Theology of Work Resources for CO 1101 Leadership in Counselor Education and Supervision
Faith Goes to Work by
A collection of authors from a variety of vocations suggest ways in which the church and its laity can be better equipped for integrating faith in the workplace.
God the Worker by
Here is an invitation to embark on a journey of discovery that marshals our imagination and emotions, our intellect and will. God the Worker seeks to answer the ultimate questions: - What is God really like? - Can we know God intimately? - Where do we fit into the overall scheme of things? In his quest for answers, Robert Banks opens up the world of the Bible and everyday life as he explores dynamic images of God at work: as composer and performer, as metalworker and potter, as garmentmaker and dresser, as gardener and orchardist, as farmer and winemaker, as shepherd and pastoralist, as tentmaker and camper, as builder and architect. He shows how, through the language and idea of work, the divine hand is revealed. This book offers us the opportunity to encounter God in a way that is mind-expanding, life-changing, work-transforming--taking us to the very edges of human understanding. The author sees the Bible as a guidebook and source of insight that is completely fresh, but paradoxically as old as the book itself.
Economic Shalom by
This Reformed Christian primer on work and faith champions the glory of God in all of life's endeavors by tracing four key themes of economics in Christian confession and commitment and examining markers for human flourishing in the real world of economics, commerce, and markets. With scholarly passion and pastoral wisdom, tempered by the insight of economists, John Bolt presents a winsome case for how God uses the market economy to meet human needs. Written to raise questions and invite further discussion, Bolt offers a robust Reformed perspective on stewardship, property, capital, and morality. From this, he explores a variety of issues, including the human need for liberty, the challenge of consumerism, concerns about fairness and justice, and evangelicalism's mixed history in applying Christian compassion in politics and economics. What stands in the way of the human quest for improvement? How does the reality of sin affect the degree to which we can achieve economic shalom today? And despite every good intention, how do we avoid the horrific track record of failed utopias that have spilled oceans of blood and created mountains of misery? Read, learn, and respond as Bolt leads a rousing Reformed discussion of faith, work, and economics.
Business Through the Eyes of Faith by
Is capitalism Christian Is there a Christian perspective on business How should a Christian use power in the workplace In addressing such difficult questions as these, Business through the Eyes of Faith demonstrates how God can dwell at the center of one's life even in the secular marketplace. Here is pragmatic affirmation of the role that committed Christians can play in the business world. the authors stress the connections between Christian principles and good management and provide biblical passages that support their principles and relate them to the practical issues faced by Christian managers. Issues such as employee motivation, workplace communication, business leadership, the role of profit, and social responsibility are all addressed in concrete terms and reinforced by short vignettes, suggested biblical passages to explore, and commentaries from contemporary theorists and practitioners. Business through the Eyes of Faith shows that business can and should be a reflection of God's kingdom. It is an invaluable resource for Christian business students, managers, and those who wish to understand the concerns and motives of Christians in the business world.
Why America Doesn't Work by 
The Heavenly Good of Earthly Work by
Does a person's day to day work have any ultimate value from the perspective of Eternity? Should our work be seen as a discipline through which we connect spiritually with God and others? Is ordinary work the primary way that people can participate in God's mission to make all things new? What is the heavenly good of earthly work? In this book Darrell Cosden takes us on a spiritual and theological journey of discovery exploring these questions. Creatively, constructively, and sometimes provocatively, he shows us that the heavenly good of earthly work really makes the gospel good news for ordinary people by offering the possibility of a genuinely purpose-full Christian life.
A Theology of Work by
Given that so much of our contemporary lives are spent working and that so many major decisions and issues in life revolve around our work, it is surprising just how little serious theological reflection there is on the subject. A Theology of Work: Work and the New Creation makes work itself the subject of theological enquiry. From within Christian doctrine it asks the pressing questions 'what is work and work's place in God's economy and thus, how should we be carrying out our work?' Through dialogue with Jurgen Moltmann, Pope John Paul II and others, this book develops a genitive 'theology of work'. It offers a normative theological definition of work and a model for a theological ethics of work that shows work's nature, value and meaning now, and, quite uniquely, eschatologically related to the new creation. Throughout the book it is argued that work in its essence is about transformation and, as such, it is an activity consisting of three dynamically interrelated dimensions: the instrumental, relational, and ontological.
