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Write a thematic integration of faith and learning concept paper using a well-rounded approach to the
concepts found in the course texts and current scholarly literature. This paper must be submitted in
compliance with the instructions found in the Thematic Integration of Faith and Learning Paper Grading
Rubric. You must fully leverage the discussion opportunity in Discussion Board Forum 3 in order to
research and outline your approach for this assignment.
The paper must contain the following components:
A 3–5-page overview that defines Strategic Quality Management as an academic field of study
(significance of the course to business)
A 3–5-page discussion of the top 5–8 questions you believe are critical in order to demonstrate
that a student who completes this course can synthesize the key concepts of continuous
improvement and propose strategies for improving an organization using recognized quality
management tools and best practices
A 3–5-page discussion that integrates the concepts from the Keller (2012) text into a cohesive
understanding of why quality management and productivity are significant for advancing God’s
purposes for business on earth
A minimum of 5 references in addition to the course texts
For this course, the concept of stewardship is especially important. As Van Duzer (2010) posited, a
steward is really a trustee of God’s creation. Duby (2009) adds the following:
Stevens (2006) observes that Adam and Eve were given the role of stewards who had “the wonderful
role of representing the absent monarch’s interests” (p. 6). As stewards, followers of God act as trustees
that are to develop and to serve the “unfolding kingdom” of creation (Roels, 1990, p. 27). Further, Roels
contends that if one believes that his or her business plays an important role in God’s kingdom, then an
important concern is to best determine how to be God’s steward in such business endeavors.
Understanding this important role is critical to understanding God’s intentions for business. Thus, in this
assignment, the student will link the concept of biblical stewardship to quality management and process
improvement, noting how such concepts are tangible manifestations of good stewardship.
New
York
Times
Bestselling
Author
of
THE
REASON
FOR
GOD
and
THE
PRODIGAL
GOD
with
Katherine
Leary
Alsdorf
Every
Good
Endeavor
4,
wt
EveryGoodEndeavor
ALSOBYTIMOTHYKELLER
THEREASONFORGOD:BeliefinanAgeofSkepticism
THEPRODIGALGOD:RecoveringtheHeart
oftheChristianFaith
COUNTERFEITGODS:TheEmptyPromisesofMoney,Sex,
andPower,andtheOnlyHopeThatMatters
GENEROUSJUSTICE:HowGod’sGraceMakesUsJust
KING’SCROSS:TheStoryoftheWorldintheLifeofJesus
THEMEANINGOFMARRIAGE:FacingtheComplexities
ofCommitmentwiththeWisdomofGod
EveryGood
Endeavor
ConnectingYourWork
toGod’sWork
TIMOTHYKELLER
withKatherineLearyAlsdorf
DUTTON
DUTTON
PublishedbyPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.
375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,USA
PenguinGroup(Canada),90EglintonAvenueEast,Suite700,Toronto,OntarioM4P2Y3,
Canada(adivisionofPearsonPenguinCanadaInc.);PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,London
WC2R0RL,England;PenguinIreland,25StStephen’sGreen,Dublin2,Ireland(adivisionof
PenguinBooksLtd);PenguinGroup(Australia),707CollinsSt.,Melbourne,Victoria3008,
Australia(adivisionofPearsonAustraliaGroupPtyLtd);PenguinBooksIndiaPvtLtd,11
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PenguinBooks,RosebankOfficePark,181JanSmutsAvenue,ParktownNorth2193,
SouthAfrica;PenguinChina,B7JaimingCenter,27EastThirdRingRoadNorth,
ChaoyangDistrict,Beijing100020,China
PenguinBooksLtd,RegisteredOffices:80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,England
PublishedbyDutton,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.
Firstprinting,November2012
13579108642
Copyright©2012byRedeemerCitytoCity,RedeemerPresbyterianChurch,andTimothyKeller
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproduced,scanned,ordistributedinany
printedorelectronicformwithoutpermission.Pleasedonotparticipateinorencouragepiracyof
copyrightedmaterialsinviolationoftheauthor’srights.Purchaseonlyauthorizededitions.
Somenamesandidentifyingcharacteristicshavebeenchangedtoprotecttheprivacyofthe
individualsinvolved.
AllBiblereferencesarefromtheNewInternationalVersion(NIV),exceptwherenoted.
Figureonpage250copyright©RedeemerPresbyterianChurch
REGISTEREDTRADEMARK—MARCAREGISTRADA
LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA
hasbeenappliedfor.
ISBN:978-1-101-60033-7
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
SetinITCGalliardStd.
DesignedbyLeonardTelesca
Whiletheauthorhasmadeeveryefforttoprovideaccuratetelephonenumbers,Internetaddresses,
andothercontactinformationatthetimeofpublication,neitherthepublishernortheauthor
assumesanyresponsibilityforerrorsorforchangesthatoccurafterpublication.Further,publisher
doesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-party
websitesortheircontent.
ALWAYS LEARNING PEARSON
TothestaffandvolunteerleadersofRedeemer’sCenterfor
Faith&Work,whohavehelpedourcongregationseethat
thegospelreallydoeschangeeverything.
CONTENTS
ForewordbyKatherineLearyAlsdorf
Introduction
PARTONE
God’sPlanforWork
ONE
TheDesignofWork
TWO
TheDignityofWork
THREE
WorkasCultivation
FOUR
WorkasService
PARTTWO
OurProblemswithWork
FIVE
WorkBecomesFruitless
SIX
WorkBecomesPointless
SEVEN
WorkBecomesSelfish
EIGHT
WorkRevealsOurIdols
PARTTHREE
TheGospelandWork
NINE
ANewStoryforWork
TEN
ANewConceptionofWork
ELEVEN
ANewCompassforWork
TWELVE
NewPowerforWork
Epilogue:LeadingPeopletoIntegrateFaithandWork
Notes
Acknowledgments
Duringtheyear1957,Iexperienced,bythegraceofGod,aspiritualawakeningwhich
wastoleadmetoaricher,fuller,moreproductivelife.Atthattime,ingratitude,Ihumbly
askedtobegiventhemeansandprivilegetomakeothershappythroughmusic.Ifeelthis
hasbeengrantedthroughHisgrace.ALLPRAISETOGOD....
ThisalbumisahumbleofferingtoHim.Anattempttosay“THANKYOUGOD”
throughourwork,evenaswedoinourheartsandwithourtongues.MayHehelpand
strengthenallmenineverygoodendeavor.
—JohnColtrane,excerpt,linernotestoALoveSupreme
I
FOREWORD
n1989acolleagueproddedmetocometoherchurch—astart-upinManhattancalledRedeemer
PresbyterianChurch.Ihadbeenthoroughlyinoculatedagainstchurchyearsbefore,havingdetermined
thatthereligionofmyfamily’schurchwasmoreformthansubstanceandthatanyleaningsImighthave
hadinthatdirectionwereeasilyovercomebyenlightenedthinking.ButRedeemercaughtmyattention
inafewways:Thepastorwasintelligentandtalkedlikeanormalperson,heseemedtotaketheBible
seriously,andhetriedtoapplyittopartsoflifethatwereimportanttome—likemywork.
AfewyearslaterIdecideditwastimetocommittofaithand“givemylife”tothetruthandpromises
oftheBible.Iwasworried,Iadmit,thatthiscommitmentmightputanendtomycareerambitionsand
materialcomfortsbecause,infact,twoofmybrotherswhohadbecomeChristianshadbeen“called”to
bemissionariesoverseas.OnelivedinruralAfricawithoutrunningwaterorelectricity.IfIwasgoingto
reallyputGodfirstIhadtobeopentohimcallingmetoservehimanywhere.Andhedid.Afewweeks
aftermydecision,Iwasstunnedbythesuddenillnessofmyboss,theCEO—andhisrequestthatItake
overleadershipofthecompany.Giventhecircumstances,ItookitasanindicationfromGodthathe
wantedmetoplaymypartnotinthethirdworldbutintheworldofbusiness.
Forthenextdecade,Iservedinexecutiveleadershipinseveralentrepreneurialtechcompaniesin
NewYorkCity,Europe,andSiliconValley.IneachjobandeachdayIwrestledwithwhatitmeanstobe
“calledtoserveGod”asaleaderinbusiness.Redeemeranditsseniorpastor,TimKeller,hadgivenme
goodgrounding.I’dlearnedthatIwassupposedtobechangedbythegospelofJesusChristandtherefore
be“usedbyGod”inmyrelationshipswithothers,andmaybeevenbedistinctiveinthewayIled
companies.Niceconcepts,butwhatdidtheylooklikeinpractice?
ThemodelswerefewandoftenseemedremnantsofanagewhenmostofAmericawenttochurch.
OneCEOwouldsharethathekeptaBibleonhisdeskandthatoccasionallysomeoneinthecompany
wouldaskaboutit.Anotherprayedandthecompanythrived.Manyviewedtheircorporatejobsprimarily
asameanstomakelotsofmoneytogiveawaytocharitiesandorganizationstheycaredabout.WhenI
askedpastorsandbusinesspeoplehowtheirfaithrelatedtotheirwork,theyoftenansweredthata
Christian’sprimary,ifnotsole,missionintheworkplacewastoevangelizethosewithwhomthey
worked.Butmostbusinesspeoplewouldquicklyaddthatevangelismwasnotoneoftheirgifts.Andnone
oftheseapproachesaddressedtheissueofhowChristians’faithshouldaffectthewaytheyworked.
Thestart-uptechworld,especiallyinthe1990s,wasratherfullofitself.Entrepreneursandengineers
wereviewedasgodsinourculture,andtechnologywastheanswertoalltheworld’sproblems.My
employeeshadmoreevangelicalfervoraboutthevision(andtechnologies)ofthecompanythanthe
peopleinanychurchI’deverseen.AndthehopeofanIPOwasfarmoretangibleandmotivationalthan
theetherealimaginingsofheavenasportrayedbytheChristianworld.MuchofthetimeIworkedwith
reallygoodpeople—mature,admirablepeopleofcharacterwhoworkedhardtocontributesignificantly
totheworldandwhodidn’tseemtoneedchurchortheJesusoftheBibletodoit.Ilearnedgreatlessons
aboutjoyatwork,patienceandhope,teamworkandtruthtelling,frompeoplewhodidn’tsharemyfaith.
Mystaffwhowentawayforameditationweekendseemedtocomebackmorerefreshedthanthosewho
worshippedtogetheronSundayataChristianevangelicalchurch.Istartedtoseemyworkmoreasa
cruciblewhereGodwaspoundingandgrindingandrefiningme,ratherthanasaplacewhereIwas
activelyandeffectivelyservinghim.
Ibelievedinthetruthofthegospel—thatGodcreatedallthingsandcreatedmaninhisimageandthen
senthisSontoredeemallthingsthathadbeenbroken.AndIbelievedGodhadapurposeformeasa
workerandleader,alongwithmanyotherpeoplewhocouldmakeapositivedifferenceintheworld.But
inthecompetitive,win-at-all-costsworkplacewhereIhadtomanageandlead,Ihadnoideahowtolive
outGod’splan.
OutsideofRedeemer,thechurchesIfounddidn’tseemtooffermuchguidanceonhowIshoulddo
this.Mostpastorsweremoreconcernedabouthelpingusserveinsidethechurchthanaboutdiscipling
andequippingustoserveintheworld.IntheboomtimesofSiliconValleyinthelate1990s,many
congregationsseemedoblivioustoanybrokennessintheworldorinthemselves.Manywhocareddeeply
aboutthepoordidn’tthinkabouthowthesystems,structures,andculturesofourindustriesmightactually
becontributingtothefracturesinourculture.Livingoutmyfaithinmyworkseemedrelegatedtosmall
symbolicgestures,toself-righteousabstinencefromcertainbehaviors,andtopoliticalalignmentsonthe
topculturalandlegalissuesoftheday.
ThelastcompanyIledprovidedaremarkableleadershipexperience.Itookoverfromthefounder,
whohadwooedmostofthestaffandearlycustomerstoawonderfulvisionofproductinnovationandIPO
riches.Inearly2000wewerebeingfoughtoverbyinvestmentbanksthatcourteduswithpotentialIPO
valuationsof200to350milliondollars.Wedidn’tyethaveproducts,butseveralwereinbetamodewith
earlyadopters.Myjobwastowinthetrustofthestaff,investors,andcustomers,whilerollingout
productsthatdeliveredonourpromisesandraisingnewmoneytogetustobreakeven.Therewas
pressureeverydaytomakeprogressinalltheseareas.IntheprocessIthoughtdesperatelyabouthowthe
gospelshouldenterintoallthis.HerearesomeoftheobservationsImadeatthetime:
•ThegospelassuresmethatGodcaresabouteverythingIdoandwilllistentomyprayers.Hemay
notanswerthemthewayIwant,butifhedoesn’titisbecauseheknowsthingsIdonot.Mydegree
ofsuccessorfailureispartofhisgoodplanforme.Godismysourceofstrengthandperseverance.
•ThegospelremindsusthatGodcaresabouttheproductswemake,thecompaniesweworkfor,and
thecustomersweserve.Henotonlylovesus,butalsolovestheworldandwantsustoserveit
well.MyworkisacriticalwayinwhichGodiscaringforhumanbeingsandrenewinghisworld.
Godgivesusourvisionandourhope.
•Thegospelisgoodnews.InthewordsofpastorandcounselorJackMiller,“Cheerup:You’rea
worsesinnerthanyoueverdaredimagine,andyou’remorelovedthanyoueverdaredhope.”1In
otherwords,Iwillcontinuallyerrandsin,andyetGodwillprevailinmylifethroughhisgoodness
andgrace.
•Thegospelgivesmeaningtoourworkasleaders.We’resupposedtotreatallpeopleandtheirwork
withdignity.We’retocreateanenvironmentinwhichpeoplecanflourishandusetheirGod-given
giftstocontributetosociety.We’retoembodygrace,truth,hope,andloveintheorganizationswe
create.
•We’retoexpressourrelationshipwithGodandhisgracetousinthewaywespeak,work,and
lead,notasperfectexemplarsbutaspointerstoChrist.
Aftereighteenmonthsofrelentlesswork,thecompanyfailed.WewerepartoftheInternetbubble,and
whenitburst,ittookuswithit.Whilewegotourproducttomarketonschedule,wecouldn’traisethe
additionalmoneyweneededafterventurecapitaldriedup.Weretainedbankerstoshopforabuyerthat
wouldenableustoatleastkeeptheproductgoing,keepsomeofthestaffworking,andprovidesome
returntoourinvestors.However,thefearsinthemarketscaredoffthebuyerwehadbeencourtingjust
daysbeforesigningthedeal.Ihadtolayoffahundredpeoplethenextdayandthenselloffour
intellectualproperty.
Howcouldallthisgood,hardworkgosowrong?MyquestionsandproteststoGodwereona
personal,company,andindustrylevel.Whydidn’tGodenableoursuccesswhenhesoclearlyhad
“called”metothisjob?Ihadtriedtodorightbyouremployees,andnowtheywereoutofworkina
collapsedmarket.IwonderedifIhadfedintothisInternet“bubbleandbust”withourcompany’sown
visionofskyrocketingrevenuesandvaluations.Whatweremyresponsibilitiestoallourstakeholders,
includingthecultureatlarge?TheonlyChristianbusinesspeopleI’dheardspeakwerethosewhogave
Godcreditfortheirbigsuccesses;howwasItohandleafailure?Iwantedagospelthathadgoodnews
evenforthis.
AnamazingthinghappenedwhenIannouncedthatthenextdaywouldbeourlastday,althoughittook
mesometimetofullyappreciatethefullbeautyandgiftofit.Thestaff,entirelyontheirown,madeaplan
tocomeinthefollowingday—fornopay—tocelebrateoneanotherandtheworktheyhaddone.Though
thecelebrationwasbittersweet,theybroughtinmusicalinstrumentstoplayforoneanotheror
demonstratedthetaichitheytaughtintheevenings,andtheylaughedaboutfuntimestogether.Iwas
amazed.Theywerehonoringaculture,anorganization,inwhichthey’dfoundsomejoyintheirworkand
intheirrelationshipswithoneanother—despitetheendresult.EventuallyIcametoseethatdayasa
glimpseofGodatwork,doingwhatGoddoes:healingandrenewingandredeeming.
Isupposeitcouldbecalledpoeticjusticethattheresponsetoallmydisillusionmentaboutthelackof
supportfromchurcheswasthatsixmonthslater,RedeemerPresbyterianChurchinvitedmetomoveback
toNewYorktohelpthemstartaministryforpeopleinthemarketplace.Afteradecadeofwrestlingwith
God,ponderingthetransformationalpowerofthegospel,andcomplainingaboutthelackofguidanceand
supportfromthechurchregardingwork,Iwasbeinggivenachancetohelpothersbetterliveoutthehope
andtruthofthegospelintheirvocationalcallings.
ThisbookcapturessomefoundationalwaysofthinkingaboutGod,Jesus,theHolySpirit;whoweare
inrelationtothatTrinity;andhowallthisaffectstheworkwewerecreatedtodo.Howwework—inthe
contextofourparticularculture,timeinhistory,vocation,andorganization—issomethingweallneedto
bethinkingthroughinourowncommunities.Buttheanswerswillallhangonthisessentialtheology:the
knowledgeofwhoGodis,hisrelationtoman,hisplanfortheworld,andhowthegoodnews(orgospel)
ofChristturnsourlivesandthewayweworkupsidedown.
I’mgratefultoTimKellerforthewayhe’sappliedthegospeltoourworklivesoverthecourseofhis
preachingandleadinginthelasttwenty-fiveyears.AndI’mgratefulthathe’stakenthetimetoputthese
foundationsintoprintinthisbook,sothatallofuscandigmoredeeplyintohowGodiscallingustolive
faithfullyaswework.
KatherineLearyAlsdorf
ExecutiveDirector,Redeemer’sCenterforFaith&Work
INTRODUCTION
TheImportanceofRecoveringVocation
RobertBellah’slandmarkbook,HabitsoftheHeart,helpedmanypeoplenamethethingthatwas(and
stillis)eatingawayatthecohesivenessofourculture—“expressiveindividualism.”Elsewhere,Bellah
arguedthatAmericanshadcreatedaculturethatelevatedindividualchoiceandexpressiontosuchalevel
thattherewasnolongeranysharedlife,nocommandingtruthsorvaluesthattiedustogether.AsBellah
wrote,“...wearemovingtoanevergreatervalidationofthesacrednessoftheindividualperson,[but]
ourcapacitytoimagineasocialfabricthatwouldholdindividualstogetherisvanishing....The
sacrednessoftheindividualisnotbalancedbyanysenseofthewholeorconcernforthecommongood.”2
ButneartheendofHabits,theauthorproposesonemeasurethatwouldgoalongwaytowardreweaving
theunravelingculture:
Tomakearealdifference...[therewouldhavetobe]areappropriationoftheideaofvocation
orcalling,areturninanewwaytotheideaofworkasacontributiontothegoodofallandnot
merelyasameanstoone’sownadvancement.3
Thatisaremarkablestatement.IfBellahisright,oneofthehopesforourunravelingsocietyisthe
recoveryoftheideathatallhumanworkisnotmerelyajobbutacalling.TheLatinwordvocare—tocall
—isattherootofourcommonword“vocation.”Todaythewordoftenmeanssimplyajob,butthatwas
nottheoriginalsense.Ajobisavocationonlyifsomeoneelsecallsyoutodoitandyoudoitforthem
ratherthanforyourself.Andsoourworkcanbeacallingonlyifitisreimaginedasamissionofservice
tosomethingbeyondmerelyourowninterests.Asweshallsee,thinkingofworkmainlyasameansof
self-fulfillmentandself-realizationslowlycrushesapersonand—asBellahandmanyothershavepointed
out—underminessocietyitself.
Butifweareto“reappropriate”anolderidea,wemustlookatthatidea’sorigin.Inthiscase,the
sourceoftheideaofworkasvocationistheChristianScriptures.Andso,takingourcuefromBellah’s
challenge,inthisbookwewilldowhatwecantohelpilluminatethetransformativeandrevolutionary
connectionbetweenChristianfaithandtheworkplace.We’llbereferringtothisconnection—andallthe
ideasandpracticessurroundingit—asthe“integrationoffaithandwork.”
TheMany“Streams”ofFaithandWork
Wearenotaloneinthisattempt.PerhapsnotsincetheProtestantReformationhastherebeensomuch
attentionpaidtotherelationshipofChristianfaithtoworkasthereistoday.Thenumberofbooks,
scholarlyprojects,academicprograms,andonlinediscussionsonthissubjecthasgrownexponentiallyin
thepasttwodecades.Nevertheless,Christianswhoareseekingpracticalguidancefortheirworkare
oftenpoorlyservedbythisgrowingmovement.Some,likeKatherineAlsdorf(seetheForeword),have
beenfrustratedbytheshallownessoftheadviceandexamples.Othersarebewilderedbythediversity—
somewouldsaycacophony—ofvoicesgivingcounselonhowtobeaChristianatwork.
Wecanthinkofthecurrent“faithandworkmovement”asariverbeingfedbyanumberofstreams
fromverydifferentheadwaters.Perhapsmostoftheenergyandmostofthegroupsseekingtohelppeople
integratefaithandworkarethosewithanevangelicalunderstandingoftheBibleandtheChristianfaith,
buttherehavebeenverysignificantcontributionsfromothertraditionsandwingsofthefaith.The
ecumenicalmovementhascontributedanemphasisonChristiansusingtheirworktofurthersocialjustice
intheworld.ThathelpedusunderstandthatfaithfulworkdemandstheapplicationofdistinctlyChristian
ethics.4Thesmallgroupmovementofthetwentiethcenturyemphasizedtheneedforbelieverstogiveone
anothernurtureandsupportforthestrugglesandhardshipsofwork.Thisshowedusthatfaithfulwork
requiresinnerspiritualrenewalandhearttransformation.5Therevivalistimpulsewithinevangelicalism
hasseentheworkplaceespeciallyasaplacetobeawitnessforJesusChrist.6Faithfulworkindeed
meanssomekindofpublicidentificationwithJesus,insuchawaythatacoworkermightwanttoknow
moreabouthim.
Manyhavealsosoughtoldersourcesfortheintegrationoffaithandwork.Thesixteenth-century
ProtestantReformers,particularlyMartinLutherandJohnCalvin,arguedthatallwork,evenso-called
secularwork,wasasmuchacallingfromGodastheministryofthemonkorpriest.7Theheadwatersof
Lutherantheologyputspecialstressonthedignityofallwork,observingthatGodcaredfor,fed,clothed,
sheltered,andsupportedthehumanracethroughourhumanlabor.Whenwework,weare,asthoseinthe
Lutherantraditionoftenputit,the“fingersofGod,”theagentsofhisprovidentialloveforothers.This
understandingelevatesthepurposeofworkfrommakingalivingtolovingourneighborandatthesame
timereleasesusfromthecrushingburdenofworkingprimarilytoproveourselves.ThoseintheCalvinist,
or“Reformed,”tradition,suchasAbrahamKuyper,spokeofanotheraspecttotheideaofworkasGod’s
calling.Worknotonlycaresforcreation,butalsodirectsandstructuresit.InthisReformedview,the
purposeofworkistocreateaculturethathonorsGodandenablespeopletothrive.Yes,wemustlove
ourneighbor,butChristianitygivesusveryspecificteachingsabouthumannatureandwhatmakeshuman
beingsflourish.Wemustensurethatourworkisdoneinlinewiththeseunderstandings.Faithfulwork,
then,istooperateoutofaChristian“worldview.”8
Allofthesedifferenttraditionsgivesomewhatdifferentanswerstothequestionofhowweshouldgo
aboutthetaskofrecapturingvocation.ThestreamsareoftenconfusingtoChristians,fortheyarenot
perfectlycomplementarytooneanother.LutherantheologytendstoresisttheReformedideaof
“worldview”andarguesthatChristiansshouldnotdotheirworkinaverydifferentwayfromnon-
Christians.Muchofthemainlinechurchdoesnotfeelthesameurgencythatevangelicalsfeelto
evangelize,becauseitdoesnotseeclassicalChristianityastheonlywaytosalvation.Manyfindthe
emphasisofworldview-orientedwritersandorganizationstobetoocognitive,withtoolittleemphasison
innerheartchange.Andeventhosepeoplecannotagreeonwhatinnertransformationandspiritualgrowth
actuallylooklike.SoifyouareaChristianwhoistryingtobefaithfulinyourwork,youmightfind
yourselftryingtoweighsentimentsasvariedasthese:
•ThewaytoserveGodatworkistofurthersocialjusticeintheworld.
•ThewaytoserveGodatworkistobepersonallyhonestandevangelizeyourcolleagues.
•ThewaytoserveGodatworkisjusttodoskillful,excellentwork.
•ThewaytoserveGodatworkistocreatebeauty.
•ThewaytoserveGodatworkistoworkfromaChristianmotivationtoglorifyGod,seekingto
engageandinfluenceculturetothatend.
•ThewaytoserveGodatworkistoworkwithagrateful,joyful,gospel-changedheartthroughallthe
upsanddowns.
•ThewaytoserveGodatworkistodowhatevergivesyouthegreatestjoyandpassion.
•ThewaytoserveGodatworkistomakeasmuchmoneyasyoucan,sothatyoucanbeasgenerous
asyoucan.
Towhatextentarethesesentimentscomplementaryoractuallyopposedtooneanother?Thatisa
difficultquestion,forthereisatleastameasureofbiblicalwarrantforeveryoneofthem.Andthe
difficultyliesnotmerelyintheplethoraoftheologicalcommitmentsandculturalfactorsinvolved,but
alsoinhowtheyoperateindifferentwaysdependingonthefieldortypeofwork.Christianethics,
motives,identity,witness,andworldviewshapeourworkinverydifferentwaysdependingontheform
ofthework.
Forexample,supposeaChristianvisualartistregularlyshowsconcernforjustice,conductsher
careerwithhonestyinalltransactions,hassupportfromotherstohelphernavigatetheupsanddownsof
life,letsothersinherfieldknowofherChristianfaith,andunderstandsherarttobeanactofserviceto
Godandherneighborsratherthanasawaytogetself-worthandstatus.Isthatallitmeanstointegrateher
faithwithherwork?Inadditiontothese,doestheChristianteachingaboutthenatureofrealitybearon
whatshedepictsandhowshedepictsitthroughherart?Willitinfluencewhatstoriesshetellswithher
art?Willherartbeinfluencedbyherbeliefsaboutsinandredemptionandhopeforthefuture?Itseems
thatitmustbe.Andsowediscoverthatfaithfulworkrequiresthewill,theemotions,thesoul,andthe
mind—aswethinkoutandliveouttheimplicationsofourbeliefsonthecanvasofourdailywork.
Ontheotherhand,whatifyouareaChristianpianist,orashoemaker?HowdoesaChristian
worldviewaffectthetypeofshoeyoumake,orthewayyouplaytheMoonlightSonata?Theansweris
notsoclear.
Whowilldeliverusfromallthiscomplexity?Mostpeoplewhohavebeguntoreadbooksorbecome
involvedingroupsintegratingfaithandworkhaveeither(a)onlypartakenofoneofthetheological
streamsor(b)alreadybeenconfusedbyreadingorhearingcontradictoryteachingfromdifferentstreams.
Thereisatendencyforchurchesandorganizationsemphasizingfaithandworktobesomewhat
unbalanced,emphasizingoneortwoofthesestorylinestotheexclusionoftheothers.Yetsimply
combiningalltheemphases—andhopingtheyadduptosomethingcoherent—isnotthesolution.
Wedonotexpecttoresolveallthesedifferencesinthisbook.Butwedohopetomakethingsclearer.
Andwecanbeginbymakingtwoobservationsaboutthelistofpropositionsabove.First,ifyourevise
eachofthepropositionsbyaddingtheword“main”—asin“themainwaytoserveGodatworkis...”—
thentheviewsdoinfactcontradict.Youwillhavetochooseoneortwoanddiscardtherest.Infact,most
peoplewhoholdforthonissuesoffaithandworkdoexactlythis,eithertacitlyorexplicitly.Butifyou
keepthepropositionsthewaytheyare,claimingthateachisawaytoserveGodthroughwork,thenthe
differentstatementsareultimatelycomplementary.Second,aswehavealreadynoted,thesefactorscan
assumeverydifferentformsandlevelsofimportancedependingonyourparticularvocation,culture,and
historicalmoment.Whenwekeepthesetwoprinciplesinmind,wecanmoveforwardlookingatthe
variousstreams,statements,andtruthsasakindoftoolkittobeusedtobuildamodelfortheintegration
offaithandworkinyourfield,time,andplace.
Justasimportantasmakingtheseideasclearer,weaimtomakethemmorevivid,real,andpractical.
OurgoalistofeedyourimaginationandstiryouractionwiththerichnessofwhattheChristianfaithsays
(directlyandindirectly)aboutthisinexhaustiblesubject.TheBibleteemswithwisdom,resources,and
hopeforanyonewhoislearningtowork,lookingforwork,tryingtowork,orgoingtowork.Andwhen
wesaythattheChristianScriptures“giveushope”forwork,weatonceacknowledgebothhowdeeply
frustratinganddifficultworkcanbeandhowprofoundthespiritualhopemustbeifwearegoingtoface
thechallengeofpursuingvocationinthisworld.Iknowofnomoreprovocativewitnesstothishopethan
theoverlookedlittlestorybyJ.R.R.Tolkien“LeafbyNiggle.”
ThereReallyIsaTree
WhenJ.R.R.TolkienhadbeenworkingonwritingTheLordoftheRingsforsometime,hecametoan
impasse.9Hehadavisionofataleofasortthattheworldhadneverseen.AsaleadingscholarinOld
EnglishandotherancientNorthernEuropeanlanguages,heknewthatmostancientBritishmythsaboutthe
inhabitantsof“Faerie”—elves,dwarves,giants,andsorcerers—hadbeenlost(unlikethemythsofthe
GreeksandRomansorevenoftheScandinavians).Hehadalwaysdreamedofre-creatingandre-
imaginingwhatanancientEnglishmythologywouldlooklike.TheLordoftheRingswasrootedinthis
lostworld.Theprojectrequiredcreatingatleasttherudimentsofseveralimaginarylanguagesand
culturesaswellasthousandsofyearsofvariousnationalhistories—allinordertogivethenarrativethe
necessarydepthandrealismthatTolkienbelievedwascrucialforthetaletobecompelling.
Asheworkedonthemanuscript,hecametotheplacewherethenarrativehaddividedintoanumber
ofsubplots.Majorcharactersweretravelingtovariouspartsofhisimaginaryworld,facingdifferent
perils,andexperiencingseveralcomplicatedchainsofevents.Itwasanenormouschallengetounfoldall
thesesubnarrativesclearlyandthengiveeachasatisfactoryresolution.Notonlythat,butWorldWarII
hadbegun,andthoughthefifty-year-oldTolkienwasnotcalledintothemilitary,theshadowofwarfell
heavilyonhim.HehadexperiencedfirsthandthehorrorofWorldWarIandhadneverforgottenit.Britain
wasnowinaprecariousposition,withinvasionimminent.Whoknewifhe’dsurvivethewarevenasa
civilian?
Hebegantodespairofevercompletingtheworkofhislife.Itwasnotjustalaborofafewyearsat
thatpoint.WhenhebeganTheLordoftheRings,hehadalreadybeenworkingonthelanguages,histories,
andstoriesbehindthestoryfordecades.Thethoughtofnotfinishingitwas“adreadfulandnumbing
thought.”10TherewasinthosedaysatreeintheroadnearTolkien’shouse,andonedayhearosetofind
thatithadbeenloppedandmutilatedbyaneighbor.Hebegantothinkofhismythologyashis“internal
Tree”thatmightsufferthesamefate.Hehadrunoutof“mentalenergyandinvention.”11Onemorninghe
wokeupwithashortstoryinhismindandwroteitdown.WhenTheDublinReviewcalledforapiece,he
sentitinwiththetitle“LeafbyNiggle.”Itwasaboutapainter.
Inthefirstlinesofthestorywearetoldtwothingsaboutthispainter.First,hisnamewasNiggle.The
OxfordEnglishDictionary,towhichTolkienwasacontributor,defines“niggle”as“towork...ina
fiddlingorineffectiveway...tospendtimeunnecessarilyonpettydetails.”12Nigglewasofcourse
Tolkienhimself,whoknewverywellthiswasoneofhisownflaws.Hewasaperfectionist,always
unhappywithwhathehadproduced,oftendistractedfrommoreimportantissuesbyfussingoverless
importantdetails,pronetoworryandprocrastination.Nigglewasthesame.
WearealsotoldthatNiggle“hadalongjourneytomake.Hedidnotwanttogo,indeedthewhole
ideawasdistastefultohim;buthecouldnotgetoutofit.”Nigglecontinuallyputthejourneyoff,buthe
knewitwasinevitable.TomShippey,whoalsotaughtOldEnglishliteratureatOxford,explainsthatin
Anglo-Saxonliteraturethe“necessarylongjourney”wasdeath.13
Nigglehadonepictureinparticularthathewastryingtopaint.Hehadgotteninhismindthepicture
ofaleaf,andthenthatofawholetree.Andtheninhisimagination,behindthetree“acountrybeganto
openout;andtherewereglimpsesofaforestmarchingovertheland,andofmountainstippedwith
snow.”Nigglelostinterestinallhisotherpictures,andinordertoaccommodatehisvision,helaidouta
canvassolargeheneededaladder.Niggleknewhehadtodie,buthetoldhimself,“Atanyrate,Ishall
getthisonepicturedone,myrealpicture,beforeIhavetogoonthatwretchedjourney.”
Soheworkedonhiscanvas,“puttinginatouchhere,andrubbingoutapatchthere,”buthenevergot
muchdone.Thereweretworeasonsforthis.First,itwasbecausehewasthe“sortofpainterwhocan
paintleavesbetterthantrees.Heusedtospendalongtimeonasingleleaf,...”tryingtogettheshading
andthesheenandthedewdropsonitjustright.Sonomatterhowhardheworked,verylittleactually
showeduponthecanvasitself.Thesecondreasonwashis“kindheart.”Nigglewasconstantlydistracted
bydoingthingshisneighborsaskedhimtodoforthem.Inparticular,hisneighborParish,whodidnot
appreciateNiggle’spaintingatall,askedhimtodomanythingsforhim.
OnenightwhenNigglesenses,rightly,thathistimeisalmostup,Parishinsiststhathegooutintothe
wetandcoldtofetchadoctorforhissickwife.Asaresulthecomesdownwithachillandfever,and
whileworkingdesperatelyonhisunfinishedpicture,theDrivercomestotakeNiggleonthejourneyhe
hasputoff.Whenherealizeshemustgo,heburstsintotears.“‘Oh,dear!’saidpoorNiggle,beginningto
weep,‘Andit’snotevenfinished!’”Sometimeafterhisdeaththepeoplewhoacquiredhishousenoticed
thatonhiscrumblingcanvashisonly“onebeautifulleaf”hadremainedintact.ItwasputintheTown
Museum,“andforalongwhile‘Leaf:byNiggle’hungthereinarecess,andwasnoticedbyafeweyes.”
Butthestorydoesnotendthere.AfterdeathNiggleisputonatraintowardthemountainsofthe
heavenlyafterlife.AtonepointonhistriphehearstwoVoices.OneseemstobeJustice,theseverevoice,
whichsaysthatNigglewastedsomuchtimeandaccomplishedsolittleinlife.Buttheother,gentlervoice
(“thoughitwasnotsoft”),whichseemstobeMercy,countersthatNigglehaschosentosacrificefor
others,knowingwhathewasdoing.Asareward,whenNigglegetstotheoutskirtsoftheheavenly
country,somethingcatcheshiseye.Herunstoit—andthereitis:“BeforehimstoodtheTree,hisTree,
finished;itsleavesopening,itsbranchesgrowingandbendinginthewindthatNigglehadsooftenfeltor
guessed,andyethadsooftenfailedtocatch.HegazedattheTree,andslowlyheliftedhisarmsand
openedthemwide.‘Itisagift!’hesaid.”14
Theworldbeforedeath—hisoldcountry—hadforgottenNigglealmostcompletely,andtherehis
workhadendedunfinishedandhelpfultoonlyaveryfew.Butinhisnewcountry,thepermanentlyreal
world,hefindsthathistree,infulldetailandfinished,wasnotjustafancyofhisthathaddiedwithhim.
No,itwasindeedpartoftheTrueRealitythatwouldliveandbeenjoyedforever.15
I’verecountedthisstorymanytimestopeopleofvariousprofessions—particularlyartistsandother
creatives—andregardlessoftheirbeliefsaboutGodandtheafterlife,theyareoftendeeplymoved.
TolkienhadaveryChristianunderstandingofartand,indeed,ofallwork.16HebelievedthatGodgives
ustalentsandgiftssowecandoforoneanotherwhathewantstodoforusandthroughus.Asawriter,
forexample,hecouldfillpeople’sliveswithmeaningthroughthetellingofstoriesthatconveythenature
ofreality.17Nigglewasassuredthatthetreehehad“feltandguessed”was“atruepartofcreation”18and
thateventhesmallbitofithehadunveiledtopeopleonearthhadbeenavisionoftheTrue.Tolkienwas
verycomfortedbyhisownstory.Ithelped“exorcisesomeofTolkien’sfear,andtogethimtowork
again,”thoughitwasalsothefriendshipandlovingproddingofC.S.Lewisthathelpedgethimbackto
thewriting.19
ArtistsandentrepreneurscanidentifyveryreadilywithNiggle.Theyworkfromvisions,oftenvery
bigones,ofaworldtheycanuniquelyimagine.Fewrealizeevenasignificantpercentageoftheirvision,
andevenfewerclaimtohavecomeclose.Thoseofuswhotendtobeoverlyperfectionisticand
methodical,likeTolkienhimself,canalsoidentifystronglywiththecharacterofNiggle.
Butreally—everyoneisNiggle.Everyoneimaginesaccomplishingthings,andeveryonefindshim-or
herselflargelyincapableofproducingthem.Everyonewantstobesuccessfulratherthanforgotten,and
everyonewantstomakeadifferenceinlife.Butthatisbeyondthecontrolofanyofus.Ifthislifeisall
thereis,theneverythingwilleventuallyburnupinthedeathofthesunandnoonewillevenbearoundto
rememberanythingthathaseverhappened.Everyonewillbeforgotten,nothingwedowillmakeany
difference,andallgoodendeavors,eventhebest,willcometonaught.
UnlessthereisGod.IftheGodoftheBibleexists,andthereisaTrueRealitybeneathandbehindthis
one,andthislifeisnottheonlylife,theneverygoodendeavor,eventhesimplestones,pursuedin
responsetoGod’scalling,canmatterforever.ThatiswhattheChristianfaithpromises.“IntheLord,your
laborisnotinvain,”writesPaulinthefirstlettertotheCorinthians,chapter15,verse58.Hewas
speakingofChristianministry,butTolkien’sstoryshowshowthiscanultimatelybetrueofallwork.
Tolkienhadreadiedhimself,throughChristiantruth,forverymodestaccomplishmentintheeyesofthis
world.(Theironyisthatheproducedsomethingsomanypeopleconsideraworkofgeniusthatitisone
ofthebestsellingbooksinthehistoryoftheworld.)
Whataboutyou?Let’ssaythatyougointocityplanningasayoungperson.Why?Youareexcited
aboutcities,andyouhaveavisionabouthowarealcityoughttobe.Youarelikelytobediscouraged
becausethroughoutyourlifeyouprobablywillnotgetmorethanaleaforabranchdone.Buttherereally
isaNewJerusalem,aheavenlycity,whichwillcomedowntoearthlikeabridedressedforherhusband
(Revelation21–22).
Orlet’ssayyouarealawyer,andyougointolawbecauseyouhaveavisionforjusticeandavision
foraflourishingsocietyruledbyequityandpeace.Intenyearsyouwillbedeeplydisillusionedbecause
youwillfindthatasmuchasyouaretryingtoworkonimportantthings,somuchofwhatyoudois
minutiae.Onceortwiceinyourlifeyoumayfeellikeyouhavefinally“gottenaleafout.”
Whateveryourwork,youneedtoknowthis:Therereallyisatree.Whateveryouareseekinginyour
work—thecityofjusticeandpeace,theworldofbrillianceandbeauty,thestory,theorder,thehealing—
itisthere.ThereisaGod,thereisafuturehealedworldthathewillbringabout,andyourworkis
showingit(inpart)toothers.Yourworkwillbeonlypartiallysuccessful,onyourbestdays,inbringing
thatworldabout.Butinevitablythewholetreethatyouseek—thebeauty,harmony,justice,comfort,joy,
andcommunity—willcometofruition.Ifyouknowallthis,youwon’tbedespondentbecauseyoucanget
onlyaleafortwooutinthislife.Youwillworkwithsatisfactionandjoy.Youwillnotbepuffedupby
successordevastatedbysetbacks.
Ijustsaid,“Ifyouknowallthis.”Inordertoworkinthisway—togettheconsolationandfreedom
thatTolkienreceivedfromhisChristianfaithforhiswork—youneedtoknowtheBible’sanswersto
threequestions:Whydoyouwanttowork?(Thatis,whydoweneedtoworkinordertoleadafulfilled
life?)Whyisitsohardtowork?(Thatis,whyisitsooftenfruitless,pointless,anddifficult?)Howcan
weovercomethedifficultiesandfindsatisfactioninourworkthroughthegospel?Therestofthisbook
willseektoanswerthosethreequestionsinitsthreesections,respectively.
PARTONE
God’sPlanforWork
ONE
TheDesignofWork
Thustheheavensandtheearthwerefinished,andallthehostofthem.Andontheseventh
dayGodfinishedhisworkthathehaddone,andherestedontheseventhdayfromallhis
workthathehaddone.SoGodblessedtheseventhdayandmadeitholy,becauseonitGod
restedfromallhisworkthathehaddoneincreation....TheLordGodtookthemanandput
himinthegardenofEdentoworkitandkeepit.
Genesis2:1–3,15(ESV)
IntheBeginning,ThereWasWork
TheBiblebeginstalkingaboutworkassoonasitbeginstalkingaboutanything—thatishowimportant
andbasicitis.TheauthorofthebookofGenesisdescribesGod’screationoftheworldaswork.20Infact,
hedepictsthemagnificentprojectofcosmosinventionwithinaregularworkweekofsevendays.21And
thenheshowsushumanbeingsworkinginparadise.Thisviewofwork—connectedwithdivine,orderly
creationandhumanpurpose—isdistinctamongthegreatfaithsandbeliefsystemsoftheworld.
ThecreationnarrativeinthebookofGenesisisuniqueamongancientaccountsoforigins.Many
cultureshadstoriesthatdepictedthebeginningoftheworldandhumanhistoryastheresultofastruggle
betweenwarringcosmicforces.IntheBabyloniancreationstorytheEnumaElish,thegodMarduk
overcomesthegoddessTiamatandforgestheworldoutofherremains.Inthisandsimilaraccounts,the
visibleuniversewasanuneasybalanceofpowersintensionwithoneanother.22IntheBible,however,
creationisnottheresultofaconflict,forGodhasnorivals.Indeed,allthepowersandbeingsofheaven
andeartharecreatedbyhimanddependentonhim.23Creation,then,isnottheaftermathofabattlebutthe
planofacraftsman.Godmadetheworldnotasawarriordigsatrenchbutasanartistmakesa
masterpiece.
TheGreeks’accountofcreationincludestheideaofsuccessive“agesofmankind”beginningwitha
goldenage.Duringthisagehumanbeingsandgodslivedontheearthtogetherinharmony.Thissoundsat
firstvaguelylikethestoryofthegardenofEden,butonedissimilarityisverytelling.ThepoetHesiod
tellsusthatneitherhumansnorgodsinthegoldenagehadtodoanywork.Inthatoriginalparadisethe
earthsimplyprovidedfoodinabundance.24ThebookofGenesiscouldnothavebeenmoredifferent.
RepeatedlythefirstchaptersofthebookofGenesisdescribeGodat“work,”usingtheHebrewmlkh,the
wordforordinaryhumanwork.Asonescholarputit,itiswholly“unexpectedthattheextraordinary
divineactivityinvolvedincreatingheavenandearthshouldbesodescribed.”25
Inthebeginning,then,Godworked.Workwasnotanecessaryevilthatcameintothepicturelater,or
somethinghumanbeingswerecreatedtodobutthatwasbeneaththegreatGodhimself.No,Godworked
forthesheerjoyofit.Workcouldnothaveamoreexaltedinauguration.
TheFormsofGod’sWork
ItisremarkablethatinChapter1ofthebookofGenesis,Godnotonlyworksbutfindsdelightinit.“God
sawallthathehadmade,anditwasverygood...theheavensandtheearthwerecompletedinalltheir
vastarray”(Genesis1:31;2:1).Godfindswhathehasdonebeautiful.Hestandsback,takesin“allthat
hehasmade,”andsays,ineffect,“That’sgood!”Likeallgoodandsatisfyingwork,theworkersees
himselfinit.“Theharmonyandperfectionofthecompletedheavensandearthexpressmoreadequately
thecharacteroftheircreatorthananyoftheseparatecomponentscan.”26
ThesecondchapterofGenesisgoesontoshowthatGodworksnotonlytocreatebutalsotocarefor
hiscreation.Thisiswhattheologianscalltheworkof“providence.”Godcreateshumanbeingsandthen
worksforthemastheirProvider.Heformsaman(Genesis2:7),plantsagardenforhimandwatersit
(Genesis2:6,8),andfashionsawifeforhim(Genesis2:21–22).TherestoftheBibletellsusthatGod
continuesthisworkasProvider,caringfortheworldbywateringandcultivatingtheground(Psalm
104:10–22),givingfoodtoallhehasmade,givinghelptoallwhosuffer,andcaringfortheneedsof
everylivingthing(Psalm145:14–16).
Finally,weseeGodnotonlyworking,butcommissioningworkerstocarryonhiswork.InGenesis
chapter1,verse28hetellshumanbeingsto“filltheearthandsubdueit.”Theword“subdue”indicates
that,thoughallGodhadmadewasgood,itwasstilltoagreatdegreeundeveloped.Godleftcreationwith
deepuntappedpotentialforcultivationthatpeopleweretounlockthroughtheirlabor.27InGenesis
chapter2,verse15(ESV)heputshumanbeingsintothegardento“workitandkeepit.”Theimplication
isthat,whileGodworksforusasourProvider,wealsoworkforhim.Indeed,heworksthroughus.
Psalm127,verse1—“UnlesstheLordbuildsthehouse,thebuilderslaborinvain”—indicatesthatGodis
buildingthehouse(providingforus)throughthebuilders.AsMartinLutherargued,Psalm145saysthat
Godfeedseverylivingthing,meaningheisfeedingusthroughthelaboroffarmersandothers.28
TheGoodnessofOurWork
ThebookofGenesisleavesuswithastrikingtruth—workwaspartofparadise.Onebiblicalscholar
summeditup:“ItisperfectlyclearthatGod’sgoodplanalwaysincludedhumanbeingsworking,or,more
specifically,livingintheconstantcycleofworkandrest.”29Again,thecontrastwithotherreligionsand
culturescouldnotbesharper.Workdidnotcomeinafteragoldenageofleisure.ItwaspartofGod’s
perfectdesignforhumanlife,becauseweweremadeinGod’simage,andpartofhisgloryandhappiness
isthatheworks,asdoestheSonofGod,whosaid,“MyFatherisalwaysathisworktothisveryday,and
Itooamworking”(John5:17).
ThefactthatGodputworkinparadiseisstartlingtousbecausewesooftenthinkofworkasa
necessaryevilorevenpunishment.Yetwedonotseeworkbroughtintoourhumanstoryafterthefallof
Adam,aspartoftheresultingbrokennessandcurse;itispartoftheblessednessofthegardenofGod.
Workisasmuchabasichumanneedasfood,beauty,rest,friendship,prayer,andsexuality;itisnot
simplymedicinebutfoodforoursoul.Withoutmeaningfulworkwesensesignificantinnerlossand
emptiness.Peoplewhoarecutofffromworkbecauseofphysicalorotherreasonsquicklydiscoverhow
muchtheyneedworktothriveemotionally,physically,andspiritually.
OurfriendsJayandBarbaraBelding,entrepreneursinsuburbanPhiladelphia,recognizedthisneed
evenamongdevelopmentallydisabledadults.Whileworkingasaspecialeducationteacher,Jaywas
disconcertedbythevocationalprospectsofhisstudentsoncetheycompletedschool.Traditional
vocationaltrainingandemploymentprogramsoftenhadinsufficientworkandthereforeextensive
downtimewithnowages.In1977JayandBarbaraestablishedAssociatedProductionServices,an
enterpriseprovidingqualitytrainingandemploymentforthispopulation.Todaythecompanytrains480
peoplewhoareengagedinavarietyoflabor-intensivepackagingandassemblyworkforanumberof
consumerproductscompaniesatfourfacilities.Jayfocusesonprovidingtoolsandsystemsthatensure
qualityandincreaseefficienciesandoutput;thishelpscreateacultureofsuccessforthecompanyandthe
peopletheyserve.TheBeldingsarethrilledandgratefultohavefoundapractical,sustainablewayto
meettheiremployees’intrinsicneedtobeproductive:“Ourpeoplewanttoparticipateinthe‘work-a-
day’world;tofeelpositiveaboutthemselves;andtohelppaytheirownway.”Theiremployeesare
finallyabletorespondfullytoavitalaspectoftheirdesignasworkersandcreators.
Workissofoundationaltoourmakeup,infact,thatitisoneofthefewthingswecantakein
significantdoseswithoutharm.Indeed,theBibledoesnotsayweshouldworkonedayandrestsix,or
thatworkandrestshouldbebalancedevenly—butdirectsustotheoppositeratio.Leisureandpleasure
aregreatgoods,butwecantakeonlysomuchofthem.Ifyouaskpeopleinnursinghomesorhospitals
howtheyaredoing,youwilloftenhearthattheirmainregretisthattheywishtheyhadsomethingtodo,
somewaytobeusefultoothers.Theyfeeltheyhavetoomuchleisureandnotenoughwork.Thelossof
workisdeeplydisturbingbecauseweweredesignedforit.Thisrealizationinjectsadeeperandfarmore
positivemeaningintothecommonviewthatpeopleworkinordertosurvive.AccordingtotheBible,we
don’tmerelyneedthemoneyfromworktosurvive;weneedtheworkitselftosurviveandlivefully
humanlives.
Thereasonsforthisaredevelopedmorefullyinlaterchapters,buttheyincludethefactthatworkis
oneofthewayswemakeourselvesusefultoothers,ratherthanjustlivingalifeforourselves.Also,work
isalsooneofthewayswediscoverwhoweare,becauseitisthroughworkthatwecometounderstand
ourdistinctabilitiesandgifts,amajorcomponentinouridentities.30SoauthorDorothySayerscould
write,“WhatistheChristianunderstandingofwork?...[It]isthatworkisnot,primarily,athingone
doestolive,butthethingonelivestodo.Itis,oritshouldbe,thefullexpressionoftheworker’s
faculties...themediuminwhichheoffershimselftoGod.”31
TheFreedomofOurWork
Toseeworkinour“DNA,”ourdesign,ispartofwhatitmeanstograspthedistinctChristian
understandingoffreedom.Modernpeopleliketoseefreedomasthecompleteabsenceofanyconstraints.
