick, who were clearly the losers in that society. Jesus urged us to fight human nature and make choices designed for everyone to win, where everyone is accepted and cared for.
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