Shop Class As Soulcraft by
A philosopher/mechanic's wise (and sometimes funny) look at the challenges and pleasures of working with one's hands "This is a deep exploration of craftsmanship by someone with real, hands-on knowledge. The book is also quirky, surprising, and sometimes quite moving." --Richard Sennett, author of The Craftsman Called "the sleeper hit of the publishing season" by The Boston Globe, Shop Class as Soulcraft became an instant bestseller, attracting readers with its radical (and timely) reappraisal of the merits of skilled manual labor. On both economic and psychological grounds, author Matthew B. Crawford questions the educational imperative of turning everyone into a "knowledge worker," based on a misguided separation of thinking from doing. Using his own experience as an electrician and mechanic, Crawford presents a wonderfully articulated call for self-reliance and a moving reflection on how we can live concretely in an ever more abstract world.
Culture Making by
2009 Christianity Today Book Award winner!Named one of Publishers Weekly's best books of 2008 (religion category) It is not enough to condemn culture. Nor is it sufficient merely to critique culture or to copy culture. Most of the time, we just consume culture. But the only way to change culture is to create culture.Andy Crouch unleashes a stirring manifesto calling Christians to be culture makers. For too long, Christians have had an insufficient view of culture and have waged misguided "culture wars." But we must reclaim the cultural mandate to be the creative cultivators that God designed us to be. Culture is what we make of the world, both in creating cultural artifacts as well as in making sense of the world around us. By making chairs and omelets, languages and laws, we participate in the good work of culture making.Crouch unpacks the complexities of how culture works and gives us tools for cultivating and creating culture. He navigates the dynamics of cultural change and probes the role and efficacy of our various cultural gestures and postures. Keen biblical exposition demonstrates that creating culture is central to the whole scriptural narrative, the ministry of Jesus and the call to the church. He guards against naive assumptions about "changing the world," but points us to hopeful examples from church history and contemporary society of how culture is made and shaped. Ultimately, our culture making is done in partnership with God's own making and transforming of culture.A model of his premise, this landmark book is sure to be a rallying cry for a new generation of culturally creative Christians. Discover your calling and join the culture makers.
Work: the Meaning of Your Life by
Where do we find the core of life's meaning? Right on the job! At whatever work we do -- with head or hand, from kitchen to executive suite, from your house to the White House. "Work is the great equalizer -- everyone has to come to it in order to find meaning in living: no short cuts, no detours, no bargain rates."
The Monday Connection: A Spirituality of Competence, Affirmation, and Support in the Workplace by 
The Integrated Life by
What if we could resolve the exhausting struggle between work, family, and spiritual life? What if we recognized a deep connection between faith and business? What if biblical values weren't roadblocks but actually the source of successful business? What if the real goal of business were more noble than maximizing profit? What if we could see our everyday work as having spiritual value? What if we could approach it as ministry? What if it were our calling, a calling as high as that of a pastor or missionary? What if God cared deeply about our work and wanted to be involved? And what if we could even partner with him in our business? Many of us believe the key to resolving the tension between work and faith lies in a more balanced life. Pursuing balance is important, Eldred explains, but that noble effort still leaves us with compartmentalized lives. We still sense that all those prime hours of our day have little or no spiritual significance. Integration is the key to changing that mindset and thus "redeeming" the vast majority of our time, the hours devoted to work. When our work is a holy calling and a ministry, it's loaded with spiritual significance. All that time we spend at work has spiritual value. So while balance alone might redeem some hours, integration can redeem far more! Ken Eldred reveals how to find a deep integration between our work and faith such that all areas of our lives further God's kingdom, glorify him, and fulfill our life mission. As we integrate our lives, he explains, we can experience the abundant life that Jesus offers us. The author takes on pervasive misconceptions stemming both from business and from church. He debunks these misguided beliefs and attitudes that hold us back and reveals a transformational new paradigm for purpose-driven work. Eldred explains that we have a threefold ministry in our work life: pointing those around us to God (a ministry at work), serving and creating via the work itself (a ministry of work), and redeeming the practices, policies, and structures of institutions (a ministry to work). That's a pretty lofty charge for those of us in the marketplace! This book offers a powerful picture of the integrated life in which our faith impacts every sphere, including our work in the marketplace. Drawing on his own experience and the example of others, Eldred lays out practical applications that lead to abundant living through a far deeper connection between work and faith.