Butthinkofafish.Becauseafishabsorbsoxygenfromwater,notair,itisfreeonlyifitisrestrictedto
water.Ifafishis“freed”fromtheriverandputoutonthegrasstoexplore,itsfreedomtomoveandsoon
eventoliveisdestroyed.Thefishisnotmorefree,butlessfree,ifitcannothonortherealityofitsnature.
Thesameistruewithairplanesandbirds.Iftheyviolatethelawsofaerodynamics,theywillcrashinto
theground.Butiftheyfollowthem,theywillascendandsoar.Thesameistrueinmanyareasoflife:
Freedomisnotsomuchtheabsenceofrestrictionsasfindingtherightones,thosethatfitwiththerealities
ofourownnatureandthoseoftheworld.32
SothecommandmentsofGodintheBibleareameansofliberation,becausethroughthemGodcalls
ustobewhathebuiltustobe.Carsworkwellwhenyoufollowtheowner’smanualandhonorthedesign
ofthecar.Ifyoufailtochangetheoil,noonewillfineyouortakeyoutojail;yourcarwillsimplybreak
downbecauseyouviolateditsnature.Yousufferanaturalconsequence.Inthesameway,humanlife
worksproperlyonlywhenitisconductedinlinewiththe“owner’smanual,”thecommandmentsofGod.
Ifyoudisobeythecommands,notonlydoyougrieveanddishonorGod,youareactuallyactingagainst
yourownnatureasGoddesignedyou.WhenGodspeakstodisobedientIsraelinIsaiahchapter48,he
says,“IamtheLordyourGod,whoteachesyouwhatisbestforyou,whodirectsyouinthewayyou
shouldgo.Ifonlyyouhadpaidattentiontomycommands,yourpeacewouldhavebeenlikeariver,your
well-beinglikethewavesofthesea”(Isaiah48:17–18).
Andsoitiswithwork,which(inrhythmwithrest)isoneoftheTenCommandments.“Sixdaysyou
shalllaboranddoallyourwork”(Exodus20:9).InthebeginningGodcreatedustowork,andnowhe
callsusanddirectsusunambiguouslytoliveoutthatpartofourdesign.Thisisnotaburdensome
command;itisaninvitationtofreedom.
TheLimitsofAllWork
Nevertheless,itismeaningfulthatGodhimselfrestedafterwork(Genesis2:2).Manypeoplemakethe
mistakeofthinkingthatworkisacurseandthatsomethingelse(leisure,family,oreven“spiritual”
pursuits)istheonlywaytofindmeaninginlife.TheBible,aswehaveseenandwillsee,exposesthelie
ofthisidea.Butitalsokeepsusfromfallingintotheoppositemistake,namely,thatworkistheonly
importanthumanactivityandthatrestisanecessaryevil—somethingwedostrictlyto“rechargeour
batteries”inordertocontinuetowork.WelooktowhatweknowaboutGodtomakethiscase.Hedidnot
needanyrestorationofhisstrength—andyetherestedontheseventhday(Genesis2:1–3).Asbeings
madeinhisimage,thenwecanassumethatrest,andthethingsyoudoasyourest,aregoodandlife-
givinginandofthemselves.Workisnotallthereistolife.Youwillnothaveameaningfullifewithout
work,butyoucannotsaythatyourworkisthemeaningofyourlife.Ifyoumakeanyworkthepurposeof
yourlife—evenifthatworkischurchministry—youcreateanidolthatrivalsGod.Yourrelationshipwith
Godisthemostimportantfoundationforyourlife,andindeeditkeepsalltheotherfactors—work,
friendshipsandfamily,leisureandpleasure—frombecomingsoimportanttoyouthattheybecome
addictinganddistorted.
JosefPieper,atwentieth-centuryGermanCatholicphilosopher,wroteafamousessaycalled“Leisure,
theBasisofCulture.”Pieperarguesthatleisureisnotthemereabsenceofwork,butanattitudeofmind
orsoulinwhichyouareabletocontemplateandenjoythingsastheyareinthemselves,withoutregardto
theirvalueortheirimmediateutility.Thework-obsessedmind—asinourWesternculture—tendstolook
ateverythingintermsofefficiency,value,andspeed.Buttheremustalsobeanabilitytoenjoythemost
simpleandordinaryaspectsoflife,evenonesthatarenotstrictlyuseful,butjustdelightful.Surprisingly,
eventhereputedlydourReformerJohnCalvinagrees.InhistreatmentoftheChristianlife,hewarns
againstvaluingthingsonlyfortheirutility:
DidGodcreatefoodonlytoprovidefornecessity[nutrition]andnotalsofordelightandgood
cheer?Sotoothepurposeofclothingapartfromnecessity[protection]wascomelinessand
decency.Ingrasses,trees,andfruits,apartfromtheirvarioususes,thereisbeautyof
appearanceandpleasantnessoffragrance....Didhenot,inshort,rendermanythingsattractive
tous,apartfromtheirnecessaryuse?33
Inotherwords,wearetolookateverythingandsaysomethinglike:
Allthingsbrightandbeautiful;allcreaturesgreatandsmall
Allthingswiseandwonderful—theLordGodmadethemall.34
Unlessweregularlystopworkandtaketimetoworship(whichPieperconsidersoneofthechief
activitieswithin“leisure”)andsimplycontemplateandenjoytheworld—includingthefruitofourlabor
—wecannottrulyexperiencemeaninginourlives.Pieperwrites:
Leisureistheconditionofconsideringthingsinacelebratingspirit....Leisureliveson
affirmation.Itisnotthesameastheabsenceofactivity....Itisratherlikethestillnessinthe
conversationoflovers,whichisfedbytheironeness....AndasitiswrittenintheScriptures,
Godsaw,when“herestedfromalltheworksthatHehadmade”thateverythingwasgood,very
good(Genesis1:31),justsotheleisureofmanincludeswithinitselfacelebratory,approving,
lingeringgazeoftheinnereyeontherealityofcreation.35
Inshort,work—andlotsofit—isanindispensablecomponentinameaningfulhumanlife.Itisa
supremegiftfromGodandoneofthemainthingsthatgivesourlivespurpose.Butitmustplayitsproper
role,subservienttoGod.Itmustregularlygivewaynotjusttoworkstoppageforbodilyrepairbutalsoto
joyfulreceptionoftheworldandofordinarylife.
Thismayseemobvioustous.Wesay,“Ofcourseworkisimportant,andofcourseitisn’ttheonly
thinginlife.”Butitiscrucialtograspthesetruthswell.Forinafallenworld,workisfrustratingand
exhausting;onecaneasilyjumptotheconclusionthatworkistobeavoidedorsimplyendured.And
becauseourdisorderedheartscraveaffirmationandvalidation,itisjustastemptingtobethrustinthe
oppositedirection—makinglifeallaboutcareeraccomplishmentandverylittleelse.Infact,overworkis
oftenagrimattempttogetourlifetime’sworthofworkoutofthewayearly,sowecanputworkbehind
us.Theseattitudeswillonlymakeworkmorestultifyingandunsatisfyingintheend.
Whenwethink,“Ihatework!”weshouldrememberthat,despitethefactthatworkcanbea
particularlypotentreminder(andevenamplifier)ofthecurseofsinonallthings,itisnotitselfacurse.
Wewerebuiltforitandfreedbyit.Butwhenwefeelthatourlivesarecompletelyabsorbedbywork,
rememberthatwemustalsohonorwork’slimits.Thereisnobetterstartingpointforameaningfulwork
lifethanafirmgraspofthisbalancedworkandresttheology.
TWO
TheDignityofWork
ThenGodsaid,“Letusmakemankindinourimage,inourlikeness,sothattheymay
ruleoverthefishintheseaandthebirdsinthesky,overthelivestockandallthewild
animals,andoverallthecreaturesthatmovealongtheground.”
SoGodcreatedmankindinhisownimage,intheimageofGodhecreatedthem;maleand
femalehecreatedthem.
Genesis1:26–27
WorkasaDemeaningNecessity
AynRandisoneofthemostwidelyreadtwentieth-centuryphilosophersonthesubjectofwork.Inher
twomostfamousnovels,shecreatescharacterswhopushagainstthetrendsofsocialismand
collectivism.HowardRoark,thearchitectinTheFountainhead,stirsthesoulwithhispassionfor
creatingbuildingsthatcreativelyusetheresourcesofthenaturalenvironment,tastefullycomplementtheir
naturalsurroundings,andefficientlyservetheneedsoftheirintendedoccupants.Randportrayshimas
fullyhuman,incomparisontootherarchitectswhodotheirworkformoneyorprestige.InAtlas
Shruggedwehaveaverydifferenthero,JohnGalt,wholeadsastrikebythesociety’smostproductive
people,whorefusetobeexploitedanylonger.Hehopestodemonstratethataworldinwhichpersonsare
notfreetocreateisdoomed.ToRand,creative,productiveworkisessentialtohumandignitybutis
typicallydemeanedbybureaucracyandcommonness.OneofhercharactersinAtlasShruggedstates,
“Whetherit’sasymphonyoracoalmine,allworkisanactofcreatingandcomesfromthesame
source:...thecapacitytosee,toconnectandtomakewhathadnotbeenseen,connectedandmade
before.”36
Randhasglimpsedoneofthecoreaspectsofman’sdignity,aswecometounderstanditfromreading
Genesis1.Unfortunately,shealsowasoneofthetwentiethcentury’smostvocalcriticsofChristianity,
rejectingtheGodoftheBiblewhomademaninhisownimage.Still,weseethatworkisamajor
componentofhumandignity—itresonatestodayevenwiththemostsecularthinkers.Thatwasnotalways
so.
TheancientGreeks,whoalsothoughtthatthegodsmadehumanbeingsforwork,sawthisasno
blessing.Workwasdemeaning.AsItalianphilosopherAdrianoTilgherputit,“TotheGreeks,workwas
acurseandnothingelse.”37Infact,Aristotlesaidthatunemployment—bywhichhemeanttheabilityto
livewithouthavingtowork—wasaprimaryqualificationforagenuinelyworthwhilelife.38Whatledthe
Greekstothisviewofwork?
PlatoinhisdialoguePhaedoarguesthatbeinginthebodydistortsandhampersthesoulinitsquest
fortruth.Inthislife,thepersonwhodevelopsspiritualinsightandpuritymustdosobyignoringthebody
asmuchaspossible.Deathisthereforeaformofliberationandevenafriendofthesoul.39“TheGreek
philosopherslargelythoughtofthegodsasperfectminds—solitary,self-sufficient,uninvolvedinthestuff
oftheworldorthehubbubofhumanaffairs.Humanbeingsweretobecomelikethegodsbywithdrawing
fromactivelifeanddevotingthemselvestocontemplation.”40Contemplationhelpedyourealizethatthe
materialworldistemporaryandevenillusory,andthatbeingoverinvolvedoremotionallyattachedtoit
pullsyoudownintoakindofanimalexistenceoffear,anger,andanxiety.Instead,thewaytotruepeace
andhappinesswastolearnhowtoachievea“non-attachment”tothethingsofthisworld.Epictetustaught
hisdisciplesthat“thegoodlifeisalifestrippedofbothhopesandfears.Inotherwords,alifereconciled
towhatisthecase,alifewhichacceptstheworldasitis.”41Tobemosthumanwastobetheleast
involved,andtheleastinvested,inthematerialworld.
Work,then,wasabarriertothehighestkindoflife.Workmadeitimpossibletoriseabovethe
earthboundhumdrumoflifeintotherealmofphilosophy,thedomainofthegods.TheGreeksunderstood
thatlifeintheworldrequiredwork,buttheybelievedthatnotallworkwascreatedequal.Workthatused
themindratherthanthebodywasnobler,lessbeastly.Thehighestformofworkwasthemostcognitive
andtheleastmanual.“ThewholeGreeksocialstructurehelpedtosupportsuchanoutlook,foritrestedon
thepremisethatslavesand[craftsmen]didthework,enablingtheelitetodevotethemselvestothe
exerciseofthemindinart,philosophy,andpolitics.”42AristotleveryfamouslysaidinhisPoliticsI.V.8
thatsomepeopleareborntobeslaves.Hemeantthatsomepeoplearenotascapableofhigherrational
thoughtandthereforeshoulddotheworkthatfreesthemoretalentedandbrillianttopursuealifeofhonor
andculture.
Modernpeoplebristlewithoutrageatsuchastatement,butwhilewedonottodayholdwiththeidea
ofliteralslavery,theattitudesbehindAristotle’sstatementarealiveandwell.ChristianphilosopherLee
Hardyandmanyothershavearguedthatthis“Greekattitudetowardworkanditsplaceinhumanlifewas
largelypreservedinboththethoughtandpracticeoftheChristianchurch”throughthecenturies,andstill
holdsagreatdealofinfluencetodayinourculture.43Whathascomedowntousisasetofpervasive
ideas.
Oneisthatworkisanecessaryevil.Theonlygoodwork,inthisview,isworkthathelpsmakeus
moneysothatwecansupportourfamiliesandpayotherstodomenialwork.Second,webelievethat
lower-statusorlower-payingworkisanassaultonourdignity.Oneresultofthisbeliefisthatmany
peopletakejobsthattheyarenotsuitedforatall,choosingtoaimforcareersthatdonotfittheirgiftsbut
promisehigherwagesandprestige.Westernsocietiesareincreasinglydividedbetweenthehighly
remunerated“knowledgeclasses”andthemorepoorlyremunerated“servicesector,”andmostofus
acceptandperpetuatethevaluejudgmentsthatattachtothesecategories.Anotherresultisthatmany
peoplewillchoosetobeunemployedratherthandoworkthattheyfeelisbeneaththem,andmostservice
andmanuallaborfallsintothiscategory.Oftenpeoplewhohavemadeitintotheknowledgeclassesshow
greatdisdainfortheconcierges,handymen,drycleaners,cooks,gardeners,andotherswhoholdservice
jobs.
WorkasaMarkofHumanDignity
Thebiblicalviewofthesemattersisutterlydifferent.Workofallkinds,whetherwiththehandsorthe
mind,evidencesourdignityashumanbeings—becauseitreflectstheimageofGodtheCreatorinus.
BiblicalscholarDerekKidnernoticessomethingprofoundinthecreationofanimalsandhumanbeingsin
Genesischapter1:Onlymanissetapartandgivenajobdescription,“anoffice(1:26b,28b;2:19;cf.
Ps.8:4–8;James3:7)...”44Inotherwords,whiletheplantsandanimalsarecalledtosimply“teem”and
“reproduce,”onlyhumansareexplicitlygivenajob.Theyarecalledto“subdue”and“havedominion,”
orruletheearth.
WearegivenspecificworktodobecausewearemadeinGod’simage.Whatdoesthismean?“The
rulersoftheancientNearEastsetupimagesandstatuesofthemselvesinplaceswheretheyexercisedor
claimedtoexerciseauthority.Theimagesrepresentedtherulerhimselfassymbolsofhispresenceand
authority...”45ThecloseconnectionofGenesischapter1,verse26withthemandateto“rule”shows
thatthisactofrulingisadefiningaspectofwhatitmeanstobemadeinGod’simage.Wearecalledto
standinforGodhereintheworld,exercisingstewardshipovertherestofcreationinhisplaceashis
vice-regents.WeshareindoingthethingsthatGodhasdoneincreation—bringingorderoutofchaos,
creativelybuildingacivilizationoutofthematerialofphysicalandhumannature,caringforallthatGod
hasmade.Thisisamajorpartofwhatwewerecreatedtobe.
WhiletheGreekthinkerssawordinarywork,especiallymanuallabor,asrelegatinghumanbeingsto
theanimallevel,theBibleseesallworkasdistinguishinghumanbeingsfromanimalsandelevatingthem
toaplaceofdignity.OldTestamentscholarVictorHamiltonnotesthatinsurroundingculturessuchas
EgyptandMesopotamia,thekingorothersofroyalbloodmightbecalledthe“imageofGod”;but,he
notes,thatrarefiedterm“wasnotappliedtothecanaldiggerortothemasonwhoworkedonthe
ziggurat....[ButGenesischapter1uses]royallanguagetodescribesimply‘man.’InGod’seyesallof
mankindisroyal.TheBibledemocratizestheroyalisticandexclusivisticconceptsofthenationsthat
surroundedIsrael.”46
WorkhasdignitybecauseitissomethingthatGoddoesandbecausewedoitinGod’splace,ashis
representatives.Welearnnotonlythatworkhasdignityinitself,butalsothatallkindsofworkhave
dignity.God’sownworkinGenesis1and2is“manual”labor,asheshapesusoutofthedustoftheearth,
deliberatelyputtingaspiritinaphysicalbody,andasheplantsagarden(Genesis2:8).Itishardforus
todaytorealizehowrevolutionarythisideahasbeeninthehistoryofhumanthinking.Ministerandauthor
PhillipJensenputsitthisway:“IfGodcameintotheworld,whatwouldhebelike?Fortheancient
Greeks,hemighthavebeenaphilosopher-king.TheancientRomansmighthavelookedforajustand
noblestatesman.ButhowdoestheGodoftheHebrewscomeintotheworld?Asacarpenter.”47
Thecurrenteconomicerahasgivenusfreshimpulsesandnewwaystostigmatizeworksuchas
farmingandcaringforchildren—jobsthatsupposedlyarenot“knowledge”jobsandthereforedonotpay
verywell.ButinGenesisweseeGodasagardener,andintheNewTestamentweseehimasacarpenter.
NotaskistoosmallavesseltoholdtheimmensedignityofworkgivenbyGod.Simplephysicallaboris
God’sworknolessthantheformulationoftheologicaltruth.Thinkofthesupposedlymenialworkof
housecleaning.Considerthatifyoudonotdoit—orhiresomeoneelsetodoit—youwilleventuallyget
sickanddiefromthegerms,viruses,andinfectionsthatwillbreedinyourhome.Thematerialcreation
wasmadebyGodtobedeveloped,cultivated,andcaredforinanendlessnumberofwaysthroughhuman
labor.Buteventhesimplestofthesewaysisimportant.Withoutthemall,humanlifecannotflourish.
Mike,afriendofKatherine’s,isadoormaninNewYorkCity.Heisoneoffifteendoormenservinga
largeManhattanco-op;hisapartmentbuildingishometoaboutonehundredfamilies.Nowinhisearly
sixties,MikeemigratedtotheU.S.fromCroatiaasayoungmanandworkedinmanykindsofjobs,from
therestaurantbusinesstomanuallabor.Hehasbeenadoormaninthebuildingfortwentyyearsandis
clearlydistinctiveinhisattitudetowardhiswork.ToMikeit’sfarfromjustajob.Hecaresaboutthe
peopleinthebuildingandtakesprideinhelpingwithloading,findingparkingspaces,andwelcoming
guests.Hesetsthestandardforkeepingthelobbyandfrontofthebuildingcleanandattractive.
Whenaskedwhatmakeshimdropwhathe’sdoingtogettothecurbintimetohelpunloadaresident’s
carafteraweekendawayheresponds,“That’smyjob”or“Theyneededhelp.”Whydoesheremember
thenameofeverychild?“Becausetheylivehere.”Atonepoint,tothequestion,“Butwhydoyouworkso
hardateverypartofthisjob?”hereplied,“Idon’tknow...it’sjustwhatIneedtobeabletolookat
myselfinthemirrorinthemorning.Icouldn’tlivewithmyselfifIdidn’ttrymybesteveryday.”He
appearstoworkoutofgratefulnessforthejobandforhislife.Heisgladtobeinthiscountryandforthe
opportunitiesithasgivenhim.
MostofthepeopleMikeservesareprofessionalsorbusinesspeoplewhoareprobablygladnottobe
doormen.Somemightevenfindtheworkofadoormandemeaningiftheyhadtodoitthemselves.But
Mike’sattitudeshowsthatherecognizestheinherentdignityoftheworkheisdoing;andinthis,hebrings
outitsgoodnessandworth.
TheMaterialWorldMatters
AllworkhasdignitybecauseitreflectsGod’simageinus,andalsobecausethematerialcreationweare
calledtocareforisgood.TheGreekssawdeathasafriend,becauseitliberatedusfromtheprisonof
physicallife.TheBibleseesdeathnotasafriend,butasanenemy(1Corinthians15:26),becausethe
createdworldisabrilliantandbeautifulgood(Genesis1:31),destinedtoexistforever(Revelation
22:1–5).Indeed,thebiblicaldoctrineofcreationharmonizeswiththedoctrineoftheincarnation(in
whichGodtakesuponhimselfahumanbody)andoftheresurrection(inwhichGodredeemsnotjustthe
soulbutthebody)toshowhowdeeply“pro-physical”Christianityis.ForChristians,evenourultimate
futureisaphysicalone.Someviewsofrealityseethespiritualasmorerealandtruethanthephysical;
other,morenaturalisticviewsseethespiritualasillusoryandthephysicalastheonlythingreal;but
neitheristrueoftheBible.
Weacknowledgethattheworldisgood.Itisnotthetemporarytheaterforourindividualsalvation
stories,afterwhichwegotolivedisembodiedlivesinadifferentdimension.AccordingtotheBible,this
worldistheforerunnerofthenewheavensandnewearth,whichwillbepurified,restored,andenhanced
atthe“renewalofallthings”(Matthew19:28;Romans8:19–25).Nootherreligionenvisionsmatterand
spiritlivingtogetherinintegrityforever.Andsobirdsflyingandoceansroaringandpeopleeating,
walking,andlovingarepermanentlygoodthings.
Aswehaveseen,thismeansthatChristianscannotlookdownonlaborinvolvingmoreintimate
contactwiththematerialworld.Caringforandcultivatingthismaterialworldhasworth,evenifitmeans
cuttingthegrass.Thisalsomeansthat“secular”workhasnolessdignityandnobilitythanthe“sacred”
workofministry.Wearebothbodyandsoul,andthebiblicalidealofshalomincludesbothphysical
thrivingaswellasspiritual.“Foodthatnourishes,roofsthatholdouttherain,shadethatprotectsfromthe
heatofthesun....thesatisfactionofthematerialneedsanddesiresofmenandwomen...when
businessesproducematerialthingsthatenhancethewelfareofthecommunity,theyareengagedinwork
thatmatterstoGod.”48
InPsalm65,verses9–10andPsalm104,verse30wefindGodcultivatingthegroundbywateringit
throughrainshowers,and,throughhisHolySpirit,“renewingthefaceoftheground.”However,inJohn
16,verses8–11,theHolySpiritissaidtoconvictandconvincepeopleofsinandGod’sjudgment—
whichissomethingapreacherdoes.SoherewehaveGod’sSpiritbothgardeningandpreachingthe
gospel.BothareGod’swork.Howcanwesayonekindofworkishighandnobleandtheotherlowand
debasing?
Wehaveanexcellentfoundationifweunderstandthegoodnessofcreationandthedignityofwork.
Weworkinawondrousworldthatisdesignedatleastpartlyforourpleasure.TheauthorofGenesistells
usweshouldexperienceaweaswestandbeforetherichnessofthecreation,foritteemswithlife.God
seemstodelightindiversityandcreativity.OtherplacesintheBiblespeakofGod’screativeactivityas
beingmotivatedbythesheerdelightofcreating(seeProverbs8:27–31).This,too,ispartofGod’splan
forwhatourworkshouldbeabout,andwhatitwouldstillbeaboutifwehadnotexperiencedthefall,
whichmarredeverythingincludingourlabor.
Wewerebuiltforworkandthedignityitgivesusashumanbeings,regardlessofitsstatusorpay.The
practicalimplicationsofthisprinciplearefar-reaching.Wehavethefreedomtoseekworkthatsuitsour
giftsandpassions.Wecanbeopentogreateropportunitiesforworkwhentheeconomyisweakandjobs
arelessplentiful.Wenolongerhaveanybasisforcondescensionorsuperiority;noristhereanybasisfor
envyorfeelingsofinfidelity.AndeveryChristianshouldbeabletoidentify,withconvictionand
satisfaction,thewaysinwhichhisorherworkparticipateswithGodinhiscreativityandcultivation.To
helpusdothat,weturntothebiblicalunderstandingofculture.
THREE
WorkasCultivation
Godblessedthemandsaidtothem,“Befruitfulandincreaseinnumber;filltheearthand
subdueit.Ruleoverthefishintheseaandthebirdsintheskyandovereverylivingcreature
thatmovesontheground.”
Genesis1:28
NowtheLordGodhadplantedagardenintheeast,inEden;andthereheputthemanhe
hadformed.TheLordGodmadeallkindsoftreesgrowoutoftheground—treesthatwere
pleasingtotheeyeandgoodforfood....TheLordGodtookthemanandputhiminthe
GardenofEdentoworkitandtakecareofit.AndtheLordGodcommandedtheman,“You
arefreetoeatfromanytreeinthegarden;butyoumustnoteatfromthetreeofthe
knowledgeofgoodandevil,forwhenyoueatfromityouwillcertainlydie.”TheLordGod
said,“Itisnotgoodforthemantobealone.Iwillmakeahelpersuitableforhim.”Nowthe
LordGodhadformedoutofthegroundallthewildanimalsandallthebirdsinthesky.He
broughtthemtothemantoseewhathewouldnamethem;andwhateverthemancalledeach
livingcreature,thatwasitsname.Sothemangavenamestoallthelivestock,thebirdsinthe
skyandallthewildanimals.ButforAdamnosuitablehelperwasfound.SotheLordGod
causedthemantofallintoadeepsleep;andwhilehewassleeping,hetookoneoftheman’s
ribsandthencloseduptheplacewithflesh.ThentheLordGodmadeawomanfromtherib
hehadtakenoutoftheman,andhebroughthertotheman.
Genesis2:8–9,15–22
FillingandSubduingtheEarth
Workisourdesignandourdignity;itisalsoawaytoserveGodthroughcreativity,particularlyinthe
creationofculture.
Godputhumanbeingsintoagarden.HebrewscholarDerekKidnerarguesthatworkwasprominent
amongthefullrangeofdelightsthere:“Theearthlyparadise...isamodelofparentalcare.Thefledgling
isshelteredbutnotsmothered:onallsidesdiscoveriesandencountersawaithimtodrawouthispowers
ofdiscernmentandchoice,andthereisamplenourishmentforhisaesthetic,physicalandspiritual
appetites;further,thereisaman’sworkbeforehimforbodyandmind(v.15,19).”49Forourspiritual
growththerewasadivineWordtoobey(verses16–17).Forourculturalandcreativedevelopmentthere
wasthephysicalworkofthetendingofthegarden(verse15)andthementalstretchingandunderstanding
involvedinthenamingoftheanimals(verse19).Finally,inthecreationofEveandofmarriage,there
wastheprovisionforgrowingthehumanraceintoafullsociety(verses19–24).Alltheseendeavors
weregivenasanelaborationontheoverarchingjobdescriptionofGenesis1,verse28—to“filltheearth
andsubdueit.”Thiscommandhasbeencalledthe“culturalmandate.”Whatdoesitmean?
First,wearecalledto“filltheearth”—toincreaseinnumber.WhileGodusuallysaysofplantsand
animals“letthem”multiply(verses11,20a,20b,22,and24),humanbeingsarenotonlygivena
commandtodosoactively(verse28a)butthenreceiveadetailedjobdescription(verses28b–29).In
otherwords,onlyhumansaregivenmultiplicationasatasktofulfillwithintention.Butwhywouldthis
beajob—isn’titjustanaturalprocess?Notexactly.Humanbeings“fillingtheearth”meanssomething
farthanplantsandanimalsfillingtheearth.Itmeanscivilization,notjustprocreation.Wegetthesense
thatGoddoesnotwantmerelymoreindividualsofthehumanspecies;healsowantstheworldtobe
filledwithahumansociety.Hecouldhavejustspokenthewordandcreatedmillionsofpeoplein
thousandsofhumansettlements,buthedidn’t.Hemadeitourjobtodevelopandbuildthissociety.
Second,wearecalledto“rule”therestofcreationandevento“subdue”it.Whatdoesthatmean?
Theword“subdue”mightbereadtoimplythattheforcesofnaturewereadversarialandneededtobe
conqueredinsomeway.Somehavecomplainedthatthistextgiveshumanbeingsalicensetoexploit
nature.Butthatisnotwhatitistalkingabout.50Rememberthatthismandateisgivenbeforethefall,
beforenaturebecomessubjecttodecay(Romans8:17–27)andbringsupthornsalongwithfruit(Genesis
3:17–19).Thereisstillaprimevalharmonywithincreationthatnolongerexistsinthesamewayafterthe
fall.Sothereisnoviolentintentto“subduing”theearth.Instead,“ruling”theworldasGod’simage
bearersshouldbeseenasstewardshiportrusteeship.Godownstheworld,buthehasputitunderour
caretocultivateit.Itisdefinitelynotamandatetotreattheworldanditsresourcesasiftheyareoursto
use,exploit,anddiscardaswewish.
Nevertheless,thewordtranslatedas“subdue”isastrongwordthatmeansrealassertionofwill.That
isGod’sstancetowardcreation;whenhefirstcreatesthematerialworld,hedoesnothaveitspringinto
beingallready-made.Rather,itis“formless”and“empty”(1:2).Godthenaddressestheseconditions
progressivelyduringGenesis1—throughhiswork.Hegivestheworldform.Whereitisunshapedand
undifferentiated,hedistinguishesandelaborates.Hetakesthegeneralandseparatesitintoparticulars,for
example,“separating”skyfromsea(1:7)andlightfromdarkness(1:4).Weevenseethisloveofdiversity
inGod’screationofEve.Godcouldeasilyhavecreatedhumanityinonlyoneformbutinsteadcreatedus
intwogenders,differentandcomplementary,yetequal.ThecreationofAdamandEveasgendered
beingsleadstobiologicalprocreation,anotherwayinwhichweare,asbeingsinhisimage,carryingon
theworkhebeganatthebeginning.Andwherethingsareempty,Godfillsthem.Onthefirstthreedayshe
createsrealms(heavens,skyandwaters,earth),andonthesecondthreedayshefillseachrealmwith
inhabitants(sun,moonandstars,birdsandfish,animalsandhumans).
Sotheword“subdue”indicatesthateveninitsoriginal,unfallenform,Godmadetheworldtoneed
work.Hemadeitsuchthatevenhehadtoworkforittobecomewhathedesignedittobe,tobringforth
allitsrichesandpotential.ItisnocoincidencethatinGenesis1,verse28Godtellsustofollowhimin
doingthesamethingsthathehasbeendoing—fillingandsubduing.
CultureMakingwithGod
PhilosopherAlWolterswrites:
Theearthhadbeencompletelyunformedandempty;inthesix-dayprocessofdevelopmentGod
hadformeditandfilledit—butnotcompletely.Peoplemustnowcarryontheworkof
development:bybeingfruitfultheyfillitevenmore;bysubduingittheymustformiteven
more...asGod’srepresentatives,[we]carryonwhereGodleftoff.Butthisisnowtobea
humandevelopmentoftheearth.Thehumanracewillfilltheearthwithitsownkind,andit
willformtheearthforitsownkind.Fromnowonthedevelopmentofthecreatedearthwillbe
societalandculturalinnature.51
IfwearetobeGod’simage-bearerswithregardtocreation,thenwewillcarryonhispatternof
work.Hisworldisnothostile,sothatitneedstobebeatendownlikeanenemy.Rather,itspotentialis
undeveloped,soitneedstobecultivatedlikeagarden.Sowearenottorelatetotheworldaspark
rangers,whosejobisnottochangetheirspace,buttopreservethingsastheyare.Norareweto“pave
overthegarden”ofthecreatedworldtomakeaparkinglot.No,wearetobegardenerswhotakean
activestancetowardtheircharge.Theydonotleavethelandasitis.Theyrearrangeitinordertomakeit
mostfruitful,todrawthepotentialitiesforgrowthanddevelopmentoutofthesoil.Theydiguptheground
andrearrangeitwithagoalinmind:torearrangetherawmaterialofthegardensothatitproducesfood,
flowers,andbeauty.Andthatisthepatternforallwork.Itiscreativeandassertive.Itisrearrangingthe
rawmaterialofGod’screationinsuchawaythatithelpstheworldingeneral,andpeopleinparticular,
thriveandflourish.
Thispatternisfoundinallkindsofwork.Farmingtakesthephysicalmaterialofsoilandseedand
producesfood.Musictakesthephysicsofsoundandrearrangesitintosomethingbeautifulandthrilling
thatbringsmeaningtolife.Whenwetakefabricandmakeapieceofclothing,whenwepushabroomand
cleanuparoom,whenweusetechnologytoharnesstheforcesofelectricity,whenwetakeanunformed,
naïvehumanmindandteachitasubject,whenweteachacouplehowtoresolvetheirrelationaldisputes,
whenwetakesimplematerialsandturnthemintoapoignantworkofart—wearecontinuingGod’swork
offorming,filling,andsubduing.Wheneverwebringorderoutofchaos,wheneverwedrawoutcreative
potential,wheneverweelaborateand“unfold”creationbeyondwhereitwaswhenwefoundit,weare
followingGod’spatternofcreativeculturaldevelopment.Infact,ourword“culture”comesfromthis
ideaofcultivation.Justashesubduedtheearthinhisworkofcreation,sohecallsusnowtolaborashis
representativesinacontinuationandextensionofthatworkofsubduing.
AtRedeemerwetrytoencourageourentrepreneurs—thosewhoseektocreatevalueoutofthe
resourcesattheirdisposaltodevelopsomethingnewandinnovative.OneofthoseisJamesTufenkian,
whospokeatourannualforumforentrepreneursin2008.Afterdevelopingseveralotherbusinesses,
Jamesstartedmakinganddistributingartisanaljamsin2005.HehadbeenworkinginArmeniaandwas
frustratedbythepovertyandwasteinthatcountry.Vastareasofthecountryproducedwonderfulfruit,
whichweremarketedandenjoyedinseason,butlargequantitieswerelostbecauseofpoorshippingand
storage.Heandapartnerdecidedtolaunchafruitpreservebusinessandturnaseasonalruralbusiness
intoayear-roundventure.HarvestSongfruitpreservesnowwininternationalawardsforexcellenceand
aresoldaroundtheworld,becauseoftheclimateinwhichthey’regrownandthemethodthroughwhich
they’represerved.AccordingtoJames,oneofhislifelongandfaith-derivedvaluesis“makingbeautiful
thingsofenduringvalue.”52Infact,afterstudyingGod’sworkofformingandfillingtheearthandthen
lookingbackonitandsaying“Itwasgood,”Jameshadanepiphany.Withdelightheexclaimed,“God
doesn’tmakejunk.Idon’tmakejunk!”Abiblicalunderstandingofworkenergizesourdesiretocreate
valuefromtheresourcesavailabletous.RecognizingtheGodwhosuppliesourresources,andwhogives
ustheprivilegeofjoininginascocultivators,helpsusenterintoourworkwitharelentlessspiritof
creativity.
MarkNollwritesinTheScandaloftheEvangelicalMind,
Who,afterall,madetheworldofnature,andthenmadepossiblethedevelopmentofsciences
throughwhichwefindoutmoreaboutnature?Whoformedtheuniverseofhumaninteractions,
andsoprovidedtherawmaterialforpolitics,economics,sociology,andhistory?Whoisthe
sourceofharmony,form,andnarrativepattern,andsoliesbehindallartisticandliterary
possibilities?Whocreatedthehumanmindinsuchawaythatitcouldgrasptheendless
realitiesofnature,ofhumaninteractions,ofbeauty,andsomakepossiblethetheoriesofsuch
mattersbyphilosophersandpsychologists?Whomomentbymomentsustainsthenaturalworld,
theworldofhumaninteractions,andtheharmoniesofexistence?Whomaintainsmomentby
momenttheconnectionsbetweenwhatisinourmindsandwhatisintheworldbeyondour
minds?Theanswerineverycaseisthesame—Goddidit.AndGoddoesit.53
Thenamingoftheanimalsinchapter2,verses19–20isaninvitationtoenterintohiscreativity.Why
didn’tGodjustnametheanimalshimself?Afterall,inGenesis1,Godnamesthings,“calling”thelight
“Day”andthedarkness“Night”—sohewasclearlycapableofnamingtheanimalsaswell.Yetheinvites
ustocontinuehisworkofdevelopingcreation,todevelopallthecapacitiesofhumanandphysicalnature
tobuildacivilizationthatglorifieshim.Throughourworkwebringorderoutofchaos,createnew
entities,exploitthepatternsofcreation,andinterweavethehumancommunity.Sowhethersplicingagene
ordoingbrainsurgeryorcollectingtherubbishorpaintingapicture,ourworkfurtherdevelops,
maintains,orrepairsthefabricoftheworld.Inthisway,weconnectourworktoGod’swork.
AllWorkIsCultureMaking
FullerSeminarypresidentRichardMouwonceaddressedanumberofbankersinNewYorkCity.He
pointedthemtoGenesisandshowedthatGodwasacreator/investorwhomadetheworldasahomefor
allkindsofcreativity.MouwurgedhisaudiencetothinkofGodasaninvestmentbanker.Heleveraged
hisresourcestocreateawholeworldofnewlife.Inthesameway,whatifyouseeahumanneednot
beingmet,youseeatalentorresourcethatcanmeetthatneed,andyoutheninvestyourresources—at
yourriskandcost—sothattheneedismetandtheresultisnewjobs,newproducts,andbetterqualityof
life?Whatyouaredoing,Mouwconcluded,isactuallyGod-like.
Aftertheaddress,manyintheaudiencesaid,“Couldyoutalktomyministeraboutthis?Hethinksthat
allIcareaboutismakingmoney.”Indeed,notallbusinessinitiativesservethecommongood.54Butso
manyministersassumethatinvestorsandentrepreneursaresolelyouttomakemoneywithoutregardfor
advancingthecommongood.Ifministersdon’tyetseebusinessasawayofmakingcultureandof
cultivatingcreation,theywillfailtosupport,appreciate,andproperlyleadmanymembersoftheir
congregation.
Thisaspectofthebiblicalunderstandingofworkgivesvisionandmeaningnotonlytoambitious
endeavors,buteventothemostcommonplaceones;foritisequallynecessarytocultivatecreationin
everydayways.InhisseminalandaccessiblebookCulture-Making:RecoveringOurCreativeCalling,
AndyCrouchremindsusthatourworkisimportantonanyscale,whethergrandormodest.Andy
describestheimpactmadebyhiswife,Catherine,aprofessorofphysics:
Inherworkasaprofessorofphysics,Catherinecandomuchtoshapethecultureofhercourses
andherresearchlab.Inthesomewhatsterileandtechnologicalenvironmentofalaboratory,she
canplayclassicalmusictocreateanatmosphereofcreativityandbeauty.Shecanshapethe
wayherstudentsrespondtoexcitinganddisappointingresults,andcanmodelbothhardwork
andgoodrestratherthanfranticworkandfitfulprocrastination.Bybringingherchildrenwith
hertoworkoccasionallyshecancreateaculturewherefamilyisnotaninterruptionfromwork,
andwhereresearchandteachingarenaturalpartsofamother’slife;byinvitingherstudents
intoourhomeshecanshowthatshevaluesthemaspersons,notjustasunitsofresearch
productivity.Atthesmallscaleofherlaboratoryandclassroom,shehasrealabilitytoreshape
theworld.55
NoeverydayworklacksthedignityofbeingpatternedafterGod’sownwork,yetnobusiness
megadealorpublicpolicyinitiativeissoloftythatitcantranscendGod’spatternsandlimitationsfor
work.What’smoreGodhasnotleftusalonetodiscoverhoworwhywearetocultivatehiscreation;
instead,hegivesusaclearpurposeforourworkandfaithfullycallsusintoit.
FOUR
WorkasService
Nevertheless,eachpersonshouldliveasabelieverinwhateversituationtheLordhas
assignedtothem,justasGodhascalledthem.ThisistheruleIlaydowninallthechurches.
1Corinthians7:17
CalledandAssigned
MikeUllman,formerCEOofJCPenney,tellsofaconversationhehadwithStarbucksfounderHoward
SchultzwhenhewasfirstofferedtheJCPenneyposition.Mikehadretiredfromalongandsuccessful
careerinretailmanagementafewyearsbeforeandwasreluctanttogetbackintothebusiness.But
SchultzsaidtoUllman,“Thisopportunityismadeforyou.Theyneedtoputservicebackintothemission
ofthatcompany,andyou’retheguytodoit.”Hedidn’tneedthemoneyortherecognition,butheagreed
totaketherolebecausehesawanopportunitytoreorienttwenty-fivethousandretailemployeestoseeing
thattheirworkmattersandthatservingtheircustomersisanhonorablecareer.Inshort,hebelievedthat
Godcalledhimtoaparticularpositionofservice.
WehavebeenlookingatthebookofGenesistounderstandthedesign,dignity,andpatternofwork,
butitisintheNewTestamentandparticularlyinthewritingsofPaulthatwegainmoreinsightintohow
Godprovidespurposeforourworkbycallingustoservetheworld.
Let’slookatthebiblicaluseofthetermoftentranslatedas“calling.”InthelettersoftheNew
TestamenttheGreekwordfor“tocall”(kaleo)usuallydescribesGod’ssummonstomenandwomeninto
savingfaithandunionwithhisSon(Romans8:30;1Corinthians1:9).Itisalsoacalltoservehimby
reachingtheworldwithhismessage(1Peter2:9–10).God’scallinghasnotonlyanindividualaspectbut
alsoacommunalone.Itbringsyouintoarelationshipnotonlywithhim,butalsowithabodyofbelievers
(1Corinthians1:9;Ephesians1:1–4;Colossians3:15).Indeed,theveryGreekwordforchurch—
ekklesia—literallymeansthe“onescalledout.”
In1Corinthianschapter7,PaulcounselsreadersthatwhentheybecomeChristiansitisunnecessary
tochangewhattheyarecurrentlydoinginlife—theirmaritalstate,job,orsocialstation—inordertolive
theirlivesbeforeGodinawaythatpleaseshim.Inverse17,Pauldirects,“Onlyleteachpersonleadthe
lifethattheLordhasassignedtohim,andtowhichGodhascalledhim.Thisismyruleinallthe
churches.”57
HerePaulusestworeligiouslyfreightedwordstodescribeordinarywork.Elsewhere,Paulhas
spokenofGodcallingpeopleintoasavingrelationshipwithhim,andassigningthemspiritualgiftstodo
ministryandbuilduptheChristiancommunity(Romans12:3and2Corinthians10:13).Paulusesthese
sametwowordsherewhenhesaysthateveryChristianshouldremainintheworkGodhas“assignedto
him,andtowhichGodhascalledhim.”YetPaulisnotreferringinthiscasetochurchministries,butto
commonsocialandeconomictasks—“secularjobs,”wemightsay—andnamingthemGod’scallingsand
assignments.57Theimplicationisclear:JustasGodequipsChristiansforbuildinguptheBodyofChrist,
sohealsoequipsallpeoplewithtalentsandgiftsforvariouskindsofwork,forthepurposeofbuilding
upthehumancommunity.58BiblicalscholarAnthonyThiseltonwritesaboutthispassage:“ThisPauline
conceptofcallandservicevariesgreatlyfromthatofsecularmodernity,whichgivesaprivilegedplace
to‘autonomy,’andfromthatofsecularpostmodernity,whichgivesprivilegetoself-fulfillmentandto
powerinterests....[It]givesthissection[ofPaul’swriting]freshrelevancetothepresent.”59
Thiselton’sinsightrecallsthequotebyRobertBellahcitedinourintroduction.Bellahcalledusto
recovertheideathatworkisa“vocation”orcalling,“acontributiontothegoodofallandnotmerely...
ameanstoone’sownadvancement,”toone’sself-fulfillmentandpower.60Rememberthatsomethingcan
beavocationorcallingonlyifsomeotherpartycallsyoutodoit,andyoudoitfortheirsakeratherthan
foryourown.OurdailyworkcanbeacallingonlyifitisreconceivedasGod’sassignmenttoserve
others.AndthatisexactlyhowtheBibleteachesustoviewwork.
Atourchurchwehavemanyhigh-achievingyoungpeoplewhoarerecruitedoutofcollegeor
businessschooltoworkinthefinancialservicesindustry.Luredbytherecruitingprocess,signing
bonuses,andcompensationpackagesthatfarexceedthoseofotherprofessionsorindustries,manyof
theseyoungpeoplebarelyconsiderothervocationalalternatives.Fordecadesthesejobshaveoffered
statusandfinancialsecuritybeyondcompare.Inthefaceofthiskindofopportunity,howisacommitted
Christiansupposedtothinkobjectivelyabouthisorher“calling”?
Certainlysomedosensethattheirjobinfinancialsales,trading,privateequity,publicfinance,ora
relatedareaisawayforthemtooffertheiruniquecapabilitiesinservicetoGodandothers.Some,
however,afterafewyearsonWallStreet,determinethattheirstrengthsandpassionsaremoresuitedto
anothervocation.JillLamar,forexample,workedseveralyearsatMerrillLynchbeforedecidingshe
neededtomakeachange.Aloverofbooksandagoodwriterherself,shedecidedtoswitchtopublishing,
startingagainattheverybottominpayandposition.Shewrestledwiththefactthattheopportunityto
makealotofmoneydidn’tnecessarilymeanthatbankingwasthevocationsheshouldcontinuetopursue.
Shetriedtothinkabouthowshecouldbestusehergiftsandpassiontoserveinstead.Herdecision
createdquiteaflurry,eveninthechurch!
Christiansshouldbeawareofthisrevolutionaryunderstandingofthepurposeoftheirworkinthe
world.Wearenottochoosejobsandconductourworktofulfillourselvesandaccruepower,forbeing
calledbyGodtodosomethingisempoweringenough.WearetoseeworkasawayofservicetoGodand
ourneighbor,andsoweshouldbothchooseandconductourworkinaccordancewiththatpurpose.The
questionregardingourchoiceofworkisnolonger“Whatwillmakemethemostmoneyandgivemethe
moststatus?”Thequestionmustnowbe“How,withmyexistingabilitiesandopportunities,canIbeof
greatestservicetootherpeople,knowingwhatIdoofGod’swillandofhumanneed?”
Jilltookthislastquestionveryseriously.Inhersubsequentyearsinpublishing,shefoundthatshewas
goodateditingandatdiscoveringnewwriters.Shegrewinherpassionforgivingtheworldgoodstories
toread.Sometimesthestoriesreflectedherbiblicalwayofthinkingabouttheworld,butsometimesthey
didnot.Shewaslookingforexcellence.EventuallyshedirectedawonderfulprogramforBarnes&
NoblecalledDiscoverGreatNewWriters.Throughthisinitiativeshewasabletogiveworthynew
authorsachancetofindabroaderaudienceofreaders.
Noticesomethingcounterintuitiveaboutthetwoquestionsonthepreviouspage:Itisthelatterthat
willleadustoamoresustainablemotivationfordisciplineandexcellenceatwork.Ifthepointofworkis
toserveandexaltourselves,thenourworkinevitablybecomeslessabouttheworkandmoreaboutus.
Ouraggressivenesswilleventuallybecomeabuse,ourdrivewillbecomeburnout,andourself-
sufficiencywillbecomeself-loathing.Butifthepurposeofworkistoserveandexaltsomethingbeyond
ourselves,thenweactuallyhaveabetterreasontodeployourtalent,ambition,andentrepreneurialvigor
—andwearemorelikelytobesuccessfulinthelongrun,evenbytheworld’sdefinition.
Vocationandthe“MasksofGod”
NoonetookholdoftheteachingofthefirstbookofCorinthians,chapter7morepowerfullythanMartin
Luther.Luthertranslatedtheword“calling”intheseversesasBerufinGerman,thewordfor
“occupation,”andmountedapolemicagainsttheviewofvocationprevalentinthemedievalchurch.61
ThechurchatthattimeunderstooditselfastheentiretyofGod’skingdomonearth,62andthereforeonly
workinandforthechurchcouldqualifyasGod’swork.ThismeantthattheonlywaytobecalledbyGod
intoservicewasasamonk,priest,ornun.Theywerecalled“thespiritualestate,”everyoneelse’swork
wasworldly,andsecularlaborwasseenasakintothedemeaningnecessitythattheGreekssawin
manuallabor.63LutherattackedthisideaforcefullyinhistreatiseTotheChristianNobilityofthe
GermanNation:
Itispureinvention[fiction]thatPope,bishops,priests,andmonksarecalledthe“spiritual
estate”whileprinces,lords,artisans,andfarmersarecalledthe“temporalestate.”Thisis
indeedapieceofdeceitandhypocrisy.Yetnooneneedbeintimidatedbyit,andthatforthis
reason:allChristiansaretrulyofthespiritualestate,andthereisnodifferenceamongthem
exceptthatofoffice....Weareallconsecratedpriestsbybaptism,asSt.Petersays:“Youare
aroyalpriesthoodandapriestlyrealm”(1Pet.2:9).TheApocalypsesays:“Thouhastmadeus
tobekingsandpriestsbythyblood”(Rev.5:9–10).64
LutherisarguingherethatGodcallseveryChristianequallytotheirwork.InhisexpositionofPsalm
147,Lutherlaysouthisbasicideaofvocation,explainingwhythisisso.Helooksatverse13,which
assuresacitythat“Godstrengthensthebarsofyourgates.”65LutheraskshowGodcanstrengthenthebars
—provideforthesecurityandsafety—ofacity.Heanswers,“Bytheword‘bars’wemustunderstandnot
onlytheironbarthatasmithcanmake,but...everythingelsethathelpstoprotectus,suchasgood
government,goodcityordinances,goodorder...andwiserulers....thisisagiftofGod.”66Howdoes
Godgiveacitysecurity?Isn’titthroughlawmakers,policeofficers,andthoseworkingingovernmentand
politics?SoGodcaresforourcivicneedsthroughtheworkofothers,whomhecallstothatwork.
InLuther’sLargeCatechism,whenheaddressesthepetitionintheLord’sPrayeraskingGodtogive
usour“dailybread,”Luthersaysthat“whenyouprayfor‘dailybread’youareprayingforeverythingthat
contributestoyourhavingandenjoyingyourdailybread....Youmustopenupandexpandyourthinking,
sothatitreachesnotonlyasfarastheflourbinandbakingovenbutalsooutoverthebroadfields,the
farmlands,andtheentirecountrythatproduces,processes,andconveystousourdailybreadandallkinds
ofnourishment.”67SohowdoesGod“feedeverylivingthing”(Psalm145:16)today?Isn’titthroughthe
farmer,thebaker,theretailer,thewebsiteprogrammer,thetruckdriver,andallwhocontributetobringus
food?Lutherwrites:“Godcouldeasilygiveyougrainandfruitwithoutyourplowingandplanting,buthe
doesnotwanttodoso.”68
ThenhegivesananalogytoshowuswhyGodworksthisway.Parentswanttogivetheirchildren
everythingtheyneed,buttheyalsowantthemtobecomediligent,conscientious,andresponsiblepeople.
