Comments on: Theologies of work, Part II http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/ A forum for discussion of news that arises at the intersection of Christianity and culture. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:06:14 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: REG http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-322436 REG Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:13:27 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-322436 "John Piper, who may well be — after Luther, Calvin, and the Almighty Himself — the most oft-cited writer among Reformed pastors, gives this advice to young people: “Devote yourself to [sanctification] with all your heart, and take whatever job you want.” As for those already in the workforce, he falls back on predestination to sanction occupational apathy: “You are where you are by divine assignment, even if you got there by fraud.”" But perhaps it is my spouse's place, or true friend's place to give this guidance/advice in my life, and not the place of a stranger! “John Piper, who may well be — after Luther, Calvin, and the Almighty Himself — the most oft-cited writer among Reformed pastors, gives this advice to young people: “Devote yourself to [sanctification] with all your heart, and take whatever job you want.” As for those already in the workforce, he falls back on predestination to sanction occupational apathy: “You are where you are by divine assignment, even if you got there by fraud.””

But perhaps it is my spouse’s place, or true friend’s place to give this guidance/advice in my life, and not the place of a stranger!

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]]> By: Karen O http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-322277 Karen O Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:33:07 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-322277 Reg - Or maybe it's true because there is an assumption that a Christian will seek out work that is productive & pleasing to God? Reg – Or maybe it’s true because there is an assumption that a Christian will seek out work that is productive & pleasing to God?

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]]> By: REG http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-322230 REG Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:11:37 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-322230 "Search “work” at Charles Stanley’s In Touch Ministries and you’ll find lessons that focus on the Christian’s attitude and diligence, not the content of his work. The same is true at Billy Graham’s ministry." That is true because 1) it takes the priesthood of all believers to flesh out the truth of God's word and 2)only a few themes are taught because the goal is to support the organization; we can't have people thinking about too many other things “Search “work” at Charles Stanley’s In Touch Ministries and you’ll find lessons that focus on the Christian’s attitude and diligence, not the content of his work. The same is true at Billy Graham’s ministry.”

That is true because 1) it takes the priesthood of all believers to flesh out the truth of God’s word and 2)only a few themes are taught because the goal is to support the organization; we can’t have people thinking about too many other things

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]]> By: Jonny http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-322228 Jonny Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:55:52 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-322228 #22- If we're all predestined anyhow, isn't adding a mission-minded focus to our work the ultimate equivalent of digging ditches and filling them back in? #22- If we’re all predestined anyhow, isn’t adding a mission-minded focus to our work the ultimate equivalent of digging ditches and filling them back in?

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]]> By: Tony Woodlief http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-322194 Tony Woodlief Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:30:03 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-322194 Joel (#21), Hopefully some of our disagreement will be cleared up in my next post on this topic, because I think you are asking the right questions regarding the product of labor. I don't think I'm generalizing unfairly, however -- Piper, Graham, and Stanley are not odd in this area; there are scores of sermons and essays posted on the Internet by preachers with smaller congregations who say essentially the same thing. Joel (#21),
Hopefully some of our disagreement will be cleared up in my next post on this topic, because I think you are asking the right questions regarding the product of labor. I don’t think I’m generalizing unfairly, however — Piper, Graham, and Stanley are not odd in this area; there are scores of sermons and essays posted on the Internet by preachers with smaller congregations who say essentially the same thing.

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]]> By: REG http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-322189 REG Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:16:54 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-322189 I love the guy who said that he enjoys spending his leisure time trying out new ideas in his business the enjoyment of work I love the guy who said that he enjoys spending his leisure time trying out new ideas in his business

the enjoyment of work

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]]> By: AJones http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-322023 AJones Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:47:49 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-322023 It has been said that contemporary Americans worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship. How do we sort things out so that this confusion is undone? The Lutheran Dotrine of vocation is of great help here. Luther confessed that God has called us to faith in Christ Jesus and a life of love in service to the neighbor. Working through His “masks” of Word and Sacrament, the Lord calls us to faith. This is His service to us. The same Lord “hides” behind the masks of the neighbor to receive our loving service born of faith. (Add for Masks of God presentation by John Pless CTSFW.edu) It has been said that contemporary Americans worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship. How do we sort things out so that this confusion is undone? The Lutheran Dotrine of vocation is of great help here. Luther confessed that God has called us to faith in Christ Jesus and a life of love in service to the neighbor. Working through His “masks” of Word and Sacrament, the Lord calls us to faith. This is His service to us. The same Lord “hides” behind the masks of the neighbor to receive our loving service born of faith. (Add for Masks of God presentation by John Pless CTSFW.edu)

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]]> By: Dick Friedrich http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-321841 Dick Friedrich Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:04:44 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-321841 I recommend "Your Work Matters to God" by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks put out by Navpress but there are others. I recommend “Your Work Matters to God” by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks put out by Navpress but there are others.

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]]> By: Joel Mark http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-321840 Joel Mark Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:02:46 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-321840 Speaking of work... <i>"I want the people of America to be able to work less for the government and more for themselves. I want them to have the rewards of their own industry. This is the chief meaning of freedom. Until we can reestablish a condition under which the earnings of the people can be kept by the people, we are bound to suffer a very severe and distinct curtailment of our liberty."</i> ~ Calvin Coolidge (From the Prologue of "Things of the Spirit," a biographical film on the personal and political life of Calvin Coolidge.) When the worker does not get to control the rewards of their own industry, that's called slavery. Speaking of work…

“I want the people of America to be able to work less for the government and more for themselves. I want them to have the rewards of their own industry. This is the chief meaning of freedom. Until we can reestablish a condition under which the earnings of the people can be kept by the people, we are bound to suffer a very severe and distinct curtailment of our liberty.” ~ Calvin Coolidge (From the Prologue of “Things of the Spirit,” a biographical film on the personal and political life of Calvin Coolidge.)

When the worker does not get to control the rewards of their own industry, that’s called slavery.

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]]> By: Joel Mark http://online.worldmag.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-321742 Joel Mark Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:47:20 +0000 http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/07/18/theologies-of-work-part-ii/#comment-321742 What I think Tony may want more of from our pulpits, if I may parahrase, is a more mission-minded approach to our work. To simply focus on attitude and sanctification in work and leave off the mission-minded motives and foundations for work is short-sighted. I agree. One of the main themes of my preaching incorporates that mission-minded emphasis. I just think there is more of that in our pulpits than Tony has apparently heard. But I hope I never minimize the attitdue and sanctification aspects either! What I think Tony may want more of from our pulpits, if I may parahrase, is a more mission-minded approach to our work. To simply focus on attitude and sanctification in work and leave off the mission-minded motives and foundations for work is short-sighted.

I agree. One of the main themes of my preaching incorporates that mission-minded emphasis. I just think there is more of that in our pulpits than Tony has apparently heard. But I hope I never minimize the attitdue and sanctification aspects either!

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