The Artist and the Trinity by
The Artist and the Trinity aims to create a Christian theology of work based on Dorothy L. Sayers' analogy of the Trinity to the process of artistic creation. Sayers' analogy gives us an account of the person that does not collapse into the atomism of the individual of modern liberal capitalism, but is fully relational. By putting Sayers into dialogue with Alasdair MacIntyre, the book develops a fully Trinitarian theology of work that accounts for the interdependence of human beings, and for the ethical requirements of caring for the weak, the young, and the old in a way that is gender neutral.
The Fabric of Faithfulness by
Voted one of Christianity Today's 1998 Books of the Year!All kinds of important choices are made during the college years. Young men and women explore what they really believe about the nature of the world and the purpose of life. They choose their work. They build friendships or even choose to marry. They develop goals and adopt habits that may very well last a lifetime.Yet late modernity is not a welcome environment for the emotional, intellectual and spiritual formation that occurs during these critical years. Society is increasingly fragmented. And the educational system itself, fragmented and specialized, may disintegrate more than it integrates.Professors, campus ministers, parents, youth pastors and others who are concerned with college students face an immense challenge in these days. How do they help Christian students, during one of the most eventful and intense periods of life, learn to connect what they believe about the world with how they live in it?Drawing on the history of ideas, ethics, sociology and a host of examples from contemporary popular culture, Steven Garber vigorously engages just that question. His book, The Fabric of Faithfulness, is must reading for all those who work on campuses and care about today's students.
Visions of Vocation by
Foreword Review's Annual INDIEFAB Book of the Year Finalist Outreach Resource of the Year Christianity Today Award of Merit Leadership Journal Best Books for Church Leaders Book of the Year from Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds Bookstore Is it possible to know the world and still love the world? Of all the questions we ask about our calling, this is the most difficult. From marriages to international relations, the more we know, the harder it is to love. We become cynics or stoics, protecting our hearts from the implications of what we know. But what if the vision of vocation can be recovered--allowing us to step into the wounds of the world and for love's sake take up our responsibility for the way the world turns out? For decades Steve Garber has come alongside a wide range of people as they seek to make sense of the world and their lives. With him we meet leaders from the Tiananmen Square protest who want a good reason to still care about China. We also meet with many ordinary people in ordinary places who long for their lives to matter: Jonathan who learned he would rather build houses than study history Todd and Maria who adopted creative schedules so they could parent better and practice medicine D.J. who helped Congress move into the Internet Age Robin who spends her life on behalf of urban justice Hans who makes hamburgers the way they are meant to be made Susan who built a home business of hand-printing stationary using a letterpress Santiago who works with majority-world nations in need of capital George who has given years to teaching students to learn things that matter most Claudius and Deirdre whose openhearted home has always been a place for people Dan who loves Wyoming, the place, its people and its cows Vocation is when we come to know the world in all its joy and pain and still love it. Vocation is following our calling to seek the welfare of the world we live in. And in helping the world to flourish, strangely, mysteriously, we find that we flourish too. Garber offers a book for everyone everywhere--for students, for parents, for those in the arts, in the academy, in public service, in the trades and in commerce--for all who want to discover the virtue of vocation.
Business for the Glory of God by
Grudem postulates that by engaging in business we glorify God because we are emulating God's own creative work. This book is a guide to imitating God during interactions with customers, co-workers, employees, and businesses.