Sotheygivetheirchildrenchores.Theycouldobviouslydothechoresbetterthemselves,butthatwould
nothelptheirchildrengrowinmaturity.Soparentsgivetheirchildrenwhattheyneed—character—
throughthediligencerequiredforthechorestheyassignthem.LutherconcludesthatGodworksthrough
ourworkforthesamereason:
WhatelseisallourworktoGod—whetherinthefields,inthegarden,inthecity,inthehouse,
inwar,oringovernment—butjustsuchachild’sperformance,bywhichHewantstogiveHis
giftsinthefields,athome,andeverywhereelse?ThesearethemasksofGod,behindwhichHe
wantstoremainconcealedanddoallthings.69
InhisexpositionofPsalm147,verse14,Luthergoesontoask,HowdoesGod“makepeaceinyour
borders?”Hisansweris,throughgoodneighbors,whopracticehonestyandintegrityintheirdaily
interactionsandwhoparticipateinciviclife.70Heevenseesmaritalsexualrelationsaspartofthis
pattern.Godcouldhavegivenuschildrendirectly.“Hecouldgivechildrenwithoutusingmenand
women.ButHedoesnotwanttodothis.Instead,Hejoinsmanandwomansothatitappearstobethe
workofmanandwomanbutHedoesitunderthecoverofsuchmasks.”71
AndsoweseewhatLuthermeansbyGod’svocation.Notonlyarethemostmodestjobs—like
plowingafieldordiggingaditch—the“masks”throughwhichGodcaresforus,butsoarethemostbasic
socialrolesandtasks,suchasvoting,participatinginpublicinstitutions,andbeingafatherormother.
TheseareallGod’scallings,allwaysofdoingGod’sworkintheworld,allwaysthroughwhichGod
distributeshisgiftstous.EventhehumblestfarmgirlisfulfillingGod’scalling.AsLutherpreached,
“Godmilksthecowsthroughthevocationofthemilkmaids.”72
VocationandtheGospel
LuthercontributedevenmoretooursubjectthanthisremarkableideaofallworkasGod’svocation.The
doctrineofjustificationbyfaithalone—thefoundationalcommitmentoftheProtestantReformation—even
moreprofoundlyshapestheChristianunderstandingofwork.Theoldermedievalview(ofsecularwork
asunimportantandreligiousworkasexalted)waspartiallyrootedinamisunderstandingregarding
salvationitself.“InLuther’sday,”writesLeeHardy,“itwasgenerallyheldthatthemonks,bytakingthe
monasticvowsandsubmittingtotherigorsofthecloisteredlife,couldactuallymeritspecialdivinefavor
andtherebymakeeternalsalvationsecure.”73Lutherrealized,however,thatallhisexemplaryreligious
observancesandministrydidnotfreehimfromtherealitythathislifefellshortoftherighteousnessGod
required.ThenhemadehisfamousdiscoveryinScripturethatjustificationwasbygracethroughfaithin
Christapartfromanygoodworksofhisown.Hehadbeenwrestlingwiththephrase“therighteousnessof
God”because“thoughIlivedasamonkwithoutreproach,IfeltthatIwasasinnerbeforeGodwithan
extremelydisturbedconscience.Icouldnotbelievethathewasplacatedbymysatisfaction[religious
work]....ThusIragedwithafierceandtroubledconscience....”HebegantomeditateonRomans1,
verses16–17,wherePaulsaysthatsalvationandtherighteousnessofGod“isbyfaith.”“Then,”Luther
wrote,
IbegantounderstandthattherighteousnessofGodisthatbywhichtherighteouslivebyagift
ofGod,namelybyfaith....HereIfeltthatIwasaltogetherbornagainandhadentered
paradiseitselfthroughopengates.ThereatotallyotherfaceoftheentireScriptureshowed
itselftome.74
Asheobservesinthatlastsentence,whenhegraspedthatsalvationwasbygraceratherthanthrough
anyeffortofhisown,itmadehimrethinkhiswholeunderstandingofScripture,includinghisviewofthe
meaningofwork.Lutherfoundtwoimplicationsinparticular.First,ifreligiousworkswerecrucialto
achievingagoodstandingwithGod,thentherewouldalwaysbeafundamentaldifferencebetweenthose
inchurchministryandeveryoneelse.ButifreligiousworkdidabsolutelynothingtoearnfavorwithGod,
itcouldnolongerbeseenassuperiortootherformsoflabor.
Thegospelofsalvationthroughsheergraceholdsasecondimplicationforwork.Whileancient
monksmayhavesoughtsalvationthroughreligiousworks,manymodernpeopleseekakindofsalvation
—self-esteemandself-worth—fromcareersuccess.Thisleadsustoseekonlyhigh-paying,high-status
jobs,andto“worship”theminperverseways.Butthegospelfreesusfromtherelentlesspressureof
havingtoproveourselvesandsecureouridentitythroughwork,forwearealreadyprovenandsecure.It
alsofreesusfromacondescendingattitudetowardlesssophisticatedlaborandfromenvyovermore
exaltedwork.AllworknowbecomesawaytolovetheGodwhosavedusfreely;andbyextension,a
waytoloveourneighbor.
SoLuthercouldwriteaboutbelievers:“EventheirseeminglysecularworksareaworshipofGod
andanobediencewellpleasingtoGod.”75Healsosaid,“WhyshouldInotthereforefreely,joyfully,with
allmyheart,andwithaneagerwill...givemyselfasaChristtomyneighbor,justasChristoffered
himselftome...sincethroughfaithIhaveanabundanceofallgoodthingsinChrist?”76Sincewe
alreadyhaveinChristthethingsotherpeopleworkfor—salvation,self-worth,agoodconscience,and
peace—nowwemayworksimplytoloveGodandourneighbors.Itisasacrificeofjoy,alimitationthat
offersfreedom.
Thismeans,ironically,thatChristianswhounderstandbiblicaldoctrineoughttobetheoneswho
appreciatetheworkofnon-Christiansthemost.Weknowwearesavedbygracealone,andthereforewe
arenotbetterfathersormothers,betterartistsandbusinesspersons,thanthosewhodonotbelieveaswe
do.Ourgospel-trainedeyescanseetheworldablazewiththegloryofGod’sworkthroughthepeoplehe
hascreatedandcalled—ineverythingfromthesimplestactions,suchasmilkingacow,tothemost
brilliantartisticorhistoricachievements.
WorkasanActofLove
Thisrevolutionarywayoflookingatworkgivesallworkacommonandexaltedpurpose:tohonorGod
bylovingyourneighborsandservingthemthroughyourwork.
AuthorDorothySayersrecountshowmanyBritishmenandwomenstumbleduponsomethinglikethis
understandingofworkduringthedarkdaysofWorldWarII:
Thehabitofthinkingaboutworkassomethingonedoestomakemoneyissoingrainedinusthat
wecanscarcelyimaginewhatarevolutionarychangeitwouldbetothinkaboutitinsteadin
termsoftheworkdone[itself]....77...IbelievethereisaChristiandoctrineofwork,very
closelyrelatedtothedoctrinesofthecreativeenergyofGodandthedivineimageinman....
Theessential[modern]heresy...beingthatworkisnottheexpressionofman’screative
energyintheserviceofSociety,butonlysomethingonedoesinordertoobtainmoneyand
leisure.78
Shegoesontoexplainwhathappensasaresult:“Doctorspracticemedicinenotprimarilytorelieve
suffering,buttomakealiving—thecureofthepatientissomethingthathappensontheway.Lawyers
acceptbriefsnotbecausetheyhaveapassionforjustice,butbecausethelawistheprofessionwhich
enablesthemtolive.”Butduringthewarmanypeopleweredrawnintothearmyandfoundanew,
surprisingsenseoffulfillmentintheirwork.“Thereasonwhymenoftenfindthemselveshappyand
satisfiedinthearmyisthatforthefirsttimeintheirlivestheyfoundthemselvesdoingsomething,notfor
thepay,whichismiserable,butforthesakeofgettingthethingdone.”79
SayerswastalkingaboutwartimeBritain,inwhicheverypersonknewthattheirworkwas
contributingtotheverysurvivaloftheirnation.ButauthorLesterDeKosterdoesanexcellentjobof
showinghowindispensibleworkisforhumanlifeinalltimesandplaces:
Workistheforminwhichwemakeourselvesusefultoothers...inwhichothersmake
themselvesusefultous.Weplant[withourwork];Godgivestheincreasetounifythehuman
race....
[Lookat]thechairyouareloungingin....Couldyouhavemadeitforyourself?...How
[wouldyou]get,say,thewood?Goandfellatree?Butonlyafterfirstmakingthetoolsforthat,
andputtingtogethersomekindofvehicletohaulthewood,andconstructingamilltodothe
lumberandroadstodriveonfromplacetoplace?Inshort,alifetimeortwotomakeone
chair!...Ifwe...workednotfortybutone-hundred-fortyhoursperweekwecouldn’tmake
ourselvesfromscratchevenafractionofallthegoodsandservicesthatwecallourown.[Our]
paycheckturnsouttobuyustheuseoffarmorethanwecouldpossiblymakeforourselvesin
thetimeittakesustoearnthecheck....Work...yieldsfarmoreinreturnuponourefforts
thanourparticularjobsputin....
Imaginethateveryonequitsworking,rightnow!Whathappens?Civilizedlifequicklymelts
away.Foodvanishesfromtheshelves,gasdriesupatthepumps,streetsarenolonger
patrolled,andfiresburnthemselvesout.Communicationandtransportationservicesend,
utilitiesgodead.Thosewhosurviveatallaresoonhuddledaroundcampfires,sleepingin
caves,clothedinrawanimalhides.Thedifferencebetween[awilderness]andcultureis
simply,work.80
Theremaybenobetterwaytoloveyourneighbor,whetheryouarewritingparkingtickets,software,
orbooks,thantosimplydoyourwork.Butonlyskillful,competentworkwilldo.
WorkasaMinistryofCompetence
Oneofthemainwaysthatyouloveothersinyourworkisthroughthe“ministryofcompetence.”IfGod’s
purposeforyourjobisthatyouservethehumancommunity,thenthewaytoserveGodbestistodothe
jobaswellasitcanbedone.DorothySayerswrites,
Thechurch’sapproachtoanintelligentcarpenterisusuallyconfinedtoexhortinghimtonotbe
drunkanddisorderlyinhisleisurehoursandtocometochurchonSundays.Whatthechurch
shouldbetellinghimisthis:thattheveryfirstdemandthathisreligionmakesuponhimisthat
heshouldmakegoodtables.81
Letmegiveadramaticexampleofthis.OnFebruary24,1989,UnitedAirlinesFlight811tookoff
fromHonoluluonitswaytoNewZealand.The747hadclimbedtotwenty-twothousandfeetwhenthe
forwardcargodoorofthejetblewopen,tearingahugeholeinthesideoftheplane.Ninepassengers
wereimmediatelysuckedoutoftheplanetotheirdeaths.Thetworightenginesweredamagedbyflying
debrisandtakenoutofcommission.Theplanewasonehundredmilesfromland.Thecaptain,David
Cronin,broughtallofhiswisdomandthirty-eightyearsofpilotingexperiencetobear:
Tocompensateforthelackofthrustfromthetworightengines,hestruggledtoholdthecontrol
columnsteadywithhishandswhileusinghisfeettoputpressureonthecontrolfloorrudderto
stabilizetheplane.Hisstickiestproblem,however,wasdecidinghowfasttofly.[He]slowed
theplaneasclosetothestallspeedaspossibletokeeptheairrushingovertheplanefrom
furtherwideningtheholeinthefuselage.Becausetheholehadchangedtheaero-dynamicsof
thehugecraft,theusualdataregardingstallspeedwasnolongerrelevant.Thepilot[knowing
this]hadtousehisbestjudgment.Furthermore,sincetheplanehadjusttakenon300,000
poundsoffuelforthelongflight,itwastooheavytolandwithoutcollapsingthelanding
gear....Thenheencounteredanewproblem.Thewingflapsusedtoslowdowntheplane
werenotworkingproperly....Hewouldhavetolandtheplaneat195milesperhour,
comparedtothenormalspeedof170milesperhour.Thejetweighed610,000pounds,well
aboveBoeing’srecommendedmaximumstressloadof564,000pounds.Nevertheless,Captain
Croninmadeoneofthesmoothestlandingstherestofthecrewcouldremember,amidthe
cheersofthepassengers.Airlineexpertscalledthelandingmiraculous....Afewdaysafterthe
harrowingexperience,anintervieweraskedCaptainCroninabouthisfirstthoughtsfollowing
thelossofthecargodoor.Hesaid,“Isaidaprayerformypassengersmomentarilyandthengot
backtobusiness.”82
LutheranleaderandbusinessmanWilliamDiehlrecountsthisinspiringstorytomakeanimportant
point.Hewrites,“Iflaypeoplecannotfindanyspiritualmeaningintheirwork,theyarecondemnedto
livingacertainduallife;notconnectingwhattheydoonSundaymorningwithwhattheydotherestofthe
week.Theyneedtodiscoverthattheveryactionsofdailylifearespiritual,andenable...peopleto
touchGodintheworld,notawayfromit.Suchaspiritualitywillsay...‘Yourworkisyourprayer.’”83
SohowdoweconnectwhatwedoonSundaymorningwithwhatwedoduringtherestoftheweek?
Howcanwe“touchGodintheworld”throughourwork?Diehlanswersthattheveryfirstwaytobesure
youareservingGodinyourworkistobecompetent.
WhenUnitedAirlinesFlight811gotintotrouble,thegreatestgiftCaptainCroninhadforhis
passengerswashisexperienceandgoodjudgment.Inthosemomentsofperil,itmatterednotto
thepassengershowCaptainCroninrelatedtohiscoworkersorhowhecommunicatedhisfaith
toothers....Thecriticalissuewasthis:washecompetentenoughasapilottobringthatbadly
damagedplaneinsafely....ThroughourworkwecantouchGodinavarietyofways...butif
thecalloftheChristianistoparticipateinGod’songoingcreativeprocess,thebedrockofour
ministryhastobecompetency.Wemustuseourtalentsinascompetentamanneraspossible.
Competencyisabasicvalue.Itisnotameanstosomeotherend,suchaswealthor
position,althoughsuchresultsmayoccur.84
Theapplicationsofthisdictum—thatcompetentworkisaformoflove—aremany.Thosewhograsp
thisunderstandingofworkwillstilldesiretosucceedbutwillnotbenearlyasdriventooverworkor
madeasdespondentbypoorresults.Ifitistrue,thenifyouhavetochoosebetweenworkthatbenefits
morepeopleandworkthatpaysyoumore,youshouldseriouslyconsiderthejobthatpayslessandhelps
more—particularlyifyoucanbegreatatit.Itmeansthatalljobs—notmerelyso-calledhelping
professions—arefundamentallywaysoflovingyourneighbor.Christiansdonothavetododirect
ministryornonprofitcharitableworkinordertoloveothersthroughtheirjobs.
Inparticular,thisprincipleisoneofthemainwaysforustofindsatisfactioninourwork,evenifour
jobsarenot,bytheworld’sstandards,exciting,highpaying,anddesirable.Eventhough,asLutherargues,
allworkisobjectivelyvaluabletoothers,itwillnotbesubjectivelyfulfillingunlessyouconsciouslysee
andunderstandyourworkasacallingtoloveyourneighbor.JohnCalvinwrotethat“notaskwillbe
[seenas]sosordidandbase,providedyouobeyyourcallinginit,thatitwillnotshineandbereckoned
verypreciousinGod’ssight.”85NoticethatCalvinspeaksof“obey[ing]yourcallinginit”;thatis,
consciouslyseeingyourjobasGod’scallingandofferingtheworktohim.Whenyoudothat,youcanbe
surethatthesplendorofGodradiatesthroughanytask,whetheritisascommonplaceastillingagarden,
orasrarefiedasworkingontheglobaltradingfloorofabank.AsEricLiddell’smissionaryfather
exhortshiminChariotsofFire,“YoucanpraisetheLordbypeelingaspud,ifyoupeelittoperfection.”
YourdailyworkisultimatelyanactofworshiptotheGodwhocalledandequippedyoutodoit—no
matterwhatkindofworkitis.InthelinernotestohismasterpieceALoveSupreme,JohnColtranesaysit
beautifully:
ThisalbumisahumbleofferingtoHim.Anattempttosay“THANKYOUGOD”throughour
work,evenaswedoinourheartsandwithourtongues.MayHehelpandstrengthenallmenin
everygoodendeavor.
PARTTWO
OurProblemswithWork
FIVE
WorkBecomesFruitless
Tothewomanhesaid,“Iwillmakeyourpainsinchildbearingverysevere;withpainful
laboryouwillgivebirthtochildren.Yourdesirewillbeforyourhusband,andhewillrule
overyou.”
ToAdamhesaid,“BecauseyoulistenedtoyourwifeandatefruitfromthetreeaboutwhichI
commandedyou,‘Youmustnoteatfromit,’cursedisthegroundbecauseofyou;through
painfultoilyouwilleatfoodfromitallthedaysofyourlife.Itwillproducethornsand
thistlesforyou,andyouwilleattheplantsofthefield.Bythesweatofyourbrowyouwill
eatyourfooduntilyoureturntotheground,sincefromityouweretaken;fordustyouare
andtodustyouwillreturn.”
Genesis3:16–19
ParadiseLost
WehavesurveyedtherichbiblicalviewofGod’sperfectdesignforwork.Butthatisnothowwe
experienceit.Everyoneknowsthatthisisabroken,troubledworld—shotthroughwithsicknessand
death,injusticeandselfishness,naturaldisasters,andchaos.Sincethebeginningoftimetherehasbeena
widevarietyofexplanationsforwhythisissoandwhattodoaboutit.AttheheartoftheBible’saccount
istheconceptofsin:man’srebellionagainstGodandourresultingalienationfromhim.ThefallofAdam
andEve(andthereforetherestofthehumanrace)intosinhasbeendisastrous.Ithasunraveledthefabric
oftheentireworld—andinnoareaasprofoundlyasourwork.ThestorypresentedintheBibleisthat
whileGodblessedworktobeaglorioususeofourgiftsandhisresourcestoprospertheworld,itisnow
alsocursedbecauseofmankind’sfall.WorkexistsnowinaworldsustainedbyGodbutdisorderedby
sin.Onlyifwehavesomeunderstandingofhowsindistortsworkcanwehopetocounteractitseffects
andsalvagesomeofthesatisfactionGodplannedforourwork.
InGenesis2,verse17,GodputAdamandEveintoagardenparadiseandtoldthemthatifthey
disobeyedhimandateofaparticulartreetheywould“surelydie.”Whatwassospecialaboutthatone
tree?Theanswerisprobablynothing,perse.Thatis,therewaslikelynothingmagicalorunusualabout
thetreeorthefruititself;thetreewasatest.Godwassaying,“Iwantyoutodosomethingforme,not
becauseyouunderstandwhy,notbecauseyoucanseewhetheritwouldbenefityouordisadvantageyou.I
wantyoutoobeyme,simplybecauseofwhoIam,simplybecauseyoulovemeandtrustmemorethan
anything.”
Thiscommand,infact,containedtheessenceofallthebiblicalcommandmentsthatwouldbelaidout
tothenationofIsrael,manygenerationslater.86Itwasanopportunityforthehumanracetovoluntarily
makeourrelationshipwithGodtheprimaryvalueofourlivesandtoobeyhisWordsimplybecauseit
washisdue.WhenAdamandEvedisobeyedthiscommand,theydidbecome“likeGod,”astheserpent
(whodeceivedthemintodisobedience)saidtheywould.Thatis,theyputthemselvesinGod’splace;they
tookuponthemselvestherighttodecidehowtheyshouldliveandwhatwasrightandwrongforthemto
do.Forthemtobecome“likeGod”inthiswaywascatastrophic.Asasailboatisdesignedforthewater,
suchthatifitrunsagrounditisdamagedanduseless,wehumanbeings“runaground”whenwechooseto
beourownsourceofauthority.Weweredesignedtoknow,serve,andloveGodsupremely—andwhen
wearefaithfultothatdesign,weflourish.Butwhenweinsteadchosetoliveforourselves,everything
begantoworkbackward.Afterthisturningpointthehumanracebegantoliveagainstthegrainofthe
universe,againstthegrainofourownmakingandpurpose.87AsPaulsaysinRomans8,theentireworld
isnow“subjecttodecay.”ThepoetW.B.Yeatsputitthisway:
Thingsfallapart;thecentrecannothold;
Mereanarchyisloosedupontheworld.88
GodhadwarnedAdamandEvethatiftheyateofthetree,theywoulddie.Mostreadersassumethat
Godisspeakingofimmediatephysicaldeath,soitissurprisingtouswhenAdamandEveeatofthetree
andtheydonotslumplifelesstotheground.Butthatwouldhappeninduecourse,foreventualphysical
shutdownisoneaspectofthecomprehensivedeathanddecaythatnowcomestoeveryaspectofhuman
life.Nothingworksnowasitshould.Sinleadstothedisintegrationofeveryareaoflife:spiritual,
physical,social,cultural,psychological,temporal,eternal.
Thisisimportanttoremember,formanyChristianstendtodividetheworldinto“worldly”and
“sacred”spacesandactivities,asifsinaffectsonlythingsoutintheworld;yetabsolutelyeverypartof
humanlife—soulandbody,privateandpublic,prayingandlaboring—isaffectedbysin.Yeatssaidthat
“thingsfallapart,”andbecauseofsintheydo.
ThingsFallApart
AcontinuedlookatGenesis3showsthatassoonasAdamandEvesinnedagainstGod,theyexperienced
internalshame,guilt,andbrokenness.Theysufferedthenaturalconsequencesofworkingagainsttheir
design.“Theyrealizedtheywerenaked”(verse7).Thisistheoppositeofverse25inchapter2,where
wereadthatAdamandEvehadbeen,asweoftenputittoday,“nakedandunashamed.”OldTestament
scholarDavidAtkinsonwrites:“Shame...isthatsenseofuneasewithyourselfattheheartofyour
being.”89Weknowthereissomethingwrongwithus,butwecan’tadmititoridentifyit.Thereisadeep
restlessness,whichcantakevariousforms—guiltandstrivingtoproveourselves,rebellionandtheneed
toassertourindependence,complianceandtheneedtopleaseothers.Somethingiswrong,andwemay
knowtheeffects,butwefallshortofunderstandingthetruecauses.
ContemporaryWesternculturetriestoaccountforthisrestlessnesswithoutrecoursetothebiblical
doctrineofsin.Psychologistshelpusunderstandthepartourearlychildhoodshaveplayedincreating
unnecessaryshameorasenseofbeingunloved.Entertainmentdistractsusfromourdiscomfort.And
doinggoodhelpsbolsterouridentityasagoodperson.ButtheBiblelocatestherootissueasour
separationfromGod.
Anothermanifestationofthisdeepuneaseincludesamistrustandfearofothers.Theawarenessofa
needforclothinginthebiblicalaccount(verse7:“they...madecoveringsforthemselves”)ismuch
morethananewreticenceaboutsex.Therewasadesiretoretreatfromwhatcouldbecalledanunself-
protectivemutuality.AdamandEveeachbecamedesperatetocontrolwhattheotherknew,tohideand
createfacadestoblocktheother’sgaze.Thismistrustandfearquicklyledtofrictionandanger,asitnow
doesinallrelationships.
InhisfascinatinginterviewofAdamandEveinGenesis3,verses10–13,Godasksthemwhathas
happened.Adamcompletelyavoidstherealtruth—thathehaseatenofthetree—andonlycomplainsof
hisinnerunhappinessandshame.God’ssecondquestionissodirectthatAdamcannotavoidnamingwhat
hehasdone,butheimmediatelydeflectstheresponsibilityawayfromhimselftoEve.Inturn,Evedeflects
totheserpent.TheirhostilityandangeraredirectednotonlytowardothercreaturesbuttowardGodas
well.AdamblamesGodforhisproblems—“Thewomanyouputherewithme—shegaveme...andI
ate....”(verse12).OnecommentatoronGenesiswrites,“InGenesis3:8thereisaninadequate
awarenessoftheseriousnessofsin,moralperceptionsareclouded,andtheself-centeredviewofvalues
iswellbeneaththeGod-centeredview....Theblindnessofsinisbeginningtotakeeffect....Fromthe
momentofthefall,humankindhassufferedfrommoralschizophrenia:neitherabletodenysinfulnessnor
toacknowledgeitforwhatitis.”90
Genesis3showshowsinwarpseverypartofournature,everyaspectofhumanliving.Itbeginsby
distortingtheareasofsex,gender,love,andmarriage.Godchillinglyexplainstheimpactofsinonthe
relationshipbetweenhusbandsandwives.ScholarsdebatetheexactmeaningofGod’sstatementthatnow,
becauseofsin,“Yourdesirewillbeforyourhusband,andhewillruleoveryou”(verse16);butallagree
itmeansatleastthatmisunderstanding,frustration,deepconflict,andunhappinessarenowthenormin
relationshipsbetweenmenandwomen.91
Theveryfabricofthephysicalworldnowbegantounravel,andtheresultsaredisease,oldage,
naturaldisaster,anddeathitself(Genesis3:17–19).PhilosopherAlWoltersexplainsitlikethis:
TheBibleteachesplainlythatAdamandEve’sfallintosinwasnotjustanisolatedactof
disobediencebutaneventofcatastrophicsignificanceforcreationasawhole....Theeffects
ofsintouchallofcreation;nocreatedthingisinprincipleuntouchedbythecorrosiveeffectsof
thefall.Whetherwelookatsocietalstructuressuchasthestateorfamily,orculturalpursuits
suchasartortechnology,orbodilyfunctionssuchassexualityoreating,oranythingatall
withinthewidescopeofcreation,wediscoverthatthegoodhandiworkofGodhasbeendrawn
intothesphereofmutinyagainstGod.“Thewholecreation,”Paulwrites,“hasbeen
groaning...issubjecttobondageanddecay.”92
Genesis3isanancienttext,filledwithrichtheologyinnarrativeform.Butitcouldnotbemore
relevantandpracticaltolifetoday.Itgoesforthejugular,asiftosay,“Doyoufindthetwogreattasksin
life—loveandwork—tobeexcruciatinglyhard?Thisexplainswhy.”Godtiesthepainofloveand
marriageandthepainofworkverycloselytogetherintheseverses.Bothchildbearingandfarmingare
nowcalled“painfullabor.”TheologianW.R.Forresterwrites,“inlanguageafterlanguagethesameword
isusedfortoilandchild-bearing,e.g.‘labor’and‘travail.’”93Socompaniesassembleteamstowork
furiouslyformonthsoryearsto“givebirth”tonewproductsorventures,whichmaydieaquickdeathin
themarketplace.Starfootballplayersoftensuffertheeffectsofinjuriesthroughouttheirlives.Brilliant
entrepreneurslikeSteveJobsgetthrownoutofcompanieswhentimesgettough.(Fewgetinvitedback,
likeJobswas.)Theweeds,orthecomputerviruses,orthecorruptionscandals,comebackwitha
vengeance.Researchintothepropertiesoftheatombecomesthebasisfortheatomicbomb.Inother
words,work,evenwhenitbearsfruit,isalwayspainful,oftenmiscarries,andsometimeskillsus.
ThornsandThistles
Sinaffectsnotonlypersonalandprivatelife,butalsopublicandsociallife,andinparticularwork.As
wehaveseeninGenesis1and2,Godmadeusforwork,yetnowwelearnthatworkbecomes,undersin,
“painfultoil”(verse17).Workisnotitselfacurse,butitnowlieswithallotheraspectsofhumanlife
underthecurseofsin.“Thornsandthistles”willcomeupasweseektogrowfood(verse18).Whenwe
rememberthatgardeningisrepresentativeofallkindsofhumanlaborandculturebuilding,thisisa
statementthatallworkandhumaneffortwillbemarkedbyfrustrationandalackoffulfillment.“Partof
thecurseofworkinafallenworldisitsfrequentfruitlessness.”94
Whatdowemeanwhenwesayworkisfruitless?Wemeanthat,inallourwork,wewillbeableto
envisionfarmorethanwecanaccomplish,bothbecauseofalackofabilityandbecauseofresistancein
theenvironmentaroundus.Theexperienceofworkwillincludepain,conflict,envy,andfatigue,andnot
allourgoalswillbemet.Forexample,youmayhaveanaspirationtodoacertainkindofworkand
performatacertainlevelofskillandquality,butyoumayneverevengettheopportunitytodothework
youwant,orifyoudo,youmaynotbeabletodoitaswellasitneedstobedone.Yourconflictswith
othersintheworkenvironmentwillsapyourconfidenceandundermineyourproductivity.
Butevenduringtimeswhenyouaresatisfiedwiththequalityofyourwork,youmaybebitterly
disappointedwiththeresults.Youmayfindthatcircumstancesconspiretoneutralizeanyrealimpactfrom
yourproject.Youmayhavemasteredtheskillsoffarming,butfamineorfloodorwarcomeinanddestroy
yourharvest.Youmayhavebecomeanaccomplishedsinger,butyouarenotabletogenerateanincome
fromyourtalentbecauseyouareskillfulinmusicbutnotinself-promotion,orbecauseruthlessrivalsfind
waysofblackballingyou.Andsoyouhavetogiveupyourmusicalcareer.
Youmayhopetomakearealcontributiontoyourorganizationortoworkwithdistinctionasanexpert
inyourfield.Youmayaspireto“changetheworld”—makeamajorimprovementinhumansociety,or
havealastingimpactontheculture.Mostpeopleachieveveryfewofthesegoalsintheirlifetimes,and
eventhosewhoseemfromadistancetoleadcharmedworkliveswillsensethattheirtrueaspirationsare
thwartedasoftenastheyarereached.Andforallofus,moreoftenthanwewouldliketoadmit,weare
theonesdoingthethwarting.
Imagineyouareonahospitaladministrationteamwithavisionformakingepochaladvancesin
patientcare.Youmakeaseriesofsignificantchangestohowyourmedicalstaffseesandtreatspatients.
Initialresponsesbypatientsarehighlypositive,andsoaresomekeymetricsonincidenceofpatient
harm,suchasbloodinfections,surgicalsiteinfections,andmedicationerrors.Butthevariousnew
accountabilitymeasures—suchasdepartmentreportcardsand“safetydashboards”—havemanyofyour
medicalstaffupinarms.Theycomplainthatthepressureistoogreat,themeasurementsareunfair,andan
honest,inadvertentmistakecannowruinacareer.Youtrytoreasonwithmanyofthestaff,butyoubegin
togetdefensive.Inonestaffmeetingyouloseyourcoolandsaythatmanystaffpersonsarefailingtoput
theinterestsofthepatientsfirst.Theremaybesometruthinyourstatement,butitbackfiresbadly.Some
arefuriouswithyourinsinuation.Severalofyourmostrespectedpeopleleave,andmoraletakesasharp
dip.
Whathashappened?Manythings.Youcanlookbackandseeplaceswhereyoucouldhavebeenmore
carefulandsensitivetothefearsofmedicalstaff.Youcouldhavenottakenthecriticismsopersonally
thatyouspokeunwiselyinsomepublicmeetings.Soyou—andyoursin—werepartoftheproblem.You,
toputitstarkly,wereathorn.Themedicalstaffinmanycaseswassimplybeingstubbornandconcerned
moreaboutpossibleblotsontheirpersonalrecordsthanaboutthesafetyofpatients.Underneath
everythingelsethereisthetragicandseeminglyunfairfactoflifethatinmedicalfacilities,smalland
virtuallyunavoidablehumanerrorscanruinorendlives.Thethornsandthistlesinthissituationstem
fromalienationfromothersthathasitsrootinthelossofourrelationshipwithGod.Soevenonourbest
days,eachofusisworkingwithinasystemthatfeelsstackedagainstus.
IoftenfeelthatIhavethebestjobintheworld—forme.IamdoingwhatIlovetodo.Wehaveseen
morefruitfulnessinourchurch’sministrythanIeverexpectedtoseeinalifetime.ButIexperienceplenty
ofthornsandthistles.OneseasonIlearnedIhadthyroidcancerandallbutthemostbasicpartsofmy
workwereputonhold.Mywifehashadmedicalemergenciesthatthwartedmytravelplansordistracted
usfromnewprojects.Attimesstaffmembershaveprotestedthatmyvisionwasoutpacingmyabilityto
leaditortheirabilitytoimplementit.KeyleadersinmycongregationhavemovedoutoftownjustasI
wasreadytoentrustsomepartofthechurchintotheircare.I’mgratefultoGodfortheglimpsesHe’s
givenmeofwhatworkwasintendedtobe.ButdailyIamawareofthemaddeningencroachmentofthorns
andthistlesinthepatchoftheworldthathasbeenentrustedtomeforthisseason.
AcceptingFruitlessness
OneofthemostvividdepictionsofthefrustrationandfruitlessnessofworkisfoundinPeterShaffer’s
playAmadeus.95AntonioSalieriiscourtcomposertotheHapsburgemperor,andahighlysuccessful
writerofoperas.Hehaspowerandwealth,andyethesensesthemediocrityofwhathehasproduced.
ThenhemeetsMozartandhearshismusic,andinaflashhestandsrevealedtohimself.Herealizesthatin
Mozart’smusicheishearingthebeautyhehasaspiredtocreatehisentirelife,butatthesamemoment,he
knowsthathewillneverbecapableofproducingithimself.AshelooksatawrittenscoreofMozart’s
music,hefeelscaged,allowedtolookthroughthebarsandperceivebutnotparticipateinthegloryhehas
hungeredfor.Ashestaresatthescore,hethinks,“Displaceonenoteandtherewouldbediminishment.
Displaceonephrase,andthestructurewouldfall....Here...wastheveryvoiceofGod!Iwasstaring
throughthecageofthosemeticulousink-strokesatanabsolute,inimitablebeauty.”96
Salierihadtolivewiththeexistentialfrustrationofwork.Thatis,despitehisdedicationand
experience,hewasn’tasgoodatcomposingmusicashewantedtobe.Yetintermsofoutcomes,hewas
professionallyaccomplished,achievedhighstatus,andenjoyedfinancialsuccess.Meanwhile,Mozart
wasamusicalprodigywithabundantgifts,yethesufferedrejectionandpoverty.BothMozartandSalieri
hadsuccessinsomeaspectsoftheirworklivesyetexperienceddeepfrustrationinothers.
ItisimportantforustounderstandandholdintensionwhattheBiblesaysaboutcreationandabout
thefall—aboutGod’splanforwork,andalsoabouttheproblemsofworkinabrokenworld.Asproducts
oftheDepressionandtwoworldwars,myparents’andgrandparents’generationsweregratefultohave
workofanykindbecauseithelpedthemandtheirfamilysurvive.Butmembersofmychildren’s
generationareutterlydissimilar.Theyinsistthatworkbefulfillingandfruitful,thatitfullyfittheirtalents
andtheirdreams,andthatit“dosomethingamazingfortheworld,”asoneGoogleexecutivedescribed
hiscompany’smission.97AndyCrouchobserves,“Wemodernscertainlycan’tbeaccusedoflackingself-
confidence.Theexplosionofbooksabout‘changingtheworld’fitsourself-image.”98Whilethe
circumstancesshapingmyparents’generationperhapsgavethemalowerviewofworkthantheonefound
intheBible’sdescriptionofcreation,somychildren’sgenerationhasamorenaïveandutopianviewof
workthanissuggestedbytheBibleinitsdescriptionoftheworld’sfallintosin.
Inlightofallthis,wasSalierimissinghiscalling?Shouldhehavetakenupworkfurtherafieldfrom
composition,inthehopethathewouldnothavebeenasfrustrated?Ithinkmanycontemporaryyoung
adultsactuallymighthavegivenhimthatadvice;andtheywouldhavebeenwrong.Salieriwascalledto
contributetotheworldasaconcertcomposer—infact,heproducedmusicthatwestillhavetoday.The
samemaywellbetruetoyou.Justbecauseyoucannotrealizeyourhighestaspirationsinworkdoesnot
meanyouhavechosenwrongly,orarenotcalledtoyourprofession,orthatyoushouldspendyourlife
lookingfortheperfectcareerthatisdevoidoffrustration.Thatwouldbeafruitlesssearchforanyone.
Youshouldexpecttoberegularlyfrustratedinyourworkeventhoughyoumaybeinexactlytheright
vocation.
Nonetheless,wasSalieriaskingtherightquestions?Washejustifiedinlongingforanexperienceof
workthatmightaffordhimthedeepsatisfactionofgreatness?Ofcoursehewas;andwhilesuchalineof
thoughtmighthaveseemedself-indulgenttomyparents’generation,weknowdozensofpeopleforwhom
thosequestionsledtoanewvocation.Ayoungwomaninourchurchwasrecruitedoutofcollegetowork
onWallStreet.Shewasoneoftheleadersofourchurch’sministrytofinancialservicesprofessionals.
Despitesuccessandfinancialrewards,shemadethedecisionseveralyearsintoherjobthatwhatshe
reallywantedtodowithherlifewastobecomeanurse.Shewalkedawayfromthehighsalarytogoto
nursingschoolandnowhasbeguntopractice.Inaworldwherepeoplehaveonaveragethreetofour
differentcareersintheirworklives,itisperfectlynaturalthatchangingcareersmaybenecessaryto
maximizefruitfulness.Godcan—andoftendoes—changewhathecallsustodo.
DeepConsolation
BecauseofthenatureofGod’screation,weneedworkforourhappiness.AndbecauseofGod’s
intentionsforourwork—tocontributetotheflourishingoftheworld—wehaveglimpsesofwhatwe
couldaccomplish.Butbecauseofthefallofthehumanrace,ourworkisalsoprofoundlyfrustrating,
neverasfruitfulaswewant,andoftenacompletefailure.Thisiswhysomanypeopleinhabitthe
extremesofidealismandcynicism—orevenricochetbackandforthbetweenthosepoles.Idealismsays,
“ThroughmyworkIamgoingtochangethings,makeadifference,accomplishsomethingnew,bring
justicetotheworld.”Cynicismsays,“Nothingreallychanges.Don’tgetyourhopesup.Dowhatittakes
tomakealiving.Don’tletyourselfcaretoomuch.Getoutofitwhateveryoucan.”
Genesis3,verse18tellsusnotonlythat“thornsandthistles”willcomeoutofthegroundbutalsothat
“youwilleattheplantsofthefield.”Thornsandfood.Workwillstillbearsomefruit,thoughitwill
alwaysfallshortofitspromise.Workwillbebothfrustratingandfulfilling,andsometimes—justoften
enough—humanworkgivesusaglimpseofthebeautyandgeniusthatmighthavebeentheroutine
characteristicofallourwork,andwhat,bythegraceofGod,itwillbeagaininthenewheavensandnew
earth.Tolkien’sdreamandtheresultingstory,“LeafbyNiggle,”aresimplyadepictionofthishope.
Niggleimaginedabeautifultreethatheneverwasabletoproduceinpaintduringhislife,sohedied
weepingthathispicture,thegreatworkofhislife,wasnotcompleted.Noonewouldeverseeit.Andyet,
whenhegottotheheavenlycountry—therewasthetree!ThiswasTolkien’swayofsaying,tousaswell
astohimself,thatourdeepestaspirationsinworkwillcometocompletefruitioninGod’sfuture.Justas
Niggle’streesurvivedinallitsglory,peoplewillhearSalieri’smusic,andtheywillsomehowtastethe
fruitoftheprojectyouareworkingonrightnow.Therewillbeworkintheparadiseofthefuturejustlike
therewasintheparadiseofthepast,becauseGodhimselftakesjoyinhiswork.Inthatparadise,youwill
beusefulinthelivesofotherstoinfinitedegreesofjoyandsatisfaction;youwillperformwithallthe
skillyoucanimagine.
Christianshave,throughtheirhopeinGod’sstoryofredemptionfortheworldhecreated,adeep
consolationthatenablesthemtoworkwithalltheirbeingandneverbeultimatelydiscouragedbythe
frustratingpresentrealityofthisworld,inwhichthornsgrowupwhentheyaretryingtocoaxupother
things.Weacceptthefactthatinthisworldourworkwillalwaysfallshort,justaswesinnersalways
“fallshortofthegloryofGod”(Romans3:23)becauseweknowthatourworkinthislifeisnotthefinal
word.
WecalluponthisconsolationeveryChristmas,thoughweoftendonotrealizewhatwearesaying:
WorkBecomesFruitless
Nomoreletsinorsorrowsgrow,
Northornsinfesttheground;
Hecomestomakehisblessingsflow
Farasthecurseisfound,
Farasthecurseisfound,
Faras,farasthecurseisfound.99
SIX
WorkBecomesPointless
SoIhatedlife,becausetheworkthatisdoneunderthesunwasgrievoustome.Allofitis
meaningless,achasingafterthewind.
Ecclesiastes2:17
UndertheSun
Wehaveseenthatworkinafallenworldcanbefruitless;itcanalsobepointless.Thisisanotheraspect
ofthealienationhumanbeingssenseintheirwork.Thatis,whilemanyworkersarefrustratedby
unconsummatedskillsandunfulfilledaspirations,manyothersexperiencenosatisfactionorfulfillmentin
theirworkevenwhentheyhaverealizedtheiraspirationsandbecomesuccessful.Oneofthemost
poignantexpressionsofthewayhumanworkcanfeelsoprofoundlymeaninglesscomesfromavery
ancientdocument,theOldTestamentbookofEcclesiastes.
ThenarratorinthebookofEcclesiastesiscalled,inHebrew,Qoheleth,whichcanbetranslatedas
“theTeacher”orperhapseven“thePhilosopher.”InordertounderstandwhatEcclesiasteshastosay
aboutwork,however,weneedtotakeamomenttounderstandtheliterarygenreofthebookandhowthe
authorgetshispointsacross.
AnyonewhoreadsthroughEcclesiasteswillbestruckbymanythingsthatappeartocontradicttherest
oftheBible.WhiletheBibleeverywherechallengespeopletolivethoroughlywiseandrighteouslives,
Ecclesiastesseemstowarnaboutbeing“toorighteous”ortoowickedandcommendsamiddleroad—not
toomoralortooimmoral,nottoowiseortoofoolish(Ecclesiastes7:15–17).Howdoweexplain
statementslikethis?
OldTestamentscholarTremperLongmanpointsoutthattherewasaliteraryformatthattimecalled
“fictionalautobiography.”100Inthisform,thewritercouldintroduceafictionalcharacter,givea
descriptionofhisorherlife’scourse,andthenconcludewithgeneralinsightsandteachingsdrawnfrom
thecasestudyoftherecountedlife.AndindeedinEcclesiastesitispossibletodiscerntwonarratorsor
voices.FirstthewriteroftheprologueintroducesthefictionalcharacterQoheleth,whointurnspeaksin
thefirstpersonaboutallthewayshesoughttofindfulfillmentandmeaninginlifeunderthesun.Theterm
“underthesun”iscrucialtounderstandingtheperspectiveofthePhilosopher.Ingeneral,itreferstolife
inthisworldconsideredinandofitself,apartfromanygreateroreternalreality.Thequestofthe
Philosopheristohaveameaningfullifebasedsolelyonwhatcanbefoundwithintheconfinesofthis
materialworld—achievement,pleasure,andlearning.101Finally,theoriginalwriterspeaksinhisown
voiceagainanddoesanevaluationintheepilogue(12:8–14).Thusthewritercandramatizehismain
themesbydepictingthewisest,richest,mostgiftedmanpossible,whononethelesscouldnotfind
fulfillmentinthislife.102
SomebooksoftheBiblearelikelisteningtoapastorgivingcounselonhowtolive(thebookof
JamesintheNewTestament,forexample,orProverbsintheOldTestament).ButreadingEcclesiastesis
likesittinginaphilosophyclasswithaprofessorwhoprovokesyouwiththornySocraticquestionsand
strangecasestudies,whopullsyouintoadialoguetoleadyoutodiscovertruthforyourself.The
Philosopherpushesyoutolookatthefoundationsofyourlifeandtoaskthebasicquestionsthatwemight
otherwiseavoid:“Isthereanymeaningtoyourlife?Whatareyoureallydoingitallfor?Whyisthereso
muchwrongwiththeworld?Howwillyoucopewithit?”
TheauthorofEcclesiastesisusingthecharacterofthePhilosophertopushreaderstowardan
understandingofthetranscendentuniquenessandnecessityofGod.Nothingwithinthisworldissufficient
basisforameaningfullifehere.Ifwebaseourlivesonworkandachievement,onloveandpleasure,or
onknowledgeandlearning,ourexistencebecomesanxiousandfragile—becausecircumstancesinlifeare
alwaysthreateningtheveryfoundationofourlives,anddeathinevitablystripsusofeverythingwehold
dear.EcclesiastesisanargumentthatexistentialdependenceonagraciousCreatorGod—notonly
abstractbelief—isapreconditionforanunshakeable,purposefullife.
KatherineAlsdorf,likemanywhomaketheirwaytoourchurchwellintotheircareers,canrelateto
allthreeofthesepursuits:seekingthemeaningoflifethroughlearningincollege,pursuingpleasureand
adventureafterthat,followedbyanalmostdesperatethrustintoworkandcareerinherthirtiesinafull-
tiltefforttomakelifefulfilling.Shebegantoaccumulateaccomplishmentsandevensomefinancial
prosperity,butgrewincreasinglystressedandevenbitter.Shedescribesherresentment,atthetime,of
otherswhowereenjoyingthefruitsofagoodlifethattheyhadn’tfullyearned!Heraccomplishments
wereneverenough,andtheabundantbenefitswereneversatisfying.Asshewouldputit,“Icouldn’t
handletheideathatitwasallmeaningless,soIjustputmyheaddownandworkedharder.”Eventually,
shestartedtoconsiderthegospelofChristbecausethephilosophiesofthisworldweretakingher
nowhere.Theemptinessoflifewaspushinghertowardherownunderstandingofthattranscendent
uniquenessofGod.
TheMeaninglessnessofWork
ThePhilosophermakeshiscaseinstages.Thebookbeginswithwhathasbeencalledthree“life
projects,”eachanefforttodiscoverameaningfullifeunderthesun.Thefirstisaquesttomakesenseof
lifethroughlearningandwisdom(Ecclesiastes1:12–18;2:12–16).Thesecondisanefforttomakelife
fulfillingthroughthepursuitofpleasure(2:1–11).
ThethirdprojectthatthePhilosopherundertakestochaseawayhissenseofpointlessnessisthe
pursuitofachievementthroughhardwork(Ecclesiastes2:17–26).Havingtriedtoliveforlearningand
forpleasure,henowtriestolivefortheaccomplishmentofconcretegoalsandtheaccrualofwealthand
influence.Butintheendheconcludesthatworkcannot,allbyitself,deliverameaningfullife.“SoIhated
life,becausetheworkthatisdoneunderthesunwasgrievoustome.Allofitismeaningless,achasing
afterthewind”(Ecclesiastes2:17).Whydoeshedrawthisconclusion?
Whenwework,wewanttomakeanimpact.Thatcanmeangettingpersonalrecognitionforourwork,
ormakingadifferenceinourfield,ordoingsomethingtomaketheworldabetterplace.Nothingismore
satisfyingthanasensethatthroughourworkwehaveaccomplishedsomelastingachievement.Butthe
Philosopherstartlesusbyarguingthatevenifyouareoneofthefewpeoplewhobreaksthroughand
accomplishesallyouhopefor,it’sallfornothing,forintheendtherearenolastingachievements.“I
hatedallthethingsIhadtoiledforunderthesun,becauseImustleavethemtotheonewhocomesafter
me.Andwhoknowswhetherthatpersonwillbewiseorfoolish?Yettheywillhavecontroloverallthe
fruitofmytoilintowhichIhavepouredmyeffortandskillunderthesun.Thistooismeaningless.Somy
heartbegantodespairoverallmytoilsomelaborunderthesun”(Ecclesiastes2:18–20).
Whetherquicklyorslowly,alltheresultsofourtoilwillbewipedawaybyhistory.Thepersonwho
takesthebusinessafteryou,orwhopicksupthecauseororganizationafteryou,mayundoallyouhave
done.Ofcourse,somehistorymakershavebroughtinventionsorinnovationsthatstaywiththehuman
raceforalongtime,butthosepersonsareveryrare,andofcourseeventuallyeventhemostfamous“will
notbelongremembered”(Ecclesiastes2:16)sinceeverythingandeveryaccomplishmentunderthesun
willbegroundtodustintheend—evencivilizationitself.Allwork,eventhemosthistoric,will
eventuallybeforgottenanditsimpacttotallyneutralized(1:3–11).
Inshortevenifyourworkisnotfruitless,itisultimatelypointlessiflife“underthesun”isallthere
is.
TheAlienationofWork
Workunderthesunismeaninglessbecauseitdoesnotlast;andsoittakesawayourhopeinthefuture.It
alsoalienatesusfromGodandfromoneanother,soittakesawayourjoyinthepresent.
WemayagainbesympathetictoAntonioSalieriwithinthenarrativeoftheplayAmadeus.Hereisa
manwhoaspirestocreateextraordinarymusicbutinsteadisgivenmodesttalents.BeingnearMozart
showshimhowordinaryhismusicis.HeasksGodtofillhimwithcreativebrilliance,buttonoavail.
SalieribecomesfuriouswithGod.SohesaystoGod,“Fromnowonweareenemies,YouandI...
BecauseYouwillnotenterme,withallmyneedforyou;becauseYouscornmyattempts....Youare
unjust,unfair,unkind....”SalieriturnsbitteragainstGodanddoeswhathecantodestroyMozart,God’s
instrument.
WasGodbeingunfairandunkind?Ifhewas,hewasn’tbeingsoonlytoSalieri.Arguably,onlya
handfulofmusiciansinallofhistoryhavebeengivengiftslikeMozarthad.No,Salieri’sresponsewas
unusuallydarkanddesperatebecausehehadbuilthisentirelifeonhisdreamoffamethroughmusic.He
hadbegunbytryingtoputGodinhisdebt:
WhilstmyfatherprayedearnestlytoGodtoprotectcommerce,Iwouldofferupsecretlythe
proudestprayeraboycouldthinkof.Lord,makemeagreatcomposer!Letmecelebrateyour
glorythroughmusic—andbecelebratedmyself!Makemefamousthroughtheworld,dearGod!
Makemeimmortal!AfterIdieletpeoplespeakmynameforeverwithloveforwhatIwrote!103
Theword“immortal”isthekeytowhatwasgoingoninSalieri’sheart.Hisappropriateambitionhad
becomehismisplacedsalvation;sohisconsiderablesuccesswasnotenough.Heexperiencednot
ordinarydisappointment,butalienationandheartbreak,becausehewasnotasgoodasMozart.
“Whatdopeoplegetforallthetoilandanxiousstrivingwithwhichtheylaborunderthesun?Alltheir
daystheirworkisgriefandpain;evenatnighttheirmindsdonotrest.Thistooismeaningless”
(Ecclesiastes2:22–23).Griefandpainsogreatthathecannotrest:Thisistheexperienceoftheperson
whosesoulisrestingwhollyonthecircumstancesoftheirwork.Inthispoignantpicture,theauthoris
consciouslycontrastinguswiththeGodwhoselaborledtorealrest(Genesis2:2),andunconsciously
withtheSaviorwhocouldevensleepthroughastorm(Mark4:38).
