Transforming Daily Work into a Divine Vocation

Transforming Daily Work into a Divine Vocation PDF

Author: Robert Banks

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2022-12-12

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 1666723401

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During the last few decades there has been an increasing interest in the connection between our faith and our work, along with the growth of resources and organizations to bring the two into dialogue. Despite this, most Christians continue to feel that their daily work is less valuable than that of pastors, missionaries, or full-time workers in a religious organization. In a fresh and practical way, this book sets out the biblical, historical, and theological grounds for challenging this commonly felt view. It includes a range of engaging personal case studies that demonstrate the profound effect integrating one's work up into one's faith can have--relationally, institutionally, and societally as well as evangelistically, pastorally, and missionally. Attention is also given to the increasingly addictive, fragmented, and precarious nature of work today, and to how we can spiritually find our way to discerning and expressing our unique God-given vocation. The final section of the book considers whether any of our work has eternal value, and retells a compelling parable of what this might look like.

Transforming Daily Work into a Divine Vocation

Transforming Daily Work into a Divine Vocation PDF

Author: Robert Banks

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2022-12-12

Total Pages: 155

ISBN-13: 1666731188

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During the last few decades there has been an increasing interest in the connection between our faith and our work, along with the growth of resources and organizations to bring the two into dialogue. Despite this, most Christians continue to feel that their daily work is less valuable than that of pastors, missionaries, or full-time workers in a religious organization. In a fresh and practical way, this book sets out the biblical, historical, and theological grounds for challenging this commonly felt view. It includes a range of engaging personal case studies that demonstrate the profound effect integrating one’s work up into one’s faith can have—relationally, institutionally, and societally as well as evangelistically, pastorally, and missionally. Attention is also given to the increasingly addictive, fragmented, and precarious nature of work today, and to how we can spiritually find our way to discerning and expressing our unique God-given vocation. The final section of the book considers whether any of our work has eternal value, and retells a compelling parable of what this might look like.

God at Work

God at Work PDF

Author: Gene Edward Veith Jr.

Publisher: Crossway

Published: 2011-08-02

Total Pages: 178

ISBN-13: 143351608X

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When you understand it properly, the doctrine of vocation—"doing everything for God's glory"—is not a platitude or an outdated notion. This principle that we vaguely apply to our lives and our work is actually the key to Christian ethics, to influencing our culture for Christ, and to infusing our ordinary, everyday lives with the presence of God. For when we realize that the "mundane" activities that consume most of our time are "God's hiding places," our perspective changes. Culture expert Gene Veith unpacks the biblical, Reformation teaching about the doctrine of vocation, emphasizing not what we should specifically do with our time or what careers we are called to, but what God does in and through our callings—even within the home. In each task He has given us—in our workplaces and families, our churches and society—God Himself is at work. Veith guides you to discover God's purpose and calling in those seemingly ordinary areas by providing you with a spiritual framework for thinking about such issues and for acting upon them with a changed perspective.

Working Blessedly Forever, Volume 1

Working Blessedly Forever, Volume 1 PDF

Author: R. Paul Stevens

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2024-02-20

Total Pages: 219

ISBN-13: 1666757128

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Work, whether from home, in cyberspace, or in a factory or office, occupies a major chunk of our time, energy, and soul. This book seeks to make sense of our work in the world through adapting the pithy statement of the Puritan William Perkins to define marketplace theology as the "science of working blessedly forever." It is a science involving investigation, but not just with the head (thought), but also with heart (prayer) and hand (practice). But it is a science of working. So the book investigates a theology of work undertaken in the light of God's blessing and purpose. And our work is not just for this life but "forever," since some of it could last into the new heaven and new earth where, guess what, Scripture says we will work as fully human and resurrected beings. Stevens gathers his lifetime of research and teaching into this book showing through biblical research and contemporary analysis the meaning of work and human enterprise. It could change your lifestyle, your work style, and your soul.