The Call by
The Call continues to stand as a classic, reflective work on life's purpose. Best-selling author Os Guinness goes beyond our surface understanding of God's call and addresses the fact that God has a specific calling for our individual lives. Why am I here What is God's call in my life How do I fit God's call with my own individuality How should God's calling affect my career, my plans for the future, my concepts of success Guinness now helps the reader discover answers to these questions, and more, through a corresponding workbook - perfect for individual or group study. According to Guinness, "No idea short of God's call can ground and fulfill the truest human desire for purpose and fulfillment." With tens of thousands of readers to date, The Call is for all who desire a purposeful, intentional life of faith. Also availbale in audio format, narrated by Os Guinness.
The Gift of Work by
Did you ever think God wants to bless you with work?Work has become a dangerous place. With employee violence, injuries, and even deaths on the rise, it's no wonder we're filled with stress, apprehension, and anger. That's not God's plan for work though. In The Gift of Work, author Bill Heatley couples wisdom from several great thinkers of faith with spiritual disciplines that can easily be practiced in the workplace. Your ideas about work will be shattered and then rebuilt to help you understand God's divine purpose. Fill your work with the love, joy, courage, and power God intended. Become a blessing and be blessed in return.
Aspects of Christian Social Ethics by 
The Disciples' Call by
There is currently no shared language of vocation among Catholics in the developed, post-modern world of Europe and North America. The decline in practice of the faith and a weakened understanding of Church teaching has led to reduced numbers of people entering into marriage, religious life and priesthood. Uniquely, this book traces the development of vocation from scriptural, patristic roots through Thomism and the Reformation to engage with the modern vocational crisis. How are these two approaches compatible? The universal call to holiness is expressed in Lumen Gentium has been read by some as meaning that any vocational choice has the same value as any other such choice; is some sense of a higher calling part of the Catholic theology of vocation or not? Some claim that the single life is a vocation on a par with marriage and religious life; what kind of a theology of vocation leads to that conclusion? And is the secular use of the word 'vocation' to describe certain profession helpful or misleading in the context of Catholic theology?
Responsive Labor by
Most Christians work outside the church, so for many--if not most--of us, daily labor seems divorced from Christian beliefs and ethics. Work is an inevitable factor of human existence, and yet we do not have appropriate theological resources to help us reflect on its nature and meaning in light of Christian understanding and contemporary American culture. How can we as Christians understand our work as a dimension of our faith?
Business as Mission by
Business as mission (BAM) is a mission strategy whose time has come. As global economics become increasingly interconnected, Christian business people and entrepreneurs have unanticipated opportunities to build kingdom-strategic business ventures. But Christian companies and business leaders do not automatically accomplish missional purposes. BAM requires mastery of both the world of business and the world of missions, merging and contextualizing both into something significantly different than either alone.C. Neal Johnson offers the first comprehensive guide to business as mission for practitioners. He provides conceptual foundations for understanding BAM's unique place in global mission and prerequisites for engaging in it. Then he offers practical resources for how to do BAM, including strategic planning and step-by-step operational implementation. Drawing on a wide variety of BAM models, Johnson works through details of both mission and business realities, with an eye to such issues as management, sustainability and accountability. Business as mission is a movement with enormous potential. This book breaks new ground in how faith and work intersect and are lived out in crosscultural contexts, where job creation and community transformation go hand in hand. Come, participate in what may well be one of the most strategic mission paradigms of the 21st century.
Every Good Endeavor by 
How the Church Fails Businesspeople (and What Can Be Done about It) by 
Business As a Calling by 
Flourishing Churches and Communities by Us and them: building a just workplace community by The Faith-work Connection: A Practical Application of Christian Values in the Workplace by 
Why Business Matters to God by
Jeff Van Duzer grew up thinking business was the source of much damage and evil in the world, the work of greedy capitalists polluting the environment. Thirty years later he was dean of a business school.In the course of that remarkable transformation, Van Duzer found cause for both hope and concern. He discovered many business people achieving a great deal of good for society as well as a lot of illegal and unethical behavior.Along the way he found some who thought that merely being honest and kind was what made business Christian. Others said they'd never ask pastors for business advice because they had no interest or experience in their work. After all, wasn't "full-time Christian service" what the church was all about?This book explores the nature and meaning of doing business and finds it calls for much more than most think. Van Duzer presents a profoundly Christian approach that integrates biblical studies with the disciplines of business and economics. Looking beyond the place of ethical principles and the character of the individual, Van Duzer displays a vision of business that contributes to the very purposes of God.