Anotherreasonthatworkfeelssoalienatingistheinjusticeanddepersonalizationever-presentinall
socialsystems,andwhichsoofteninfectthenatureofworkwedo.Forexample,inEcclesiastes5,verse
8,Qohelethsays,“Ifyouseethepooroppressedinadistrict,andjusticeandrightsdenied,donotbe
surprisedatsuchthings;foroneofficialiseyedbyahigherone,andoverthembothareothershigher
still.”OldTestamentcommentatorMichaelA.EatonwritesofthistextthatQoheleth“considersthe
frustrationsofoppressivebureaucracywithitsendlessdelaysandexcuses...andjusticeislostbetween
thetiersofthehierarchy.”104WhenQohelethwrote,onlygovernmentwasalargeenoughinstitutionto
haveabureaucracy,butthelasttwohundredyearshaveseentheriseofindustrializationandthemodern
corporation.KarlMarxwasthefirstpersontospeakof“alienatedlabor”intheheydayofearly-
nineteenth-centuryEuropeanindustry,where“thousandsofworkerscrowdedintoindustrialcenters...
workingfourteenhoursadayatphysicallydebilitatingandmentallystultifyingfactoryjobs...[a]tits
best,workwasagrimformofself-denialforthesakeofmerephysicalsurvival.”105
Ofcourseforcenturiesmostpeopleenduredbackbreakingworkjusttosurvive,yetatleastinsmall
farmsorshopsitwaspossibletoseetheproductofone’swork.Butinafactory,aworkermightbe
taskedtoputfivenutsontowheellugseverythirtyseconds,hourafterhour,dayafterday.Inhisbook
Working,StudsTerkelinterviewedmanyindustrialworkers,includingMike,whoputsteelpartsontoa
rack,loweredthemintoavatofpaintthatbondedtotheirsurfaces,andthenraisedandunloadedtherack.
Thatwasallhedid.“‘Putiton,takeitoff,putiton,takeitoff,’hereports.‘InbetweenIdon’teventryto
think....’Hisjobistypicalofmanufacturingworkorevenofficeworkwhichhasbeensubdividedand
simplifiedforthesakeofefficiencyandhigherproductivity.”106
Thegreatshiftfromanindustrialeconomytoaknowledgeandserviceeconomyhasimprovedthe
immediateworkingconditionsofmanybuthaslockedcountlessothersintolow-payingservicesector
jobsthatexperiencethesamealienatingdisconnectionfromthefruitsorproductsoftheirwork.107And
eveninmanyareassuchasfinance,whereworkersmakefarmorethan“sweatshop”wages,thesizeand
complexityofglobalcorporationsnowmakesitdifficultforevenhigh-rankingexecutivestounderstand
whattheirlaborisproducing.Abankerinasmalltownmakingmortgageandsmallbusinessloanscan
easilyseethepurposeandfruitofherlabor.Abankworkerbundlingthousandsofsubprimeloansand
buyingandsellingtheminenormousblocksofcapitalwillhavemoredifficultyansweringthequestion,
“Whatisyourworkfor?”
Workcanevenisolateusfromoneanother.“Therewasamanallalone;hehadneithersonnor
brother.Therewasnoendtohistoil,yethiseyeswerenotcontentwithhiswealth.‘ForwhomamI
toiling,’heasked,‘andwhyamIdeprivingmyselfofenjoyment?’Thistooismeaningless—amiserable
business!”(Ecclesiastes4:7–8).Thismanis“alone”—withoutfriendsorfamily—asaresultofhiswork.
Workcanconvinceyouthatyouareworkinghardforyourfamilyandfriendswhileyouarebeingseduced
throughambitiontoneglectthem.Workinvolves“depriving”—delayedgratificationandsacrifice.Buthe
asks,“ForwhomamItoilinganddeprivingmyselfofenjoyment?”Intheend,hefindsthatworkingforhis
ownsakeisunrewarding.CommentatorDerekKidneradds:“Thispictureoflonely,pointless
busyness...checksanyexcessiveclaimwemightwishtomakefortheblessingsofhardwork.”108
TheDangerofChoice
Ecclesiastessays,“Apersoncandonothingbetterthanto...findsatisfactionintheirowntoil”(2:24).
Oneofthereasonssomanypeoplefindworktobeunsatisfyingis,ironically,thatpeopletodayhavemore
powertochoosetheirlineofworkthandidpeopleinthepast.RecentlyDavidBrookswroteinTheNew
YorkTimesaboutanonlinediscussionconductedbyaStanfordprofessorwithstudentsandrecent
graduatesaboutwhysomanystudentsfromthemostexclusiveuniversitiesgointoeitherfinanceor
consulting.Somedefendedtheirpathways;otherscomplainedthat“thesmartestpeopleshouldbefighting
poverty,endingdiseaseandservingothers,notthemselves.”109Brookssaidthatwhilethediscussionwas
illuminating,hewasstruckbytheunspokenassumptions.
Manyofthesestudentsseemtohaveablinkeredviewoftheiroptions.There’scrassbut
affluentinvestmentbanking.There’sthepoorbutnoblenonprofitworld.Andthenthereisthe
worldofhigh-techstart-ups,whichmagicallyprovidesmoneyandcoolnesssimultaneously.But
therewaslittleinterestinorawarenessoftheministry,themilitary,theacademy,government
serviceorthezillionothersectors.Furthermore,fewstudentsshowedanyinterestinworking
foracompanythatactuallymakesproducts....
[C]ommunityservicehasbecomeapatchformorality.Manypeopletodayhavenotbeen
givenvocabulariestotalkaboutwhatvirtueis,whatcharacterconsistsof,andinwhichway
excellencelies,sotheyjusttalkaboutcommunityservice....Inwhateverfieldyougointo,you
willfacegreed,frustrationandfailure.Youmayfindyourlifechallengedbydepression,
alcoholism,infidelity,yourownstupidityandself-indulgence....Furthermore...[a]round
whatultimatepurposeshouldyourliferevolve?Areyoucapableofheroicself-sacrificeoris
lifejustaseriesofachievementhoops?...Youcandevoteyourlifetocommunityserviceand
beatotalschmuck.YoucanspendyourlifeonWallStreetandbeahero.Understanding
heroismandschmuckdomrequiresfewerExcelspreadsheets,moreDostoyevskyandtheBook
ofJob.110
Brooks’sfirstpointisthatsomanycollegestudentsdonotchooseworkthatactuallyfitstheir
abilities,talents,andcapacities,butratherchooseworkthatfitswithintheirlimitedimaginationofhow
theycanboosttheirownself-image.Therewereonlythreehigh-statuskindsofjobs—thosethatpaid
well,thosethatdirectlyworkedonsociety’sneeds,andthosethathadthecoolfactor.Becausethereisno
longeranoperativeconsensusonthedignityofallwork,stilllessontheideathatinallworkwearethe
handsandfingersofGodservingthehumancommunity,intheirmindstheyhadanextremelylimitedrange
ofcareerchoices.Thatmeanslotsofyoungadultsarechoosingworkthatdoesn’tfitthem,orfieldsthat
aretoohighlycompetitiveformostpeopletodowellin.Andthissetsmanypeopleupforasenseof
dissatisfactionormeaninglessnessintheirwork.
Perhapsitisrelatedtothemobilityofoururbancultureandtheresultingdisruptionofcommunity,but
inNewYorkCitymanyyoungpeopleseetheprocessofcareerselectionmoreasthechoiceofanidentity
markerthanaconsiderationofgiftingandpassionstocontributetotheworld.Oneyoungmanexplained,
“Ichosemanagementconsultingbecauseitisfilledwithsharppeople—thekindofpeopleIwanttobe
around.”Anothersaid,“IrealizedthatifIstayedineducation,I’dbeembarrassedwhenIgottomyfive-
yearcollegereunion,soI’mgoingtolawschoolnow.”Whereone’sidentityinpriorgenerationsmight
comefrombeingthesonofso-and-soorlivinginaparticularpartoftownorbeingamemberofachurch
orclub,todayyoungpeopleareseekingtodefinethemselvesbythestatusoftheirwork.
Whatwisdom,then,wouldtheBiblegiveusinchoosingourwork?First,ifwehavetheluxuryof
options,wewouldwanttochooseworkthatwecandowell.Itshouldfitourgiftsandourcapacities.To
takeupworkthatwecandowellislikecultivatingourselvesasgardensfilledwithhiddenpotential;it
istomakethegreatestroomfortheministryofcompetence.Second,becausethemainpurposeofworkis
toservetheworld,wewouldwanttochooseworkthatbenefitsothers.Wehavetoaskwhetherourwork
ororganizationorindustrymakespeoplebetterorappealstotheworstaspectsoftheircharacters.The
answerwillnotalwaysbeblackandwhite;infact,theanswercoulddifferfrompersontoperson.Ina
volumeontheChristianapproachtovocation,JohnBernbaumandSimonSteerpresentedthecaseof
Debbie,awomanwhomadeagreatdealofmoneyworkingforaninterior-decoratingcompanyinAspen,
Colorado.Thecraftofinteriordesign,likearchitectureorthearts,isaspositivewaytopromotehuman
well-being.Butsheoftenfoundherselfusingresourcesinwaysthatshecouldnotreconcilewithpursuing
thecommongood.ShelefthercareertoworkforachurchandlaterforaU.S.senator.Debbiesaid,“Not
thattherewasanythingdishonestorillegalinvolved,butIwasbeingpaidonacommissionbasis—thirty
percentofthegrossprofit.Oneclientspenttwentythousanddollars[intheearly1980s]onfurnishingsfor
aten-by-twelve[foot]room.Ibegantoquestionmymotivationforencouragingpeopleto...spendhuge
sumsofmoneyonfurniture.So...Idecidedtoleave.”111Thisexampleisnotaboutthevalueofthe
interiordesignprofessionorthecommissionformofcompensation.Rather,itillustratestheneedfor
everyonetoworkoutinclearpersonaltermshowtheirworkservestheworld.
Someoneelseinthesamesituationmighthavechosentostay,tofocusonhelpingclientscreate
beautifulhomes,andtoseethecommissionsasalegitimateexpressionofthevalueofthatbeauty.
Third,ifpossible,wedonotsimplywishtobenefitourfamily,benefitthehumancommunity,and
benefitourselves—wealsowanttobenefitourfieldofworkitself.InGenesis1and2,wesawthatGod
notonlycultivatedhiscreation,buthecreatedmorecultivators.Likewise,ourgoalshouldnotsimplybe
todowork,buttoincreasethehumanrace’scapacitytocultivatethecreatedworld.Itisaworthygoalto
wanttomakeacontributiontoyourdiscipline,ifpossible;toshowabetter,deeper,fairer,moreskillful,
moreennoblingwayofdoingwhatyoudo.DorothySayersexploresthispointinherfamousessay“Why
Work?”Sheacknowledgesthatweshouldworkfor“thecommongood”and“forothers”(asweobserved
inchapter4),butshedoesn’twantustostopthere.Shesaysthattheworkermust“servethework.”112
Thepopularcatchphraseoftodayisthatitiseverybody’sdutytoservethecommunity,but...
thereis,infact,aparadoxaboutworkingtoservethecommunity,anditisthis:thattoaim
directlyatservingthecommunityistofalsifythework....Thereare...verygoodreasonsfor
this:
[T]hemomentyou[only]thinkofservingotherpeople,youbegintohaveanotionthatother
peopleoweyousomethingforyourpains;youbegintothinkthatyouhaveaclaimonthe
community.Youwillbegintobargainforreward,toangleforapplause,andtoharbora
grievanceifyouarenotappreciated.Butifyourmindissetuponservingthework,thenyou
knowyouhavenothingtolookfor;theonlyrewardtheworkcangiveyouisthesatisfactionof
beholdingitsperfection.Theworktakesallandgivesnothingbutitself;andtoservethework
isalaborofpurelove.
Theonlytruewayofservingthecommunityistobetrulyinsympathywiththecommunity,
tobeoneselfpartofthecommunityandthentoservethework....Itistheworkthatservesthe
community;thebusinessoftheworkeristoservethework.113
Sayers’spointiswelltakenandnotoftenmadeorunderstood.Itispossibletoimagineyouare
“servingthecommunity”becausewhatyoudoispopular—atleastforatime.However,youmayno
longerbeservingthecommunity—youmaybeusingitforthewayitsapprovalmakesyoufeel.Butifyou
doyourworksowellthatbyGod’sgraceithelpsotherswhocanneverthankyou,orithelpsthosewho
comeafteryoutodoitbetter,thenyouknowyouare“servingthework,”andtrulylovingyourneighbor.
AHandfulofQuietness
InthemidstofQoheleth’sgloomregardingthepointlessnessofwork,acoupleofgleamsshinethrough.
“Thereisnothingbetterforapersonthantoenjoytheirwork,becausethatistheirlot”(Ecclesiastes
3:22).Yes,workisourinescapable“lot,”andsosatisfactioninthatrealmisessentialtoasatisfactory
life.Buthowdowegetthatsatisfactioninlightofallthatwehaveagainstus?Theanswer:“to...find
satisfactioninalltheirtoil—thisisthegiftofGod”(Ecclesiastes3:13).Howcanwesecurethisgift?
Qohelethprovidesahint.
Foolsfoldtheirhandsandruinthemselves.
Betteronehandfulwithtranquility
thantwohandfulswithtoilandchasingafterthewind.
Ecclesiastes4:5–6
Qohelethcommends,literally,“onehandfulofquietness”—bycontrastwithtwoalternatives.Oneis
the“twohandfuls”ofwealththatcomefrom“toilandchasingafterthewind”(verse6b).Theotheristhe
“emptyhandful”ofwealththatcomesfromtheidlenessofthefoolwhodoesnottoilatall(verse5).
QohelethconcedesthatsatisfactioninworkinafallenworldisalwaysamiraculousgiftofGod—andyet
wehavearesponsibilitytopursuethisgiftthroughaparticularbalance.Tranquilitywithouttoilwillnot
bringussatisfaction;neitherwilltoilwithouttranquility.Therewillbebothtoilandtranquility.
HowweattainsuchabalancedlifeisoneofthemainthemesofScripture.First,itmeansrecognizing
andrenouncingourtendencytomakeidolsofmoneyandpower(seeEcclesiastes4:4—“Isawthatalltoil
andallachievementspringfromoneperson’senvyofanother.Thistooismeaningless,achasingafterthe
wind”).Second,itmeansputtingrelationshipsintheirproperplace(seeEcclesiastes4:8—“Therewasa
manallalone;hehadneithersonnorbrother”),eventhoughitprobablymeansmakinglessmoney(“one
handful”ratherthantwo).
Butmostofall,itwillmeanpursuingsomethingthatisbeyondthescopeofEcclesiastestoidentify.
TheNewTestamentrevealsthattheultimatesourceofthetranquilityweseekisJesusChrist,who—
becausehehastoiledforusonthecross—canofferusthetruerestforoursouls(Matthew11:28–30).
WithoutthegospelofJesus,wewillhavetotoilnotforthejoyofservingothers,northesatisfactionofa
jobwelldone,buttomakeanameforourselves.
SEVEN
WorkBecomesSelfish
Aspeoplemovedeastward,theyfoundaplaininShinarandsettledthere.Theysaidtoeach
other,“Come,let’smakebricksandbakethemthoroughly.”Theyusedbrickinsteadof
stone,andtarformortar.Thentheysaid,“Come,letusbuildourselvesacity,withatower
thatreachestotheheavens,sothatwemaymakeanameforourselves;otherwisewewillbe
scatteredoverthefaceofthewholeearth.”
Genesis11:2–4
MakingaNameforOurselves
Oneofthereasonsworkisbothfruitlessandpointlessisthepowerfulinclinationofthehumanheartto
makework,anditsattendantbenefits,themainbasisofone’smeaningandidentity.Whenthishappens,
workisnolongerawaytocreateandbringoutthewondersofthecreatedorder,asCalvinwouldsay,or
tobeaninstrumentofGod’sprovidence,servingthebasicneedsofourneighbor,asLutherwouldsay.
Insteaditbecomesawaytodistinguishmyselffrommyneighbor,toshowtheworldandprovetomyself
thatI’mspecial.Itisawaytoaccumulatepowerandsecurity,andtoexercisecontrolovermydestiny.So
oftentheobservationofQohelethholdstrue—“Isawthatalllaborandachievementspringfromman’s
envyofhisneighbor.Thistooismeaningless,achasingafterthewind”(Ecclesiastes4:4).
Nowhereistheshiftfromworkasgratefulstewardshipofourgiftstoneuroticfabricationofourself-
worthmoreevidentthaninthefirstelevenchaptersofGenesis.InGenesis1and2,workisajoyful
cultivationofcreationforitsownsakeandGod’ssake(Genesis1:28,2:15).ByGenesis4,technology
hasbecomeameanstopower.InGenesis11,wecometothefamousstoryofthebuildingoftheTowerof
Babel.
TworeasonsaregivenforthebuildingoftheTower.Inverse3thepeopleofShinarsay,“‘let’smake
bricksandbakethemthoroughly’...insteadofstone...”Someonehaddiscoveredawayofmaking
bricksthatwasanadvancebeyondpreviousmethodsofbuilding.Itmeanttheycouldbuildamuchtaller
buildingthanhadeverbeenbuiltbefore.Theywantedtotaketheirnewtalentsanddiscoveriestouse
theminabigcity.Eversincethen,thepeoplewiththemostcreativenewideascontinuetoseekoutcities
tofindafertileenvironmentforexperimentationandimplementationoftheirdreams.Sofar,sogood.
Butthereisasecond,deeperreasonfortheirprojectofcitybuilding:“sothatwemaymakeaname
forourselves;otherwisewewillbescatteredoverthefaceofthewholeearth”(verse4).Whatwerethe
buildersofthetowerdoingtheirworkfor?Whataremostoftoday’sambitiousworkersdoingtheirwork
for?Verse4tellsusvividly—andthemotivationhasnotchangedfromthatdaytothisone.Itwasto
maximizetheirpower,glory,andautonomy.Yeteventhisboastrevealstheirradicalinsecurity.Theybuilt
thecityto“makeanamefor[them]selves”throughtheiraccomplishments—butifwelackaname,it
meanswedon’tknowwhoweare.“Tomakeaname”inthelanguageoftheBibleistoconstructan
identityforourselves.Weeithergetourname—ourdefiningessence,security,worth,anduniqueness—
fromwhatGodhasdoneforusandinus(Revelation2:17),orwemakeanamethroughwhatwecando
forourselves.OldTestamentscholarDerekKidnerwrites,“Theelementsofthestoryaretimelessly
characteristicofthespiritoftheworld.Theprojectistypicallygrandiose;mendescribeitexcitedlyto
oneanotherasifitweretheultimateachievement....Atthesametimetheybetraytheirinsecurityasthey
crowdtogethertopreservetheiridentityandcontroltheirfortunes.”114
ThereseemtobetwowaysthatthepeopleofBabelaregettingtheiridentityfromtheirwork.First,
thegrandiosestatement“atowerthatreachestotheheavens”suggeststhattheyareassigningspiritual
valuetotheirworkthattheywouldbebetteroffgettingfromGod.Thisleadstomaterialism,asweallow
thefruitsofourlabortotelluswearehealthyandsafe.Second,thedesirenotto“bescatteredoverthe
faceofthewholeearth”seemstomeanthattheyalsogetanamefrombeinggatheredintoalargegroup.
Partoftheirsenseofpowerandsecuritycomesfromthesizeandwealthoftheircity.Whilethefirstkind
ofidentity-makingcomesfromcreatinganidolofone’sindividualtalentsandaccomplishments,the
secondkindcomesfrommakinganidolofone’sgroup.Thisleads,ofcourse,tosnobbery,imperialism,
colonialism,andvariousotherformsofracism.
Inthefinalsceneofthisbriefstory,Godcomesdowninjudgmentonthecity,butobservetheformof
hispunishment.WereitaHollywoodspecialeffectsblockbuster,hemightsendlightningandearthquakes
todestroythesettlement.Instead,he“confusestheirlanguage”sothattheyfallintodisunityandscatter.
HereweseeaprinciplethatrunsthroughouttheBible:Sinhasnaturalconsequences.Thedesiresofthe
sinfulheartcreatestrainsinthefabricoftherealworldthatalwaysleadtobreakdown.Ourprideand
needforpersonalsignificancenecessarilyleadtocompetition,disunity,andstrife.Soalifeofself-
glorificationmakesunityandlovebetweenpeopleimpossible.Itleavesuswiththedrearychoice
betweenmakingtheselfanidol(whichleadstothedisunityofindividualisticcultures)andmakingthe
grouptoanidol(whichleadstothesuppressionofindividualfreedomintribalorcollectivecultures).
Thetwothingsweallwantsodesperately—gloryandrelationship—cancoexistonlywithGod.
Babelisapointedcasestudyoftheimpossibilityofbuildinganycollectiveendeavor—asociety,an
organization,amovement—thatreally“works”unlessitisgroundedbeyonditself,inGod.Everyother
societywillhavetomakeanidoloutofsomethingthatwillultimatelydisappoint.Thefamily,orthe
individualself,ornationalpride,ortheaccruingofpersonalwealth—somethingotherthanGod—will
endupbeingconsideredthebottomline,thesummumbonum,thegiverofthename.AsDerekKidner
putsit,“Thehalf-builtcityisalltooaptamonumenttothisaspectofman.”115
ThepeopleofShinarwantedtobuildthetallestbuildingintheworld.Thispeculiarprojectof
humankindhasshownnosignsofabatingformanymillennia,anditseemsthateveryyearwehearofa
buildinggoingupsomewherethatwillmakeanameforsomeonenewandstandastheworld’stallestfor
atime.Thisisavividexampleofthespiritofcompetitivepridethatdrivestheworkineveryfield.Of
course,thereissomethingveryusefulinthisdynamic—itstimulateshelpfulinnovationandefficiencies—
butthereisalsosomethingperniciousinit.
SeehowC.S.LewisputsitinMereChristianity:
NowwhatIwantyoutogetclearisthatPrideisessentiallycompetitive—iscompetitivebyits
verynature....Pridegetsnopleasureoutofhavingsomething,onlyoutofhavingmoreofit
thanthenextman.Wesaypeopleareproudofbeingrich,orclever,orgood-lookingbutthey
arenot.Theyareproudofbeingricher,orcleverer,orbetter-lookingthanothers.116
Lewisshowsusthatwecaneitherbuildabettermousetrap(tallerbuilding,fastercomputer,cheaper
airline,moreluxurioushotel)outofinterestinexcellenceandservicetohumanbeings,orwecandosoin
aracetomoveourorganizationandourselvesintoapositiontolookdownonothers.Thelatterleadsto
ethicalshortcutsandtheoppressionofthosewhogetinourway.
Iwanttomakeitclearatthispointthatnoonecanliveentirelyoutofthepureimpulsetoservethe
interestsofotherpeopleatalltimes.Eventhemostloving,morallybeautifulpeoplefallpreytomotives
ofself-interest,fear,andgloryseeking.Ouracceptanceofourownbrokenness—andtheworld’s—keeps
usgoingbacktoGodtorememberwhatwecannotdoonourown.Asamatteroffact,itisvery
dangeroustothinkofcertainpeopleasbeing“thegoodones”whoworktoserveandofothersas“thebad
ones”whoareseekingtoproveandservethemselves.TheDNAofself-centerednessandcompetitive
prideareatworkdeepineachofus.
ThePowerofBeing“inthePalace”
Anextendedcasestudyonthethemesofself-interest,power,andvocationcanbefoundintheOld
TestamentbookofEsther.ThebookrecountsanincidentwhentheJewsweredispersedthroughoutthe
PersianEmpire.InthefirstchapterwearetoldhowthePersianemperor,KingXerxes,hasdisposedof
hisqueenVashtibecauseshewastooboldanddispleasedhim.Helooksforanotherqueenanddiscovers
Esther,abeautifulyoungJewishgirl.Hesleepswithherandshepleaseshim.EstherhidesherJewish
identityassheiselevatedtobehisqueenintheroyalpalace.
AlmostallreadersofthisstoryareoffendedbythisearlypartofthebookofEsther.Feminist
interpretersareoutragedatEsther’ssubservience.OthersareoffendedbythefactthatunlikeDaniel,who
identifiedhimselfasaJewandlivedasonepubliclyinapagancourt,Estherkeepsquiet.Peopleof
traditionalmoralviewsarebotheredthatshesleepswithamantowhomsheisnotmarried.Throughall
thesemoralcompromises,sherisestoaplacenearthecenterofpower.Soweareposedwithaquestion:
Insuchmorally,culturally,andspirituallyambiguoussituations,doesGodstillworkwithusandthrough
us?Theanswerofthebookisyes.
AtthebeginningofthefourthchapterofthebookofEsther—thestartofacttwo,inasense—welearn
thatHaman,ahighofficial,hasconvincedthekingthattheJewsareadangertotheempireandhas
securedaroyaldecreethatonafuturedate,neighborsofJewishfamiliesthroughouttherealmwillbe
freetokillthemandplundertheirwealth(Esther3:1–15).Esther’srelativeMordecai,aJewishleader,
contactsEstherandtellshershemustuseherplaceinthepalacetoavertthisdanger.Thisisahuge
request.HereabelieverinGod,whoseplaceofpowerinthepublicsphereistenuous,isbeingcalledto
useherpersonalandculturalcapitaltobringaboutamorejustsocialorder.“Whoknows,”Mordecai
saystoher,“butthatyouhavecometoyourroyalpositionforsuchatimeasthis?”(Esther4:14).
ThebookofEstherparallelsthebiblicalaccountsofDanielandJoseph.Allthreepeoplewere
believersintheGodofIsrael.Eachwasanofficialinapluralistic,nonbelievinggovernmentandculture.
Nonewereprophets,priests,elders,orteachers.Theyhadreachedthehighestcirclesofpowerintheir
secularculturalinstitutions.AndGodusedthemmightily.
DickLucas,anEnglishAnglicanpreacher,oncepreachedasermononthestoryofJoseph.Whathe
saidfitsinwellwiththisaccountofEsther.Hesaidthatifyouweretogotoabooktableatachurchand
seeabiographywiththetitleTheManGodUsesorTheWomanGodUses,youwouldimmediatelythink
itwasthestoryofamissionary,teacher,churchleader,orspecialistinsomesortofspiritualwork.He
pointsoutthatwhatyouhaveinthestoryofJosephisahighlysuccessfulsecularofficial.Lucassays,“In
thelongtermIthinkbeingapreacher,missionary,orleadingaBiblestudygroupinmanywaysiseasier.
Thereisacertainspiritualglamourindoingit,andwhatweshouldbedoingeachdayiseasiertodiscern
moreblackandwhite,notsogray.ItisoftenhardtogetChristianstoseethatGodiswillingnotjustto
usemenandwomeninministry,butinlaw,inmedicine,inbusiness,inthearts.Thisisthegreatshortfall
today.”117
Wehaveaperfectexampleinthisstory.SinceJerusalemwasdestroyedbyNebuchadnezzar,theJews
havebeeninexile.Atthispointinbiblicalhistory,theyareontheirwayback.Theyaretryingtorebuild
theirlives,theircity,andtheirnation.RayBakke,anacademicandwriter,pointsoutthatGodshowsthe
diversityofthepeopleheusesbygivingusthreedifferentbooksintheBibledescribinghowherestores
thenationofIsraelbacktoitshomeland.118First,thebookofEzraisaboutaminister,ateacherofthe
word.TheJewsneededtobereacquaintedwiththeBiblesotheirlivescouldbeshapedbywhatGod
said.Second,thebookofNehemiahisaboutanurbanplanneranddeveloperwhousedhismanagement
skillstorebuildthewallofJerusalemandreinstatestabilitysothateconomicandciviclifecouldbegin
toflourishagain.Last,thebookofEstherisaboutawomanwithpowerinthecivilgovernmentworking
againstracialinjustice.Hereyouhavemaleandfemale,layandclergy.Youhavepeopleworkingfor
spiritualmaturity,economicflourishing,andbetterpublicpolicy,inculturesthatdefinedandvaluedthese
ideasdifferentlyfromtheJews.AndGodisusingthemall.
Don’tbetooquicktomisstheconnectionbetweenEstherandus.Iremembersomeyearsagohearing
aHispanicpastorpreachingonthebookofEsther.Manyofhisolderchurchmembershadbeen
immigrantsandhadlittlemoneyorclout,butmanyoftheyoungergenerationhadgonetocollegeandhad
becomeprofessionals.Thepreachertoldthemthateventhoughtheydidn’tseeit,theywere“inthe
palace.”Theyhadmorefinancialandculturalcapitalthantheyrealized.And,hesaidinnouncertain
terms,manyofthemwereusingthatcapitaltofeathertheirownnestsandmoveaheadintheirown
careersratherthanleveragingitforothers.Heremindedthemthattherewerepoorerpeopleacrossthe
citywhoneededtheirconnectionsandtalents.Hesaidthatinsidetheircirclesofinfluenceandfieldsof
worktherewascorruptionthatneededtheirattention.Headmittedthatifhislistenersconducted
themselvesinthatway,theymightmakelessmoneyormoveuptheladderslowerorrunintoconflictthat
couldhurttheircareers.Butthatdoesn’tmatter,hesaid.Don’tjustgetintothepalaceandbendeveryrule
youcantostaythere.Serve.Youhavecometoyourroyalpositionforsuchatimeasthis.
IknowsomeofusfeellikeEsther.ThereistheVPofaninvestmentbankwhohaskeptmanyofhis
investorsinthedark—maybeonlypassively.ThereisthefootballcoachwhoviolatesanumberofNCAA
recruitingrules.Thereisthemunicipalofficialwhodoesn’ttakebribesbutlookstheotherwaywhenshe
seescolleagueswhodo.Inpartbecauseofthesecompromises,theyhaveallrisenandnowoccupyhigh
positions;buttheirconsciencesarenotclear.Youmaybelikethem,onasmallerorlargerscale.Youmay
havemadesomechoicesthatwereunethicalorverymuchinthe“grayarea.”Youmayhavebeenaskedto
repeatedlytellclientsthattheworkwasdoneinacertainwaywhenyouknewitwasn’t.Youmaynot
havespokenoutwhenyouknewyoushouldhave.Youhavesomecloutnow,butyoudon’tfeelasthough
yourconscienceisclear.DoyouthinkEsther’sconsciencewasclear?Isanyone’severcompletelyclear?
Itisnevertoolate.Godurgesyoutothinkaboutwhereyouareandwhyyouarethere,torealizethe
importanceofbeinginthepalace.It’spossiblethatonlythencanHeuseyoutodoHisworkinthis
world.
Ihaveafriendwhoworkedinprivateequityatamajorfinancialservicesfirm.Weaskedhimtoteach
aclassoncharacterandintegrityinourchurch.Duringtheclasshesharedarecentdilemmainwhichthe
teamwhoworkedforhimidentifiedanexcellentinvestmentopportunitythatwouldprovideagoodreturn
forhisteamandthecompany.Theonlyproblemwasthatthebusinessinmyfriend’smind,notonlydidn’t
makeapositivecontributiontosocietybutdamagedit.Itwasn’tillegal,andthefirmitselfhadnoissue
withinvestinginthisbusiness.Hewastornbetweenhisobligationtocreatethehighestvalueforhisown
companyandstaff,andhisfaith-basedcommitmenttohumanflourishing.Hecouldvetotheinvestment,
butthatwouldonlyputthedealinthehandsofacompetingbank.Hecouldagreetotheinvestmentand
profitfromsomethingthathedidn’tbelievein.Hewantedtoatleasttakeastandandliveouthis
convictionsinsomeway.Soheannouncedtohisteamthathewouldnotvetothedeal,buthewould
personallychoosetonotparticipateinanybonusthatmightresultfromtheirinvestment.Thatgavehimthe
opportunitytoexplainhisrationaleandpresentapictureofGod’sintentionsforhumanflourishing.The
dealclosed,andtheinvestmentmadethebankalotofmoney.Butwhatofmyfriend’ssacrifice?Hetook
anopportunity,atatruecosttohimself,totakeastandandpointtohiscolleaguesanalternatevisionof
lifeinthepalace.
ThePerilofBeing“inthePalace”
Esther’sconcernwasveryreal;Mordecaiwasaskinghertotakeanenormousrisk.Inthattimeandplace,
tofalloutoffavorwiththekingdidnotmeanlosingyourjob;itmoreoftenmeantlosingyourlife.Esther
repliestoMordecaithatitwasacapitaloffenseforanyonetogointothekingunbidden,“...unlessthe
kingextendsthegoldsceptertothemandsparestheirlives.ButthirtydayshavepassedsinceIwascalled
togototheking”(Esther4:11).SurelyEstherisrememberingthatthelastqueenwasdeposedbecause
shewastoobold!Mordecaidoesn’tknowwhatheisaskingofher;shecouldloseeverything.
Mordecairespondsthatindeedhedoesknow.Hestepsuptothehighpointofthestoryrhetorically,
narratively,andtheologically:“Donotthinkthatbecauseyouareintheking’shouseyoualoneofallthe
Jewswillescape.Forifyouremainsilentatthistime,reliefanddeliverancefortheJewswillarisefrom
anotherplace,butyouandyourfather’sfamilywillperish”(Esther4:13–14).Mordecaiissayingthatif
Estherriskslosingthepalace,shemightloseeverything,butifshedoesn’trisklosingthepalace,shewill
loseeverything.Itisanagonizingargument.IfalltheJewsarekilled,Estherwillbesniffedoutand
killed.IftheJewsarenotkilled,Estherwillbeconsideredatraitor.Mordecaithencloseswithhope:
“Andwhoknowsbutthatyouhavecometoyourroyalpositionforsuchatimeasthis?”(verse14).What
Mordecaisayshasdirectapplicationformostofus.
Mordecai,ineffect,appealstotheideaofvocation.HesaysthesamethingtheHispanicpastorsaid:
Unlessyouuseyourclout,yourcredentials,andyourmoneyinservicetothepeopleoutsidethepalace,
thepalaceisaprison;ithasalreadygivenyouyourname.Youmaythinkyouhavebeengivenlittle
becauseyouarealwaysstrivingformore,butyouhavebeengivenmuch,andGodhascalledyoutoputit
intoplay.Itisnaturaltorootyouridentityinyourpositioninthepalace;torestyoursecurityinthefact
thatyouhaveacertainmeasureofcontroloverthevariablesinyourlife;tofindyoursignificancein
havingcloutincertaincircles.Butifyouareunwillingtoriskyourplaceinthepalaceforyourneighbors,
thepalaceownsyou.
Howdoyougetanewname,basedonsomethingotherthanthepalace?Thetexthintsattheanswer:
grace.MordecaisaystoEsther,“Whoknowsbutthatyouhavecometoyourroyalpositionforsuchatime
asthis?”TheHebrewwordtranslatedas“come”isapassiveverb.Itwouldbebettertranslated:“Who
knowsbutthatyouwerenotbroughttoyourroyalpositionbecauseofthis?”HeisremindingEstherthat
shedidnotgettothepalaceexceptbygrace.Shedidnotdeveloporearnherbeauty,nordidsheproduce
thisopportunity;theyweregiventoher.Haveyoucontemplatedhowmuchthisistrueofyoutoo?If
someoneclaimsthatyourprofessionalstatusisaresultofgrace,youimmediatelythinktheydon’tknow
howhardyouworkedtogetintoyourschool,howhardyouworkedinschoolandatyourinternships,
howyouhaveperformedbetterthanyourpeersatwork,andsoon.However,youworkedwithtalentsyou
didnotearn;theyweregiventoyou.Youwentthroughdoorsofopportunityyoudidnotproduce;theyjust
openedforyou.Therefore,everythingyouhaveisamatterofgrace,andsoyouhavethefreedomtoserve
theworldthroughyourinfluence,justasyoucanthroughyourcompetence.
LivingwithGreatnessinthePalace
Estherbeginstorespond.TheEstherweknowfromchapters1and2—thedemurebeautyqueenwholies
aboutherracetostayontheinsidetrack—beginstofadeaway.TheEstherwhoneverrockstheboatand
neverrufflesanyfeathersstartstogiveorders.ShesendsamessagetoMordecai:“Go,gathertogetherall
theJewswhoareinSusa,andfastforme.Donoteatordrinkforthreedays,nightorday.Iandmy
attendantswillfastasyoudo.Whenthisisdone,Iwillgototheking,eventhoughitisagainstthelaw.
AndifIperish,Iperish”(Esther4:16).
WhathappensnextisoneofthemostabsorbingnarrativeaccountsintheBible.Byaseriesof
“coincidences”—ofcourse,theyareanythingbut—aswellasEsther’sowncourage,sheisreceivedby
thekingandisabletounmaskthehatredandcalculationofHamansothatHamanisexecutedandthe
Jewishpeoplesaved.
Butitwouldbeamistaketoendtheaccounthere.Thereisadangerthatyoumightmerelybeinspired
byEsther’sexample.YoulookatEstheranddecideyouarenotgoingtolookatyourpositionandyour
intellectual,social,andfinancialcapitalinanewway.Insteadoflookingatyourinfluenceasameansto
moveyourselfahead,youaregoingtouseittoservepeople;youaregoingtotakemorerisktoseethat
justiceisdone.Oryoumaydecidethatyouhavebeentooquietaboutyourbeliefs,soyouresolveto
speakupandletpeopleknowwhatyoubelieve.Thosearegoodandrightimpulses;byallmeansfollow
them.
Yettheyaren’tenough.Tobeginwith,yourresolvewon’tlast.Ifyouaremerelyinspiredbyan
example—youwanttobelikeEsther,oryouwanttobemorelikethepeopletheHispanicpastorsaidwe
needed—thenyourbasicmotivationisprobablyguilt.Itcouldbeguiltoverselfishness,guiltoverelitism,
evenguiltoverungratefulness.Andthosemaybetherightplacetostart!Butifguiltistheextentofyour
motivation,youcanbesureitwillwearoffbeforelongbecauselivinginanewwaywillbehard.
Or,youmightgetinspired,butoverreact.SooftenIhaveseenpeoplewhohavepreviouslykeptsecret
abouttheirfaithandwhoovercompensateandbecomeobnoxious.Theydecidetobeanoutspoken,
principledperson;theywillnotbelike“thoseclosetedChristians.”Yettheyhaven’treallyleftthepalace
becausetheyarestillgettingtheiridentityfromtheirperformanceofa“better”kindofChristianity.They
havenotreallychanged;theyareveryself-righteouslybeingmoreovert.
Letmesuggesthowyouaremorelikelytolivewithintegrity,evengreatness,inthepalace.Lookat
Esthernotmerelyasanexamplebutasasignpost,apointer.Yousee,Godcreatedus,hegaveus
everythingwehave,andhesustainsourlifeeverymoment;therefore,weowehimeverything.Butwedo
notlivethatway.Weliveasifeverythingwehaveisours,touseasweseefit,tomakeourownname.
EvenpeoplewhodonotconsiderthemselvesChristiansknow,onreflection,thatsomethingiswrongwith
thispicture.Byeveryone’sstandards,weareviolatingourrelationshipwithGod.Thereligionsofthe
worlddisagreeonthestoryandthereasons,buttheyallagreeonsomething:Thereisagap—orachasm
—betweenthedivineandus.Somereligionssaywemustcrossthatdividethroughsacrifice,rituals,
transformationofconsciousness,orethicalpractice.Butsomehowweneedsomethingtobridgethatgap
betweenGodandourselves.Howwillwefindit?
Here’stheansweroftheBible,rightfromthisstory.Esthersavedherpeoplethroughidentification
andmediation.Herpeoplewerecondemned,butsheidentifiedwiththemandcameunderthat
condemnation.Sheriskedherlifeandsaid,“IfIperish,Iperish.”Becausesheidentified,shecould
mediatebeforethethroneofpowerasnooneelsecould,andbecauseshereceivedfavorthere,thatfavor
wastransferredtoherpeople.Savingpeoplethroughidentificationandmediation—doesthatremindyou
ofanyone?JesusChrist,theSonofGod,livedintheultimatepalacewithultimatebeautyandglory,and
hevoluntarilyleftthembehind.Philippians2saysthathehadequalitywiththeFather,buthedidnothold
ontoit;instead,heemptiedhimself,identifiedwithus,andtookonourcondemnation.Hedidnotdoitat
theriskofhislifebutatthecostofhislife.Hedidn’tsay,“IfIperish,Iperish,”but“WhenIperish,I’ll
perish.”HewenttotheCrossanddied;hemadeatonementforoursins.Nowhestandsbeforethethrone
oftheuniverse,andthefavorhehasprocuredisoursifwebelieveinhim.Hisisultimatemediation.
IfyouseeEsthernotasanexamplebutasapointertoJesus,andifyouseeJesusnotasanexample
butasaSaviordoingthesethingsforyoupersonally,thenyouwillseehowvaluableyouaretohim.
Meditateonthesethings,andthetruthwillchangeyouridentity.Itwillconvinceyouofyourreal,
inestimablevalue.Andironically,whenyouseehowmuchyouareloved,yourworkwillbecomefarless
selfish.Suddenlyalltheotherthingsinyourworklife—yourinfluence,yourrésumé,andthebenefitsthey
bringyou—becomejustthings.Youcanriskthem,spendthem,andevenlosethem.Youarefree.Esther
wasabletodowhatshedidmerelyonthebasisofavaguerevelationthatGodisagodofgrace.Butnow
weknowsomuchmore!Shedidn’tknowGodwasactuallygoingtocometoearthhimselfanddowhat
shewasdoingonaninfinitelygreaterscale,ataninfinitelygreatercost,withinfinitelygreaterbenefitsto
humanity.Wenowknowsomuchmoreabouthisgrace,ourvaluetohim,andourfuture.
IfyouseewhatJesusChristhasdoneforyou,losingtheultimatepalaceforyou,thenyouwillbeable
tostarttoserveGodandyourneighborfromyourplaceinthepalace.KarenJobes,whowrotea
commentaryonthebookofEsther,saysEstheriscalledQueenEstherfourteentimes;thirteenofthose
happenaftershesays,“IfIperish,Iperish.”119Shebecomesapersonofgreatnessnotbytryingtomakea
nameforherself;andyouwillbecomeapersonofgreatnessnotbytryingtomakeyourselfintoone,but
byservingtheOnewhosaidtohisFather,“Foryoursake,thywillbedone.”
EIGHT
WorkRevealsOurIdols
Donotmakeanyidols.
Exodus34:17
ThePervasivenessandPowerofIdols
Davidclosetedhimselfinhiscornerofficewhilehisnewboardofdirectorsconsideredhisdemands.
“I’llmakethemcometome,”hethought,leaningonthenegotiatingtechniqueshehadlearnedoverthe
courseofaverysuccessfulcareer.IntwodecadesDavidhadrisentobecomeCEOofaseriesof
increasinglyhigh-profiletechnologycompanies,andthepreviousweekhadbeenoneofthosegreat
momentsofpayoff.Flyinghighatdinneraftertheanalystcallannouncingthesaleofhislatestcompanyto
anationallyknownenterprise,hesaidtohisassociate,“Thisisit!Itdoesn’tgetanybetterthanthis!This
iswhatit’sallabout!”
Butnowitwastimetoexitandmoveontothenextopportunity.Whilethepayoutfromthisdealwas
respectable—avaluationofthreetimesannualearningsandaniceroundmilliondollarsinhispocket—it
wasreallyonlyastepping-stonetoabiggerventure.He’ddonewhathewasbroughtintodo—sellthe
companybeforethetechnologywasdisplacedbyanotheroneandgivetheinvestorsagoodreturnontheir
dollar.
Histhoughtsfloatedtothemilliondollars.Hiswifewantedabeachhouse,hewantedalakehouse;
theirexquisitehomehadjustbeenrenovated,andthekidsweredoingwell.They’dalsobeenabletobuy
homesforeachoftheirparents,nearbyandingoodneighborhoods.Davidfeltgoodaboutthewayhe’d
beenabletosupporthisfamily.Thiswasimportanttohim.
Yearsago,ashisfatherstruggledwithwork,andmoneyforthefamilywasextremelytight,he’d
vowedtohimselfthathislifewouldbedifferent.He’dusetheopportunitieshisparentshadgivenhim,
modestastheymightbe,tomakesomethingofhimself.Itwouldbeawaytohonorhisfather,nowpassed
away.Andhischildrenwouldneverhavetowantforanything.Yethismomwasalreadysaying,“So,
David,youhaveenoughalready.Doyoureallyhavetofindthenextbiggerandbettercompany?What’s
behindallthisdrive?”
Atthatpoint,thedooropened,andtheboardmemberhe’dworkedwithmostcloselyonthedeal
walkedin.Sittingdown,hesaid,“David,wereallyneedyoutohonoryourcontractandstaythefullyear;
thecompanyneedsyoutoleaditrightnow.Youwereoneofthekeyreasonswethoughtbuyingthe
companywasagooddeal—you’resmart,you’reagoodleader,youcannegotiatepartnershipsanddeals
tokeepthiscompanyoutfront.Wecan’tagreetolettingyououtnow.”
Davidloathedtheprospectofstayingonforanotheryearandwasdeterminedtogetthefullpayoutin
spiteofthetermsofthecontract.Heheldtheultimatecard:Theycertainlywouldn’twanttokeephimif
hemadeitclearthathedidn’twanttostay.Noonecanleadwellifhisheartisn’tinit,right?
Aweeklater,havingrefusedtobudgeonanypoint,hewalkedawaywiththepayoutandveryquickly
movedintothecornerofficeofaFortune500company.
Whencontemporarypeopleheartheword“idols”theyaremostlikelytothinkoftheentertainment
world,wherecelebritiesarecalled“teenidols”orwhereaspirantscompetetobethenext“American
Idol.”Orperhapsthewordconjuresthoughtsofprimitivepeoplebowingdowntofigurinesandimages.If
thewordiseverconnectedtotheworldofwork,itisusuallyarhetoricaldevicetosaysomeonehas
becomeaworkaholicorisrapaciouslygreedy,sothatsuccessormoneyhasbecomeanobjectofextreme
devotion.Thesearealllegitimateusesoftheterm,buttheyareonlythemostextremecasesofthe
powerfulandpervasiveconceptionthatisattheheartofbiblicalfaith.Themostfamousandinfluential
moralcodeintheworld,theTenCommandments,beginswithGod’sgreatdirectiveonidolatry:“You
shallhavenoothergodsbeforeme”(Exodus20:3).
Whatdoesitmeantohaveothergods?Thecommandmentsays:“Youshallnotmakeforyourselfan
imageintheformofanythinginheavenaboveorontheearthbeneathorinthewatersbelow.Youshall
notbowdowntothemorworshipthem....”(Exodus20:4–5).Wehaveanalternateorcounterfeitgodif
wetakeanythingincreationandbeginto“bowdown”toit—thatis,tolove,serve,andderivemeaning
fromitmorethanfromthetrueGod.Becausewecansetupidolsinourhearts(Ezekiel14:3–7),we
recognizethat“makinganimage”ofsomethingisnotnecessarilyaphysicalprocessbutiscertainlya
spiritualandpsychologicalone.Itmeansimaginingandtrustinganythingtodeliverthecontrol,security,
significance,satisfaction,andbeautythatonlytherealGodcangive.Itmeansturningagoodthingintoan
ultimatething.
ManyhaverecognizedthesignificanceoftheBible’scommandagainstidolatry,placedatthevery
beginningofGod’sdirectionsforlife.NoonegraspeditspowermorethanMartinLuther.Hedefined
idolatryaslookingtosomecreatedthingtogiveyouwhatonlyGodcangiveyou.Therefore,heargued,
evennonreligiouspeopleserve“gods”—ideologiesorabilitiesthattheybelievecanjustifytheirlives.
FrenchphilosopherLucFerry,himselfanonbelieverinGod,likewisearguesthateveryoneseeks“some
waytofacelifewithconfidence,anddeathwithoutfearandregret.”Allofuslooktosomethingtoassure
ourselveswehavespentourliveswell.David,inouropeningexample,mayhavesoughtfinancial
securitymoneyandsuccessashis“salvation”fromthestruggleofhischildhood,althoughhewouldnever
haveusedthatterm.Whateveritisweseek,Ferrysays,itisaformofsalvation.120Thisfitswiththe
implicationofthefirstoftheTenCommandments.Godsays,“IamtheLordyourGod;youshallhaveno
othergodsbeforeme.”NoticethatGodsaysthateitherhewillbeourGodorsomethingelsewill.He
leavesopennoin-betweenpossibilityofhavingnogodsatallthatwerelyonto“save”us.
LuthersawhowharmoniouslytheconceptofidolatrytiedtheOldandNewTestamentstogether.The
OldTestamenttalksaboutidolatryagreatdeal,whiletheNewTestament,especiallythelettersofPaul,
speaksaboutunionwithChristandjustificationbyfaith—meansthroughwhichwearesavedbyGod’s
graceratherthanbyourownefforts.Luthercametorealizethatthesetwoideas—tosetupanidolandto
trytosaveyourselfthroughyourownefforts—aredescribingessentiallythesamething.InhisTreatise
ConcerningGoodWorks,Lutherwrote:
TheFirstCommandmentcommands:“Thoushalthavenoothergods,”whichmeans:“SinceI
aloneamGod,thoushaltplaceallthyconfidencetrustandfaithonMealone,andonnoone
else.”...AllthosewhodonotatalltimestrustGodand...Hisfavor,graceandgood-will,
butseekHisfavorinotherthingsorinthemselves,donotkeepthisCommandment,andpractice
realidolatry....IfwedonotbelievethatGodisgracioustousandispleasedwithus,orifwe
presumptuouslyexpecttopleaseHimonlythroughandafterourworks,thenitisallpure
deception,outwardlyhonoringGod,butinwardlysettingupselfasafalsegod....121
HereLutherarguesthatwhenwefailtobelievethatGodacceptsusfullyinChrist,andlooktosome
otherwaytojustifyorproveourselves,wecommitidolatry.Secularpeoplemaylookfor“favor,grace,
andgoodwill”intheacquisitionofpower,ortheexperienceofpleasure,whilereligiouspeoplemaytrust
intheirmoralvirtueoractsofdevotionorministry.Butallarefundamentallythesameinnertransaction.
Ineachcasetheheartisgiventoacounterfeitgod.
WhenPaulwalkedaroundAthens,hesawthatthe“citywasfullofidols”(Acts17:16).Hewas
speakingofactualphysicalobjects,butoncewegraspthebiblicaldefinitionofidolatry,werealizethat
everycityandindeedeveryhumanheartisfilledwithidols.Theyareliterallyeverywhere.
Idolsarenotonlypervasive,theyarepowerful.WhydotheTenCommandmentsbeginwitha
prohibitionofidolatry?Itis,Lutherargued,becauseweneverbreaktheothercommandmentswithout
breakingthefirst.Forexample,supposeyouknowthatcompletetransparencyinabusinessnegotiation
willyieldyouconsiderablylessleveragethanwillasmallmeasureofdeceit.Inthatsituation,ifyoulie
orobscureinconvenientfacts,itisbecauseyouhavecountedsuccessasmoreimportantthanobedienceto
Godorthegoodofyour“neighbor”withwhomyouarenegotiating.Sobeneaththesinoflyingisthe
deeper,conditioningsinofidolatry.Itcouldbearguedthateverythingwedowrong—everycruelaction,
dishonestword,brokenpromise,self-centeredattitude—stemsfromaconvictiondeepinoursoulsthat
thereissomethingmorecrucialtoourhappinessandmeaningthantheloveofGod.
Idolatryhaspoweroverouractionsbecauseithaspoweroverourhearts.Twenty-two-year-old
Andrewisoutofworkandbrokebecausehe’sterrifiedthatifhetakesajobloadingboxesina
warehousehewillbestuntedforlife—earningminimumwage,doingworkthatonlypeoplebeneathhim
do,losinghisstatusamonghisfriendsasacoolguy,andperhapsevenlosinghisgirlfriend.Hehad
wantedtoplaybaseball,andhenursesthathope,thinkingifhecouldgetbackintocollegebyplaying
baseball,thenhislifewouldbeset.Whenwesetourhopeonanidolinthisway,wearesayingto
ourselves,“IfIhadthat,itwouldfixeverything;thenI’dfeelmylifereallyhadvalue.”Now,ifanything
isour“salvation”wemusthaveit,andsowetreatitasnonnegotiable.Ifcircumstancesthreatentotakeit
away,weareparalyzedwithuncontrollablefear;ifsomethingorsomeonehastakenitaway,weburn
withangerandstrugglewithasenseofdespair.