Luther on Vocation

Luther on Vocation PDF

Author: Gustaf Wingren

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2004-02-19

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13: 1592445616

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...[C]oncern about the [inherited doctrine of vocation and its relevance for modern life] was generated out of the complexities and frustrations especially of industrial life, and it has produced a voluminous literature of a popular and semi-popular kind which has served to drive home the problem of daily work upon the conscience of contemporary Christians, and also to provide certain resources for handling it. In addition to this varied literature, the last years have also seen a very general discussion of the question at every level of church life: in ecumencal conferences, in the curricular material of the major denominations, and in conferences and study groups of all kinds. About the urgency and importance of the problem of vocation there is now no doubt. But now we find that the rather simple formulae in which we have been dealing with it do justice neither to the Biblical and Reformation inheritance, nor to the profound dilemmas that appear not only in industry, but in every area of professional and commercial life. The problem now is not only to equip our lay-people with fuller theological resources for the understanding of the meaning of discipleship, but to utilize their practical experience of day-to-day dilemmas and day to-day decisions. ...Gustaf Wingren's conscientious analysis of Luther's teaching on the matter...remains our prime resource for the understanding of the relation of faith and works. Nothing could exceed the patience and thoroughness with which Wingren has combed through the Luther corpus.... [I]t will serve to put the full range of Luther's insight at the disposal of those who care for theology as part of their care of all the Churches. Alexander Miller Stanford University

Work

Work PDF

Author: R. Keith Loftin

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2018-03-09

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 0334055296

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Moving from biblical theology to systematic theology to practical theology, "Work: Theological Foundations and Practical Implications" offers a comprehensive theology of work. With contributions from a variety of leading theologians including Miroslav Volf and Samuel Gregg, this book brings together biblical scholars, ethicists, economists representing a spectrum of theological voices. It will bring a new academic depth to the literature on the theology of work and provide a comprehensive single-volume resource for scholars and students alike. Contributions include: “Work and the Trinity” (Miroslav Volf) “Work and Anthropology” (Jay Wesley Richards) “Sanctification and Work” (Scott B. Rae) “Economics and the Common Good” (Samuel Gregg)

Converting Nine to Five

Converting Nine to Five PDF

Author: John C. Haughey

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2005-11-14

Total Pages: 181

ISBN-13: 1597523666

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A thought-provoking guide to a spiritual approach to daily work."" --'Booklist' This compelling analysis of the spiritual dimensions of work confronts the alienation and lack of fulfillment that exist in epidemic proportions in the workplace. Haughey delves into the question of the lasting value of work, and focuses on the relationship between work and justice, work and grace, and work and spirit. Haughey's book is a quiet energizer, perfect for the person who is bored with work, angry at his or her colleagues or disillusioned with the meaning of work."" --'America' John C. Haughey, SJ, a well respected theologian and lecturer, is a senior research fellow at Georgetown University's Woodstock Theological Center in Washington, D.C. He has served as an appointee of the Vatican's Council on Christian Unity for seventeen years and has held chairs at Marquette University, John Carroll University, and Seton Hall University. He is the author of 'Housing Heaven's Fire' (2002) and editor of 'Revisiting the Idea of Vocation' (2004).

The Other Six Days

The Other Six Days PDF

Author: R. Paul Stevens

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2000-09-05

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9780802848000

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In this provocative book, Stevens writes the clergy-laity division has no basis in the New Testament and challenges all Christians to rediscover what it means to live daily as God's people. Exploring the theological, structural and cultural reasons for treating laypeople as the objects of ministry, Stevens argues against the idea of clericalism and in favor of equipping people for ministry in their homes, workplaces and neighborhoods.

Vocation and the Politics of Work

Vocation and the Politics of Work PDF

Author: Jeffrey Scholes

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 0739178903

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Since Martin Luther, vocations or callings have had a close relationship with daily work. It is a give-and-take relationship in which the meaning of a vocation typically negotiates with the kinds of work available (and vice-versa) at any given time. While "vocation language" still has currency in Western culture, today's predominant meaning of vocation has little to do with the actual work performed on a job. Jeffrey Scholes contends that recent theological treatments of the Protestant concept of vocation, both academic and popular, often unwittingly collude with consumer culture to circulate a concept of vocation that is detached from the material conditions of work. The result is a consumer-friendly vocation that is rendered impotent to inform and, if necessary, challenge the political norms of the workplace. For example, he classifies Rick Warren's concept of "purpose" in his best-selling book, The Purpose-Driven Life, as a functional equivalent of vocation that acts in this way. Other popular uses of vocation along with insights culled from traditional theology and consumer culture studies help Scholes reveal the current state of vocations in the West. Using recent scholarship in the field of political theology, he argues that resisting commodification is a possibility and a prerequisite for a "political vocation," if it is at all able to engage the norms that regulate and undermine the pursuit of justice in many modern workplaces.

Hundredfold

Hundredfold PDF

Author: Sam Alzheimer

Publisher:

Published: 2015-05-05

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 9780989621236

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Hundredfold is a comprehensive guide to starting and running a parish vocation committee in a Catholic parish, including step-by-step instructions for over 50 activities.