God at Work by
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.
Work in the Spirit by
Since the rise of modern industrial society, work has come to pervade and rule the lives of men and women. Although there have been many popular books and church documents on on the Christian understanding of work, this is the first scholarly effort to articulate a developed Protestant theology of work. In Work in the Spirit, Miroslav Volf interprets work from a new perspective - in terms of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. He exhaustively explores the nature of work in both capitalist and socialist societies and considers a variety of work, including industrial, agricultural, medical, political, and artistic work. Examining the importance of alienation in work in industrial and information societies (particularly in the relation of workers to management and technology), he analyzes various forms of such alienation, and elucidates the character of humane work. On the basis of the "pneumatological" theology of work that he develops, Volf rejects the traditional Protestant understanding of work as vocation, and takes the concept of charisma as the cornerstone for his theological reflection on work. He denies that one is "called" to do a particular work irrespective of one's inclinations, and asserts, instead, that it is our privilege to do the kind of work for which God's spirit has gifted us. All human work done in accordance with the will of God, Volf argues, is cooperation with God in the preservation and transformation of the world.
How Then Should We Work? by
Businessman Hugh Whelchel provides a thorough, deeply-satisfying biblical answer to the age-old question, "Does my work matter to God?" Many Christians struggle to make sense of their faith and work. Some are taught the only value in their work is evangelism among their coworkers and earning money to donate to the church and missions. With more than 25 years working in the business sector, Hugh Whelchel was just that guy. He knew there had to be more. His thorough investigation reveals the eternal significance of work within the grand, biblical story of God's mission throughout history. In How Then Should We Work, discover: The rich biblical meaning of work - from Genesis to Revelation The difference between work, vocation, and calling as a Christian The history of the Christian view on work The call to "reweave shalom" through your job How to live a life of deep significance Endorsements: "A biblically-based and compelling argument supporting the integration of faith and work into a noble calling to serve God in the marketplace." Steve Reinemund, Dean of Business, Wake Forest University Schools of Business and Retired Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo. "Our vocation: Curse or obsession? Hugh Whelchel lays out the biblical case that our work is neither a necessary evil nor the center of our self-worth. It's God's holy calling through which we use our God-given talents for the furtherance of His ultimate plan - the Kingdom of God." Hon. John Scott Redd, Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.) and First Director of the U. S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) "Hugh Whelchel's work comes at a critical time when both the church and the culture in general are questioning the purpose and value of work. His solid examination of the biblical teaching on work is an excellent starting point for anyone wrestling with these issues." J. Michael Thigpen, Executive Director of the Evangelical Theological Society "Hugh Whelchel has done an exquisite job of calling Christians to their role in the kingdom of God. He is straightforward in his approach and direct in stating his own opinion. At the same time he weaves the thoughts of many, many others from Calvin to Keller into the development of this concise book that begins with a foundation of biblical theology and moves all the way to our individual and collective callings as believers in the Almighty God of this universe. It is a must read, wonderful for profound discussions." Dr. Robert C. Varney, Former hi-tech CEO, Currently VP of the Leader-led Movements for Global Cities at Campus Crusade for Christ International "What an important book! We often sing, 'I owe, I owe, I owe and it's off to work I go.' That's from the pit of hell and smells like smoke and Hugh Whelchel will tell you why in this book. Not only does he do that, he does it in a refreshing way with great biblical insight. When you add the wisdom of his lifetime of experience to the mix, you have a book that ought to be read by every Christian, underlined and referenced often and then given to everybody you know. You will 'rise up and call me blessed' for having commended this book to you and Hugh Whelchel for having written it." Steve Brown, Key Life Ministries, and Author of Three Free Sins: God Isn't Mad at You
Jesus and Money by
Explores what the Bible does - and doesn't - say about money. This title examines what Jesus and his earliest followers taught about wealth and poverty, money and debt, and tithing and sacrificial giving to help readers understand the proper role of money in modern Christian life.