CulturalandCorporateIdols
Thusfarwehavebeenspeakingofindividualidolsthatdistortourpersonallives.Weknowthatpeople
develop“fatalattractions”forstatusandpower,forapprovalandachievement,forromanceandsexual
pleasure,orforaffluenceandcomfort.Personalidolsprofoundlydriveandshapeourbehavior,including
ourwork.Idolsofcomfortandpleasurecanmakeitimpossibleforapersontoworkashardasis
necessarytohaveafaithfulandfruitfulcareer.Idolsofpowerandapproval,ontheotherhand,canlead
ustooverworkortoberuthlessandunbalancedinourworkpractices.Idolsofcontroltakeseveralforms
—includingintenseworry,lackoftrust,andmicromanagement.Whileweareusuallyblindtoourown
idols,itisnotveryhardtoseetheminothers,andtoseehowothers’counterfeitgodsfillthemwith
anxiety,anger,anddiscouragement.Sotheconceptofindividualidolsisnottoohardforustograsp.
However,idolsarenotonlythebasisforpersonalsinsandproblems;theyarealsothebasisfor
collectiveones.Whenanindividualmakesandservesanidol,itcreatespsychologicaldistortionand
trouble;whenafamily,group,orcountrymakesandservesanidol,itcreatessocialandcultural
trouble.122Tounderstandthisconceptofculturalor“corporate”idols(inthesenseofagroupofpeople,
notinthesenseofabusinessstructure),wemustbeginwithamoreprecisedescriptionofculturethanwe
usedinChapter3.ColumbiaUniversityprofessorAndrewDelbancowrites:
Iwillusethewordculturetomeanthestoriesandsymbolsbywhichwetrytoholdbackthe
melancholysuspicionthatweliveinaworldwithoutmeaning....Anyhistoryofhopein
Americamust,therefore,makeroomatitscenterforthisdoggedcompanionofhope—the
lurkingsuspicionthatallourgettingandspendingamountstonothingmorethanfidgetingwhile
wewaitfordeath.
AllcultureshavethisneedforcontactwithwhatWilliamJamescalledthe“IdealPower”
throughwhichthat“feelingofbeinginawiderlifethanthatofthisworld’slittleinterests”may
bereached....123
EveryculturehasasetofanswerstothequestionsaddressedinthebookofEcclesiastes—questions
suchas“Whatareweheretoaccomplishinourlife?Whatarewegetting,spending,andlivingfor?”
Withoutsomeanswerstothesebigquestions,itisimpossibletoliveandmakedecisions,andevery
cultureisatsomelevelbasedonasetofsharedbeliefsabouthowtoanswerthesequestions.Sowhile
eachindividualneedstoliveforsomething,sodoeseachsociety.Or,putanotherway,everysocietyputs
beforeitsmemberssomeideasorvaluesthatitsayswillgivelifemeaning.
FriedrichNietzscheconcurredthateverysocietyoffersup“ideals”toitsmembers.124Ancient
culturescalledpeopletoliveforGod(orthegods),forfamilyandtribeornation.Modernsocieties
turnedawayfromtheauthoritiesofreligionandtradition,andreplacedthemwiththeauthoritiesofreason
andindividualfreedom.Nietzschewaslookingmainlyatmoderncultures,butheobservedthatall
cultures—evenself-styled“secular”ones—promotemoralabsolutesandtranscendentvaluestowhich
(theysaid)allpeoplemustconformiftheyaretohaveworthormeaning.Theseculturalidealsaretruly
idolsinthebiblicalsense;theyarenotcommendedassimplygoodideas.Rather,theyaretreatedasholy
andunassailable,andpromotedwithreligiousfervorandpassion.Theyaresaidtobestowhappinessand
fulfillment(earthlyformsofsalvation).Allpeopleareobligedtoservetheseideals,andthosewho
despisethemarethemselvestoberejected.Sowhileancientculturesostracizedanyonewhodisbelieved
inthegods,modernculturecastigatesanyonewhoisthoughtguiltyofbigotryorappearstobeanenemy
ofequalityandindividualfreedom.125
Ifeveryculturehasitsidols,howdotheyinfluencehowwedoourwork?Keepinginmindthatan
idolisagoodthingturnedintoanultimatething,thenacorporateidolisanoveremphasisand
absolutizingofanadmirableculturaltrait.Weshouldexpect,then,thateachculture’semphaseshave
somebeneficialinfluencesonworkandyetatthesametimeharmfullydistortit.Christiansseekingto
workfaithfullyandwellmustdiscerntheshapeoftheidolsfunctioningintheirprofessionsandindustries
soastobothaffirmthebeneficialaspectsandoffsettheexcessesanddistortions.
Sowhatkindsofcorporateandculturalidolsarethere?Keepinginmindtheinevitabilityof
overgeneralizationinsuchabrieftreatment,Iwillprovideanoverviewoftheprevailingidolsofthe
threedominantculturesofWesternhistory:traditional,modern,andpostmodern.Innearlyeveryfieldof
work,youwillencounteramixtureofthesesetsofculturalidols,becausetheywillhaveinfluencedthe
founders,heroes,leaders,andinnovatorsofthedominantinstitutionsindiversewaysoverthecourseof
generations.
IdolsofTraditionalCultures
Aswejustmentioned,traditionalculturesinthepastandpresentunderstandtheworldtocontainmoral
absolutesthatareknownmainlythroughtraditionandreligion.Wisdomispasseddownfromone
generationtothenextthroughfiguresofauthoritysuchasparents,priests,andrulers.Suchculturesteach
theirmembersthattheirliveshavemeaningiftheyassumeandarefaithfultotheirdutiesandroleswithin
thecommunity—assonsanddaughters,asfathersandmothers,andasmembersoftheirtribeandnation.
Insuchcultures,family,race,andnationcanbecomedangerouslyparamount.
Thisisthebasisforhonorkillingsinsuchcultures,wheresomemembersofafamilykillamember
perceivedtobringdishonorontheclan.Thiselevationoffamilyintraditionalculturesoftenresultsin
minimalsupportandrecoursetothevictimsofspousalandchildabuse.Thisalsohelpsusunderstand
whyJapanesesoldiersinWorldWarIIdespisedAlliedprisonersofwarwho,theyreasoned,hadput
theirownindividuallivesaheadofthenationbynotfightingtothedeath.Allofthesepracticesseem
almostimpossibletounderstandforthoseofusincontemporaryWesternsocieties.
Nonetheless,inWesternsocietieswehavestillstruggledmightilywiththeidolsofraceandracism.
AmericantheologianReinholdNiebuhrunderstoodthatthetendencytoprivilegetheinterestsofone’s
owntribeornationoverothersisduetothe“cosmicinsecurity”ofoursinfulhearts.126Thisinsecurity
fixesonracetobolsteroursenseofvalue.Weseedifferencesbetweenourowncultureandthoseof
othersinhighlymoralisticterms;welookdownonotherracessowecanthinkofourselvesassuperior.
Thisidolcaneasilygrowintosomethingverycruel.Asaresult,itispossibletomakenationalsecurityor
culturalandracialpurityintoanendinitself,justifyingmilitarismanddomesticoppressionoratleast
indifferencetotheplightofminorities.
Theidolatriesofmoretraditionalplacesandculturesalsoaffectourwork.Theidolofracecanmean
thatmanybusinessesareclosedtopeopleandideasfromculturallyandraciallydifferentbackgrounds—
totheoveralldetrimentofthecompany’scompetitivenessandthecommunity’shealth.Theidolof
nationalism,ofcourse,hasledindustrialiststosupportmilitaristicprogramsthatmayhaveseemed
patrioticatthetime,butinhindsightruinedtheirreputationforalltime.
Traditionalculturesmakeidolsoutofsocialstabilityandthegoodofthewholeovertherightsofthe
individual.Thishasamajorimpactonbusinesspractices.InJapan,stilllargelyatraditionalculture,it
hasnotbeenacceptableeitherforworkerstomovefromcompanytocompanyinordertofindabetter
salary,orforcompaniestolayworkersofftosustainprofits.Untiltheturnofthiscentury,theJapanese
idealhadbeenlifelongemployment—employeeswereexpectedtostaywiththesamecompanytheir
entirelives.Inatraditionalculture,theprofitmotiveofbusinessisaccompaniedbyastrongsocial
obligationtoprovidejobsforpeople.Employeesarelessconcernedwiththeirownpaythanwiththe
statusandreputationofthecompanywheretheyareemployed.
Therearecertainlysomebenefitstothisemphasisonloyaltyandsocialstability.However,itcanalso
leadtoexploitationofworkers,whoareoftenstigmatizediftheymake(whatWesterncultureswouldsee
as)justdemandsforincreasedsalaryandbenefits.Italsocanleadtoeconomicdevastationduring
economicdownturns.ANewYorkTimesarticleduringthe1992recession,“NoLayoffIdealCostsJapan
Dearly,”explainedhowduringdownturnsU.S.companiesareabletomorequicklyrecoverfinancial
health—andthereforeprovidejobsformorepeopleinthelongrun—byreducingstaff.TheJapanese
idealledtomanycompaniescompletelycollapsinganddoingevenmoredamagetopeople’slives
becausetheirculturedidnotfeelfreetomakethehardcalloflayoffs.127
IdolsofModernCultures
GreatchangesoccurredinWesternsocietiesapproximatelyfivehundredyearsago.Withtheriseof
modernscienceandthephilosophicalmovementcalledtheEnlightenment,modernsocietydethronedthe
idolsofreligion,tribe,andtradition—replacingthemwithreason,empiricism,andindividualfreedomas
theultimatevaluesthatoverruleallothers.
Themodernvalueof“reason”includesseveralelements.Oneistheidealofprogress,embodiedin
theunstoppableforwardmarchofscienceandtechnology.Modernsocietiesadopted“theconvictionthat
thediffusionofscienceandtechnologywouldbringhappierdaysandthathistoryandpoliticsmustbe
shapedby[this]ideal.”128Itwassaidthatsciencealonehasarigorous,empiricalmethodthatresultsin
proof,notmerelyspeculationorfeeling.Alsointhemodernworldview,absolutelyeverythinghasa
naturalandthereforephysicalcause.Atthepopularlevelthisviewstillhasenormousculturalauthority.
Mostpeopledonotventuretomakeacaseinthepublicsquarewithoutrelyingon“scientificevidence,”
whichisseenasobjectiveandunassailable.Theimplicitideaisthatscience,givenenoughtime,willbe
abletoanswerallquestionsandsolveallproblems.129Scientificmethodshaveextendedbeyondthe
physicalandsocialsciencesintotherealmsofmarketing,politics,entertainment.Modernculturestopped
lookingtothewisdomoftheancientsortoanyrevelationfromreligiousauthoritiesexceptforoptional,
private“spiritual”comfort.Tobuildaflourishingsociety,weneedonlyhumanreasoninformedbythe
scientificmethod.
Closelyrelatedtothisradicalnewhopeinhumanreasonwastheabsolutizingofindividualfreedom.
Modernsocietiesnolongersawtheworldascontainingbindingmoralnormsoftruthtowhichallpeople
mustsubmit.Rather,theyinsistedthattherewasnostandardhigherthantherightoftheindividualto
choosethelifeheorshewantedtolive.Theonlymoralwrong,inthisview,wastokeepother
individualsfromchoosingtoliveastheyfoundfulfilling.Thatmeantthat,ultimately,therewasnomoral
authorityorcausehigherthanthehappinessoftheself.130Asmanyhavepointedout,thismade“choice”
andfeelingsintosomethingsacredandholy.Inthemodernworld,“now,theindividualwasthecenterof
theuniverse,andthecreaturebeyondallelseentitledtoabsoluterespect.”131Inotherwords,thehuman
selfhadreplacedGod.
Theidolsofmodernculturehavehadaprofoundinfluenceontheshapeofourworktoday.In
traditionalsocietiespeoplefoundtheirmeaningandsenseofvaluebysubmittingtheirinterestsand
sacrificingtheirdesirestoservehighercauseslikeGod,family,andotherpeople.Inmodernsocieties
thereisoftennohighercausethanindividualinterestsanddesires.Thisshiftpowerfullychangedtherole
ofworkinpeople’slives—itnowbecamethewaywedefinedourselves.Traditionalculturestendedto
seepeople’splaceonthesocialladderasassignedbynatureorconvention,eachfamilyhavingits
“properplace.”Thatviewhadputtoolittlestockintheroleofindividualtalent,ambition,andhardwork
fordeterminingtheoutcomeofone’slife.Butmodernsocietyrespondedbyputtingtoomuchstockinthe
autonomousperson.PhilosopherLucFerryexplainshowthenewindividualismofmodernsociety
influencedourwork:
Inthearistocratic[traditional]world-view,workwasconsideredadefect,aservileactivity—
literally,reservedforslaves.Inthemodernworld-view,itbecomesanarenaforself-
realization,ameansnotonlyofeducatingoneselfbutalsooffulfillment....Workbecomesthe
definingactivityofman....Hisaimistocreatehimselfbyremakingtheworld....132
Sothemodernidolofindividualismhastendedtoraiseworkfrombeingagoodthingtobeingnearly
aformofsalvation.Atthesametime,themodernidolsofreasonandempiricismintensifiedthework
experiencebycreatingapressureforhigherproductionthanhadeverbeenappliedbefore.Neartheend
ofthenineteenthcentury,FrederickTaylordeveloped“ScientificManagement,”whichwascalledthe
“rationalization”ofproduction.133Itwastheintenseapplicationofscientificmethodstobusiness
processestogeneratemaximumefficiency.
Atthetime,laborersinthefactoriestakenoverbyTaylor’smethodsreactedwithfury.Theyfelt
dehumanized—sinceallpersonaldiscretionandinitiativewastakenoutoftheirhands—anddrivenlike
slaves.Taylor’ssystemvaluedeverytaskbeingsimplified,standardized,andexecutedwithabsolute
uniformityeverytime.Asmanyhavepointedout,thisishowmachineswork.PeterDrucker,theforemost
criticofTaylor’sapproacharguedthattheextremerationalizationofworkdidindeedtreathumanbeings
likecogsinamechanism.“Machines,”hewrote,“workbestiftheydoonlyonetask,iftheydoit
repetitively,andiftheydothesimplestpossibletask....[But]thehumanbeing...isaverypoorly
designedmachinetool.Thehumanbeingexcels...incoordination.Heexcelsinrelatingperceptionto
action.Heworksbestiftheentirehumanbeing,muscles,senses,andmindisengagedinthework.”134
Istheinfluenceofmodernidolspositiveforourworktoday?Theanswerissomewhatyesbut
ultimatelyno.Modernidolsbestowedgreaterdignityonsomekindsofworkthanhadexistedinancient
cultures,andinthissenseitcameclosertothehighregardtheBiblehasforlabor,butitovershotthemark
inmanyways.Wearefarmoreefficientandproductivethanweusedtobe,butthisprogresshascomeat
agreatcost.Myowngrandfather’sexperiencewasagoodcasestudyofthemixtureofgoodandevil
broughttotherealmofworkinthemodernage.BorninItalyin1880intoatraditionalcultureanda
familyofpotters,hetoldhisfatherthathedidn’twanttofollowinhiscareerfootsteps.Hewastoldthatit
wouldbeimpossibleinthatstratifiedsocietytogetanotherjoborevenmovetoanothervillage.In
responseheemigratedtoAmericain1897,afarmoremodernsocietyallowingasocialmobility
unthinkableinhishomeland.TherehebegantoworkonthesubwaysunderNewYorkCityundergrueling
conditionsthatdemandedhighproductivitybutprovidednosafety,asituationthatwouldnothave
happenedtohiminhisownvillage.AfteralmostlosingaleginaworkaccidenthemovedtoWilmington,
Delaware,wherethroughhisabilitytostarthisownbutchershop—whichalsowouldhavebeenunlikely
inhisownvillage—heestablishedhimselfinhisnewcountry.Withinhislifetimehewasliberated,
dashed,andrehabilitatedbytheeffectsofmodernculture.
IdolsofPostmodernCultures
BeginningwiththewritingsofthephilosopherFriedrichNietzscheinthelatterhalfofthenineteenth
century,anewculturalshiftbegantooccurinWesternsocieties.135Longbeforethehorrorsoftheworld
wars,Nietzschedeclaredthattheideathatsciencewillleadtoinevitablehumanprogresswasanidol—a
newquasi-religiousfaith—andthatithadnogroundinginreality.Sciencecantellusonlywhatis,never
howthingsoughttobe.Humanbeingsarecapableofkindnessandunselfishnessbutalsoofcrueltyand
violence,andsciencewillsimplyservetheinterestsofwhoeverisinpower.Thereisnoparticular
reason,hepointedout,tothinksciencewillsomehowleadustoabetterworld.Itcouldjustaseasily
leadusintoableakfuturethrougharmedconflict,oranecologicaldisaster,ortheriseoftyrantswhouse
technologyforpowerfulsocialcontrol.
Nietzschestruckablownotonlytothemodernidolofreasonandscience,butalsotothenewmodern
moralityofindividualrightsandfreedom.Withgreatforce,hepointedoutthedeepinconsistencyofthe
modernview.Modernculturetellsustherearenomoralabsolutesandeveryonemustchoosehisorher
ownstandardforrightandwrong,yetitthenturnsandsayswemustrespecthumanrightsandhonorthe
freedomanddignityofeveryhumanbeing.“Butonwhatbasis?”Nietzschewouldask.Ifthereareno
moralabsolutes,thenhowcanyouarbitrarilydeclarethatthereare?Ifhumanbeingsaresimplythe
productofthesamenaturalprocessesthatformedrustandrocks,whydoeseverypersondeservetobe
treatedwithequalityanddignity?
ThoughNietzsche’sargumentsweredeeplydisturbing,hisbasicpointswereverytelling,andinso
manywaysthedisastersandatrocitiesofthetwentiethcenturyonlyseemedtobearthemout.Asaresult,
despitethefactthatinWesternsocietythereisstillastronglatentinfluencefromtraditionalworldviews
suchasChristianity,alongwithmuchoftheoldermodernoptimismaboutscience,progress,andhuman
freedom,therehasbeenapervasiveshiftcalledthe“postmodernturn.”Itismoreamoodthanacoherent
setofbeliefs.Thereisfarmorecynicismaboutalltruthclaimsandplansforsociety—botholder
traditionalonesandmoremodern,liberalones.Moviesandnovelsaboutthefutureinthemid-twentieth
centuryoftendepictedahumansocietyfilledwithunceasingprogressinhealth,education,scientific
knowledge,andsocialharmony.Todaynearlyallmoviesandnovelsarefarmorepessimisticandnarrate
allsortsofdystopianoutcomes.
DespiteNietzsche’sprogramtoridthecultureofidols,manyhavepointedoutthatultimately
postmodernthoughtmakesanidoloutofrealityasitis.WriterssuchasEdwardDocx,inhisarticle
“PostmodernismIsDead,”laysoutthiscriticismwell.Hepointsoutthatifallmoralclaimsarereally
justpowerplaysandtheproductofone’ssocialandculturallocation,aspostmoderntheoristsargue,then
itbecomesimpossibletocritiqueanyconditioninasociety.Noonehasanyabilitytomountaprogramof
reformordenounceinjustice.Postmodernismenshrinesthepresentreality,then,asanabsolute.136
ThemostprominentcriticofNietzscheandtheresultsofpostmodernismwastheGermanphilosopher
MartinHeidegger.Heidentifiedtheidolofourculturetodaywhenhecalledus“theworldof
technology.”LucFerryexplainsHeidegger’spoint:
Beforeallelse,techniqueconcernsmeansandnotends....Insteadofbeinginspiredby
transcendentalideas...themoderneconomyfunctionslikeDarwiniannaturalselection....No
one[today]canbereasonablyconvincedthatthisteeminganddisruptiveevolutionary
impulse...leadsinfalliblytowhatisbetter....Forthefirsttimeinthehistoryoflife,aliving
speciesholdsthemeanstodestroytheentireplanet,andthisspeciesdoesnotknowwhereitis
going.137
Heidegger,Docx,andotherssuchasJacquesEllul138aresayingthattechnology,uncertainty,andthe
markethavebecometheidolsofapostmodernsociety.Becauseinpostmodernsocietynooneissureor
canagreeabout“ends”orgoalsforthehumanrace,wenowhaveonly“means”ortechniques.Sincethere
isnolongeranydominantvisionofhealthyhumanlifeorgoodhumansociety,weareleftwithnothingbut
individualcompetitionforpersonalsuccessandpower.Ifsomethingcanbedonethroughtechnology,it
willbedone,becauseourtechnologyhasnohigheridealsormoralvaluestoguideitorlimitit.
Theresultingfragmentationofsocietycausedbythepostmodernturnisitselfapervasivetopicof
debateintheacademy.BothRobertBellahandAndrewDelbancoarguethecasethatanycohesivesociety
needstogiveindividualssomethingbiggerandgreaterthanthemselvestolivefor.Delbancoarguesthat,
ironically,theheydayofthenewLeftinthe1960sandofthenewRightinthe1980s“cooperatedin
installinginstantgratificationasthehallmarkofthegoodlife....Whatwaslost...wasanyconception
ofacommondestinyworthtears,sacrifice,andmaybeevendeath.”139
Delbancoagreeswithotherswhosaythatintheend,postmodernidolscauseindividualstobecome
dupesofadvertisers—fallinginto“unconsciousconformitywithotherinterchangeableproductsofthe
marketplace.”140Manywritersargueconvincinglythatthevaluesofthemarket—consumerismandcost-
benefitefficiencies—arenowspreadingintoeverypartoflife,evenfamilylife.Thisisbecausemodern
capitalismisnolongersimplyausefulinstrumentforthedistributionofgoodsandservices,buthas
becomeanear-absoluteidol.141AndeveninthemostsuccessfulcapitalistsocietieslikethatoftheUnited
States,manyrecognizetheculturalcontradictionthatconsumerismtendstounderminetheveryvirtuesof
self-controlandresponsibilityonwhichcapitalismisfounded.142
Howdoesthisshiftingofmoodandmeaningaffectourworknow?Ispoketoaman,nowinhis
eighties,whowasoneofthepioneersofthehedgefundindustry.Hetoldmethatinthelate1950sand
mostofthe1960s,thegreatmajorityofthebestandthebrightestdidnotwanttogointofinancialservices
—theywantedtogointoeducationandscience.Theywantedtoteachtheyoung,putpeopleonthemoon,
andsolveworldhunger.Andtheleadingvoicesofthedaytoldthemtheycoulddoit.Atsomepointbythe
late1980shesensedachangeinsociety.Therewasfarlessoptimismaboutsocialprogressorevenhow
todefineit.Peopleweredividedbytheculturewars.Cynicismsetin,andovertimethemostambitious
andtalentedpeoplewantedtogointobusinessandfinance.Theperceptionwasthatunlessyouwerea
highlypaidprofessional,youcouldnotliveafulfilled,freelife.“It’snothealthy,”hetoldme,andhewas
right.Hewasagreeingwiththeanalysesofthephilosophersandscholars,butratherthanobservingan
ideologicaltrend,hesawhowtheshiftplayedoutconcretelyinyoungadults’careerchoices.Hewasold
enoughtoseetheshiftfromalargelymoderntoamorepostmodernunderstandingofwork.
Themostobviouseffectofthepostmodern“means-without-an-end”idolatry(atthetimeofthis
writing)isthewidespreaddeception,fraud,andself-interestedactionsoffinancialcompanies,revealed
intherecessionof2008anditsaftermath.NaomiWolf,writingintheBritishdailynewspaperThe
Guardian,reviewedwhatcouldbeseenjustinthenewspaperheadlinesofJuneandJuly2012.Shegoes
downthelist:BarclaysBankandotherscolludingtomanipulateinterestrates;theHSBCbankinggroup
finedonebilliondollarsfornotpreventingmoneylaundering(“ahighlyprofitableactivitynotto
prevent”)between2004and2010;215milliondollarsofcustomermoney“missing”atPeregrineCapital,
whosefounderfacescriminalchargesafterasuicideattempt;WellsFargoagreeingtopay175million
dollarsinfinesfor(“again,verylucratively”)automaticallychargingAfricanAmericanandHispanic
mortgageescostlierratesontheirsubprimemortgagesthanwhitepeoplewithidenticalcreditratings.
BankofAmericaandSunTrustwerealsofinedforthesamepractice.The2008recessionitself,of
course,wastriggeredbybankersprofitingfromthesalesofenormousnumbersofmortgagesthatwere
packagedinwaysthatconcealedtheirlowunderlyingvalue.
TheconclusionofthissadlitanyisfoundinthesubtitleofWolf’sarticle:“Themedia’s‘badapple’
thesisnolongerworks.We’reseeingsystemiccorruptioninbanking—andsystemiccollusion.”143
Thosewithmorepoliticallyliberalsensibilitiesarequicktoperceivethepostmodernidolsof“means
withoutends”intheareaofbusiness.Theyarenotassensitivetotheevenmorepervasiveproblemthat
wenowgetasenseofselfnotfromourrolesinfamilyandsociety,butasconsumers.Weareencouraged
tocreateapersonathroughthebrandswechoosetopurchaseandtheidentityweareabletoconstructfor
ourselvesonline.
Thisphenomenonhasanespeciallyprofoundimpactonthefieldsofmedia,entertainment,and
marketing.Ihavespokentomanyofmychurchmembersinmarketingandadvertisingabouttheshiftaway
fromadvertisingthebenefitsofproductsinfavorofadvertisingalifestorythatpromisestheconsumeran
enhancedidentityandahigherqualityoflife.YalephilosopherNicholasWolterstorffobservesthat
modernculturedefinesthehappylifeasalifethatis“goingwell”—fullofexperientialpleasure—while
totheancients,thehappylifemeantthelifethatislivedwell,withcharacter,courage,humility,love,and
justice.144Soallwhoworkinmarketingandpromotionwillbeexpectedtopromisepeoplenotmerely
thattheirproductswillworksatisfactorily,butalsothattheywillbringthemhappiness.
Ispoketoamanandwomanwhobothwereadvertisingexecutivesandwerethinkingofleavingtheir
respectivecompanies.Thewoman’sfirmhadjusttwomajorclients,andbothwerecosmeticscompanies.
“Themessagetheywantmetosendaboutourproducts—thatthiswillhelpyoufinallyfindloveandlove
yourself—istoxic.”Themanworkedforanagencywithasportscarcompanyforaclient.Hewasunder
pressure,notforthefirsttime,tomarkethiscarasameanstosexappeal.Bothworkerspushedbackand
gotstrongresistanceinreturn.Themankepthisjobbecausehechangedthemessagefrom“sexappeal”to
“high-performancevehicle”anddiditsoskillfullyandcompellinglythattheclientandhiscompanywere
satisfied.Thewoman,however,didnotsucceedandhadtoleaveherfirm,goingintobusinessforherself.
Christiansagreethatwhenwesellandmarket,weneedtoshowpotentialcustomersthataproduct
“addsvalue”totheirlives.Thatdoesn’tmeanitcangivethemalife.ButbecauseChristianshavea
deeperunderstandingofhumanwell-being,wewilloftenfindourselvesswimmingagainsttheverystrong
currentsofthecorporateidolsofourculture.
FindingHopeforOurWork
Wehavebeendescribingwhatworkwasdesignedtobeandwhathasgonewrongwithit.Evenifwefind
ourselvesdoingthekindofworkwewantandinthebestsortsofworkenvironments,thebrokennatureof
workseemsoverwhelming.“Whathopeisthereforwork?Howcanweputworkright?”wemayask.
HowdowelookpastthedeepproblemsandrealizeGod’spurposeandplan?Isthatarealisticgoal,oris
itjustaniceideathathasnobearingontomorrow’smeetingornextyear’scareerchange?
Wecanbegintoanswerthesequestionsonlybyfirstsettlingonesurefact:Nothingwillbeput
perfectlyright,asSt.Paulsays,untilthe“dayofChrist”attheendofhistory(Philippians1:6;3:12).Until
thenallcreation“groans”(Romans8:22)andissubjecttodecayandweakness.Soworkwillbeput
completelyrightonlywhenheavenisreunitedwithearthandwefindourselvesinour“truecountry.”To
talkaboutfullyredeemingworkissometimesnaïvete,sometimeshubris.
Yetallisnotlost.Thetranscendenthopedepictedsopoignantlyin“LeafbyNiggle,”andtheecstatic
visionofwhatcreativeendeavorwillthenbelike,cangoalongwaytohelpingusworkwithsatisfaction
withinthelimitsofthisworld.TheChristiangospeldecidedlyfurnishesuswiththeresourcesformore
inspired,realistic,satisfying,andfaithfulworktoday.How?
First,thegospelprovidesanalternatestorylineforourwork;thisisvitalbecauseallworkis
propelledbyaworldvieworanarrativeaccountofwhathumanlifeisallaboutandwhatwillhelpus
thrive.
Second,theChristianfaithgivesusanewandrichconceptionofworkaspartneringwithGodinhis
loveandcarefortheworld.Thisbiblicalconceptionhelpsusappreciateallwork,fromthemostsimple
tothemostcomplex,bybothbelieversandnonbelievers.SoChristianswhograspabiblicaltheologyof
worklearnnotonlytovalueandparticipateintheworkofallpeoplebuttoalsoseewaystowork
distinctivelyasChristians.
Third,thegospelgivesusaparticularlysensitivenewmoralcompass,throughahostofsoundethical
guidelinestohelpusmakedecisions,aswellaswisecounselabouthumanhearts.
Finally,thegospelradicallychangesourmotivesforworkandfillsuswithanewanddurableinner
powerthatwillbewithusthroughthickandthin.145
Mostbooksandprogramsthathelppeopleintegratetheirfaithwiththeirworktendtofocusononly
oneortwoofthesefactors.Some,forexample,emphasizethefirst.Theytakeasomewhatacademictack
andconstitutetheologicalprinciplesintoa“Christianapproach”toart,government,economics,andso
on.Someconcentratealmostcompletelyonthesecond.Theyfearthatanoveremphasisonabiblical
worldviewinworkleadstotriumphalismandfailstoappreciateGod’sbroadprovidentialactivity.
Otherstakeamorepersonalandexperientialapproach,invitingpeopletoencounterChristinanewway
andemphasizingtheinnerpowerthatcomesfromagospel-transformedheart.Stillothersfearthatfocus
oninner-hearttransformationputsalltheweightonpersonalpeaceandsuccessandignoresthesocial-
justiceimplicationsofthegospel,inwhichChristiansareresponsibletoserveothersthroughtheirwork.
Butalloftheseemphasesandconcernsarecorrect—andinthefinalpartofthebook,weseektoshow
thattheyareultimatelycomplementaryandverypractical.IndeedoneofthereasonstheBible’sviewof
workissocompellingandsohelpfulinallcultures,socialsettings,andvocationsisbecauseitissorich
andmultidimensional.
PARTTHREE
TheGospelandWork
NINE
ANewStoryforWork
Sowhetheryoueatordrinkorwhateveryoudo,doitallforthegloryofGod.
1Corinthians10:31
MakingSenseoftheWorld
Peoplecannotmakesenseofanythingwithoutattachingittoastoryline.AftertheattacksofSeptember
11,2001,noonementionedtheeventwithoutplacingitintosomekindofnarrativestructure.Somesaid,
“ThisistheresultofAmerica’sabuseofitsimperialpowerintheworld.”Otherssaid,“Therearemany
evilpeopleouttherewhohateusbecauseweareagoodandfreecountry.”Dependingonwhichstoryyou
believed,youwouldbeassociatedwiththeantagonistsortheprotagonists,andyourresponse—both
emotionsandactions—wouldbecompletelydifferent.
AclassicillustrationoftheneedforstoriescomesfromphilosopherAlasdairMacIntyreinhisbook
AfterVirtue.Heasksthatyouimagineyouarestandingatabusstopwhenayoungmanyoudonotknow
comesuptoyouandsays,“ThenameofthecommonwildduckisHistrionicushistrionicus
histrionicus.”Eventhoughyouunderstandthesentence,hisactionmakesnosense.Whatdoesitmean?
Theonlywaytomakesenseofitistotrytolearnthestoryintowhichthiseventfits.Perhapstheyoung
manismentallyill;thatwouldexplainit.Orwhatifyesterdaysomeoneofyourgender,age,height,and
generalappearancehadapproachedtheyoungmaninthelibrary,askinghimtheLatinwordforthewild
duck,andtodayhehadmistakenyouforthatperson?Thatwouldexplainittoo.Orperhapstheyoungman
isaforeignspy“waitingataprearrangedrendezvousandutteringtheill-chosencodesentencewhichwill
identifyhimtohiscontact.”Thefirststoryissad,thesecondiscomic,andthethirdisdramatic.Butthe
pointis,withoutahandleonthestory,there’snowaytounderstandthemeaningofwhathappenedandno
waytoknowhowtoanswertheman.146
Ifyoucallthepolicewhenitwasasimplecaseofmistakenidentity,itwillbeveryembarrassing.If
youpickafightwithsomeonewhoisatrainedassassin,theresultwillbeevenworse!Butinanycase,if
yougetthestorywrong,yourresponsewillbewrong.Andifyougetthestoryoftheworldwrong—if,for
example,youseelifehereasmainlyaboutself-actualizationandself-fulfillmentratherthantheloveof
God—youwillgetyourliferesponseswrong,includingthewayyougoaboutyourwork.
StoriesandWorldviews
Whataretheelementsofastory?Whiletherearemanygoodscholarlyanalysesofnarrativestructure,
hereisasimplewaytoputit.147Astorybeginswhensomethingknockslifeoffbalance.Thenthestory
progresses,ortheplot“thickens,”astheprotagonistsstruggletorestorethatbalanceandpeacewhile
antagonisticforcesblockandresistthem.Finally,thestoryendsasthestruggleresultsineitherthe
restorationofbalanceorthefailuretorecoverit.
Soforastorytobeastory,theremustbeaproblemthatmakeslifenotasitoughttobe.Ifwesay,
“LittleRedRidingHoodtooksomefoodtohergrandmotherandtheyateittogether,”wemighthavea
charmingdescription,butitishardlyastory,sinceithasnoplot.148Astorymustalsohavesomeconcept
andpossibilityofthingsbeingputright.“LittleRedRidingHoodwasathergrandmother’shouse,buta
wolfbrokeinandatethemboth”—amoredramaticsetoffacts,butagain,it’snotastory.Soastorymust
haveanaccountofhowlifeshouldbe,anexplanationofhowitgotthrownoffbalance,andsome
proposedsolutionastowhatwillputliferightagain.
Now,thesignificanceofstoriesisthis.Whilemanystoriesareoftennomorethanentertainment,
narrativesareactuallysofoundationaltohowwethinkthattheydeterminehowweunderstandandlive
lifeitself.Theterm“worldview,”fromtheGermanwordWeltanschauung,meansthecomprehensive
perspectivefromwhichweinterpretallofreality.Butaworldviewisnotmerelyasetofphilosophical
bulletpoints.Itisessentiallyamasternarrative,afundamentalstoryabout(a)whathumanlifeinthe
worldshouldbelike,(b)whathasknockeditoffbalance,and(c)whatcanbedonetomakeitright.149
Noonecanreallyfunctionintheworldwithoutsomeworkinganswerstothosebigquestions,andso,to
providethoseanswers,weadoptaworld-story,anarrativethatexplainsthings—aworldview.
Everyoneknowsthatthingsinthisworldareseriouslyoutofwhack.Nooneclaimsthathisorher
ownlifeisasitshouldbe,letalonethewholeworld.Thereissomethingwrongwithinus.Nothingever
seemstomakeushappyorfulfilledexceptinthemostfleetingway.Thereisalsowrongamongus.The
worldisfilledwithpoverty,war,suffering,andinjustice.Somethingseemstohaveknockedthewhole
worldoffbalance.Butwhatisit?Whodeservestheblame?Andwhatisthesolution?Assoonasyou
begintoanswerthesequestions,youarriveatastorythatyouwillbegintoliveout.Wearewiredto
movethroughourliveschasingandrehearsingnarrativesthatwillpromisetobringtheworldbackinto
balance.
MacIntyrearguesthathumanactionsare“enactednarrative.”Allpeoplearelivingoutsomemental
world-storythatgivestheirlivesmeaning.150Thatstorymaybeaboutthestruggleofajustcauselike
savingtheenvironment,oryourpersonalquesttofindtrueloveortobesuccessfuldespiteadversesocial
originsandexpectations.Orperhapsthestoryisoneoffreedomandequality,inwhichyouarebringinga
familyfromanoppressivesituationintoanewcountryandnewlife.Maybethedramaisoneinwhichyou
forgeyourownuniquesexual,cultural,orpoliticalidentityagainsttheprejudicesofothers.Ineachcase
youareputtingyourselfintoalargerstorythatassumestheworldwouldbeabetterplaceifmorepeople
weredoingwhatyouweredoing.Youmaybelievetheworldwouldbedramaticallyimprovedif
everyonewerefree-spiritedandprogressiveandwillingtodefyoppressivetraditions.Orperhapsyou
thinktheworldwouldbefarbetteroffifwewerestandingforprovenmoralabsolutes.Ineachcase,the
personassumesheorsheisaprotagonist,oneofthegoodpeoplecontributingtothewaytheworldought
tobe.
Worldviews,however,arenotprivateorunique.Infact,wholegroupsandcultureshavetheirown
preferredworld-storywithgenerallyacceptedanswerstothebigquestionsandsharedidolsthatheighten
thedrama.LeslieStevenson’sclassicbook,SevenTheoriesofHumanNature,listsinfluentialviewsof
humannaturepioneeredbyprominentthinkerswhoinfluencedwholesocieties.Platosawourmain
problemasbeingthephysicalbodyanditsweakness;forMarxitwasunjusteconomicsystems;forFreud
itwasinnerunconsciousconflictsbetweendesireandconscience;forSartreitwasnotrealizingweare
completelyfreesincetherearenoobjectivevalues;forB.F.Skinneritwasnotrealizingweare
completelydeterminedbyourenvironment;andforKonradLorenzitwasourinnateaggressionbecause
ofourevolutionarypast.151Eachofthesetheoriesisreallyastory—ofwhatiswrongwithusandwhat
wecandoaboutit.Andeachoftheseviewsofrealityhasbeenenormouslypowerful,influencing
societiesandfieldsofinquiryandwork.Whenanyoneoftheseworldviewsgripstheimaginationofa
culture,ithasaprofoundinfluenceonhowlifeislived,evenforthosewhodonotacceptthatworldview.
Oneofthemainplacesthatwepersonallyliveoutthedramaofourpersonalandsocialnarrativesis
inourdailywork.Ourworldviewplacesourworkinthecontextofahistory,acause,aquest,andaset
ofprotagonistsandantagonists,andinsodoingitframesthestrategyofourworkatahighlevel.Ata
day-to-daylevel,ourworldviewwillshapeourindividualinteractionsanddecisions.
Aswereadintheforeword,KatherineAlsdorfwasgivenanewstory—thegospel—thatwas
differentfromthedominantstoryofSiliconValley,whichevangelizedferventlyandoptimisticallyabout
thepoweroftechnologytochangetheworldforthebetter.Theadvertisingexecutiveswementionedin
thelastchapterworkedamidastoryinwhichself-expression,sexualpleasure,andaffluencewerethe
meaningoflife,andsurvivalofthefittestwasjustthewaylifeworks.Thegospel,however,teachesthat
themeaningoflifeistoloveGodandloveourneighbor,andthattheoperatingprincipleisservanthood.
Thesecontrastsmaysoundatfirstratherhighandabstract,buttheybecameverypracticalwhenthesetwo
executivescraftedmessagesintheiradvertising.
TheGospelandOtherWorldviews
Wehavesaidthatanyworldviewconsistsofposingandansweringthreequestions:
1.Howarethingssupposedtobe?
2.Whatisthemainproblemwiththingsastheyare?
3.Whatisthesolutionandhowcanitberealized?
Stevenson’sbookonhumannatureincludesChristianityamongits“theories,”buttheauthorpointsout
howdifferentChristianityisfromthealternatives.Heobservesthat“IfGodhasmademanforfellowship
withHimself,andifmanhasturnedawayandbrokenhisrelationshiptoGod,thenonlyGodcanforgive
manandrestoretherelationship.”152Inotherwords,thebiblicalworldviewuniquelyunderstandsthe
nature,problem,andsalvationofhumankindasfundamentallyrelational.Weweremadefora
relationshipwithGod,welostourrelationshipwithGodthroughsinagainsthim,andwecanbebrought
backintothatrelationshipthroughhissalvationandgrace.
Plato,Marx,andFreudidentifysomepartofthecreatedworldasthemainproblemandsomeother
partofthecreatedworldasthemainsolution.Theprotagonistsandantagonistsoftheirrespectiveworld-
storiesareplayedbyfinitethings.Thus,Marxismassumesthatourproblemscomefromgreedycapitalists
whowon’tsharethemeansofeconomicproductionwiththepeople.Thesolutionisatotalitarianstate.
Freud,ontheotherhand,believedthatourproblemscomefromrepressionofdeepdesiresforpleasure.
Thevillainsareplayedbytherepressivemoral“gatekeepers”insociety,likethechurch.Thesolutionis
theunrepressedfreedomoftheindividual.Manypeoplehaveaworldviewthattosomedegreeis
indebtedtotheGreeksandPlato.Theythinktheproblemwiththeworldrestsinundisciplined,selfish
peoplewhowon’tsubmittotraditionalmoralvaluesandresponsibilities.Thesolutionisa“revival”of
religion,morality,andvirtueinsociety.
PhilosopherAlWolterswrites:
ThegreatdangeristoalwayssingleoutsomeaspectofGod’sgoodcreationandidentifyit,
ratherthanthealienintrusionofsin,asthevillain.Suchanerrorconceivesofthegood-evil
dichotomyasintrinsictothecreationitself...somethinginthegoodcreationisidentifiedas
[thesource]ofevil.Inthecourseofhistory,this“something”hasbeenvariouslyidentified
as...thebodyanditspassions(PlatoandmuchofGreekphilosophy),ascultureindistinction
fromnature(RousseauandRomanticism),asauthorityfiguresinsocietyandfamily
(psychodynamicpsychology),aseconomicforces(Marx),astechnologyandmanagement
(Heideggerandexistentialists)....AsfarasIcantell,theBibleisuniqueinitsrejectionofall
attemptstoeitherdemonizesomepartofcreationastherootofourproblemsortoidolizesome
partofcreationasthesolution.Allotherreligions,philosophies,andworldviewsinoneway
oranotherfallintothetrapof[idolatry]—offailingtokeepcreationandfalldistinct.Andthis
trapisanever-presentdangerforChristians[aswell].153
LookagainattheuniquenessofChristianity.OnlytheChristianworldviewlocatestheproblemwith
theworldnotinanypartoftheworldorinanyparticulargroupofpeoplebutinsinitself(ourlossof
relationshipwithGod).AnditlocatesthesolutioninGod’sgrace(ourrestorationofarelationshipwith
GodthroughtheworkofChrist).Sininfectsusall,andsowecannotsimplydividetheworldintothe
heroesandthevillains.(Andifwedid,wewouldcertainlyhavetocountourselvesamongthelatteras
wellastheformer.)Withoutanunderstandingofthegospel,wewillbeeithernaïvelyutopianorcynically
disillusioned.Wewillbedemonizingsomethingthatisn’tbadenoughtoexplainthemesswearein;and
wewillbeidolizingsomethingthatisn’tpowerfulenoughtogetusoutofit.Thisis,intheend,whatall
otherworldviewsdo.
TheChristianstorylineworksbeautifullytomakesenseofthingsandeventohelpusappreciatethe
truthembeddedinstoriesthatclearlycomefromanotherworldview.TheChristianstoryline,or
worldview,is:creation(plan),fall(problem),redemptionandrestoration(solution):
Thewholeworldisgood.Godmadetheworldandeverythinginitwasgood.Thereareno
intrinsicallyevilpartsoftheworld.Nothingisevilinitsorigin.AsTolkienexplainedabouthis
archvillainintheLordoftheRingstrilogy,inthebeginning“evenSauronwasnotso.”Youcan
findthis“creationalgood”inanything.
Thewholeworldisfallen.Thereisnoaspectoftheworldaffectedbysinmoreorlessthanany
other.Forexample,areemotionandpassionsuntrustworthyandreasoninfallible?Isthe
physicalbadandthespiritualgood?Istheday-to-dayworldprofanebutreligiousobservances
good?Noneofthesearetrue;butnon-Christianstorylinesmustadoptsomevariationsofthese
inordertovillainizeandevendemonizesomecreatedthinginsteadofsin.
Thewholeworldisgoingtoberedeemed.Jesusisgoingtoredeemspiritandbody,reasonand
emotion,peopleandnature.Thereisnopartofrealityforwhichthereisnohope.
ThegospelisthetruestorythatGodmadeagoodworldthatwasmarredbysinandevil,butthrough
JesusChristheredeemeditatinfinitecosttohimself,sothatsomedayhewillreturntorenewall
creation;endallsufferinganddeath;andrestoreabsolutepeace,justice,andjoyintheworldforever.The
vastimplicationsofthisgospelworldview—aboutthecharacterofGod,thegoodnessofthematerial
creation,thevalueofthehumanperson,thefallennessofallpeopleandallthings,theprimacyofloveand
grace,theimportanceofjusticeandtruth,thehopeofredemption—affecteverything,andespeciallyour
work.
Here’sanexample.Earlyinhiscareerasaschooladministrator,ourfriendBillKurtzstartedtosee
thatthisgospelstoryline—whattheworldshouldbe,howithadgonewrong,andthehopeforthefuture
—gavehimabettervisionforeducationinpoorinner-cityschools.Alltheindividualstoriesof
brokenness—ofproblemsathome,ofnosleepandinadequatenutrition,ofgangsonthestreetanddrugsin
thebuilding—hadreinforcedacultureofrebellionandhopelessnessintheschools.Theattitudeabout
schoolformanyofthekidswas“whybother.”Hewantedtobringthehopeofthegospelstoryintohis
work.
Nowinthefieldofurbaneducationtodaytherearemanycompetingstorylinesaboutwhateducation
shouldbe,whatitsmainproblemis,andwhatneedstochange.Asamatteroffact,educationitselfis
oftenviewedasthesaviorfortheillsofpovertyandsystemicinjustice.Studentsarethesubjectsof
continuousanalysisasonestrategyoranotherisappliedtotheireducationalexperience.Billfoundthat
thegospelgavehimamorecomprehensiveunderstandingoftheproblemsfacingtheschoolsandahope
forredemptionthatincorporatedsomeofthebestpracticesofhisfieldbutdidnotidolizethem.
Hisapproachhasbeenholistic,withtherecognitionthatthegospelcouldactuallyshapethecultureof
aschoolcommunity.In2004helaunchedapubliccharterhighschoolinDenvertoserveaverydiverse
studentpopulation.Onegradeatatimehehelpedcreateacultureofsharedaccountabilityandsuccessin
theschool.Everymorningstudentsgather,alongwiththeirteachers,formorningmeeting.Morning
meetingsprovideanopportunityforthecommunitytocelebratesuccessthroughweeklyawards,bygiving
shout-outstooneanotherforactsofserviceandlivingtheschool’svalues,andbysharingstoriesthat
pointtoastoryofhope.Butthebrokennessisaddressedaswell.Tohelpchangebehaviorswhere
studentsfailtolivethevaluesofthecommunity,studentsparticipateinpublicapologieswheretheyhold
oneanotheraccountableandsupportoneanothertolivetheschool’scorevaluesbetter.Ifastudentor
teacherislatetoschool,theyapologizetotherestofthecommunity.Herecognizedthestudents’innate
needtobeknownbutheldaccountableandcreatedenenvironmentwherenoonecouldbelostinthe
cracks.Whilegoodteachershavecertainlybeenkey,Billattributestheschool’ssuccesstoitscultureand
theirshared,singulargoaltoget100percentofitsseniorsintofour-yearcolleges.Theschoolhasseen
amazingsuccess—everysingleseniorintheschool’shistoryhasearnedafour-yearcollegeacceptance.
Thisfirstschoolhasgrownintoanetworkofsixtop-performingschoolsacrossDenver.
TheGospelandBusiness
Thegospelworldviewwillhaveallkindsofinfluence—profoundandmundane,strategicandtactical—
onhowyouactuallydoyourwork.Everyfieldofworkistosomedegreeinfluencedbyalternate
worldviewsandtheirattendantidols,eachassigningultimatevaluetosomeidol—thatdoesn’tfullytake
intoconsiderationoursinorGod’sgrace.Theparticularsofhowthegospelworksoutineachfieldare
endlesslyrich—infact,hundredsofpeoplemeeteachmonthatRedeemertodiscusstheseveryideas
withintheirrespectivefields.So,whiletheseideasdeservebook-lengthtreatmentsintheirownright,let
mesketchheretheoutlinesofthegospelimplicationsinjustafewfieldsofwork.
Whataresomeoftheidolsofbusiness,forexample?Moneyandpowercertainlytopthelist.But
rememberthatanidolisagoodthingthatwemakeintoanultimatething.Corporateprofitsandinfluence,
stewardedwisely,areahealthymeanstoagoodend:Theyarevitaltocreatingnewproductstoserve
customers,givinganadequatereturntoinvestorsfortheuseoftheirmoney,andpayingemployeeswell
fortheirwork.Similarly,individualcompensationisanappropriaterewardforone’scontributionsandis
necessarytoprovideforoneselfandone’sfamily.Butitisnotouridentity,oursalvation,orevenour
sourceofsecurityandcomfort.TheChristianworkerorbusinessleaderwhohasexperiencedGod’s
grace—whoknows“Youarenotyourown;youwereboughtataprice”(1Corinthians6:19–20)—isfree
tohonorGod,loveneighbors,andservethecommongoodthroughwork.Infact,atRedeemerwebelieve
thisideaissoimportantforlifeinthecitythatweworkwithentrepreneursandofferclassestohelpthem
thinkthroughhowthestoryofthegospelshapestheirvisionfortheirnewventure.Whetherit’safor-
profitbusiness,anonprofit,oranartsventure,wepointeachentrepreneurtoavisionofservinganeedin
awaythatreflectsGod’splanfortheworld.
Wefindandshareexamplesofgoodleaders—Christianandotherwise—whobalancetheinterestsof
allthecompany’sstakeholders:stockholders,customers,employees,suppliers,andeventhesurrounding
community.MiltonHershey,forexample,foundedtheHersheyChocolateCompanyin1903withthe
innovationofputtingmilkintothechocolatebar.Thecompanyprospered,asdidallthedairyfarmersin
thesurroundingcountryside.WhentheDepressionhitandbusinessfellapart,Hersheycommittedtonot
layoffhisemployees.Insteadhecreatedhisownpublicworksprojectsinthetownandputtheemployees
toworkbuildinghouses,anamusementpark,andahotel.Towardtheendofhislife,heandhiswife(who
werechildless)foundedaboardingschoolfororphanstogivethempracticallifeskillswithina
supportivecommunity.Thetrustthatrunstheschoolownsalargeportionofthecompanystock,sotoday
theschoolisfundedbydividendsandstockappreciation.
