International Journal of Biblical Research Studies (IJBRS)
Vol. 2 No. 6 (2026): Faith-Theology as a Catalyst for Innovation: A Grounded Truth Theory Study of Jacob’s Strategy (Gen 30–31) in Zimbabwe
Faith-Theology as a Catalyst for Innovation: A Grounded Truth Theory Study of Jacob’s Strategy (Gen 30–31) in Zimbabwe

This study investigates the role of Faith Theology as a catalyst for entrepreneurial innovation through an examination of Jacob's livestock strategy in Genesis 30–31 and its relevance to the contemporary Zimbabwean marketplace. While existing entrepreneurship literature has extensively explored innovation from economic, managerial, psychological, and sociological perspectives, limited scholarly attention has been given to faith as a legitimate epistemic source of entrepreneurial knowledge and innovation. This study addresses this gap by employing a qualitative, inductive Grounded Truth Theory methodology, integrating scriptural review, critical exegesis, theological reflection, and contextual application as its primary methodological approaches. Through a seven-dimensional analytical matrix, the research examines how Jacob's entrepreneurial success emerged from the interaction of divine revelation, spiritual discernment, human agency, ethical stewardship, strategic implementation, and transformational outcomes. The study argues that Jacob's innovation was neither merely a product of human ingenuity nor solely a miraculous event, but a faith-informed entrepreneurial process in which revealed knowledge was translated into practical economic strategy. By contextualising these findings within Zimbabwe's challenging economic environment, the research develops a Faith-Based Entrepreneurial Innovation Framework that demonstrates how faith-derived knowledge can inform opportunity recognition, strategic decision-making, resource management, and business resilience. The study contributes to the growing discourse on faith and entrepreneurship by proposing a biblically grounded theory of innovation that integrates theological insights with marketplace practice. It concludes that Faith Theology functions as a significant catalyst for entrepreneurial innovation by providing an alternative epistemological foundation through which entrepreneurs may navigate uncertainty, create value, and achieve sustainable economic transformation.

Keywords: Faith Theology, Entrepreneurial Innovation, Grounded Truth Theory, Scriptural Review, Jacob’s Livestock Strategy (Genesis 30–31), Zimbabwe, Faith-Based Entrepreneurship.

Scripture-Governed Interdisciplinary Research Article

Professor (Pastor) Dele A. Ilesanmi, PhD, ThD, Ketayi Asani (Author)
Faith-Theology as a Catalyst for Innovation: A Grounded Truth Theory Study of Jacob’s Strategy (Gen 30–31) in Zimbabwe