Work by
Most Christians spend most of their waking hours working, yet many regard work as at best a necessary evil ? just one more unfortunate by-product of humanity?s fall from grace. Not so, says Ben Witherington III, and in Work: A Kingdom Perspective on Labor, he considers work as neither the curse nor the cure of human life but, rather, as something good that God has given us to do. In this brief primer on the biblical theology and ethics of work, Witherington carefully unpacks the concept of work, considering its relationship to rest, play, worship, the normal cycle of human life, and the coming Kingdom of God. Work as calling, work as ministry, work as a way to make a living, and the notably unbiblical notion of retirement ? Witherington?s Work engages these subjects and more, combining scholarly acumen with good humor, common sense, cultural awareness, and biblically based insights from Genesis to Revelation. ?Ben Witherington has given the whole people of God something desperately needed to make sense of Monday to Friday ? a theology of work that breaks down the heretical sacred-secular distinction. . . . Offers a work-view and life-view that, if embraced, would revitalize the mission of God?s people in the world. It?s that good.? ? R. Paul Stevens author of The Other Six Days and Taking Your Soul to Work ?Conducting a critical dialogue with the theological voices of our day, drawing upon the wisdom of the Christian tradition, and offering a sensitive reading of New Testament parables, Witherington delivers sound counsel on the Kingdom meaning of work and its implications for our lives today.? ? Lee Hardy author of The Fabric of This World
Heaven Is a Place on Earth by
"I don't want to go to heaven. Not that I'm lobbying for the other place . . ." --Michael Wittmer This planet is more than just a stopover on your way to heaven. It is your final destination. God wants you to enjoy your earthly existence, and to think otherwise is to miss the life he intends for you. Exploring the book of Genesis, Heaven Is a Place on Earth gently but firmly strips away common misconceptions of Christianity and broadens your worldview to reveal the tremendous dignity and value of everyday life. Taking you from creation, to the fall, to redemption, and to glimpses from the book of Revelation, Michael Wittmer opens your eyes to a faith that encompasses all of life--baseball games, stock reports, church activities, prayer, lovemaking, work, hobbies . . . everything that lies within the sphere of human activity. To be fully Christian is to be fully human, says Wittmer, alive and responsive to the kingdom of God in all that you are and all that you do. Discover the freedom and impact God created you for. It starts with a truly Christian worldview. And its fruit is the undiluted gospel, powerful not only to save souls, but to restore them to a life that is truly worth living. Includes discussion/reflection questions after each chapter.
Business for the Common Good by
Is business just a way to make money? Or can the marketplace a venue for service to others? Scott B. Rae and Kenman L. Wong seek to explore this and other critical business issues from a uniquely Christian perspective, offering up a vision for work and service that is theologically grounded and practically oriented. Among the specific questions they address along the way are these: What implications does the Christian story have for the vision, mission or sense of purpose that shapes business engagement? What parts of business can be affirmed and practiced "as is" and what parts need to be rejected or transformed? What challenges exist as attempts are made to live out Christian ideals in a broken world characterized by tight margins, fierce competition and short-term investor pressures? How do Christian values inform specific functional areas of business such as the management of people, marketing and environmental sustainability? Business can be even more than an environment through which individual Christians grow in Christlikeness. In this book you'll discover how it can also be a means toward serving the common good. The Christian Worldview Integration Series, edited by J. P. Moreland and Francis J. Beckwith, seeks to promote a robust personal and conceptual integration of Christian faith and learning, with textbooks focused on disciplines such as education, psychology, literature, politics, science, communications, biology, philosophy, and history.
How God Makes the World a Better Place by 