Atonelevel,thisshouldallseemtogowithoutsaying.Theideathatbusinessesshouldadvancethe
socialgoodhasbeenregainingitsproperplaceinthelastdecade,helpedalongbythestringofbusiness
scandalsinrecentyears.Asacaseinpoint,ina2009speechJamesMurdoch,sonofNewsCorp.Chief
ExecutiveRupertMurdoch,toldtheaudienceattheEdinburghTelevisionFestivalthatthe“onlyreliable
andperpetualguarantorofindependenceisprofit.”Yetinthewakeofthephone-hackingscandalatNews
Corp.’sUKnewspaperunit,hissisterElisabethMurdochcouldsaytothesameaudiencethreeyearslater
thatherbrother“leftsomethingout,”declaring“profitwithoutpurposeisarecipefordisaster.”Shewent
ontosay,“Personally,Ibelieveoneofthebiggestlessonsofthepastyearhasbeentheneedforany
organizationtodiscuss,affirmandinstitutionalizearigoroussetofvaluesbasedonanexplicitstatement
ofpurpose.”154
Yetdespitethisgrowingconsensus,itisprobablyfairtosaythattheimplicitassumptionsinthe
marketplacearethatmakingmoneyisthemainthinginlife,thatbusinessisfundamentallyabout
accumulatingandwieldingpower,andthatmaximizingprofitwithinlegallimitsisanendinitself.The
reasonisthatsinrunsthroughtheheartofeveryworkerandthecultureofeveryenterprise.Theresultis
pollutedrivers,poorservice,unjustcompensation,entitlementattitudes,dead-endjobs,dehumanizing
bureaucracy,backstabbing,andpowergrabs.Thisiswhyitissoimportantforustobeintentionalin
applyingthecounter-narrativeofthegospeltobusiness.
Whilefromtheoutsidetheremightnotbeimmediatelynoticeabledifferencesbetweenawell-run
companyreflectingagospelworldviewandonereflectingprimarilytheworld-storyofthemarketplace,
insidethedifferencescouldbeverynoticeable.Thegospel-centeredbusinesswouldhaveadiscernible
visionforservingthecustomerinsomeuniqueway,alackofadversarialrelationshipsandexploitation,
anextremelystrongemphasisonexcellenceandproductquality,andanethicalenvironmentthatgoes“all
thewaydown”tothebottomoftheorganizationalchartandtotherealitiesofdailybehavior,evenwhen
highethicsmeanalossofmargin.Inthebusinessanimatedbythegospelworldview,profitissimplyone
ofmanyimportantbottomlines.
MyfriendDonFlowhasoverlaidthestorylineofthegospelontheprevalentworldviewofthe
automotivedealershipbusiness.Thetypicalnarrativeinanautodealershipistoselleachcarforthe
highestpriceyoucan,andsosalespeoplearerewardedforidentifyingandwooingthehighestpaying
customers.Don’svisionemphasizedthevalueofagoodautomobiletoeachandeverycustomer.Buthe
discoveredaproblem:Womenandminoritieswerepayingmorefortheircarsthanmorenegotiation-
savvywhitemales.Hedecidedtosetaflat-rateonallcars—nonegotiating—toeffectequalopportunity
pricing.
Now,Donwastheownerofhiscompanyandhadtheauthoritytomakemajorchanges.Mostpeople
donothavethisfreedom.Yetoneofthethingslesssenioremployeescandoisaskquestionsaboutthe
company’smissionand,ifitisasoundone,treatitseriouslyandhelpkeepitintheconversation.Leaders
oftenfeeloverwhelmedbythecynicismandapathyoftheiremployeesandlosetheirdrivetoholdtrueto
thecompany’svalues.Yourcareandcommitmenttothosevalues,assumingtheyaregoodones,couldbe
justtheencouragementyourbossneeds.
TobeaChristianinbusiness,then,meansmuchmorethanjustbeinghonestornotsleepingwithyour
coworkers.ItevenmeansmorethanpersonalevangelismorholdingaBiblestudyattheoffice.Rather,it
meansthinkingouttheimplicationsofthegospelworldviewandGod’spurposesforyourwholework
life—andforthewholeoftheorganizationunderyourinfluence.
TheGospelandJournalism
WemustthinkouttheChristianworldview’simplicationsineveryfield,andoftenthoseimplicationsare
subtle.Forexample,doesthegospelhaveanimpactonhowyoudojournalism?Youcouldsay,“No,I
justreportfactsobjectively.”Butthereisno“viewfromnowhere.”Eventhechoiceofwhatisreported
onasnewsreflectssomeone’svaluesandbeliefsaboutwhatisimportant.Thisiswhywecanreadily
identifytheeditorialstrategy,orbias,ofeveryjournalisticoutlet:Thisoneisprogressive,whilethatone
isconservative;thisoneidolizesinnovation,whilethatoneidolizeswealth;andthisotheroneidolizes
self-determination.Furthermore,ifsuccessistooimportanttoajournalist—ifitfunctionsasanidolinhis
orherlife—thenthatgoalwillcolorthefilterofwhattheydecidetoreportonandhowtheywriteabout
it.
Itisimpossibletodoastorywithoutheroesandvillains.Thebestjournalistsdoagoodjobof
reportingempiricalfactsasobjectivelyaspossible.Butthefactsyouplayupandtheonesyouplaydown
orleaveout,andhowyourelatethemtooneanother—allthisisdoneintheserviceofabackground
narrativefilledwithassumptionsaboutwhichforcesintheworldaregoodandwhicharebad.Itis
seldomdifficult,ifyoupayattention,toseethatnarrativeatworkinhowthestoryispresented.Some
havearguedconvincinglythatthefieldofjournalism,likemanyvocationalfields,hasa“religious”
charactertoit,withsetsofdoctrinesandfolkwaysthatareenforcedbyakindofpriesthood.155
WhatmightChristianjournalistsdodifferently?Iwouldarguethatthegospelworldview—which
doesnotidolizeordemonizeanythingincreation—canuniquelyequipajournalisttobeeven-handedand
open-mindedinhisorherreportingandwriting.Asweobservedabove,everyotherworldviewtendsto
puttoomuchfaithinsomethingsandtoolittleinothers.Sowhateverthebasicworldviewofajournalist,
itwillleadtobeingmorenaïvelypositiveorunnecessarilycynicalandskepticalthaniftheyheldthe
gospelworldview.
Letmeofferasimpleexample.Inmoststoriesofcrisisourmodern,cause-and-effectworldviewvery
quicklyseekssomeoneorsomethingtoblame.AfterHurricaneKatrinahitNewOrleanstherewasafinite
periodoftimeinwhichthebasicnewsofdevastationwasreported.Veryquickly,thestorydevolvedinto
attemptstocastblame:onthebuildersoftheseawallorthefederalgovernmentanditsslowresponse.
Nottosaythatflawsincityplanningorunresponsivegovernmentagenciesaren’tproblemsworthyof
reporting,buttheneedtoblamesomeaspectofcreationisahumanimpulse—notagospelone.The
gospeltellsusthefallresultsinbrokennessinnatureandinpeople.Thereal“story”ofthegospelisthe
evidenceofredemptionandrenewal.Thestoriesofsacrificeandperseveranceareamorefitting
culminationofthegospelnarrativethanstoriesofneglect.
TheGospelandHigherEducation
AndrewDelbanco’sfinebookCollege:WhatItWas,Is,andShouldBeexplainshowchangesinour
culture’sdominantworldviewshaveledtocrisesintheareaofhighereducation.Henotesthatolder
worldviews(bothChristianandGreco-Roman)believedthatmuchimportantwisdomhadtobe
rediscoveredafreshbynewgenerationsastheywrestledwitholdertextsabouthowtounderstandand
livewellintheworld.TodaywearemoreinfluencedheavilybytheEnlightenmentview,whichsawonly
empiricalandscientificknowledgeastrueinthehighestsense.“Thiswayofevaluatingtheworthof
knowledge...posesaseverechallengetothehumanities—atleasttotheextentthathumanistsremain
concernedwithpreservingtruthbyrearticulatingitratherthanadvancingtruthbydiscardingtheoldin
favorofthenew.”156C.S.Lewisputthesameidealikethis:
Forthewisemenofoldthecardinalproblemhadbeenhowtoconformthesoultoreality,and
thesolutionhadbeenknowledge,self-discipline,andvirtue.For...appliedscience...the
problemishowtosubduerealitytothewishesofmen;thesolutionisatechnique.157
Delbancoshowshowthischangeinworldviewishavingadirectnegativeimpactonthestudyof
humanitiesinWesternsocieties,whichhearguesiscrucialtodevelopingpeoplecapableof“reflective
citizenship.”Elsewhereinhisbookhelamentshowacollegeeducationisbecomingincreasingly
inaccessibletothosewithoutmeans.Theintensecompetitionforarelativelysmallnumberofopeningsin
thegreatuniversitiesofourcountrymeansthatonlythoseverywellprepared,tutored,counseled,and
financedcangetin.Studentsfrompoorercommunitiescannothopetogetthesamekindofsupport.
Increasingly,thebesteducationenablestheeliteclassestosimplyperpetuatethemselvesandleavethe
restofthepopulationbehind.Notonlyaretherefewerpoorstudentsgettingintoeliteschools,thereisa
wideninggapbetweentopacademicinstitutionsandmuchofthemiddleclass,whoseetheseinstitutions
asarrogantandoutoftouchwiththevaluesandexperienceofordinarypeople.Underlyingallthese
trendsisthemodernideaofmeritocracy—thebeliefthatthosewhogetintothegoodschoolsdeserveto
betherebecausetheyarethebestandthebrightest.InaNewYorkTimesop-edpiece,“ASmug
Education?”Delbancopointsoutthatthereissometruthtothechargethatwhenstudentsmakeitintothe
mostselectiveuniversities,theyaretaughtthatotherswhocouldnotgetinarebeneaththem,which
breeds“smugnessandself-satisfaction.”
Remarkably,theColumbiaprofessorpointsoutthattheoriginalfoundersofIvyLeagueschoolswere
“stringentProtestants”whobelieved“themarkofsalvationwasnothighself-esteembuthumbling
awarenessofone’slowlinessintheeyesofGod....ThosewhomGodfavorsaregrantedgracenotfor
anyworthinessoftheirown,butbyGod’sunmeritedmercy.”158DelbancoisnothimselfaChristian,and
hehopesthatoursecularculturecancomeupwithsomebasisuponwhichtohumbleourelites,butheis
clear-eyedinhisrecognitionthattheChristianworldviewhastheresourcestokeeptheegosofthe
successfulandwealthyincheck,whichisanenormousboosttosocialcohesion.ButtodaytheChristian
idea—thatnoonedeservesagoodlife,thatallwealthandtalentandpowerareonlyagiftofGod—has
largelybeenlostinourculture,andthe“darksideofourmeritocracy”isnowcreatinggreaterinequities
thanexistedbefore.
ThisisallhighlysuggestiveforChristianeducatorsandanyotherswhoworkintherealmofideas.In
futuredecades,itmaybethatCatholicandProtestantcollegeswillbeintheforefrontofthepreservation
andrecoveryofthehumanities—asthemonasteriessavedtheworksofancientliteratureduringthe
MiddleAges.Christianeducatorsshouldbemotivatedbythegospeltofindwaystoresisttheenormous
economicpressuresthataretodayworkingagainstboththequalityandaccessibilityofhighereducation.
TheGospelandtheArts
Theartworldalsohasitsidols,tobesure.Asinanyfield,someartistswillmakefinancialprofitthe
ultimatevalueanddotheirworkaccordingly.And,ingeneral,thosewhoplaytothecrowd,asitwere,
produceworkthatishighlysentimentalandsaccharine,orfilledwithshockvalue,gratuitoussex,and
violence.Manyartistsdisdaincolleagueswhomakeartforprofit;insteadtheyupholdself-expression,
originality,andfreedomastheultimatevaluescontrollingtheworktheydo.Buttheirself-righteous
attitudesbetraythefactthattherearedeepworldviewsinplay—eachwithitsownsetsofdemons,idols,
heroes,orthodoxies,andredemptivepursuits.159Oftentheartistsmostdisdainfulofthepublicproduceart
thatis,toputitmildly,agreatdealofbeautyandhope.
HowdoesChristianityaffectanartist’swork?Thishasbeenandwillcontinuetobeaworthytopic
forentirebooks.Butinshort,thegospelworldviewequipstheartist,asitdoesthejournalist,foraunique
combinationofoptimismandrealismaboutlife.Thegospelismoregloballypessimisticabouthuman
naturethanvirtuallyanyotherviewofthings.Thereisnooneclassorgroupofpeopleresponsibleforthe
world’ssituation;weallareresponsible.Eachofusiscapableoftheworstkindofevil,andthereis
nothingwecandotochangeourselves,orevenseeourselvesinourtruelight,withoutGod’shelp.And
yet,onthebasisofGod’ssalvationinChrist,thegospelallowsustobeatthesametimedeeply
optimistic,envisioningnotsimplyheavenbutaperfectlyrenewedmaterialcreation.Soartistsshapedby
thegospelcannotbecharacterizedeitherbysentimentalityorbitterhopelessness.
Forexample,themovieLostinTranslationassumesthatlifeisultimatelymeaninglessbutafford
somesmallcomfortinfriendship;themovieBabeinspiresusthatevenapigcanbeasheepdogifhe
defiestraditionandtrieshardenough.IbelievethatChristianscanappreciateeitherkindofstory,ifitis
welltold,becausefromagospelperspective,bothnaiveandcynicalstoriesarepartlytrue.Lifeinthis
fallenworldistoagreatdegreemeaningless,ouraspirationsareconstantlybeingfrustrated,and
sometimestherespectablepeopleareoppressiveandbigoted.AndyetthereisaGoodthatwilltriumph
overEvilintheend.FromaChristianperspectivetheproblemwithbothkindsofstoriesisthattheytend
toblameproblemsonthingsbesidessinandidentifysalvationinthingsbesidesGod—andthereforeare
ultimatelytoosimplistic.Therichnessofthegospelworld-storyincludestheinsightsofbothdarkerand
moresanguineworldviews,anditweavesthemintoalargertapestrysothatneitheroverwhelmsthe
wholepicture.Christianartistshaveaccesstoabroaderandmorebalancedvisionoftheworld,whichis
why,overthecenturies,thatvisionhasproducedsuchgreatworksofart.
TheGospelandMedicine
ToletthegospelofJesusshapehowweworkmeanstoheedtheinfluenceofboththepsychologicalidols
withinourheartsaswellasthesociologicalidolsinourcultureandprofession.160Foranexampleofthis
Iwillturntothefieldofmedicine.SomeyearsagoIdidaninformalsurveyofseveralChristiansinthe
medicalprofession.Iaskedthem,“Whatarethefactorsinherentinthepracticeofmedicinetodaythat
makeitdifficulttoworkasaChristianinthisfield?Whatarethemaintemptationsandtests?”Iwas
surprised,instructed,andhelpedbytheanswersIreceived.
Oneofthemainproblemsmentionedwasadeeplypersonalone—thegreattemptationtolosesightof
youridentityinyourprofession.TheBritishpreacherMartynLloyd-Joneswaspreviouslyasuccessful
physicianinLondon.Inoneofhislecturestomedicalstudentsanddoctors,hesaidcandidly,“thereare
manywhomIhavehadtheprivilegeofmeetingwhosetombstonesmightwellbearthegrimepitaph...
‘bornaman,diedadoctor’!Thegreatestdangerwhichconfrontsthe[medicalprofessional]isthathe
maybecomelostinhisprofession...thisisthespecialtemptationofthedoctor....”161AnotherBritish
doctoradded:
...thetemptation[is]formedicinetotakeoveryourlifeandruleyourlifeasanenslaving
power.It’sasubtleonebecause...thereisakindofmoralegomassagebecauseyouare
givingsomuch—hours,responsibility,stress—todosomuchgoodinotherpeople’slives.
There’salotofself-justifyingpowerinthatkindofidolatry.It’smucheasiertofeelmorally
superiorasadoctorthanasastockbroker....Thereisalso,insomepeople,theneedtobe
neededandthepowerbuzzyougetfromhavinginfluence....162
Thoseinthehelpingprofessions(andthatincludespastoralministryaswellasmedicine)aretempted
tofeelsuperiorbecauseourworkissonobleandsodraining.Andalthoughmedicalprofessionalspour
themselvesoutinlong,stressfulhoursandliterallysavelives,theymeetplentyofungrateful,
unreasonable,andstubbornpeoplewhorepaytheirhardworkwithvenomandlawsuits.Thiscanleadto
acorrelativespiritualperil.Onedoctorwrote:
Itiseasytobecomeextremelycynicalaboutpeopleandemotionallyhardenedtolife.Yousee
somuchofthemessystuffoflifeanddeaththatyoufeelyouressentialdefensemechanismisto
becomeemotionallydetachedandkeepadistanceinordertomaintainyoursanity.
Severaldoctorstoldmethatonlythegospelenabledthemtoseethetraitsofpride,cynicism,and
detachmentthatwerecreepingintotheircharacters.Onesaid,“Intheearlydaysofamedicalcareeryou
worksuchenormoushoursthatyourprayerlifejustdriesup.Thatisdeadly.OnlyifJesusstaysrealtothe
heartcanyoubeconsistentlyjoyfulenoughinhimtoavoidmakingmedicineyourwholeself-worth,and
thenbecominghardenedwhenyoumeetsomuchingratitude.”
Mysurveyalsorevealedpressuresondoctorsthatcamefromtheculture.OnewomanIcorresponded
withpointedmetoanarticleinTheNewEnglandJournalofMedicinetitled“GodattheBedside.”163
Theauthorwasadoctorwhooftenfoundthatpatients’spiritualbeliefsandpracticeswereverymucha
factorintheirhealthissues,but“inthemodernera,religionandscienceareunderstoodassharply
divided,thetwooccupyingverydifferentdomains.”Hewrotethatheoftenfoundthatpatients’guiltand
fearswerefactorsintheirillnessandalsothattheirfaithinGodwaspartofhowtheyhealed,buthefelt
completelyunpreparedbyhistrainingtoaddressanyoftheserealities.“Doctors,”hewrote,
“understandablyareleeryofmovingoutsidethestrictlyclinicalandventuringintothespiritualrealm.”
Dr.MartynLloyd-Jonesmakesthesamepointinoneofhislecturestomedicalprofessionals.Lloyd-
JoneswasonstaffatSaintBart’sinLondonunderthefamouschiefofstaffLordHorderinthelate1920s.
AtonepointthejuniorphysicianwasaskedbyLordHordertorearrangeandreclassifyhiscasehistory
records.Hecreatedanewfilingsystem,arrangingthecasesnotbynamebutbydiagnosisandtreatment.
AsLloyd-JonesdidthistaskhewasastonishedthatHorder’sdiagnosticnotesinwelloverhalfthecases
includedcommentssuchas“worksfartoohard,”“drinkstoomuch,”“unhappyinhomeandmarriage.”At
onepointhespenttheweekendwithLordHorderandtooktheopportunitytoaskhimaboutwhathehad
seeninthecasefiles.Horderrespondedthathereckonedonlyaboutathirdoftheproblemsthatare
broughttoaphysicianarestrictlymedical—therestareduetooraggravatedbyanxietyandstress,poor
lifechoices,andunrealisticgoalsandbeliefsaboutthemselves.Severecases,ofcourse,couldbesentto
thepsychiatrist,butmostofthetimethatwasn’tappropriate.So,Horderconcluded,adoctorshould
basicallymindhisorherownbusiness.Lloyd-Jonessaidthatafterheheardthatresponse:
...wearguedforthewholeoftheweekend!Mycontentionwasthatweshouldbetreating[the
wholeoftheperson’slife].“Ah,”saidHorder,“thatiswhereyouarewrong!Ifthesepeople
liketopayusourfeesformoreorlessdoingnothing,thenletthemdoso.Wecanthen
concentrateonthe35percentorsoofrealmedicine.”Butmycontentionwasthattotreatthese
otherpeople[takingintoaccounttheirwholelife]was“realmedicine”also.Allofthemwere
reallysick.Theycertainlywerenotwell!Theyhavegonetothedoctor—perhapsmorethanone
—inquestofhelp.164
Lloyd-Joneswasnotproposingthatphysicianswerebythemselvescompetenttodothis,butrather
thattogetherwithothercounselorsandhelpingprofessionalstheyneededtoaddressthewholeperson.
Peoplehaveaspiritualnature,amoralnature,andasocialnature,andifanyoftheseareviolatedby
unwiseorwrongbeliefs,behaviors,andchoices,therecanbeinterlockingphysicalandemotional
breakdown.Andevenpatientswhoseoriginalillnesswascausedbystrictlyphysicalfactorseventually
needmuchmorethanmeremedicinetorecuperateandheal.
Thatconversationtookplacein1927,buttwotrendshaveonlyexacerbatedthesituationthatHorder
andLloyd-Joneswereaddressing.First,therehasbeenanenormousincreaseinspecialization,sothatno
singlehelpingprofessionaleverseemstohavetheluxuryoflookingatthewholeperson.Justasimportant
isthegrowthininfluenceofaviewthathasbeencalled“evolutionarysocialconstructivism,”which
believesthat“allaspectsofeverylevelofreality[have]asingleevolutionaryexplanation.”165Ineffect,
theveryconceptofthewholepersonisvanishing.Ourconsciousnessandemotion,ourchoicesand
desires,ourgoalsandjoysareincreasinglyseentobetheresultsofourgenetichardwiring.Theoldidea
ofapersonconsistingofbody,mind,andspiritisgone—nowthereisonlyabodythathasmental,
emotional,andspiritualneurology.Inadditiontothisreductionisticunderstandingofhumannature,the
increasingeconomicandlegalpressuresondoctorsandhospitalsarelikelytopushmedicalprofessionals
morecautiouslyto“mindtheirownbusiness”whenitcomestotreatingthewholeperson.
Becausetheyunderstandtheeffectsofbothcreationandfallonthehumanperson,Christiansinthe
medicalprofessioncanresistthenarrowingimplicationsofthisview.TheChristianviewofhuman
natureisrichandmultifaceted.Godcreatedandwillresurrectourbodies—andsotheyareimportant!If
Godhimselfistoredeemourbodies(Romans8:23)thenheistheGreatPhysician,andthemedical
vocationcouldnotbeloftier.ButGoddoesnotcareonlyaboutbodies;hecreatedandredeemsoursouls
aswell.SoChristianphysicianswillalwaysbearthetotalityofthehumanpersoninmind.Theirfaith
givesthemtheresourcestomusterthehumilityandtheingenuitynecessarytoseepatientsasmorethan
justbodies.
TheChristianWorldviewShapesAllWork
SowhenwesaythatChristiansworkfromagospelworldview,itdoesnotmeanthattheyareconstantly
speakingaboutChristianteachingintheirwork.Somepeoplethinkofthegospelassomethingweare
principallyto“lookat”inourwork.ThiswouldmeanthatChristianmusiciansshouldplayChristian
music,Christianwritersshouldwritestoriesaboutconversion,andChristianbusinessmenand-women
shouldworkforcompaniesthatmakeChristian-themedproductsandservicesforChristiancustomers.
Yes,someChristiansinthosefieldswouldsometimesdowelltodothosethings,butitisamistaketo
thinkthattheChristianworldviewisoperatingonlywhenwearedoingsuchovertlyChristianactivities.
Instead,thinkofthegospelasasetofglassesthroughwhichyou“look”ateverythingelseintheworld.
Christianartists,whentheydothisfaithfully,willnotbecompletelybeholdeneithertoprofitortonaked
self-expression;andtheywilltellthewidestvarietyofstories.Christiansinbusinesswillseeprofitas
onlyoneofseveralbottomlines;andtheywillworkpassionatelyforanykindofenterprisethatservesthe
commongood.TheChristianwritercanconstantlybeshowingthedestructivenessofmakingsomething
besidesGodintothecentralthing,evenwithoutmentioningGoddirectly.
AndwhiletheBibleisnotacomprehensivehandbookforrunningabusiness,doingplumbing,or
servingpatients,itdoesspeaktoanenormousrangeofcultural,political,economic,andethicalissues
thatareverymuchpartofhowwealllive.Also,theChristianworldviewhasmadefoundational
contributionstoourownculturethatmaynotbereadilyapparent.Thedeepbackgroundforourwork,
especiallyintheWest—theriseofmoderntechnology,thedemocraticethosthatmakesmoderncapitalism
thrive,theideaofinherenthumanfreedomasthebasisforeconomicfreedomandthedevelopmentof
markets—isduelargelytotheculturalchangesthatChristianityhasbrought.HistorianJohnSommerville
arguesthatWesternsociety’smostpervasiveideas,suchastheideathatforgivenessandservicearemore
importantthansavingfaceandrevenge,havedeeplybiblicalroots.166Manyhaveargued,andIwould
agree,thattheveryriseofmodernsciencecouldhaveoccurredonlyinasocietyinwhichthebiblical
viewofasole,all-powerful,andpersonalCreatorwasprevalent.167Soweallowemorethanwemay
realizetotheuniquecontoursandpoweroftheChristianworldview.
AreyouthinkingaboutyourworkthroughthelensesofaChristianworldview?Areyouasking
questionssuchas:
•What’sthestorylineofthecultureinwhichIliveandthefieldwhereIwork?Whoarethe
protagonistsandantagonists?
•Whataretheunderlyingassumptionsaboutmeaning,morality,origin,anddestiny?
•Whataretheidols?Thehopes?Thefears?
•Howdoesmyparticularprofessionretellthisstoryline,andwhatpartdoestheprofessionitself
playinthestory?
•Whatpartsofthedominantworldviewsarebasicallyinlinewiththegospel,sothatIcanagreewith
andalignwiththem?
•WhatpartsofthedominantworldviewsareirresolvablewithoutChrist?Where,inotherwords,
mustIchallengemyculture?HowcanChristcompletethestoryinadifferentway?
•Howdothesestoriesaffectboththeformandthecontentofmyworkpersonally?HowcanIwork
notjustwithexcellencebutalsowithChristiandistinctivenessinmywork?
•Whatopportunitiesarethereinmyprofessionfor(a)servingindividualpeople,(b)servingsociety
atlarge,(c)servingmyfieldofwork,(d)modelingcompetenceandexcellence,and(e)witnessing
toChrist?
OfallthewaysthattheChristianfaithaffectswork,therealmofworldviewisthemostsearchingand
yetalsothehardesttoputintopractice.AllChristiansliveinculturesandworkinvocationalfieldsthat
operatebypowerfulmasternarrativesthataresharplydifferentfromthegospel’saccountofthings.But
thesenarrativesworkatsuchadeeplevelthattheireffectsonusarehardtodiscern.AnAmericanwho
firstmovestoaforeigncountryisshockedtodiscoverhowmanyofherintuitionsandpracticesthatshe
consideredcommonsenseanduniversalareactuallyparticularlyAmericanones—andareridiculousto
manyotherpeople.Bylivinginanothercultureshegetsanewvantagepointfromwhichshecanbe
criticalofherself,andasaresultshewillslowlychange,droppingsomeattitudesandadoptingothers.
BecomingaChristianisalotlikemovingtoanewcountry;onlyitismoreprofound,becauseitgives
usanewperspectiveoneveryculture,everyworldview,andeveryfieldofwork.Inthelongrun,the
gospelhelpsusseeeverythinginanewlight,butittakestimetograspandincorporatethisnew
informationintohowweliveandpursueourvocations.Andwecanbesurethatthisultimatelearning
experiencewillnevertrulyend;wearetoldtheangelsthemselvesnevertireoflookingintothegospelto
seenewwonders(1Peter1:10–12).
TEN
ANewConceptionofWork
Whateveryoudo,dowell.
Ecclesiastes9:10(NLT)
EveryoneParticipatesinGod’sWork
TheJewishcommunityhascontributedhugelytotheflourishingofNewYorkCity.Theyhaveledinthe
advancementofhospitalsandmedicine,artsandculturalcenters,andstrongcommunitiesthatsustainthe
elderlyandnurturetheyoung.TheirScripturalheritageandbeliefsgivethemastrongcommitmentto“act
justlyandtolovemercyandtowalkhumblywithyourGod”(Micah6:8).TheyarenotChristfollowers,
butGodnodoubtcontinuestoworkthroughthem.Anothergroupoftennotedfortheircommitmentto
movingtoneighborhoodsthathavefallenintodisrepairandrehabilitatingthemisthegaycommunity.
Theyhaveworkedhardtoimprovemanyoftheworstpartsofourcitiesoverthelastseveraldecades.
And,ofcourse,weallknowsomeoneinourfieldwhoisnotaChristianwhoseemstoholdthebest
valuesandproducethemostelegantproduct,beautifuldancepiece,ortrustedandwell-organizedwork
team.IftheChristianworldviewissounique,howdoweaccountforthis?
Inthelastchapterweshowedthatthegospelprovidesaworldview,orstory,thatprovidesChristian
believerswithrealguidancefortheirlabor,givingthemadeepandlayeredvisionofhumanflourishing
thatoftenenablesthemtoworkinwaysdistinctfromthosearoundthem.Butthisisnottheentirebiblical
picture.Ifitwere,wemightthinkthatnon-Christianscannotdogoodworkorgooddeeds,orthat
everythingaChristiandoesattheirjobmustbecompletelyandobviouslydifferentfromeverythingthata
nonbelieverdoes.Thatisnotthecase.
GodisCreatoroftheworld,andourworkmirrorshiscreativeworkwhenwecreateculturethat
conformstohiswillandvisionforhumanbeings—whenitmatchesupwiththebiblicalstoryline.Yet
theologiansspeaknotonlyofGod’screationbutalsoofhisprovidence.Goddoesnotsimplycreate;he
alsoloves,caresfor,andnurtureshiscreation.Hefeedsandprotectsallhehasmade.Buthowdoeshis
providentialcarereachus?Aswehaveseeninearlierchapters,especiallyintheteachingofMartin
Luther,God’slovingcarecomestouslargelythroughthelaborofothers.Workisamajorinstrumentof
God’sprovidence;itishowhesustainsthehumanworld.
AsanextensionofGod’screativework,theChristian’slaborhasitsorientationtowardGodhimself,
andwemustaskhowitcanbedonedistinctivelyandforhisglory.AsanextensionofGod’sprovidential
work,ourlaborhasitsorientationtowardourneighbor,andwemustaskhowitcanbedoneexcellently
andforhisorhergood.Thislattermotivationisavailabletoeveryone.Soafarmerorchefmeetsher
neighbor’sneedforfood;amechanicmeetshisneighbor’sneedfortechnicalhelponacar.Thisaspectof
work-as-provisionisthereasonthatmuchworkthatChristiansdoisnotdone,atleastnotinitsvisible
form,anydifferentlyfromthewaynon-Christiansdoit.Itisnotsoeasy,forexample,toidentifythe
uniquelyChristianwaytofillacavity.AndbecauseallhumanbeingsaremadeintheimageofGod
(Genesis1:26–28)andallaregiventheirtalentsandskillsforworkintheworldbyGod(1Corinthians
7:17),weshouldnotbesurprisedthatmanypeoplewithoutbeliefinJesuscandogreatwork—even
betterwork—thanChristians.
Infact,anunbalancedemphasisonworldviewhascertaindangers.Forexample,itcanleadusto
privilegewhite-collarworkoverblue-collarwork.Writersandmanagershavetheopportunitytothink
outtheinfluenceofChristianbeliefsintheirwork.Buthowrelevantisthistotheassembly-lineworker
orthecraftsmanortechnician,whoseworldviewmaynotmakeanobviousdifferencetotheirdailytasks?
Ofcourse,allChristiansworkwithradicallydifferentinnermotivesthanthosewhodon’tbelieve,and
thiscancertainlymakeadifferenceinthequality,spirit,andhonestywithwhichabelieverlabors.But
thatdoesnotmeanaChristianwillbuildanairplaneenginedifferentlyfromanon-Christian.Andsoto
thinkofworkonlyinworldviewterms,andnotintermsofGod’sprovidenceandlove,cansubtlyimply
thattheBible’sviewofworkislessrelevanttothoseoftheworkingclasses.
Themoreseriousdangerassociatedwithanunder-emphasisonworkasthevehicleofGod’s
providenceisthatitleadsChristianstoundervaluethegoodworkdonebynonbelievers.168Thefullness
andbalanceofthebiblicalteachingpreventsusfromvaluingonlyChristianworkoronlyprofessional
work.InsteadChristiansshouldplaceahighvalueonallhumanwork(especiallyexcellentwork),done
byallpeople,asachannelofGod’sloveforhisworld.Theywillbeabletoappreciateandrejoicein
theirownwork,whetheritisprestigiousornot,aswellasintheskillfulworkofallotherpeople,
whethertheybelieveornot.
Sothisbiblicalconceptionofwork—asavehicleforGod’slovingprovisionfortheworld—is
essential.Itcounteractstheelitismandsectarianismthatcancreepintoourapproachtoworkwhenwe
graspthedistinctivenessoftheChristianworldview.
TheBalanceofCommonGrace
Whenwelearntovalueallpeople’sworkandallkindsofwork,wearemovingintoarealmofChristian
theologycalled“commongrace,”andatthispointitwouldbegoodtodeepenourunderstandingofthis
idea.WhatcanChristiansassumetheyhaveincommonwithpeoplewhoapparentlyhavenotexperienced
savinggrace,whoarenotfollowersofJesus?DoesGodworkinthebroaderreachesofcultural
interactiontobestowcertainblessingsonallpeople—blessingsthatprovidethebasisforChristiansto
cooperatewith,andlearnfrom,non-Christians?169
TheBible’sansweris“yes.”Psalm19differentiatesbetweenakindof“wordlessspeech,”which
tellsallpeoplesomethingaboutGod’spresenceandglory,andtherevelationthatcomestobelievers
throughtheBibleandtheconvictingworkoftheHolySpirit.Romans1and2confirmthatallofusshare
aprimordialknowledgeofGod:InRomans2,verses14–15,PaulsaysthatGod’slawiswrittenonthe
heartofeveryhumanbeing.Peoplehaveinnateconsciencesthatarepreloadedwithsensesofhonesty,
justice,love,theGoldenRule,andsoon.170PeopleknowatsomedeeplevelthatthereisaGod,thatwe
arehiscreatures,thatweshouldservehim,andthathemakesdemandsonusforrelationshipswithhim
andotherpeople.Godfurtherrevealshimselftoallpeoplethroughthemagnificenceofnature—butalso
throughhumanculture,whichisessentiallytheformingandfillingofnatureasGodcreatedit.Consider
Isaiah28,verses24–29:“Whenafarmerplowsforplanting...whenhehasleveledthesurface...does
henotplantwheatinitsplace,barleyinitsplot,andspeltinitsfield?HisGodinstructshimandteaches
himtherightway....Grainmustbegroundtomakebread...allthisalsocomesfromtheLordAlmighty,
wonderfulincounselandmagnificentinwisdom.”
Thisisremarkable.Isaiahtellsusthatanyonewhobecomesaskillfulfarmer,orwhobrings
advancementsinagriculture,isbeingtaughtbyGod.Onecommentatorwritesofthistext,“Whatappears
asadiscovery(theproperseasonandconditionsforsowing,farmmanagement,rotationofcrops,etc.)is
actuallytheCreatoropeninghisbookofcreationandrevealinghistruth.”171
Rememberthatfarmingisananaloguetoallculturemaking.Soeveryadvancementinlearning,every
workofart,everyinnovationinhealthcareortechnologyormanagementorgovernance,issimplyGod
“openinghisbookofcreationandrevealinghistruth”tous.Ofcourse,thevastmajorityoffarmersinthe
historyoftheworlddidnotknowthatGodwasdoingthis,butIsaiahsaysthatwaswhatwashappening.
Thisiswhattheologianscall“generalrevelation,”anaspectofcommongraceinwhichGodreveals
himselftoallpeople.SeehowothertextsfromtheBiblesoundasimilarnote:
•James1,verse17saysthat“everygoodandperfectgiftisfromabove...fromtheFatherofthe
heavenlylights.”Thismeansthateveryactofgoodness,wisdom,justice,andbeauty—nomatter
whodoesit—isbeingenabledbyGod.Itisagift,andthereforeaformofgrace.
•InExodus31,verses1–4,wereadhowBezalelwas“filled...withtheSpiritofGod,withskill,
ability,andknowledgeinallkindsofcrafts—tomakeartisticdesigns.”Hereweseeartisticskill
comingfromGod.Salieriwasright—Mozart’smusicwasthevoiceofGod,regardlessofthemoral
andspiritualconditionofMozart’sheart.
•InIsaiah45,verse1,wereadofCyrus,apagankingwhomGodanointswithhisSpiritandchooses
forworldleadership.InGenesis20,verses6–7wereadhowGodpreventsanotherpaganking
fromfallingintosin.TheseareindicationsofhowGod’sSpiritfunctionsbothasanonsaving
ennoblingforceintheworldandasanonsavingrestrainingforceintheworld.Thisisnotthe
Spiritworkingasaconvertingorasanctifyingagent.Ratherheactstogivewisdom,courage,and
insightandtorestraintheeffectsofsin—eventothosewhowoulddenyGod’sexistence.
SothroughhiscommongraceGodblessesallpeople,sothatChristianscanbenefitfrom,and
cooperatewith,non-Christians.However,therearelimitationstocommongrace,whichrequireusto
respondtotheseblessingswithbalance.InRomans1,verse18Paulsaysthatwe“holdthetruthin
unrighteousness”(KJV).Thisstatementhastwoedgestoit,andJohnCalvinexpressesbothwell.Firsthe
writesaboutsecularauthors(hewasthinkingmainlyoftheancientpaganGreekandRomanthinkers):
Letthatadmirablelightoftruthshininginthemteachusthatthemindofman,thoughfallenand
pervertedfromitswholeness,isneverthelessclothedandornamentedwithGod’sexcellent
gifts.IfweregardtheSpiritofGodasthesolefountainoftruth,weshallneitherrejectthetruth
itself,nordespiseitwhereitshallappearunlesswewishtodishonortheSpiritofGod....
ThosemenwhomScripture(1Corinthians2:14)calls“naturalmen”were,indeed,sharpand
penetratingintheirinvestigationofinferiorthings.Letus,accordingly,learnbytheirexample
howmanygiftstheLordlefttohumannatureevenafteritwasdespoiledofitstruegood.172
HereCalvinisappreciatingthewayGodblessesallthosewhoaremadeinhisimage.Yetjustprior
tothis,Calvinalsowritesthatwhile“inman’spervertedanddegeneratenaturesomesparksstillgleam,
[thelightisnonetheless]chokedwithdenseignorance,sothatitcannotcomefortheffectively.[His]mind,
becauseofitsdullness...betrayshowincapableitisofseekingandfindingtruth.”173
Howcouldsomeonewritethesetwoseeminglycontradictorythingswithinjustafewpagesofeach
other?Arenonbelieverscapableofdiscerningthetruthornot?Yesandno.CalvinisreadingRomans1
carefully!
First,wemustacknowledgethatthereisnoneutralityintheworld.Everyonewhodoesnot
acknowledgeChristasLordisoperatingoutofafalseviewofultimatereality,whiletoconfessChristas
Lordistobeinlinewithultimatereality.Everyoneisoperatingfromaworldviewthateitherdenies
Christorhim.Nooneisobjectiveorneutral;noonecanavoidthequestion.
Atthesametime,thedoctrineofcommongracemeansthatdespiteallfalseworldviews,everyone
graspsandtosomedegreeacknowledgesaspectsofthebiblicalworldview:truthsaboutGod,creation,
humannature,andourneedforrescue.Deepinourhearts’operatingsystems,Godhasimprintedhisstory.
ThisuniversalknowledgeofGodandofgood—thisaspectofnaturalrevelation—hasbeencalled“first-
orderbeliefs.”Allpeopleholdthesebeliefsatsomelevel,eveniftheirconscious,intellectual,culturally
conditioned“second-orderbeliefs”denythemutterly.Paulsayswe“holdthetruthinunrighteousness”—
whichmeansthatweallhavethetruthinsomeway.Howelsecouldweholdit?
Thisoddtensionmeansthatthebestofwhatnon-Christianssayanddowillbebasedontruthsthat
they“know”atonelevelandyetdonotknowatanother.Forexample,LeonardBernstein’ssecond-order
beliefsweresecularandnaturalistic.ButonaTVbroadcasthefamouslysaid,“ListeningtoBeethoven’s
Fifth,yougetthefeelingthere’ssomethingrightwiththeworld,somethingthatchecksthroughout,
somethingthatfollowsitsownlawsconsistently,somethingwecantrust,thatwillneverletusdown.”174
Hewassayingthatmusicgavehimnotsimplyemotion,butmeaning.Despitethefactthathisformal
beliefswerethatlifewasacosmicaccident,andthereforetherecouldbenomeaningtoanything,music
madehimfeelthattherewasmeaningtoitall,thatitdidmatterhowhelived!Hisfirst-orderbeliefswere
bubblingupdespitehissecond-orderbeliefs,astheydoforeveryone.
TheFreedomofCommonGrace
Withoutanunderstandingofcommongrace,theworldcanbeaprettyconfusingplaceforaChristian.It
wouldbenaturalformanyChristianstoidentifywithAntonioSalieri:Heisbewilderedandbitterthatas
amorallygoodperson,histalentismodest,whileMozart(amorallydespicableperson,atleastinPeter
Shaffer’splayAmadeus)hasbeenfavoredbyGodthroughthegiftofhissoaringtalent.Beyondhis
blindnesstohisownsin,Salieri’sproblemwasafailuretounderstandtherealityofcommongrace.God
givesoutgiftsofwisdom,talent,beauty,andskillaccordingtohisgrace—thatis,inacompletely
unmeritedway.Hecaststhemacrossthehumanracelikeseed,inordertoenrich,brighten,andpreserve
theworld.Byrights,sinshouldbemakinglifeonearthheremuchmoreunbearablethanitis—andinfact,
allofcreationandcultureshouldhavefallenapartbynow.Thereasonitisnotworseisbecauseofthe
giftofcommongrace.
Withoutanunderstandingofcommongrace,Christianswillbelievetheycanliveself-sufficiently
withintheirownculturalenclave.SomemightfeelthatweshouldgoonlytoChristiandoctors,workonly
withChristianlawyers,listenonlytoChristiancounselors,orenjoyonlyChristianartists.Ofcourse,all
non-believershaveseriouslyimpairedspiritualvision.YetsomanyofthegiftsGodhasputintheworld
aregiventononbelievers.Mozartwasagifttous—whetherhewasabelieverornot.SoChristiansare
freetostudytheworldofhumancultureinordertoknowmoreofGod;forascreaturesmadeinHis
imagewecanappreciatetruthandwisdomwhereverwefindit.
Withoutanunderstandingofcommongrace,Christianswillhavetroubleunderstandingwhynon-
ChristianssooftenexceedChristiansmorallyandinwisdom.Properlyunderstood,thedoctrineofsin
meansthatbelieversareneverasgoodasourtrueworldviewshouldmakeus.Similarly,thedoctrineof
gracemeansthatunbelieversareneverasmessedupastheirfalseworldviewshouldmakethem.Forin
theChristianstory,theantagonistisnotnon-Christiansbuttherealityofsin,which(asthegospeltellsus)
lieswithinusaswellaswithinthem.
Andsowearelikelytobeonfirmfootingifwemakecommongroundwithnon-Christianstodowork
thatservestheworld.Christians’workwithothersshouldbemarkedbybothhumblecooperationand
respectfulprovocation.Anunderstandingofcommongrace,aswellasanexperienceofGod’spardoning
graceinChrist,shouldleadustofreelyandhumblyworkwithotherswhomaynotshareourfaithbutcan
beusedgreatlybyGodtoaccomplishenormousgood.Atthesametime,anunderstandingofthegospel
worldviewmeansweshouldattimesrespectfullypursueadifferentpathorwinsomelypointouthowour
ownChristianfaithgivesuspowerfulresourcesandguidanceforwhatwearedoing.175
TheDialogueofPopularCulture
Ingeneral,Christians’reactiontopopularcultureinthelasteightyyearshasbeensomeformof
disengagement.176Music,movies,andtelevisionhavebeensweepinglyevaluatedasdangerous,polluting,
ordegrading.Thewithdrawalhastakendifferentforms.Oneformiscompleterenunciation.Anotherform
isthecreationofanalternateChristiansubculturelitteredwithsanitized,overtlyevangelisticformsof
music,movies,TVshows,literature,vacationdestinations,andsoon.Athirdformofdisengagementis
uncriticalconsumptionofpopularculturewithoutworldviewdiscernment.177Whythisdisengagement
withourculture?
Onereasonisa“thin”orlegalisticviewofsin,wheresinisseenasaseriesofdiscreteactsof
noncompliancewithGod’sregulations.YoupursueChristiangrowthlargelybyseekingenvironments
whereyouarelesslikelytodothesesinfulactionsortoencounterotherswhohavedonethem.Sincan
essentiallyberemovedfromyourlifethroughseparationanddiscipline.Thisviewofsincomportswitha
lackofunderstandingofthethoroughnessandrichnessofChrist’sgraciousworkforus.Forwithoutan
understandingofgracewewillbelievewemust(andcan)earnoursalvation.Buttoaccomplishthatwe
willneedaviewofsinthatiseasiertoconquerthroughconsciouseffort.
Ifwehaveathinviewofsin,wewillfeelsafeifweremovefromourviewanythingthatcouldtempt
ustocommitactionsofovertsexualimmorality,profanity,dishonesty,orviolence.Bywithdrawingsuch
cultural“texts”fromourpresence,wemayfeellesssinful;butwemaybefoolingourselves.The
complex,organicnatureofoursinwillstillbeatworkmakingidolsoutofgoodthingsinourlives—such
asourmoralgoodness,financialsecurity,family,doctrinalpurity,orprideinourculture.Ofcourse,there
isagreatdealthatisperniciousinpopularculture,withitsoft-notedglorificationofsexandviolence.
TheBibletellsustofleesexualtemptation(1Corinthians6:18–20);andawisepersonwillsetwise
boundaries.178Buttoomuchemphasisonwholesalewithdrawalfromcultureincreasesthelikelihoodof
slippingintoothermore“respectable”idolatries.Atheologically“thick”viewofsin,bycontrast,seesit
asacompulsivedriveofthehearttoproduceidols.Thisviewshouldleadneithertowithdrawalnorto
uncriticalconsumption,butrathertohumble,criticalengagementwithculture.178
Anothercauseofdisengagementisathin,orintellectualistic,viewofcommongrace.Aswenoted
earlier,allpeoplepossess—andsuppress—someknowledgeofGodandhischaracter.Butmany
conceiveofthisknowledgemainly(orstrictly)ascognitiveinformationthatcanberetrievedand
transmittedasweprovideevidenceoftheexistenceofGod,thetruthofChristianity,andsoon.Inother
words,wetendtothinkofthisinnateknowledgeofGodinintellectualterms.
ButthelanguageofRomans1,verses18–25givesusamuchmorecomprehensiveanddynamic
pictureofhowgeneralrevelationorcommongraceworksinreallife.Thetruthisbeingsuppressed
(verse18),butitcontinuestobeardownonus.Verse20says,“SincethecreationoftheworldGod’s
invisiblequalities...havebeenclearlyseen,beingunderstoodfromwhathasbeenmade,somenare
withoutexcuse.”Buttheverbsnosumena(“arebeingunderstood”)andkathopatai(“arebeingseen”)are
intheformofpresentpassiveparticiples.Thatis,therealityofGod’snatureandourobligationstohim
arecontinuouslypresentedtous.Theserealitiesarenotstatic,propositionalinformation,butrathera
continuallyfresh,insistentpressureontheconsciousnessofeveryindividual.Ifthisistrue,thenevery
artifactofhumancultureisapositiveresponsetoGod’sgeneralrevelationandsimultaneouslya
rebelliousassertionagainsthissovereignruleoverus(Romans1:21).
Sowecanseeallculturalproduction(andremember,everythingwedoatworkissomeformof
culturalproduction)asadialoguebetweenourinnate,affirmingresponsetoGod’scommongraceandthe
idolatrous,rebelliousnatureofourhearts.Therefore,humancultureisanextremelycomplexmixtureof
brillianttruth,marredhalf-truths,andovertresistancetothetruth.“Lossoffaithinagivenreligiondoes
notbyanymeansimplytheeradicationofthereligiousinstinct.Itmerelymeansthattheinstinct,
temporarilyrepressed,willseekanobjectelsewhere.”179
Hereisaninterestingexampleofthisdialogue:
OneofthemovieswehaveshownstudentsistheVietnamese/Americanco-productionThree
Seasons,acollectionoffourintertwiningvignettes.Onestoryhastodowithacyclo(sortofa
crossbetweenabicycleandarickshaw)drivernamedHaiandhisinfatuationwithan
ambitiousprostitute,ayoungwomanwhoissureshecansleepherwayoutofpovertyintothe
cool,cleanworldoftheluxuryhotelsnearwheresheworks.Afterwinningsomemoneyina
cyclorace,hepays$50tospendthenightwithher.Herentsaroomintheluxuryhotelandthe
sceneleadsyoutoexpectatypical,eroticlovescene.Againsttheviewerexpectations,though,
hedoesnothavesexwithher.Insteadhesimplyrequeststowatchherfallasleep,towatchher
restintheworldshedreamsofjoining.Slowly,comfortably,shefallsasleep.Andheisgonein
themorning,havingdemandednothingfromherexceptthechancetofulfillherdesiretobelong.
Somethingsnapsintheprostitute,andshefindsshecannotreturntoheroldjob.[Thereissome
similarityheretohowthegraceofthebishoptransformsValjeanintoanhonestmaninLes
Misérables.]Itisapowerfulscene,acompletelyunexpectedglimpseoffragilebeautyand
selfless,life-changinglove.Tomyknowledge,director/screenwriterTonyBuiisnota
Christian,andperhapshasneverevenheardthegospel....Butmomentsofbeautyandtruth
[andincrediblypoignantimagesofChrist’ssavingwork]areevidenceoftheworkofGodwho
preservesthenoble,creativeimageofhimselfinusdespitethedistortingeffectsofsin.180
Dualismvs.Integration
Christians’disengagementfrompopularcultureusuallycarriesoverintodualismatwork.“Dualism”isa
termusedtodescribeaseparatingwallbetweenthesacredandthesecular.Itisadirectresultofathin
viewofsin,commongrace,andGod’sprovidentialpurposes.
DualismleadssometothinkthatiftheirworkistopleaseChrist,itmustbedoneovertlyinhisname.
TheyfeeltheyhavetowriteandperformartthatexplicitlymentionsJesus,orteachreligioussubjectsina
Christianschool;orthattheymustworkinanorganizationinwhichallpeopleareprofessingChristians.
OrtheymustleteveryoneknowthattheyleadBiblestudiesintheofficeinthemorningbeforework
hours.(RememberhowLutherrailedagainsttheseparationofallworkintothe“spiritualestate”andthe
“temporalestate.”)Thiskindofdualismcomesbothfromafailuretoseethepanoramicscopeofcommon
graceandthesubtledepthsofhumansin.Peoplewiththisviewcannotseethatworkdonebynon-
ChristiansalwayscontainssomedegreeofGod’scommongraceaswellasthedistortionsofsin.And
theycannotseethatworkdonebyChristians,evenifitovertlynamesthenameofJesus,isalso
significantlydistortedbysin.
Theoppositedualisticapproach,however,isevenmoreprevalent—andbasedonourexperience,
evenmoredifficulttodismantle.Inthisapproach,ChristiansthinkofthemselvesasChristiansonlywithin
churchactivity.TheirChristianlifeiswhattheydoonSundaysandweeknights,whentheyengagein
spiritualactivities.Therestoftheweektheyhavenoabilitytothinkcircumspectlyabouttheunderlying
valuestheyareconsumingandlivingout.Intheirlifeandwork“outintheworld,”theyuncritically
acceptandreenactalloftheirculture’sunderlyingvaluesandidolatriesofself,surfaceappearances,
technique,personalfreedom,materialism,andotherfeaturesofexpressiveindividualism.Whilethefirst
formofdualismfailstograsptheimportanceofwhatwehaveincommonwiththeworld,thisformfails
tograsptheimportanceofwhatisdistinctiveabouttheChristianworldview—namely,thatthegospel
reframesallthings,notjustreligiousthings.
Theintegrationoffaithandworkistheoppositeofdualism.Weshouldbewillingtobeveryengaged
withtheculturalandvocationalworldsofnon-Christians.Ourthickviewofsinwillremindusthateven
explicitlyChristianworkandculturewillalwayshavesomeidolatrousdiscoursewithinit.Ourthick
viewofcommongracewillremindusthatevenexplicitlynon-Christianworkandculturewillalways
havesomewitnesstoGod’struthinit.BecauseChristiansareneverasgoodastheirrightbeliefsshould
makethemandnon-Christiansareneverasbadastheirwrongbeliefsshouldmakethem,wewilladopta
stanceofcriticalenjoymentofhumancultureanditsexpressionsineveryfieldofwork.Wewilllearnto
recognizethehalf-truthsandresisttheidols;andwewilllearntorecognizeandcelebratetheglimpsesof
justice,wisdom,truth,andbeautywefindaroundusinallaspectsoflife.Ultimately,agraspofthegospel
andofbiblicalteachingonculturalengagementshouldleadChristianstobethemostappreciativeofthe
handsofGodbehindtheworkofourcolleaguesandneighbors.
ELEVEN
ANewCompassforWork
Onthedayofyourfasting,youdoasyoupleaseandexploitallyourworkers....Isnotthis
thekindoffastingIhavechosen:toloosethechainsofinjusticeanduntiethecordsofthe
yoke,tosettheoppressedfreeandbreakeveryyoke?Isitnottoshareyourfoodwiththe
hungryandtoprovidethepoorwandererwithshelter—whenyouseethenaked,toclothe
him?
Isaiah58:3,6–7
TheLimitationsofEthics
Notlongafterthefinancialmeltdownin2008and2009,awriterinTheNewYorkTimesSundayOpinion
sectionwroteaboutafriendofherswhohadworkedataninvestmentbankbeforeshewaslaidoff.She
wasknowntobehardworking,fair,andhonest,andshehadbeengenerouswithhermoneytowardfriends
andcharitablenonprofits.However,herspecialtyhadbeensecuritizingsubprimemortgages,student
loans,andcreditcarddebt.“Thatallthisdebtshewasputtingtogetherlikeapuzzleandsellingto
investorswouldplaysuchasinisterroleinthedownfalloftheeconomydidn’toccurtoher—althoughit
probablyshouldhave.”181Whydidn’titoccurtoher?SomanyonWallStreetareaskingthemselvesand
oneanotherthatquestion.Thereasonisthatourmodernandpostmodernidolsworkagainstour
inclinationtoasksuchquestions.Theytellusthatifthepracticeislegalandifeveryoneisdoingit,the
onlyfundamentalquestionis:Canmoneybemade?
Somescoffattheideathatthefinancialservicesindustryandbusinessatlargeneedmoreexternal
constraintstobeethical.Inonearticlerespondingtowidespreadcallsforhigherethicsamongbusiness
leaders,TheEconomistcitedMiltonFriedman’sfamousdictumthatbusinessmanagershaveoneandonly
onegoal:tomaximizeshareholdervalue.182Thewriterarguedthatthemarketitselfrewardsintegrityand
punishesdishonesty.Noonehastostandovermanagersandbusinessowners;iftheyaredishonestitwill
catchuptothemandruinthebottomline.Payattentiontothebottomline,andtherestwilltakecareof
itself.
Indeed,manybusinessethicscoursesandbookssubtlyargueinthesameway.Yes,theysay,business
ownersandemployeesshouldbehonestandfair.Yes,weshouldtreatemployeeswithgenerosity,andwe
shouldgivebacktothecommunity.Butwhy?Whatisthebasisforsuchanappeal?Themostcommon
answeris:It’sgoodforbusiness.Itenhancesyourreputation,andinthelongtermitcreatesamore
favorablebusinessenvironment.Inotherwords,mostpeopleargue—orattheveryleast,liveout—ethics
onthebasisofcost-benefitanalysis.Integrityisprofitable;dishonestyisn’t.Andmostofthetime,atleast
inthelongrun,thisistrue.
Butisthatenough?Won’ttherebeatleastsomesituationsinwhichtheshort-termgainsforan
ethicallyquestionableactwillbesogreat,andthedangertoyouoryourfriendssosmall,thatonthebasis
ofcost-benefitanalysisthepotentialgainsvastlyoutweightherisk?Ofcourse.Andtherewillevenbe
situationsinanyfieldinwhichdoingthepurelyethicalthingcouldbefinanciallyruinous,and,therefore,
accordingtostrictcost-benefitanalysis,theriskofgettingcaughtinanethicalviolation,orfracturinga
relationship,isclearlyworthtaking.Soatleastpartofthetime,itisbadbusinesstobehonest.
Let’sapplythistoamorepersonalandseeminglysmallsituationtowhichmanypeoplecanrelate.At
twenty-sevenyearsold,Howardwasgivenanopportunitytomovefromonelargecompanytoanotherfor
amodestincreaseinresponsibility,butgreaterfutureopportunity.Atthepointofsalarynegotiations,
Howardwasaskedtosharehiscurrentsalarywithhisprospectiveemployer.Howardpumpedupthe
figurebyamere4percent,afewthousanddollars.Ofcoursehisthinkingwasthatthehighertheythought
hissalarywascurrently,themorethey’dofferhim.Hejustifiedtheliebecausetheprospectivecompany
offeredtwoweekslessvacationayearthanhiscurrentone.Hejustaddedthevalueofthatbenefitonto
hissalaryfigure.Ontheveryslimchancethathe’dgetcaught,hehadaplausibleexcuse.Thebenefit
outweighedthecostandrisk.Andbytheway,hewasprettysureeveryonedidthissortofthing.Sowas
thereanythingwrongwithit?
Ourindividualprofessionalethicshaveacumulativeeffect,forgoodorill,onthebroadercommon
good.Inashortbutcompellingbooklet,formervicepresidentoftheEuropeanParliamentSirFred
Catherwoodcontendsthatcorruptionisoneofthegreatestchallengestoeconomicdevelopmentand
politicalstabilityintheworld.183Asayoungmaninaninternationalconstructionbusiness,hediscovered
thatbriberywasroutineinthepartsoftheworldinwhichtherewaslittlepoliticalstabilityandterrible
extremesofwealthandpoverty,butwhereitwaslessprevalentboththeeconomyandcivilsocietywere
stronger.Inresponsetothispattern,representativesofmanyinternationalcompanies,development
institutions,publicofficials,andotherNGOscreatedananticorruptionmovementcalledTransparency
International.184
Catherwoodtellsastorytoillustratethatpersonalhonestyhasawidersocialimpact,andalsothat
practicinghonestytakesnotjustanindividualbutthesupportoftheentirecommunity.Herelatesthe
experienceofabrilliantyoungChristiandoctorfromacountrywhere,bylaw,hospitalcarewas
supposedtobefreetoallcitizens.Therealitywasthatbothnursesanddoctorswereroutinelybribedin
ordertosecurecare,andthereforeonlythewealthygottreatment.Manydiedbecausetheycouldnotpay.
Thisevilwassystemic,becausethegovernmentcouldnotsupplythekindoffinancialsupportnecessary
toprovidethehospitalcareitpromised,inlargepartduetocorruptionandpayoffsinotherpartsofthe
politicalstructure.Theyoungmanrefused,forthesakeofconscience,totakethebribes,andsohe
essentiallycouldnotparticipateinthehealthcareprogramofhissociety.Whenhelookedtohischurch
forsupport,hewasdisappointed.Therapidlygrowingnationalchurchwasstillyoungandnotyet
sociallysecure.Theywereafraidtoopposethepowerfulgovernmentinterests.Infrustrationhefinally
emigrated,leavingbehindthecountrythatsogreatlyneededbothhisskillsandhiscommitmentto
justice.185
PaulBatchelorofTransparencyInternationalwarnsthatmostpeoplebelievecorruptiontobea
problemonlyin“backward”partsoftheworld.Thatisagrossoversimplification,ashewritesinan
essaycalled“SaltandLight:Christians’RoleinCombatingCorruption.”186Thegreaterthecorruption,
thegreatertheeconomicweakness.Buteveninthemoreprosperouspartsoftheworldcorruptionsaps
economiesthatcouldbeevenstrongerandrobsmanypeople—usuallythepoor—ofthebenefitsofliving
inthosesocieties.Batchelorpointstoourgrowingawarenessthatinthefinancialworldthereisoften
“distortionofinvestmentandincentives,”suchthatinvestorsandshareholderscannolongertrustthe
numbersthatcompaniesandfinancialinstitutionsgivethem,andthislackoftrustunderminesinvestment
andgrowth.TheweekIamwritingthis,BarclaysBankhasbeenfinedmorethan450milliondollarsfor
manipulatingthepricesoffinancialproductstotheirownbenefit(inthiscasebyriggingtheLibor,or
LondonInterbankOfferedRate)andtothedetrimentofsmallbusinessesandinvestors.187
Batchelorpointsoutthatcorruptiondoesnotmarkonlythebusinessworld.Helistsrevelationsof
corruption,outrightbribery,andgrossself-interestbyelectedandgovernmentofficials.Thisleadsto
increasingcynicismonthepartofthecitizenry,andlessparticipationinthepoliticalprocess,whichthen
enablescorruptiontothriveallthemore.HughHeclo,professorofgovernmentatHarvardandGeorge
Mason,wroteabookcalledOnThinkingInstitutionallythattracesthehistoryofthesteadylossof
confidencethatAmericanshaveexperiencedtowardalloftheirinstitutions—government,business,
religious—andtheconsequentdireeffectsonsociety.188Sopersonaldishonestyintheworkplace—when
itbreeds—canhavefarwidereffectsonsociety.
SowhataboutHoward?Howcouldhissmallliepossiblyhavewidereffectsonsociety?AsHoward
tellsthestorynow,hesharesthatarealbreakthroughinhisthinkinghappenedwhenherealizedthatthe
desireforjustalittlemoremoneywouldsoeasilycausehimtoforsakehisintegrity.Whycouldn’thejust
havebeenhonestandsharedthathethoughtthetwoweeks’vacationhe’dbesacrificingwasworthan
additionalfewthousanddollars?Whycouldn’thejusttrustthatGod,whowasprovidingtheinterviewin
thefirstplace,wouldprovideforthesalary?Andwashebasinghisinterestinthejobonthesalaryoron
theworkGodwasgivinghimtodo?Herealizedthatthewiderimpactonsocietystartedwiththe
recognitionthat,withintegritysacrificedonthealtarofmoney,thenextliewouldbeeasier.Herealized
thatotherswhomightobservehimcouldbetemptedtodothesame.Everyonewouldtrustoneanothera
littleless.Andherealizedthattoworkforthemoneyinsteadofthevaluethattheworkitselfmight
contributewoulddamagethecultureofthecompanyhewasjoining.
Christianscantakeastandagainstunethicalbehavior,evenifitmeansgreatsacrificeontheirpart.
Fortunately,thestorylineoftheChristianfaithgivesbelieversanethicalbedrock—amuchfirmer
foundationforactingwithintegritythanofferedbythepragmaticapproachofacost-benefitanalysis.We
aretobehonest,compassionate,andgenerousnotbecausethesethingsarerewarding(whichtheyusually
are,hencethecost-benefitapproachtoethics),butbecausetheyarerightinandofthemselves—because
todosohonorsthewillofGodandhisdesignforhumanlife.Sometimes,ofcourse,thatwillputusinthe
minorityandevenatadisadvantage.Butindeed,asBiblescholarBruceWaltkepointsout,theBiblesays
thattheverydefinitionofrighteouspeopleisthattheydisadvantagethemselvestoadvantageothers,while
“thewicked...arewillingtodisadvantagethecommunitytoadvantagethemselves.”189
ADifferentSetofVirtues
InChapter10wearguedthatthebiblicalconceptofcommongraceemphasizesthecommonalities
betweenChristiansandourworkcolleagueswhodonotsubscribetoourbeliefs.SoChristiansandnon-
Christianscansharethesameeducationandexpertise,canappreciatetogetheradvancesinthefieldand
admirethemostskilledpractitioners,whatevertheirfaith.Itisimportanttobeasskillful,diligent,savvy,
anddisciplinedaswecanpossiblybe.InColossians3,verse23wearetold“whateveryoudo,workat
itwithallyourheart,asworkingfortheLord.”Thosewhotakethisbiblicaldirectiveseriouslywillseek
therespectoftheircolleaguesforthequalityandintegrityoftheirwork.Thismeanshavingatrackrecord
ofsayingwhatwemeananddoingwhatwesay,followingthroughoncommitmentseverytime,whether
formalorinformal,andbeingtransparentandfair-minded.
Manyarguethatbeingapersonofintegrityanddedicationissimplycommonsense,thatitdoesnot
requireChristianfaith.Atonelevelthisistrue.Thewell-knownappendixtoC.S.Lewis’sTheAbolition
ofMandemonstrateshowsimilarvariousculturesandreligionsareintheirunderstandingofthevirtuous
humanlife.190Nonetheless,Christiansareequippedwithanethicalcompassandpowerofthegospelthat
cansetusapart—sometimessharply,sometimessubtly—fromthosearoundus.Thisisbecausebiblical
Christianfaithgivesussignificantresourcesnotpresentinotherworldviews,which,iflivedout,will
differentiatebelieversintheworkplace.
ThomasAquinas,thegreatestChristiantheologianofthemedievalera,lookedatthefourcardinal
virtuesofPlato—justice,courage,temperance,andprudence—andagreedthatthesewerealsotaughtin
theChristianScriptures.191ThenAquinasaddedthreetheologicalvirtues—faith,hope,andlove—tothe
fourcardinalvirtues,becausethesearespecificallyanduniquelybornoutoftheChristianrevelation
aboutthecharacterofGodandhisgrace.Whileancientculturescertainlyvaluedcompassionwithin
limits,Christianteachingraisedthedefinitionoftheideaoflovetoanewlevel,toincludelovingone’s
enemiesandforgivingpersecutors.Thiswasseenasoutrageousbythoseinshameandhonorcultures,
wherevengefulnesswasseenasavirtue.
FrenchphilosopherLucFerryinhishistoryofphilosophyarguesthatChristianitygot“theupperhand
overGreekthoughtanddominatedEurope”especiallybecauseofwhatittaught“intherealmofethics.”
Specifically,Greekthoughthadalwaysseenultimaterealityasfundamentallyimpersonal,but“the
harmoniousanddivinestructureofthecosmos...cametobeidentifiedforChristianswithasingleand
uniquepersonality,thatofChrist.”192BeforeChristianity,bothWesternandEasternculturesconceivedof
salvationasentranceintoanimpersonalandanonymousstate.Therewasnoconceptthatwecamefrom
divineloveandcouldreturntoexperienceit.ButChristianityunderstoodultimaterealitytoberootedina
personalGodwhocreatedoutoflove.Thiscaused“thetransitionfromananonymousandblinddoctrine
ofsalvationtoonethatpromisesnotonlythatweshallbesavedbyoneperson,Christ,butthatweshall
besavedasindividualsinourownright.”193
Christiansunderstoodthatweweremadebyandforeternallove,whichwastheprimarymeaningof
life.EventheChristiandoctrineofGodastriune,consistingofthreepersonswhohaveknownandloved
oneanotherfromalleternity,demonstratesthatrelationshipsoflovearethebuildingblocksofallreality.
AndtheultimatepurposeofGod’sworkofcreationwastocreateaworldofpersonswithwhomhecould
enjoyarelationship.Godcreatedpeople,nottoreceiveloveandhonorfromthembuttosharethelove,
joy,honor,andgloryhealreadyhadwithintheTrinity.194
Love,then,occupiesasupremeplaceintheChristianimagination.AsJesussays,tobefullyhuman
boilsdowntolovingGodandlovingourneighbor.Everythingelse—ouraccomplishments,ourcauses,
ouridentity,andourfeelings—isadistantsecond.Ofcoursethisunderstandingofthenatureofreality
willhaveanextensiveimpactonhowwedoourwork.Forinstance,arerelationshipsameanstotheend
ofaccruingpower,wealth,andcomfort?Oriswealthcreationameanstoservetheendgoalofloving
others?OnewaygoesagainstthegrainoftheuniversemadebyatriuneGod,andthereforeitcannot
honorhimorleadtohumanflourishing.TheotheristheparadigmofChristianwork.
Thinkoftheclichéthatnobodyevergetstotheendoftheirlifeandwishestheyhadspentmoretimeat
theoffice.Itmakesgoodsense,ofcourse,uptoapoint.Buthere’samoreinterestingperspective:Atthe
endofyourlife,willyouwishthatyouhadplungedmoreofyourtime,passion,andskillsintowork
environmentsandworkproductsthathelpedpeopletogiveandreceivemorelove?Canyouseeawayto
answer“yes”tothisquestionfromyourcurrentcareertrajectory?
ADifferentViewofHumanity
Togetherwiththesupremacyoflove,Christianfaithgivesusanotherresourceforethicalbehavior—a
specificbasisforhonoringhumanrights.IfeverypersonismadeintheimageofGodheorshehas
inviolablerights,regardlessofthatperson’srace,class,gender,lifestyle,ormoralcharacter.Ferrysays
thatamongtheGreeksandRomans,theworthofapersonrestedinhisinheritedgiftsandabilities,not
simplyinbeinghuman.195ThisisthereasonAristotlecouldwritethatsomepeoplearenaturallybornto
beslaves,becausetheywerenotascapableofadvancedrationalthought.Hesaid,“Naturewouldliketo
distinguishbetweenthebodiesoffreemenandslaves,makingtheonestrongforservilelabor,theother
upright,andalthoughuselessforsuchservices,usefulforpoliticallifeintheartsbothofwarand
peace....Itisclear,then,thatsomemenarebynaturefree,andothersslaves,andthatfortheselatter
slaveryisbothexpedientandright.”196
Bystarkcontrast,JohnCalvin,oneoftheProtestantReformers,wrote:
Thegreatpartof[men]aremostunworthyiftheybejudgedbytheirownmerit.Buthere
Scripturehelpsinthebestwaywhenitteachesthatwearenottoconsiderthatmenmeritof
themselvesbuttolookupontheimageofGodinallmen,towhichweoweallhonorand
love....Youwillsay,“Hehasdeservedsomethingfardifferentofme.”YetwhathastheLord
deserved?...Remembernottoconsidermen’sevilintentionbut...lookupontheimageof
Godinthem,which...withitsbeautyanddignityalluresustoloveandembracethem.197
Byrestingitscaseuponauniquedefinitionofthehumanperson(asimage-bearerofGod)andan
unprecedentedideaoflove(astheorigin,purpose,anddestinyoftheworld),Christianitywastohavean
incalculableeffectuponthehistoryofideasandthedevelopmentofculture.IfnotfortheChristianview
oftheindividual,forexample,thephilosophyofhumanrightstowhichwesubscribetodaywouldnever
haveemerged.ChristianityheldthatallhumanbeingsaremadeintheimageofGodandthereforehavean
inviolablerighttobetreatedwithhonorandlove,regardlessofwhethertheyculturally,morally,and
personallyappealtooroffendus.Thesweepingnatureofthisethicalprincipleisstartling,andnothingof
itskindwasproducedinpre-Christiancultures.AsFerrynotesandothershavearguedextensively,this
understandingofhumanrightsgrewoutofthesoiloftheChristianbeliefintheimageofGod.198
HowshouldthisbeliefbemanifestinthewayChristiansdotheirwork?Katherinehassharedthat
whenshefirstmadetheswitchfrombusinesstoworkinginthechurch,shewastalkingtoapastor
colleagueaboutsomeofher“contacts”intown.Thepastorturnedtoherandgentlysaid,“Katherine,you
workinministrynow.Inministrywecallthem‘people.’”Thepressuresandpracticesofthemarketplace
increasinglycauseustorationalizeeveryaspectoflifebyanalyzingefficiencies.Peoplebecomecontacts
whocanhelpyou;customersareeyeballsandwallets;employeesareresourcestoexecuteatask.It’sso
easytomeasuretheworthofcustomers,employees,andevencongregantsinfinancialterms.Froma
strictlyeconomicperspective,shareholders,management,employees,suppliers,customers,and
communityresidentshaveunequalfinancialvalue,anditisdifficultnottotreatthemunequallyinsome
respects.Butwhileeconomicallyspeakingsomearemorevaluablethanothers,theologicallyspeakingall
ofusaremadeintheimageofGodandarethereforeequalinimportance.
Considerthecaseofanunavoidablelayoff.Ofcourse,atvarioustimesinanycommunity’slifesome
stakeholdersneedtosacrificeforthelong-termgoodofthewhole.Neverthelessitispossibletohandle
thesesituationswithlove.Managersleadinginalayoffsituationcanminimizetheirowntime,discomfort,
andeffortbyissuingtersebulletinsandshuttingoffanyabilitytoquestionorexpressconcerns.But
treatingpeopleashumanbeingswithdignityratherthaninterchangeableresourcesmeansbeing
transparentwithinformation,offeringextensivetwo-waycommunication,andseekinggenuinelyto
persuaderatherthanmerelytocontrolpeople’sresponses.Treatingpeoplewithdignityinthemidstofthe
realityofdownsizingandlayoffsrequiresastrongmoralcompass.ButbeliefintheimageofGodcan
bringanewdimensiontotheconductoforganizationallife.
AsFerryandothersobserve,theconceptofhumanrights,bornoutofthetheologicalvirtueoflove,
hasbeenappropriatedanddeployedwidelytodaybymanypeoplewhodonotbelieveinChristianityor
indeedinGodatall.Millionsofirreligiouspeoplecananddobelievepassionatelyinhumanrights.But
somehavealsowarnedthatinathoroughlysecularsociety,withoutthebeliefinaloving,personalGod
fromwhichthewholeconceptcame,long-termcommitmenttohumanrightscouldwane.Christiansmust
remainabsolutelycommittedtoanunderstandingofhumanrightsbasedontheimageofGod.199
ADifferentSourceofGuidance
Mostpeoplethinkoffaithandspiritualityasconsistingofdoctrinalbeliefs,moralbehavior,andspiritual
experience.SowhenthinkingofGodgivingusa“moralcompass,”theyimagineasetofethicalrulesand
regulations,akindofdivineinstructionmanualfromGodforlife.AnditiscertainlytruethatintheBible
Christiansreceivemanypracticalethicalprinciplesforhowtoliveandmanyboundarymarkersshowing
uswhatbehaviorwemustcompletelyavoid.IfthatwereallGodprovidedus,itwouldbehelpful,but
insufficient.Becausethereisawholecategorymissing—wisdom.
AccordingtotheBible,wisdomismorethanjustobeyingGod’sethicalnorms;itisknowingtheright
thingtodointhe80percentoflife’ssituationsinwhichthemoralrulesdon’tprovidetheclearanswer.
Thereisnobiblicallawthattellsyouwhatjobtotake,whethertogobacktoschool,whomtomarryand
befriend,whentospeakoutorholdyourpeace,whethertomakethedealorwalkaway—yetthewrong
decisionscanblowupyourlife.
Howcanwebecomewisesothatwemakegooddecisions?TheBibleteachesthatwisdom
accumulatesfromseveralsources.First,wemustnotmerelybelieveinGod,butknowhimpersonally.
WhenGod’sgraciouslovebecomesnotanabstractdoctrinebutalivingreality,itmeansourheartisless
controlledbyanxietyandpride,twopowerfulforcesthatconstantlyleadustounwiselyover-orunder-
reacttosituations.Second,wemustknowourselves.Manybaddecisionsstemfromaninabilitytoknow
whatweareandarenotcapableofaccomplishing.Thegospelkeepsusfromover-orunderestimating
ourownabilities,becauseitshowsusbothoursinandGod’sloveforusinChrist.Third,welearn
wisdomthroughexperience.Thefoolishheart—blindedfromrealitybecauseofitsidols—doesnotlearn
fromexperience.Infact,theupsanddownsoflifecanleadustomanyfalseinferences.Theproudperson
blamesallfailuresonothers,whiletheself-hatertakesfullblameforthemevenwhenothersare
responsible.WithouttheknowledgeofGodandselfthatthegospelbrings,experiencemayteachus
preciouslittle;butifweknowGodandself,thentimedeepensourunderstandingofhumannature,ofthe
timeswelivein,ofthepoweranduseofwords,ofhowhumanrelationshipswork.Allthisleadsto
wisdomindecision-making.
IntheOldTestament,thebestplacetounderstandwisdomisthebookofProverbs.Proverbsisarich
resourceforhandlinganger,envy,pride,anddiscouragement;forresistingthetemptationsofbeauty,
money,andpower;forwrestlingwiththeproblemofself-control;formakingdecisions;andforkeeping
relationshipsingoodrepair.AndwhatdoestheNewTestamentteach?ItassumesalltheOldTestament
teachesaboutthenatureofwisdom,butitgivesChristiansanewandwonderfulresourcetodowhat
Proverbscallsustodo.HowcanwemovefrommerelyknowingaboutGodtoknowingGod?Howcan
wegetdeepinsightintoourownheartandtheheartsofothers?TheansweristhroughtheHolySpirit,
giventousbyChristwhenweembracehiminfaith.
TheNewTestamentcallstheHolySpiritthe“spiritofwisdom”(Ephesians1:17)and“power”
(1:19).PaulpraysforhisfriendsthatGodwouldfillthemwith“allthewisdomandunderstandingthatthe
Spiritgives”(Colossians1:9).WhenhespeaksinthefamousEphesians5passageaboutbeingfilledwith
theSpirithecallshisreadersto“beverycareful...howyoulive—notasunwisebutaswise”
(Ephesians5:15–16).200Tobewiseistoknowhowtobestuseeverymomentstrategically.Andthis
insightcomesfromtheinfluenceoftheHolySpirit,whoalsostrengthensustolivealifeworthyofthe
Lord(Colossians1:11)andisreferredtoasa“spiritofpower,oflove,andofself-discipline”(2
Timothy1:7).
ButhowdoestheSpiritcometogiveuswisdom?Arewetositinsilenceandwaittohearavoice?
Notatall.InActs15weseetheleadersoftheearlychurchembroiledinacontroversyoverwhether
GentileconvertswererequiredtokeeptheJewishdietarylawsandotherculturalcustoms.Ineffect,they
werewrestlingwithanissueoforganizationalpolicy.Thetextshowsusthattheydebatedanddiscussed
mattersintenselyuntiltheycameupwithasolution.Thentheymadeadecisionandsentitouttothe
churchwiththefascinatingwords,“ItseemedgoodtotheHolySpiritandtousthat...”(Acts15:28).In
otherwords,theyusedtheirbestthinkingandreasoning,theirknowledgeandtheirexperience,andcame
upwithasounddecisionthattheyattributedtotheHolySpirit.
HerethenishowtheSpiritmakesuswise.Onthenightbeforehedied,Jesustoldhisdisciplesthathe
wouldsendtheHolySpiritand“whenhe,theSpiritoftruth,comes...hewillglorifyme...”(John
16:13–14).TheSpiritdoesnotmakeuswiseinsomemagicalkindofway,givinguslittlenudgesand
insidertipstohelpusalwayschoosethebeststocktoinvestin.Rather,hemakesJesusChristaliving,
brightreality,transformingourcharacter,givingusnewinnerpoise,clarity,humility,boldness,
contentment,andcourage.Allofthisleadstoincreasingwisdomastheyearsgoby,andtobetterand
betterprofessionalandpersonaldecisions.
ADifferentAudience
InEphesians6,Paulsetsforthasimplebutprofoundprinciplethatbothennobleswork(forthosein
dangerofviewingitasdrudgery)anddemythologizeswork(forthoseindangerofmakingittheir
identity).Hesaysallworkshouldbedone“asifyouwereservingtheLord”:
Slaves,obeyyourearthlymasterswithrespectandfear,andwithsincerityofheart,justasyou
wouldobeyChrist.Obeythemnotonlytowintheirfavorwhentheireyeisonyou,butas
slavesofChrist,doingthewillofGodfromyourheart.Servewholeheartedly,asifyouwere
servingtheLord,notpeople,becauseyouknowthattheLordwillrewardeachonefor
whatevergoodtheydo,whethertheyareslaveorfree.Andmasters,treatyourslavesinthe
sameway.Donotthreatenthem,sinceyouknowthathewhoisboththeirMasterandyoursisin
heaven,andthereisnofavoritismwithhim(Ephesians6:5–9).
Paulisspeakingtoservantsandmasters,andthisraisesmanyquestionsinthemindsofmodern
readersabouttheBible’sdepictionoftheevilofslavery.Whilemuchcanbesaidaboutthissubject,201it
isimportanttorememberthatslaveryintheGreco-RomanworldwasnotthesameastheNewWorld
institutionthatdevelopedinthewakeoftheAfricanslavetrade.SlaveryinPaul’stimewasnotrace-
basedandwasseldomlifelong.Itwasmorelikewhatwewouldcallindenturedservitude.Butforour
purposes,thinkofthispassageasarhetoricalamplifierandconsiderthis:Ifslaveownersaretoldthey
mustnotmanageworkersinprideandthroughfear,howmuchmoreshouldthisbetrueofemployers
today?Andifslavesaretolditispossibletofindsatisfactionandmeaningintheirwork,howmuchmore
shouldthisbetrueofworkerstoday?
ThekeytoPaul’steachinghereispsychologicalaswellasspiritual.Hetellsbothemployeesand
employerstochangetheiraudience.Whoiswatchingyouwork?Whomareyouworkingfor?Whose
opinionmattersmostintheend?
Foremployees.First,workersaretoldtobewholeheartedintheirwork(“withsincerityofheart,”
verse5).Theyarenottodoonlytheminimumworknecessarytoavoidpenalty;theyarenottoworkhard
onlywhentheirsupervisorscanobservethem;noraretheytoworkmindlesslyordistractedly.Instead
Christiansaretobefullyengagedatworkaswholepersons,givingtheirminds,hearts,andbodiesfully
todoingthebestjobpossibleonthetaskathand.Why?
Christianworkerscanthinkandworkthiswaybecausetheyhaveanewmotivefortheirwork.They
work“asif[they]wereservingtheLord”(verse5).Sobecausetheyhaveanunimaginablerewardin
Christ(verse8),theirworkdoesnothavetobeundulytiedtotheamountofrewardthattheygetfrom
theirmasters.Aparallelpassagereads,“Whateveryoudo,workatitwithallyourheart,asworkingfor
theLord,notformen,sinceyouknowthatyouwillreceiveaninheritancefromtheLordasareward”
(Colossians3:23–24).TheGreekword“an”before“inheritance”shouldreallybetranslatedas“the.”
Paulistalkingabouttheblissoftheworldtocome.
Christians,yousee,havebeensetfreetoenjoyworking.Ifwebegintoworkasifwewereserving
theLord,wewillbefreedfrombothoverworkandunderwork.Neithertheprospectofmoneyand
acclaim,northelackofit,willbeourcontrollingconsideration.Workwillbeprimarilyawaytoplease
Godbydoinghisworkintheworld,forhisname’ssake.
OnceChristianworkersunderstandthisprinciple,thereareseveralpracticalimplications.First,they
aretoservewith“respectandfear”—aphrasethatmeansononehandbeingcourteousandrespectful
(ratherthandisdainful)andontheotherhandhumblyconfident(ratherthancringingorservile).Theterm
“fear”probablymeans“thefearoftheLord.”IntheBible,thisdoesnotmeantocowerinterrorofGod.
PassagessuchasPsalm130,verse4teachthatthemoreyouexperienceGod’smercyandforgiveness,the
morethetruefearoftheLordwillincreaseinyou.ThistruefearofGodmeanstoliveinsuchaweand
wonder,andinsuchintenseloveandrespect,thatyoufeartodishonorhimorgrievehim.Imaginehaving
inyourhomesomeonewhomyouhaveadmiredallyourlifeandwhomyouneverthoughtyouwouldmeet.
Youreverethepersonbyreputation,soyouwillnotactcasually;youwillmakeeveryefforttofulfillhis
orhereveryrequestandwish.ThisishowwearetoregardGod’sinterestinourwork.Workistobe
donewithallyourheartandmight,asskillfullyasyoucan,anditshouldfeelnotlikeaburden,buta
privilege.
Second,Christiansaretoworkwith“sincerityofheart,”whichisliterallysinglenessofheart,aterm
thatconnotesbothfocusandintegrity.Itmeansourworkmustbeethical,notdishonestorduplicitousin
anyregard.Third,wearetowork“notonlytowintheirfavorwhentheireyeisonyou.”Thismeanswe
donotworkhardonlywhenbeingwatched;nordowedoonlywhatisnecessarytogetby.Finally,the
word“wholeheartedly”inverse7meansChristiansaretoworkwithcheerfulnessandjoy.
Foremployers.HerePaultellsmastersthattheyareslavestoo—slavesofChrist(verse9).Thatisan
extraordinaryandradicalwordtospeakintoarigidlyhierarchicalculture.Heissaying,“Conduct
yourselfamongyourservantsasifyouareafellowslave”!Itiseasytooverlookthelittlephrase“inthe
sameway.”Inwhatway?Inthewaythatslavesweretotreattheirmasters—withthegreatestrespectfor
theirneeds!NewTestamentscholarPeterO’Brienwrites:
Inwhatisashockingexhortationtoslaveownersinthefirst-centuryGreco-Romanworld,the
apostleadmonishesmasters:treatyourslavesinthesameway.Accordingtoaproverbial
statementknowntoSeneca,“allslavesare[our]enemies,”whilemanymastersweretyrants
andabusive.Inordertodealwiththeirslaves,ownerswereknowntothreatenbeatings,sexual
harassment,orsellingmaleslavesawayfromthehouseholdswiththeresultthattheywouldbe
partedforeverfromtheirlovedones.Paul’scrypticexhortationisoutrageous.Itdoesnotmean,
however,thatmastersaretoservetheirslaves....likelyitpointstotheirattitudesand
actions,which,likethoseofslaves,aretobegovernedbytheirrelationshiptotheirheavenly
Lord.Anoutcomeofthiswillbethatmasterswillabandontheuseofthreatsagainsttheir
slaves.Thisisnottosuggestthatslavescouldnotbewarnedofpunishmentiftheydidwrong.
Rather,theclauserejectsallformsofmanipulating,demeaning,orterrifyingslavesbythreats.
Intheimmediatecontext,slaveshavealreadybeeninstructedtoshowrespect,sincerityof
heart,andgoodwill;nowmastersareurgedtotreattheminasimilarmanner.202
Paul’sreasonforthisradicalattitudeisnotonlythattheyareequalasslavesbeforetheLord,butalso
thattheLord(towhomallareequallyaccountable)isimpartial.Thereisnofavoritismwithhim.God
treatsnoonedifferentlyonthebasisofrace,class,oreducation.AsRomans3showsus,allareequally
judgedguiltyandallcanequallyreceivegracethroughfaith.Paulistellingmastersinthestrongestway,
“Don’tthinkofyourselfasabetterperson,inbetterspiritualcondition,thanyourlaborersandslaves.”
OnceChristianemployersandleadersgrasptheseprinciples,severalpracticalimplicationsfollow.
First,“donotthreatenthem”meansthatemployersarenottouseguiltandcoerciontomotivatepeople.
WecannotassumethateveryservantaddressedinthisletterhadChristianmastersorthatthemastershad
Christianslaves.Sothesemasterscouldnotassumethattheirservantswere“workingasiftheywere
servingGod.”Nevertheless,whethertheservantisaChristianornot,employersaretoldherenottorely
primarilyonfearasamotivationforwork.Second,“treatyourslavesinthesameway”means,“Lookfor
waystofurthertheinterestsofthepeopleunderyourleadershipevenasIjustchargedthemtoseekto
serveyou.”Thismeansyoutakeaninterestinthemaspeopleandinvestintheirwholelives,notjusttheir
productiveworkcapacity.Third,PaulremindsthemthatclassdistinctionsmakenodifferencetoGod,and
thereforetheyshouldnotmakemuchdifferencetous.Mastersarenottobecondescending,demeaning,or
haughty.
Weallworkforanaudience,whetherweareawareofitornot.Someperformtopleaseparents,
otherstoimpresspeers,otherstowinoversuperiors,whilemanydowhattheydostrictlytoliveupto
theirownstandards.Alloftheseaudiencesareinadequate.Workingforthemalonewillleadtooverwork
orunderwork—sometimesamixtureofthetwo,basedonwhoiswatching.ButChristianslooktoan
AudienceofOne,ourlovingheavenlyFather,andthatgivesusbothaccountabilityandjoyinourwork.
TheOrientationofaNewCompass
IfChristiansareanimatedbydifferentvirtues,liftedbyadifferentviewofhumanity,guidedbyadifferent
sourceofwisdom,andperformforadifferentaudience,whatwillbedifferentaboutthewaytheyactat
work?Letmeproposeahandfulofexamples.
Christiansshouldbeknowntonotberuthless.Theyshouldhaveareputationforbeingfair,caring,
andcommittedtoothers.Theyshouldbemarkedbysympathyandbyanunusualwillingnesstoforgive
andreconcile.Thereshouldbealackofvengefulness,sanctimony,andspite.
YearsagoIheardoneunforgettableexampleofaChristianwhoshowedthiskindofintegrityand
compassion.NotlongafterwebeganournewchurchinNewYorkCity,Isawayoungwomanwhowas
obviouslyvisitinganddartingoutaftereachservice.OneweekIinterceptedher.Shetoldmeshewas
exploringChristianity.Shedidn’tbelieveinitatthatpoint,butshefoundalotofitinteresting.Iaskedher
howshehadfoundRedeemer,andshetoldmethisstory.
SheworkedforacompanyinManhattan,andnotlongafterstartingthereshemadeabigmistakethat
shethoughtwouldcostherthejob,butherbosswentintohissuperiorandtookcompleteresponsibility
forwhatshehaddone.Asaresult,helostsomeofhisreputationandabilitytomaneuverwithinthe
organization.Shewasamazedatwhathehaddoneandwentintothankhim.Shetoldhimthatshehad
oftenseensupervisorstakecreditforwhatshehadaccomplished,butshehadneverseenasupervisor
taketheblameforsomethingshehaddonewrong.Shewantedtoknowwhatmadehimdifferent.Hewas
verymodestanddeflectedherquestions,butshewasinsistent.Finallyhetoldher,“IamaChristian.That
meansamongotherthingsthatGodacceptsmebecauseJesusChristtooktheblameforthingsthatIhave
donewrong.Hedidthatonthecross.ThatiswhyIhavethedesireandsometimestheabilitytotakethe
blameforothers.”Shestaredathimforalongmomentandasked,“Wheredoyougotochurch?”He
suggestedshegotoRedeemer,andsoshedid.Hischaracterhadbeenshapedbyhisexperienceofgrace
inthegospel,anditmadehisbehaviorasamanagerattractiveandstrikinglydifferentfromthatofothers.
Thislackofself-interestandruthlessnessonthepartofhersupervisorwaseventuallylife-transformingto
her.
Inaddition,Christiansshouldbeknowntobegenerous,andintheworkplacethisexpressesitselfin
manyways.Asbusinessmanagers,theycanbegenerouswiththeirtimeandinvestmentintheiremployees
andcustomers.Assmallbusinessowners,theycantakelesspersonalprofitinordertogivecustomers
bettervalueandemployeesbetterpay.Ascitizenstheycanbediscerniblygenerouswiththeirtimeand
money,givingawaymoreoftheirincomethanothersintheireconomicposition.Theycanconsiderliving
modestly,belowtheirpotentiallifestylelevel,inordertobefinanciallygenerouswithothers.
Christiansshouldbealsoknowntobecalmandpoisedinthefaceofdifficultyorfailure.Thismay
bethemosttellingwaytojudgeifapersonisdrawingontheresourcesofthegospelinthedevelopment
ofpersonalcharacter.InMatthew6,verses19and21Jesussays,“Donotstoreupforyourselves
treasuresonearth,wheremothsandvermindestroy,andwherethievesbreakinandsteal....Forwhere
yourtreasureis,thereyourheartwillbealso.”Whatdoeshemean?Everyonehastreasures—thethings
wecherish,delightin,andadoreaboveallotherthings.We’vealsocalledthemidols,andtounderstand
themistounderstandmuchofthehierarchyofyoursoulandthefoundationofyourpersonality.Ifweget
ourmainmeaningfrompeerapproval,ormoneyinthebank,orourreputationforsuccess—thenthese
thingsareourtreasures.ButJesusrightlypointsouthowradicallyinsecureweareifwetreasuresuch
things.Theycanbewhiskedawayorstolen.203Andthenourverylivescanfallapart.
Thisiswhyforsomanypeopletheprospectofcareerreversalorbusinessfailureissuchastruggle.
Whenourmeaninginlifeandidentityisatstake,wepanic,oftenactingimpulsively,sometimesfinding
ourselvesabletolieandbetrayothersinordertosaveourselves,orwesimplyplungeintodespair.But
Jesussays,rather,“storeupforyourselvestreasuresinheaven”(verse20).Whatdoesthatmean?Paul
tellsusthatinChristalltreasuresarehid(Colossians2:3),andPetersaysthatJesuswasrejectedforus,
dyingtotakewhatwedeserved,andtherefore“toyouwhobelieve,[he]isprecious”(1Peter2:7).(In
fact,Peterusesthenounform,sayingliterally,“Heispreciousness.”Jesusisthestandardbywhichthings
canbecalledvaluable.)Thisisnotsimplyrhetoricorevenabstracttheology.TheBibleissaying:Onlyif
Jesusisyourtreasureareyoutrulyrich,forheistheonlycurrencythatcannotbedevalued.Andonlyifhe
isyourSaviorareyoutrulysuccessful,forstatuswithhimistheonlystatusthatcan’tbelost.
Finally,Christiansshouldnotbeseenassectarian.ManyChristiansfailtoidentifythemselvesas
Christianstotheircolleagues.Theysimplyblendin.Otherslettheirfaithbeknownbutspeakandactina
waythatmakesnonbelieversfeelsubtly(orovertly)marginalizedordisdained.Butifwehavean
integratedandnon-dualisticunderstandingofwork,weknowthatmanypeoplewhoarenotbelieversare,
throughGod’sprovidenceandcommongrace,giventhegiftstodoexcellentwork.Sowewillrespect
andtreatthosewhobelievedifferentlyasvaluedequalsintheworkplace—andatthesametimewewill
beunashamedtobeidentifiedwithJesus.IfaChristianavoidsbothoftheseerrors,heorshewillbe
strikinganunusualandhealthybalance.
Iknowamanwhobeganabusinesssomeyearsagobasedontheideathatinaparticularsectorof
financialservicestheexistingprovidersofaparticularproductwereusingthecomplexityofthe
instrumentsandtheignoranceofcustomerstokeeppriceshigh.Hebelievedthatanewcompany,being
moretransparentwithclients,couldofferlowerpricesandbetterservice,notonlyresultinginhealthy
profits,butalsohelpingbringreformandintegritytoafieldthatsorelyneededthem.Whenhepresented
hisideatoprospectivepartnersandemployees,hestruckaremarkablebalance.Hesaidthatthenew
companywasgoingtobevalues-driven,andhelaidoutthosevalues.Hestressedthathewascommitted
tothesevaluesnotmerelybecausetheywouldattractclientsanddriverevenue,butalsobecausethey
weretherightthingstodo.HesaidthatthesevaluesgrewoutofhisownChristianfaithbut,hequickly
added,regardlessofthebasisforanyoneelse’sbeliefs,iftheywerecommittedtothesamevalues,they
wereequalpartners.Thisisanexcellentexampleofbeingbothopenaboutone’sfaithandyet
nonexclusiveorsectarianaboutit.It’shardtodo,andit’srare;butitcanbesuchapotentforceforgood
intheworkplace.
ChristianEthicsinYourVocation
EvenwhenChristiansareworkingwithintegrityinsidesystemsthatarenotinherentlycorrupt,itis
importantforthemtoasklargerquestionsabouttheordinarywaysthatworkisdoneintheirvocation.In
particular,Christiansmustalwaysbeexploring—incommunitiesoffaithandpractice—howitwouldbe
possiblefortheirfieldofworktobemorejustandbeneficialtomorepeople.
So,forexample,ChristianeconomistMichaelSchlutersumsupthecriticismsthatChristiansand
othershaveleveledatcapitalisminitspresent-dayform.204Nearlyalltheproblemsusuallycitedstem
fromthelossoftheprimacyofhumanrelationships.First,theincreasingsizeandglobalreachof
companiesdistancesinvestorsanddecisionmakersfromlocalcommunities.So,forexample,the
directorsofthebanksofBaltimoretraditionallylivedinBaltimoreandservedontheboardsofthe
hospitals,museums,andotherculturalinstitutionsthere.Now,theseniorexecutivesofthebanksof
BaltimoreliveinCharlotte,NewYorkCity,orLondon.Theyarealmostcompletelydisconnectedfrom
theneedsofthecommunitiesinwhichsomanyemployeesandcustomerslive.
Second,theriskinvolvedinloaningmoneyisshrinking—sometimestothepointofzero—dueto
governmentbailoutsandhighlycomplexfinancialinstruments.Thismeanstherearepracticallyno
repercussionsforbadinvestmentsorloans.Forexample,ifyouwerealocalbanker,andyouwereasked
foramortgageloanbyawould-behomeowneryouknewandforasmallbusinessloanbyawould-be
entrepreneuryouknew,youwoulddoallyoucouldtoassesswhethertheloanwouldbefruitful.Willit
enablethehomeownertoincreaseherequity?Willthenewbusinesssucceedandcreatewealthandjobs
inthetown?Asabanker,yourdownsideforabaddecisionwouldbeevident.Intoday’senvironment,all
partiesarefacelesstooneanother,andtheoldaccountabilitysystemforpunishingbadinvestmentsand
rewardinggoodonesisevaporating.
Third,thereistheincreasingtendency,basedonthefactorsdiscussedpreviously,formanagersin
pursuitofprofittotakeactionstoboosttheirsharepricequicklyattheexpenseofthecompany’slong-
termhealth,andalsoattheexpenseofitsworkers,itscustomers,andtheenvironment.Theycancashout
andleaveeveryoneelsepoorer,andthestigmaofdoingsogrowsweakereveryear.
Finally,thereisthetrendofwhatsociologistscall“commodification,”whichisdefinedasascribing
monetaryvalueandapplyingcost-benefitanalysistosuchthingsasrelationships,family,andcivic
engagement.Thevaluesofthemarketinexorablyintrudeonalloflife.Forexample,accidentsand
tragedieswereoncedealtwiththroughcommunitysupportandspiritualdisciplines,butnowintheageof
litigation,“mentaldistress”mustbeassignedsomekindofobjectivefinancialvalue.Sopaingetsa
number;thenincourtthenumberisarguedover.Howgreatwasthelitigant’spainandsuffering?How
muchmoneywillittaketodealwithit?Arecentbook,TheOutsourcedSelf:IntimateLifeinMarket
Times,saysthatprivatefamilylifeisnolonger,ashistorianandculturalcriticChristopherLaschnamed
it,“ahaveninaheartlessworld.”Thebookdescriptionsummarizesapointthatmanyhavebeenmaking
forageneration:
Thefamilyhaslongbeenahaveninaheartlessworld,theoneplaceimmunetomarketforces
andeconomiccalculations,wherethepersonal,theprivate,andtheemotionalholdsway.
Yet...thatisnolongerthecase:everythingthatwasoncepartofprivatelife—love,
friendship,childrearing—isbeingtransformedintopackagedexpertisetobesoldbackto
confused,harriedAmericans....[Thisvolume]followstheincursionsofthemarketintoevery
stageofintimatelife.FromdatingservicesthattrainyoutobetheCEOofyourlovelifeto
weddingplannerswhocreateacouple’s“personalnarrative”;fromnameologists(whohelp
younameyourchild)towantologists(whohelpyounameyourgoals);fromcommercial
surrogatefarmsinIndiatohiredmournerswhowillscatteryourlovedone’sashesintheocean
ofyourchoice...themostintuitiveandemotionalofhumanactshavebecomeworkforhire.205
Aswehaveseen,thetriunenatureofGod,andourbeingmadeinhisimage,meansthathumanlifeis
fundamentallyrelational.Butcontemporarycapitalismincreasinglyhasthepowertoeliminatethe
intimacyandaccountabilityofhumanrelationships.Sointhemarketplace,asineveryfield,thereisan
urgentneedforthosewithapowerfulcompass.
Theologicalandethicalreflectiononourfieldofworkisnoteasy.Itiseasierbyfartofocusonyour
ownjobandmerelyseektoworkwithpersonalintegrity,skill,andajoyfulheart.Thatisindeedamajor
partofwhatitmeansforaChristiantodofaithfulwork,butthatisnotallittakes.Christiansaretothink
persistentlyanddeeplyabouttheshapeofworkintheirfieldandwhether(inbiblicalterms)itaccordsas
wellaspossiblewithhumanwell-beingandwithjustice.206
Andifitdoesn’t,whatshouldyoudo?Mostpeoplejustbeginningtheircareerarenotinapositionto
makeanykindofbroaderchangestotheirfieldorworkenvironment.Butifyouhavedonetheworkof
sustainedreflection,thenwhenyoubegintoaccumulatemorepowerandinfluence—andespeciallyifyou
areabletobeginanewenterpriseorbusinessyourself—itmaybepossibletomakesignificantchangesto
howworkisdoneinsuchawaythatitinfluencesyourprofession.Youmighthelpleadafinancial
servicesorITcompanythatdeliverssuchanunusualamountoftransparencytoshareholdersand
customersthatitforcesothercompaniestooperatewithmoreintegrity.Youmightformafilmproduction
company,startaschool,orrunanartgallery—combiningexcellenceandvaluesinsuchawaythatithas
animpactonmanyotherswhoareworkinginthefield.Thesemoveswouldallowyouto“servethe
work”atawholenewlevel.Noneofthiswillhappen,however,unlessyoubeginthinkingdeeplyabout
yourkindofworknow.Onlythenwillyoubereadytomakethechangesifandwhentheopportunity
presentsitself.WorkinthehopethatGodwillopensuchdoorsforyouinthefuture.
TWELVE
NewPowerforWork
Whateveryoudo,workatitwithallyourheart.
Colossians3:23
TheWorkUndertheWork
Afterfinishingherpsychiatryresidency,ayoungdoctorwasworkingataNewYorkCityhospital.She
wasfriendswithadoctorwhowasafewyearsaheadofherandwhowaspregnantwithhersecond
child.“DoyouknowwhatIlovemostaboutbeingpregnant?”theolderdoctorsaidtoherfriendoneday.
“Ilovebeingpregnantbecauseit’stheonlytimewhereIfeelproductiveallthetime.EvenwhenI’m
sleeping,I’mdoingsomething!”ItstrucktheyoungM.D.thatherfriendbasedherself-regardso
completelyonproductivitythatsheseemedrelievedtofinallyfindataskshecoulddoincessantly.She
reflected,“Formanyofus,beingproductiveanddoingbecomes...anattemptatredemption.Thatis,
throughourwork,wetrytobuildourworth,security,andmeaning.”207
Manypeoplearetryingtogetasenseofselfthroughproductivityandsuccess—butthatburnsthem
out.Forothersthemotivationistobringhomeapaychecksotheycanenjoy“reallife”—butthatmakes
workintoapointlessgrind.Thesemotivationsarewhatwecouldcallthe“workbeneaththework.”And
theyarewhatmakeworksophysicallyandemotionallyexhaustingintheend.
ThoughJesus’twelveapostleslefttheirnetsaftermeetinghim(Luke5:11),welaterseethem
continuingtheirtradeoffishing.WeseePaulcontinuingtoworkasatentmakerwhileheworkedasan
evangelist.ThesearenotmenwhomeetChristandstoptheir“secularwork”orwhodialbacktheir
intensityandpassion.Instead,whatforeverchangedwasthedisciples’relationshiptotheirwork.Jesus
gavethemthebigpicture;infact,hewasthebigpicture.Heverydeliberatelycalledthemtoakindof
fishingbeyondtheirfishing:“Don’tbeafraid;fromnowonyouwillfishforpeople”(Luke5:11).Inother
words,hewascomingtoredeemandhealtheworld,andheinvitedhisdisciplestobepartofthis
project.Nowtheyhadanidentityandsignificanceuntetheredtotheirjoborfinancialstatus.Sotheycould
walkawayfromit(ifthatwascalledfor),orpickitupagain,orapproachitinadifferentwayfrom
before.Theyhadanewfreedombothfromtheirworkandintheirwork.NoticethatwhenJesuscalled
themtofollowhim,itwasatthemomentofgreatfinancialsuccess—thehugecatchoffish.Butthey
could,andtheydid,leavetheirnetsbehind.InJesus’spresence,theywerenolongercontrolledbytheir
work.
Thismayallsoundveryidealistictous.Afterall,theseawasn’tgoingtorunoutoffishandthere
werenofishermanbosseswhoweregoingtoblocktheirreentrytotheprofessionaftertheirunpaidleave
withJesus.Butthestoryforcesustoaskimportantquestions.Doweletourworkcontrolustosucha
degreethatwedon’tevennoticewhenGodcomesthroughwithanewopportunity?Dowegetour“big
catch”—ayear-endbonusornextnewjob—andimmediatelystartfocusingontheprospectofthenext
biggerone?Howcanwehaveanyfreedomfromthetemptationsofworkandstillkeepourjob?
AfascinatingexampleofthisfreedomisfoundinthesecondbookofKings,chapter5.AfterNaaman,
theprimeministerofSyria,isconvertedtofaithinIsrael’sGod,hedoesnotabandonhisjob.Insteadhe
takesaloadofdirtfromIsraeltokneelonwheneverhedoeshisstatedutyofaccompanyingthekingof
SyriaintothetempleofRimmon,theSyriandeity.RimmonwasbasicallyadivinizedversionofSyria
itself.SoNaamansays,ineffect,“Iwillstillservemynation,butIwillnolongerworshipmynation.
Syria’snationalinterestsareimportanttome,butarenolongermyultimatevalueorgod.”Myfriendin
theprivateequityfirmmadeasimilarmovewhenhewaivedhisbonusfromhisorganization’sinvestment
inaventurethatwasperfectlylegalbutdidnothelppeopleflourish.Forbothofthesemen,anencounter
withGodhadgiventhemthepowertobreakfreeoftheidolsoftheirvocationalfields.Thispowerfreed
themfromthegripoftheworkbeneaththeirwork.
Wehavesaidthatthegospelreplacesthestorythatanimatesourwork,italtersourconceptionof
whatworkis,anditreorientstheethicalcompassweuseforwork.Inadditiontoallthis,thegospelalso
givesusnewpowerforworkbysupplyinguswithanewpassionandadeeperkindofrest.
ThePowerofTruePassion
Oneofthewordswereadandhearaboutoftentodayispassion.Passionleadsyoutoexcelinwhatever
youdo.Buttherearedifferentsourcesandkindsofpassion.Sometimesitgeneratesfreneticactivitymore
groundedinfearoffailurethaninpursuitofsuccess.Thatkindofpassioncanproducealotofenergy,but
fromaChristianpointofviewitisacounterfeit.Itisfueledbytheworkunderthework.Anditis
unsustainable,liketheextremebrightnessofadyinglightbulb.
DorothySayershelpsusunderstandthecounterfeitpassionthatcandriveourwork.InherbookCreed
orChaos?,Sayersaddressesthetraditionalsevendeadlysins,includingacedia,whichisoftentranslated
as“sloth.”ButasSayersexplainsit,thatisamisnomer,becauselaziness(thewaywenormallydefine
sloth)isnottherealnatureofthiscondition.Acedia,shesays,meansalifedrivenbymerecost-benefit
analysisof“what’sinitforme.”Shewrites,“Acediaisthesinwhichbelievesinnothing,caresfor
nothing,enjoysnothing,lovesnothing,hatesnothing,findspurposeinnothing,livesfornothingandonly
remainsalivebecausethereisnothingforwhichitwilldie.Wehaveknownitfartoowellformany
years,theonlythingperhapswehavenotknownaboutitisitisamortalsin.”208
Sayersgoesontosaythatapersoncharacterizedbyacedia—inwhichtheirdrivingpassionisfor
theirownneeds,comfort,andinterests—doesnotnecessarilylooklazyatall.Indeed,thistypeofperson
seemstogeneratelotsofactivity.But,sheargues,acedia,“thesinoftheemptysoul,”opensyoutoletting
alltheothersinsbethemotivationsforyourwork.
ItisoneofthefavoritetricksofthisSintodissembleitselfunderacoverofawhifflingactivity
ofbody.Wethinkthatifwearebusilyrushingaboutanddoingthingswecannotbesuffering
fromSloth....Gluttonyoffersaworldofdancing,dining,sports,anddashingveryfastfrom
placetoplacetogapeatbeautyspots....Covetousnessrakesusoutofthebedatanearlyhour
inorderthatwemayputpepandhustleintoourbusiness;Envysetsustogossipandscandals,
towritingcantankerousletterstothepaper,andtotheunearthingofsecretsandscavengingof
deskbins;Wrathprovides(veryingeniously)theargumentthattheonlyfittingactivityina
worldsofullofevildoersandevildemonsistocurseloudlyandincessantly:“Whateverbrute
andblackguardmadetheworld”;whileLustprovidesthatroundofdrearypromiscuitythat
passesforbodilyvigor.Butthesearealldisguisesfortheemptyheartandtheemptybrainand
theemptysoulofAcedia....IntheworlditcallsitselfTolerancebutinhellitiscalled
Despair.209
Ifindthispointhitshomeasabrilliantexpositionofidolatry.Withoutsomethingbiggerthanyourself
toworkfor,thenallofyourworkenergyisactuallyfueledbyoneoftheothersixdeadlysins.Youmay
workexceptionallyhardbecauseofenvytogetaheadofsomebody,orbecauseofpridetoproveyourself,
orbecauseofgreedorevengluttonyforpleasure.Inshort,acediaisthemostsubtleidolatryofall.Itputs
thecynicalselfatthecenterofyourlife.Andwhenyoudothatyoureleasealltheworstvicesandsinsto
bethemainanimatingenergiesbehindyourwork.
AmainplotdeviceofTheLordoftheRingstrilogyisthecorruptingeffectoftheRingofPower.
WhenyouputontheRing,itmagnifiesyourownwilltopower;andindoingso,itturnsyouevil.Ina
numberofplaceswhereoneofthehobbitsputsonthering,thedescriptionsayssomethingtothiseffect:
“WhentheRinggoeson,youbecometheonlyrealthing.Youarealittle,dark,solidrockinaghostly
world.Everythingelseisvagueandshadowy.”Insomeways,ourcontemporarycultureoperateslikethe
RingofPower,magnifyingtheself-servingnatureofsinineveryhumanheart.Ittellsusinmyriadways
everydaythatnobodyhastherighttotelluswhatisrightorwrongforus—thatintheendthereisno
standardorauthorityhigherthantheChoosingSelf.Ourconsciousnessandourneedsaremorerealthan
anythingelseoutsideus;thereisnothingtowhichweshouldsubmit,nothingthatmaytrumpourown
happinesswithoutourpermission;andthereisnothingforwhichweshouldsacrificeourfreedom.Butin
theBible,theverydefinitionofpassion—thinkofChrist’sPassion—istosacrificeyourfreedomfor
someoneelse.
Romans12addressesthistruthatapracticallevel.Paulstartsthisway:“Iurgeyou,brothersand
sisters,inviewofGod’smercy,toofferyourbodiesaslivingsacrifice”(Romans12:1).Paulisusing
templelanguage;he’sleadingustothinkaboutaworshippercomingwithanoffering.Buthe’snottalking
aboutasinoffering,whereyou’vesinnedandarenowreconcilingwithGod.Rather,he’stalkingabouta
burntoffering,whichhadtobeachoiceanimalfromyourflock—astrongone,withoutblemish.Theburnt
offeringwasofferedasawayofshowingyourabsolutecommitmenttoGod,asiftosay,“EverythingI
haveisyours,withnoreservations.”Inotherwords,itwasanexpressionofpassion.
Infact,theterm“livingsacrifice”isdeliberatelyparadoxicalbecausesacrificesweredead.That’s
partofwhatitmeanttobeasacrifice.TosaytoGod’speople,“Iwantyoutobealivingslainthing,”is
meanttobeajolt;it’sawayofsayingyouhavetocontinuallybeintherhythmofdyingtoyourown
interestandlivingforGod.That’sthepassionGodasksofyou.Whatmightthislooklike?Therestof
Romans12spellsitout,butthereisoneparticularversefromthepassagethatputsafinepointonwhatit
meanstobealivingsacrifice:“Neverbelackinginzeal,butkeepyourspiritualfervor,servingtheLord”
(Romans12:11).
Therearetwospecificsinthisverse.First,theword“zeal”isthetranslationofaGreekword
meaningacombinationofurgencyanddiligence.Itispossibletobefrenetic—tobeurgentwithoutfocus
anddiscipline.Itispossibletobeplodding,ordiligentwithoutasenseofurgency.ButGod’scharge
meansthatyouaretobebothurgentanddisciplined.Second,whentheversesays,“keepyourspiritual
fervor,”theGreekliterallysays,“astoyourspiritboiling.”Soweareaskedtobringemotion,discipline,
andurgencytothetaskofbeinglivingsacrificesinthelivesweleadandtheworkwedo.Weareaskedto
livewithpassion.
Sowheredoesthistruepassioncomefrom?Paulstartsthewholechapterwith,“Iurgeyou...in
viewofGod’smercytoofferyourbodiesasalivingsacrifice.”WhatisitaboutGod’smercythat,ifyou
viewedit,wouldallowyoutobecomealivingsacrifice—intoapersonwhodiedtoyourownneeds,
whostoppeddoingtheworkunderthework,andwhotransferredyourpassiontoGod?Theanswer,of
course,isJesus,theultimatelivingsacrificeandtheultimateformofGod’smercy.WhenyouseeJesus
sufferandsacrificeforyou,whenhispassionisburnedintoyourimagination,itwillbecomeveryclear
whetherthethingsyouarepassionateaboutarejustformsoftheothersixdeadlysins.
ButwhywasJesussuffering?Wherewashispassionandsacrificecomingfrom?InJohn17,Jesus
ChristlooksathisdisciplesandsaystotheFather,“ForthemIsanctifymyself”(John17:19).The
originalword“sanctify”meanttosetyourselfapartlikeanOlympicrunner.Weknowwhatitmeansto
trainfortheOlympics.Itmeansthatabsolutelyeverythinginlifeissubordinatedtoonegoal.Itmeansthat
everyminuteoftheday,everyactivityisdoneinsuchawayastocontributetothataim.Thereisagreat
dealofpaineveryday,butitisenduredwithoutcomplaint.Onlythatlevelofpassionandcommitmentcan
earnthegold.
AndsoitwaswithJesusandhispassion.Hesethimselfapartforthegoalofoursalvation.Helost
everything,enduredeverything,toobtainit.JesusChrist’spassionwasforyouandforhisFather—notfor
himself.Thereisourmodel.WhentheextentanddepthofJesus’spassionforyoufullydawnsonyour
heart,itwillgeneratepassionfortheworkhehascalledyouuniquelytodointheworld.Whenyou
realizewhathehasdonetorescueyou,yourprideandenvybegintodisappearbecauseyoudon’tneedto
getyourself-worthfrombeingricher,cooler,morepowerful,ormorecomfortable.
Insteadofworkingoutofthefalsepassionofacedia,whichisbornofselfishness,youareworking
outoftruepassion,whichisbornofselflessness.YouareadoptedintoGod’sfamily,soyoualreadyhave
youraffirmation.YouarejustifiedinGod’ssight,soyouhavenothingtoprove.Youhavebeensaved
throughadyingsacrifice,soyouarefreetobealivingone.Youarelovedceaselessly,soyoucanwork
tirelesslyinresponsetoaquietinnerfullness.
ThePowerofDeepRest
Thereisasymbioticrelationshipbetweenworkandrest.Ofcourseweknowthisatonelevel.Weget
awayfromworkinordertoreplenishourbodiesandminds.Resting,orpracticingSabbath,isalsoaway
tohelpusgetperspectiveonourworkandputitinitsproperplace.Oftenwecan’tseeourwork
properlyuntilwegetsomedistancefromitandreimmerseourselvesinotheractivities.Thenweseethat
thereismoretolifethanwork.Withthatperspectiveandrestedbodiesandminds,wereturntodomore
andbetterwork.
Buttherelationshipbetweenworkandrestoperatesatadeeperlevelaswell.Allofusarehaunted
bytheworkunderthework—thatneedtoproveandsaveourselves,togainasenseofworthandidentity.
Butifwecanexperiencegospel-restinourhearts,ifwecanbefreefromtheneedtoearnoursalvation
throughourwork,wewillhaveadeepreservoirofrefreshmentthatcontinuallyrejuvenatesus,restores
ourperspective,andrenewsourpassion.
TounderstandthisdeeprestweneedtolookatthebiblicalmeaningoftheSabbath—tounderstand
whatitisasignof,andwhatitpointsto.
RemembertheSabbathdaybykeepingitholy.Sixdaysyoushalllaboranddoallyourwork,
buttheseventhdayisaSabbathtotheLordyourGod.Onityoushallnotdoanywork,neither
you,noryoursonordaughter,noryourmaleorfemaleservant,noryouranimals,norany
foreignerresidinginyourtowns.ForinsixdaystheLordmadetheheavensandtheearth,the
sea,andallthatisinthem,butherestedontheseventhday.ThereforetheLordblessedthe
Sabbathdayandmadeitholy(Exodus20:8–11).
ObservetheSabbathdaybykeepingitholy,astheLordyourGodhascommandedyou.Six
daysyoushalllaboranddoallyourwork,buttheseventhdayisaSabbathtotheLordyour
God.Onityoushallnotdoanywork,neitheryou,noryoursonordaughter,noryourmaleor
femaleservant,noryourox,yourdonkeyoranyofyouranimals,noranyforeignerresidingin
yourtowns,sothatyourmaleandfemaleservantsmayrest,asyoudo.Rememberthatyouwere
slavesinEgyptandthattheLordyourGodbroughtyououtoftherewithamightyhandandan
outstretchedarm.ThereforetheLordyourGodhascommandedyoutoobservetheSabbathday
(Deuteronomy5:12–15).
Exodus20tiestheobservanceofaSabbathdaytoGod’screation.“ForGodrestedontheseventh
day.”Whatdoesthismeanpractically?SinceGodrestedafterhiscreation,wemustalsorestafterours.
Thisrhythmofworkandrestisnotonlyforbelievers;itisforeveryone,aspartofourcreatednature.
Overworkorunderworkviolatesthatnatureandleadstobreakdown.Torestisactuallyawaytoenjoy
andhonorthegoodnessofGod’screationandourown.Toviolatetherhythmofworkandrest(ineither
direction)leadstochaosinourlifeandintheworldaroundus.Sabbathisthereforeacelebrationofour
design.
Deuteronomy5goesontotietheobservanceofSabbathtoGod’sredemption.Verse15says,
“RememberthatyouwereslavesinEgyptandthattheLordyourGodbroughtyououtoftherewitha
mightyhandandanoutstretchedarm.ThereforetheLordyourGodhascommandedyoutoobservethe
Sabbathday.”GodportraystheSabbathdayasareenactmentofemancipationfromslavery.Itremindsus
howhedeliveredhispeoplefromaconditioninwhichtheywerenothumanbeings,butsimplyunitsof
capacityinPharaoh’sbrickproductionsystem.AnyonewhocannotobeyGod’scommandtoobservethe
Sabbathisaslave,evenaself-imposedone.Yourownheart,orourmaterialisticculture,oran
exploitativeorganization,oralloftheabove,willbeabusingyouifyoudon’thavetheabilitytobe
disciplinedinyourpracticeofSabbath.Sabbathisthereforeadeclarationofourfreedom.Itmeansyou
arenotaslave—nottoyourculture’sexpectations,yourfamily’shopes,yourmedicalschool’sdemands,
noteventoyourowninsecurities.Itisimportantthatyoulearntospeakthistruthtoyourselfwithanote
oftriumph—otherwiseyouwillfeelguiltyfortakingtimeoff,oryouwillbeunabletotrulyunplug.
TheSabbathlegislationinIsraelwasenactedaftertheExodusfromEgypt.Itwasuniqueamongworld
culturesatthetime.Itlimitedwork,profittaking,exploitation,andeconomicproductioningeneral.Every
seventhdaynoworkcouldbedoneinthefields,andeveryseventhyearthefieldwastoremainfallow
andnotbecultivatedatall.ThissurelymeantthatintheshortrunIsraelwaslesseconomically
productiveandprosperousthanitsneighbors.Butitwasalandoffreepeople.Inthelongrun,ofcourse,
adeeplyrestedpeoplearefarmoreproductive.
WearealsotothinkofSabbathasanactoftrust.GodappointedtheSabbathtoremindusthatheis
workingandresting.TopracticeSabbathisadisciplinedandfaithfulwaytorememberthatyouarenot
theonewhokeepstheworldrunning,whoprovidesforyourfamily,noteventheonewhokeepsyour
workprojectsmovingforward.Entrepreneursfinditespeciallydifficulttobelievethis.Theyhavehigh
levelsofcompetenceandveryfewteammembers.Iftheydon’tputinthehours,thingsdon’tgetdone.
Howeasytofallpreytothetemptationtobelievethattheyaloneareholdinguptheircornerofcreation!
ButbynowyoumustseethatGodisthere—youarenotaloneinyourwork.Jesus’famousdiscourse
againstworry(Matthew6:25–34)issetinthecontextofwork.Hechidesusthattheplantsofthefieldare
caredfor,though“theydonotlabororspin”(verse28).Heremindsusthatweareobviouslymore
valuabletoGodthanplants—soweshouldn’t“runafter”materialthingsthroughourwork(verse32).So
ifyouareworryingduringyourrest,youarenotpracticingSabbath.Itisachancetomeditateonpassages
likeMatthew6untildeeprestbeginstopenetrateyou.
Wemightconcludethatthepracticalbenefitsofthegospel’sSabbathrestcometousonlyas
individuals,asweprayandreadtheWord—butthatwouldbeamistake.Godalsostrengthensusthrough
thefellowshipofcommunitywithotherChristians.SoforexamplePaulcallsChristiansto“carryeach
other’sburdens,andinthiswayyouwillfulfillthelawofChrist”(Galatians6:2).Andyetwearetold
thatJesuswillrelievetheburdened(Matthew11:28-30)andthatwearetocastallourcaresandburdens
onGod(1Peter5:7)whobearsthemdaily(Psalm68:19).Sowhichisit?ArewetolooktoGodto
supportusunderourworkandburdens—ortootherChristianbrothersandsisters?Obviouslytheanswer
isboth,becauseitisnormallythroughthesympathyandencouragementofChristianfriendsthatwe
experienceGodrefreshingusandsupportingusinourwork.
TheRestUndertheRest
Cometome,allyouwhoarewearyandburdened,andIwillgiveyourest.Takemyyokeupon
youandlearnfromme,forIamgentleandhumbleinheart,andyouwillfindrestforyour
souls.Formyyokeiseasyandmyburdenislight(Matthew11:28–30).
TogetthedeepestpictureofwhatcanhappentoourworkafterwemeetChrist,lookatthispassage.
WhenJesuscallsallpeopletohimself,hesaysheknowsweare“wearyandburdened”andthatweneed
“rest.”ButJesus’scureforourwearinessisa“burden”(verse30)andevena“yoke”(verse29)!The
yokeorharnessputonabeastofburdenwasasymbolofslaveryandgrindingtoil.Howcouldthisbea
solutiontotheproblemofdeepweariness?Jesussaysthatitishisyokeandburden—anditistheonly
onethatislight.Why?“ForIamgentleandhumbleinheart,andyouwillfindrestforyoursouls”(verse
29).Heistheonlybosswhowillnotdriveyouintotheground,theonlyaudiencethatdoesnotneedyour
bestperformanceinordertobesatisfiedwithyou.Whyisthis?Becausehisworkforyouisfinished.
Infact,theverydefinitionofaChristianissomeonewhonotonlyadmiresJesus,emulatesJesus,and
obeysJesus,butwho“restsinthefinishedworkofChrist”insteadofhisorherown.Remember,God
wasabletorestinGenesis2,verses1–3onlybecausehiscreativeworkwasfinished.AndaChristianis
abletorestonlybecauseGod’sredemptiveworkislikewisefinishedinChrist.Whentheworkunderthe
workhasbeensatisfiedbytheSon,allthat’sleftforustodoistoservetheworkwe’vebeengivenbythe
Father.
Wesaidbeforethatmanypeoplearedoing“workunderthework.”Theyarenotmerelydoingthe
workthatdrawsthesalary—theyarealsoworkingtochaseawaytheirsenseofinsignificance.Butherein
Jesuswefindthe“restundertherest,”theREMofthesoul.Withoutit,allotherworkwillbe
unsatisfying.Youwon’tbeabletorelax,evenwhenyouaresupposedtoberesting.Youwon’teverbe
abletowalkawayfromyournets,evenforanevening.Youwon’tbeabletoenjoythesatisfactionthat
Godintendedwhenhecalledustotheworkhepreparedforus.
AclassicexampleofthiscontrastisinthefilmChariotsofFire,inwhichonemanraninthe
Olympicsliterally“tojustifymyexistence,”whileanothermanhadsuchdeeprestinChristthathecould
missalikelygoldmedalbynotrunningonSunday.Thefirstmanhadtogetamedal,becausehewas
doingtheworkbeneaththework.(Andatleastinthefilm,thegoldmedalwouldn’tevenbeenoughto
givehimthedeepresthesought.)Thesecondman,thedevotedChristianEricLiddell,didnotcareinthe
samewaywhetherhewonOlympicmedalsornot.Hewasatrest.HetoldhissisterthatGodhadsimply
madehimfast,and“whenIrun,Ifeelhispleasure.”Heranforthejoyofrunningitself,andtodelightthe
onewhogavehimthegiftstodoso.
RememberJohnColtrane’squoteatthebeginningofthisbook:
Duringtheyear1957,Iexperienced,bythegraceofGod,aspiritualawakeningwhichwasto
leadmetoaricher,fuller,moreproductivelife.Atthattime,ingratitude,Ihumblyaskedtobe
giventhemeansandprivilegetomakeothershappythroughmusic...toinspirethemtorealize
moreandmoreoftheircapacitiesforlivingmeaningfullives.Becausetherecertainlyis
meaningtolife.IfeelthishasbeengrantedthroughHisgrace.ALLPRAISETOGOD.
Coltranewasoncelikeeveryoneelse.Hehadsaiddeepinhisheart,“IfIgetreallygood,ifI’m
successful,ifpeopleapplaudandappreciateme,thenI’llknowI’msignificant;I’llknowmylifeisworth
something.”Butthatkindofinnerdynamicdoesnotusuallyproducethebestwork—orthedeepestrest.
AsC.S.Lewisobserved,
Youwillnevermakeagoodimpressiononotherpeopleuntilyoustopthinkingaboutwhatsort
ofimpressionyouaremaking.Eveninliteratureandart,nomanwhobothersaboutoriginality
willeverbeoriginal:whereasifyousimplytrytotellthetruth(withoutcaringtwopencehow
oftenithasbeentoldbefore)youwill,ninetimesoutoften,becomeoriginalwithoutever
havingnoticedit....Giveupyourself,andyouwillfindyourrealself.210
SomethinghappenedtoColtranetorevealhisself.Onenight,afteranexceptionallybrilliant
performanceofthesuite,ALoveSupreme—athirty-two-minuteoutpouringofpraisetoGod—hestepped
downfromthestageandwasheardtosay,“Nuncdimittis.”TheseareSimeon’swordsinLuke2afterhe
hadseenthepromisedMessiah.Theymean,essentially,“Icoulddiehappynow.”Coltraneclaimedto
havehadanexperienceofGod’slovethatliberatedhimfromtheworkundertheworkforthesakeofthe
workitself.HehadbeengivenGod’spowerandhadfeltGod’spleasure.211Coltranehadstoppedmaking
musicforhisownsake.Hediditforthemusic’ssake,thelistener’ssake,andGod’ssake.
IntheChristianview,thewaytofindyourcallingistolookatthewayyouwerecreated.Yourgifts
havenotemergedbyaccident,butbecausetheCreatorgavethemtoyou.Butwhatifyou’renotatthe
pointofrunningintheOlympicsorleadingonaworldstage?Whatifyou’restrugglingunderanunfair
bossoratediousjobthatdoesn’ttakeadvantageofallyourgifts?It’sliberatingtoacceptthatGodisfully
awareofwhereyouareatanymomentandthatbyservingtheworkyou’vebeengivenyouareserving
him.
ThisiswhatDorothySayersmeantwhensheurgedustoservethework.AnditiswhatTolkienwas
gettingatin“LeafbyNiggle.”WhenyourheartcomestohopeinChristandthefutureworldhehas
guaranteed—whenyouarecarryinghiseasyyoke—youfinallyhavethepowertoworkwithafreeheart.
YoucanacceptgladlywhateverlevelofsuccessandaccomplishmentGodgivesyouinyourvocation,
becausehehascalledyoutoit.Youcanworkwithpassionandrest,knowingthatultimatelythedeepest
desiresofyourheart—includingyourspecificaspirationsforyourearthlywork—willbefulfilledwhen
youreachyourtruecountry,thenewheavensandnewearth.Soinanytimeandplaceyoucanworkwith
joy,satisfaction,andnoregrets.You,too,cansay,“Nuncdimittis.”
R
Epilogue
LeadingPeopletoIntegrateFaithandWork
edeemerPresbyterianChurchhasmadevocationaldiscipleship—helpingpeopleintegratetheirfaith
andwork—amajorfocusofitsoverallministryforalmosttenyears.Ourparticularchurch
communitylivesas“residentaliens”inahugecitythatisabout3percentChristian.Manypeople
arestrugglingtoholdontotheirfaithastheytrytocontributeintheirworkcommunities.Others
wanttheirassociationwithJesustobeattractive;theydon’twanttowidenthedisconnectbetweenthe
churchandthepeopleofthecity.Andstillothersarebrand-newtotheChristianfaithanddon’thavea
cluewhatitmeanstobeafollowerofJesusintheirwholelife,includingwork.Thechallengeisto
deepenthefaithandtheologyofourcongregationaswellasenablethemtoengagethecitywiththelove
andtruthofthegospel.We’vesoughttohelpourcongregationliveoutthegospelinallspheresofculture
inawaythatseeks“thepeaceandprosperity”(Jeremiah29:7)ofthecityinwhichGodhasplacedus.
TheletterthatJeremiahsentfromJerusalemtotheelders,priests,andpeopleofIsraelwhohadbeen
carriedintoexileinBabylonhasbeeninfluentialinestablishingthepurposeandthetoneofourministry.
Firstofall,thelettermakesitclearthattheLordGodclaimsresponsibilityforcarryinghispeopleinto
exileinthefirstplace.Whenfacingthetrialsoflifeinthebigcityandthedemandsofahigh-pressure
careerithelpstorememberGod’ssovereigntysothat,bydefinition,wecanbesurewearewherehe
wantsustobe.Second,heaskshispeopletoseekthepeaceandprosperityofBabylon“becauseifit
prospers,youtoowillprosper.”Asacongregation,weunderstandourselvestobeasmallminoritywhom
Godhascalledtoloveandservethecity,ourprofessions,ourworkplaces,andourneighborhoods.We
seektodrawothersintoaredeemingandrenewingfaith,butalsotoservealongsidethosewhodon’t
believeaswedo,forthegoodofthecityandtheworld.Discipleshipforresidentaliens,orexiles,is
differentfromdiscipleshipinacultureinwhichtheChristianfaithisassumedandthegoalistodraw
peoplebackintosomethingtheculturealreadytellsthemtheyshoulddo.AtRedeemerwecalltheformer
“exilicdiscipleship.”
Redeemeralsohasbeenshapedbyadeepcommitmenttothepromisethatthegospelchanges
everything—inourhearts,ourcommunity,andourworld.InthewordsofAbrahamKuyper,“Thereisnot
asquareinchinthewholedomainofourhumanexistenceoverwhichChrist,whoisSovereignoverall,
doesnotcry:‘Mine!’”212Ourfaithandworkministryhassoughttoexplorethepowerandpromiseofthe
theChristianstorytochange,redeem,andreneweveryaspectofourworklives,ourworkrelationships,
andtheworldwetouchthroughtheworkwedo.
Aswe’veattemptedtoleadpeopleintoabetterintegrationoffaithandwork,it’sbeenimportantto
payattentiontowhotheyare.Mostareseriouslycareerminded—seekingcareersinfieldssuchaslaw,
arts,finance,business,education,healthcare,technology,government,architecture,oradvertising.They
arealsoyoung(averageageisthirty-three),70percentaresingle,andtheyareearlyintheircareers.
Afternineyears,withmorethan1,500peopleinvolvedandover150volunteerleaders,wehavebeen
abletoidentifysomeofthespecificwaysofthinking(storiesorworldviews)andsomeexplicit
behaviors(practicesorhabits)thatarefoundationalforourpeopletoenablethemtomorefullyliveout
thegospelintheirwork.
Whenleadingachangeitishelpfultothinkaboutwhereyouareandwhereyou’regoing.Theleft
columnofthechartonthefollowingpagelistsvariousbeliefsorwaysofthinkingthatarethestarting
pointformanypeopleinourchurch.Theyarepresuppositionsthatshapethestorytheyliveby,aswe
discussedinChapter9.Therightcolumngivesthecorrespondingbeliefthatweteach,seekingtohelp
themreshapethestorybywhichtheylive.Theseideas,whentheybecomerealenoughtous,actually
changehowwethink,feel,andact.Mostoftheseideashavebeenelaboratedindetailinthisbookinfar
moreelegantlanguage;thislistissimplyhowwecapturethesemostessentialmindshiftsthatmovea
persontowardafullerapplicationofthegospelintheirwork.
Changefrom Changeto
1.Individualsalvation Thegospelchangeseverything(hearts,
community,andworld)
2.Beinggood Beingsaved
3.Cheapgrace Costlygrace(awarenessofoursin)
4.Heavenis“upthere” Christwillcomeagain—tothisearth
5.Godisvalue-addtous InGod’sprovidence,wecouldcontributetohis
workonearth
6.Idolsofthisworld LivingforGod
7.Disdainofthisworld Engagedinthisworld
8.“Bowlingalone” Acceptingcommunity
9.Peoplematter Institutionsmatter
10.Christiansuperiority Godcanworkthroughwhomeverhewants
(commongrace)
Manyyoungadultscometousfromothercitiesandwereraisedinevangelicalchurchesthatlimited
theirapplicationofthegospeltoindividualsalvation.Alargepartofourministryisfocusedon
broadeningtheirunderstandingofthegospeltoapplyittoourcommunities(intheformofgospel-changed
relationships)andourorganizations,city,andculture.
Manyfaithandworkministriesfocusonethics—howtobegood,honest,andfair.Asweexplainedat
theendofChapter7,itisverydifficult(andevenincompatiblewiththegospel)tojuststrivetobeagood
orheroicperson,likeEsther.Afocusonbeinggooddistractsusfromcomingtotermswithoursin;andit
isbecauseofoursinthatChristneededtodie.Wewanttohelppeopleunderstandthatthemoretheycan
recognizetheirownsin,themoretheywillexperienceGod’sgrace.Alifeofgratitudeforbeingsavedis
farmorepleasingthanalifebasedonself-righteousnessoverbeinggood.Thisleadsustothenextpoint
—thatthepriceGodpaidforuswascostly.AswecontemplatethedeathofChristonthecrossforus,we
arebothhumbledandmotivatedtogiveourselvesbacktohiminreturn.
Thenexttwopointsalsogotogether.Aheavenwithjustoursoulsfloatingaroundisverydifferent
fromoneinwhichwe’relivinginthemostbeautifulcitywecouldimagineonthisearth:acityinwhich
ourpaintingsoftrees(seetheIntroduction)orourclevernewtoolsaremoreperfectthanwecould
imaginetheminthisbrokenworld.Thisunderstandinggivesimportancetothematerialityofour
surroundings.Itgivesusthemotivationtogiveourbesttocontributetotheflourishingoftheworldnow
andthiskingdomtocome.
Chapter8wasaboutidols.OuridolsblockourrelationshipwithGodandmakeusproud.Wetryto
helppeopleidentifytheidolsoftheirprofessionandtheidolstheyusetocopewiththethornsandthistles
oflifeandthedesperateperilofexistencewithoutGod.Eachtimewestripawayanidolwecanturnto
God,andourtrustinhimgrows.
Inourindividualisticenvironmentwehavesignificantresistancetothebiblicalideaofcommunity.Of
course,everyonesaystheywantcommunity,friendship,andlove.Butmentionthewords“accountability”
or“commitment”andpeopleruntheotherway.WeworkhardtodemonstratehowGodworksinand
throughcommunity;heevencreatedthechurchsothatwewouldworktosharehisgospeltogether.We
alsoareconstantlyfacedwiththeexcellenceandthegenerosityandtheloveofthepeoplearounduswho
don’tknowChrist.“HowcanitbethatthepersonIworkwithactslikeabetterpersonthantheChristians
Iknow?”WegetexcitedeverytimeafamousfootballorbasketballplayerisrevealedtobeaChristian,
asthoughthatsomehowputsusintheexcellenceclubintheeyesoftheworld.It’schallengingtoseekto
bedistinctiveinhowweworkthroughthepoweroftheresourcesJesushasgivenusandyet,atthesame
time,seehundredsofotherpeoplewhodon’thavethosegospelresourcesoutperformandout-distinguish
us.UnderstandingcommongraceiskeytoourhumilityandappreciationofGod’ssovereignty.
Thelastthingwewanttoimplyisthatagospel-filledworklifeisoneoftenkeyrulesorideas—that
isthequickestwaytobecomeself-righteousandbluntthebeautyofthegospel.Butithasbeenhelpfulto
ustohavesomeoftheideasinthisbookboileddowntoafewphrasessowecanhelpcoachpeople
towardmoretheologicallysoundthinkingabouttheirlivesatwork.
Insteadourprayeristhat,inwrestlingwithwhoGodisandhowtorelatetohim,ourchurchwill
growinhumility,love,truth,grace,andjustice;andthatourneighborsinthecitywillflourishbecausewe
werehere.
Redeemer’sCenterforFaith&Work
In2002RedeemerPresbyterianChurchreorganizedtofocusonfiveprimaryareasofministryinNew
YorkCity:Worship&Evangelism,CommunityFormation,Mercy&Justice,ChurchPlanting,andFaith&
Work.Inrecruitingme(Katherine)tocreateafaithandworkministry,Redeemerwasbeginningto
developavisiontorenewthecity’sinstitutionsofculturethroughthepeopleofthecongregationwho
wereemployedinvocationsthroughoutthecity.Iwasstunnedbytheenthusiasticresponsefromthe
congregation.I’velaunchedlotsofnewproductsorservicesinmylife,spendingmonthsandhugebudgets
onadvertisingandpromotion,butthistimethephonestartedringingbeforeIwasevenofficially
introduced.
Redeemer’sCFW(CenterforFaith&Work)startedwithnobudgetbuthugepent-updemand.In2003
thecongregationwasapproximatelythreethousandworshippersaweek,agoodportionwhowerenewto
theChristianfaith.Manywereearlyintheircareersandstrugglingtokeepupwiththedailydemandsof
theirwork,letaloneliveouttheirfaith.Therewasadearthofmentorsorrolemodelswithinthechurch
community.
Weheldaseriesofclasses,ledbysomeelderstogetherwithme,ontopicssuchasvocational
decision-making,leadership,andtheologyofwork.WewantedtoexplorewhattheBiblehadtosayabout
concernsfacingourcongregationonadailybasisandtobetterunderstandourcommunity’sneeds.A
surveyofseveralhundredparticipantsintheclassesrevealedthat:
•6percenthadsharedtheirfaithinsomewayatwork
•55percentprayedabouttheirwork
•50percentofallrespondentsrespondedaffirmativelythattheystruggletobalanceorintegratetheir
desireswithGod’sdesirefortheirlives
•Veryfewrecognizedanywaytheirworkitselfcontributedtosociety.213
In2005Redeemerwasabletoraisemoneythroughachurchwidecapitalcampaignenablingitto
buildoutCFWoverthenextfiveyears.Themissionistoequip,connect,andmobilizeourchurch
communityintheirvocationalspherestowardgospel-centeredtransformationforthecommongoal.Each
ofthegoalsofequipping,connecting,andmobilizingisimportanttohelppeopleworkdifferentlyinlight
ofthegospel.ManygroupsofChristiansgathertomeetoneanother,butwithoutcommonframeworksfor
thinkingabouttheirfaith,thediscussionsremainshallow.Churchesoftenviewthemselvesonlyinthe
businessofteaching,assumingthatifthey’vetaughtit,theircongregationwillapplyit.Butthestudyof
adultlearninghasshownthatpeoplechangeonlywhentheyhearthenewthinking(soweequipthem),
candiscussitamongtheirpeers(soweconnectthem),andcanapplyitinsimulatedoractualsituations
(sowetrytomobilizethem).
Wealsolookatourprogramsintermsofthenumberofpeopletheyreachandtheamountofresources
weinvest.Thehigherthecommitmentmadebytheparticipant,themorewe’llinvest.Hence,wemakea
significantinvestmentinourintensive,year-longGothamFellowship,whichwillservefortypeoplein
2012–13.Atthebaseofthepyramid(asdepictedonthefollowingpage),therearemanyinthe
congregationwhocaninvestonlyaweekendforaconferenceoronenightforalecture.Manyparticipants
sharethecostoftheseprograms,albeitforashort-termcommitment.Abriefdescriptionoftheprograms
developedbyCFWcanbefoundonourwebsite(www.faithandwork.org),andsomearehighlightedon
thenextpage.
VocationGroups
VocationGroupsatRedeemertypicallymeetmonthlyandaresometimessupplementedwithspecial
speakerprogramsorsocialevents.Eachgroupisvolunteer-ledbyateamcommittedtohelpingothersin
theirprofessionmeet,deepenintheirfaith,andexplorethechallengesandopportunitiesoftheirfieldin
lightofthegospel.Theleaderteamsareinnovativeintheirdesignofformatsandtopics.Atthemoment,
RedeemerhasnumerousactiveVocationGroups:Actors,Advertisers,Architecture,Engineering&
Construction,Business,Dancers,Educators,Entrepreneurs,Fashion,Film,Finance,Healthcare,Higher
Education,InformationTechnology,InternationalDiplomacy,Law,Ph.D.Students,VisualArts,and
Writers.
Figure1
GothamFellowship
GothamFellowship(namedafterWashingtonIrving’snicknameforNewYork)isanintensivenine-month
theologicalandleadershipdevelopmentprogramforyoungprofessionalsinallvocations.Studying
originalsourcessuchasAugustine,Calvin,Owen,andLuther,theFellowsgrowintheirabilitytoapply
thegospeltotheirhearts,theirrelationships,andtheirunderstandingoftheirvocation.Theprogram
developstheologicalframeworksandspiritualpracticesthatcanbeappliedtothereal-lifesituationsof
theirworklives.Initsfifthyear,GothamFellowshiphasmorethanonehundredalumniservinginthe
churchandintheirchosenfields,whoalsocontinuetomeettogetherperiodicallyto“spuroneanotheron
toloveandgoodworks”(Hebrews10:24).
EntrepreneurshipInitiative(Ei)
RedeemerhasbeencommittedtoservingNewYorknotonlybyhelpingplantnewchurchestoreachout
tothosewhodon’tgotochurchorfollowJesus,butalsobyhelpingbuildanecosystemoforganizations
andinstitutionsthatservethecity.TheEisupportsentrepreneurswithaBusinessPlanCompetitionthat
invitesearly-stageentrepreneurstothinkmoretheologicallyandstrategicallyabouttheirventures.
Winnersaregivenasmallgrantandcoachingfrommoreseasonedentrepreneursinthechurchcommunity.
TheEihascreatedanetworkofinvestors,seniorleadersandcoaches,experiencedentrepreneurs,and
early-stageentrepreneursworkingtogethertoservethecitywithnewgospel-centeredventures.
ArtsMinistries
BetweenfifteenandtwentypercentofRedeemer’scongregationworkinthearts—inmusic,theater,
visualarts,dance,writing,design,andsoon.ManyartistsinNewYorkhavefeltparticularly
misunderstoodorevenrejectedbythechurchbecausetheyaredoingworkthatisnotexplicitlyChristian,
meaningdirectlyforthechurchorcontaininganobviousChristianmessage.OurArtsMinistriesengage
artistsinthetheologyofartandcultureandprovideopportunitiesforartiststosharetheirworkand
collaborateonprojectstogether.
Church-BasedDiscipleship
RedeemerandCFWbelievethatitisextremelyvaluabletohavethefaithandworkministryintegrated
intothelifeofthechurch.Manypeoplehaveaskedifweplantospinitoffintoitsownindependent
nonprofit,andtheansweris“no.”Ourgoalhasbeentomodelourconvictionthatvocationallifeis
essentialtobeingfullyhumaninabiblicalsense.Churchesneedtoembracethewholeperson—the
marriedorsingleperson,thehealthyorillperson,thepersonatworkandthepersonathome.Church-
basedfaithandworkministryisimportantfortworeasons:(1)workisoftenthecrucibleinwhichGod
shinesalightonaperson’sidolsandrefinestheminChrist-likeness,and(2)thechurchistouchingthe
worldatlargethroughthefaithfulpresenceofitspeopleintheworkplace.Thelasttenyearshaveshown
usthatfaithandworkministryissovitaltothelifeofthecongregationthatitshouldn’tbeignored.It
drawsinculturalinfluencerstobecomemoreshapedbythegospel;itprovidesthechurchagreater
sharedvisiontoservetheworld;anditgivesthechurchgreatercredibilityinthecultureinwhichit
serves.
WhilemostchurchesaresmallerthanRedeemerandwouldneedtoshapetheirministrytointegrate
faithandworkverydifferently,weencourageeverychurchtodevelopsomethingthatfitsitsowncontext.
Mostchurchescoulddevelopvocationgroupstodiscusstheparticularchallengesandopportunitiesfor
workersinthreebasicfields:business,arts,andhumanservices.Alternately,thepastorcouldgathera
groupoftwelvetotwenty-fourpeopleindifferentprofessionstoreadabooklikeOsGuinness’sTheCall
orAlWolters’sCreationRegainedanddiscussitsimplicationsfortheirownlives.Redeemerhasfound
thatpeopleareseekingfarmoretheologicalstudyinordertonavigatethechallengesoftheirvocation,
andtheylongfortheirpastortobeinterestedinlearningmoreaboutthesituationstheyfaceonadaily
basis.
NOTES
FOREWORD
1.Rev.C.John“Jack”MillerwasSeniorPastoroftheNewLifePresbyterianChurch,whichtheauthor’s
familyattendedduringthemid-1980s.Whilethisquotedoesnot,toourknowledge,appearina
publishedbookofJack’s,itwasafrequentsayinginhispreachingandteaching.
INTRODUCTION
2.RobertN.Bellah,“IsThereaCommonAmericanCulture?,”www.robertbellah.com/articles_6.htm.
3.RobertBellah,RichardMadsen,WilliamM.Sullivan,AnnSwidler,andStevenM.Tipton,Habitsof
theHeart:IndividualismandCommitmentinAmericanLife(Berkeley:UniversityofCalifornia
Press,1985),287–88.
4.Foragoodoverviewofthehistoryofthemodern“FaithatWork”movement,andespeciallyofits
sourcesintheecumenical,mainlinechurches,seeDavidW.Miller,GodatWork:TheHistory
andPromiseoftheFaithatWorkMovement(Oxford,2007).Millerrecountshowseveral
evangelicalstudentorganizations—especiallytheStudentVolunteerMovementandtheWorld
StudentChristianFederation(latertheStudentChristianMovement)—shiftedtheirfocusinthe
earlytwentiethcenturyawayfromevangelismandforeignmissionsandtowardmoresocial
concerns.Thisgaverisetoanumberofnewconferencesandagencies,includingtheFaithand
OrdergroupandtheLifeandWorkgroup,whicheventuallyjoinedtobecometheWorldCouncil
ofChurches(p.163,n.43).The1937WorldConferenceoftheLifeandWorkgroupinOxfordwas
particularlyconcernedwiththeimpactoffaithonworkandeconomics.ItwasledbyJosephH.
Oldham,whowrotethatbeforethechurchstood“agreathistorictask—thetaskofrestoringthe
lostunitybetweenworshipandwork”(Miller,GodatWork,31).Mostofthebookswritteninthe
mid–twentiethcenturyonthebiblicalviewofworkarosefromthesemainline,ecumenicalcircles,
andtheemphasiswasonhowChristianfaithmadeworkmoresensitivetosocialethics.These
includedAlanRichardson,TheBiblicalDoctrineofWork(SCMPress,1952);Workand
Vocation,ed.,J.O.Nelson,(HarperandBrothers,1954);W.R.Forrester,ChristianVocation
(Scribner,1953);HendrikKraemer,ATheologyoftheLaity(Westminster,1958);andStephen
NeillandHans-RuediWeber,TheLaymaninChristianHistory(Westminster,1963),perhapsthe
onlychurchhistorytexthighlightingtheworknotofministersandmissionariesbutoflayChristian
professionalsworkingoutsidethechurch.Onamorepopularlevel,theworksofEltonTrueblood
wereimportant,especiallyYourOtherVocation(HarperandBrothers,1952).
5.Inthemid–twentiethcenturyarenaissanceoccurredinthechurchoflay-ledsmallgroupfellowships.
Thismovementhadmanybranches—onewasadoptionofsmallgroupministrybythenewly
foundedpost–WorldWarIIevangelicalcampusministriessuchasInter-VarsityChristian
Fellowship,CampusCrusadeforChrist,andtheNavigators.Butperhapsthekeyfigurewasthe
EpiscopalpriesttheReverendSamShoemaker,whofoundedFaithatWorkinNewYorkCityand
laterthePittsburghExperiment—twoorganizationsbasedonlay-ledsmallgroupsthatincludeda
focusonreachingpeopleinthebusinessworldandhavinganimpactontheworkplace(Miller,
GodatWork,32).
6.Themainlinechurchunderstoodtherelationshipoffaithtoworkprimarilyasanefforttoapplyjust,
socialethicstocapitalism—whichwasviewedwithsuspicion.Manyconservativeevangelicals
werebycontrastmuchmoreindividualisticintheirunderstandingofChristianfaith.Theywere
morepositivetowardmarketcapitalismandsodidnotputtheirreformemphasisthere.Instead
theirgreatestconcernwastheneedforpersonaldecisionandsalvation.Therefore,tobea
Christianatworkmeantprimarilytoevangelizeyourco-workers.GroupssuchasthePentecostal
organizationFullGospelBusinessMen’sFellowship,foundedbyDemosShakarian,andthe
FellowshipofCompaniesforChrist,International,weredistinctfrommainlinemovements,since
theyemphasizedpersonalethicsoversocialethics—thatis,workingwithintegrityandhonesty—
aswellasequippingpeopleinbusinesstoevangelizetheircolleagues(Miller,GodatWork,51).
7.Luther,Calvin,andtheotherProtestantReformersformulatedtheirdoctrineofworkincontrasttothat
ofthemedievalRomanCatholicChurch.Themedievalssawhumanlaborasanecessityfor
acquiringtemporalgoodsofthislife,butnotofmuchuseforachievingtheeternalgoodsofthe
nextlife.Soworkwasaperipheralmatter.TheReformers,however,sawhumanworkatthevery
centerofGod’spurposeforhumanlife.TheCalvinistssawitasawayofcontinuingGod’s
creativeworkofbuildingaGod-honoringculture.LutheranssawitasavehicleforGod’s
providentialworkofcaringforhiscreation.ButtheCatholictheologyofworkdidnotremain
static.BeginningwiththeencyclicalofPopeLeoXIII’sRerumNovarumin1891andcontinuing
tothatofPopeJohnPaulII’sLaboremExercensin1981,wecanseeamajorshift.PopePaulVI,
forexample,commentsonGenesischapter1,verse28,whereGodtellshumanbeingsto“fillthe
earthandsubdueit,”bysaying,“theBible,fromthefirstpageon,teachesusthatthewhole
creationisforman,thatitishisresponsibilitytodevelopitbyintelligenteffort,andbymeansof
thislabortoperfectit,sotospeak,forhisuse”(quotedinLeeHardy,TheFabricofThisWorld:
InquiriesintoCalling,CareerChoice,andtheDesignofHumanWork[Eerdmans,1990],71).
ManyhavepointedoutthesimilaritiesbetweentheCatholicunderstandingofnaturallawandthe
Reformedunderstandingofcommongrace,namely,thatGodgiveswisdomandinsighttoall
people,includingnon-Christians,sotheycanenrichtheworldthroughtheirwork.Insummary,
todaythereisnolongeragreatdividebetweenCatholicsocialteachingontheimportanceof
workandthatoftheProtestantReformation(seeHardy,FabricofThisWorld,67ff.).
8.MuchmoreonthecontributionsoftheProtestantReformerstoourunderstandingofworkispresented
infuturechapters.
9.“LeafbyNiggle”wasfirstpublishedinTheDublinReviewinJanuary1945.Thereissomedebate
aboutwhenitwaswritten.Tolkien’sbiographerHumphreyCarpenterbelievesitwaswritten
closetothetimeitwasrequested,inSeptember1944(seeHumphreyCarpenter,Tolkien:A
Biography[BallantineBooks,1977],220–1),butTomShippeybelievesitwaswrittencloserto
thestartofWorldWarII(seeT.A.Shippey,JRRTolkien:AuthoroftheCentury[Houghton
Mifflin,2000],266).ThestorycanbefoundtodayinJ.R.R.Tolkien,TreeandLeafandThe
HomecomingofBeorhtnoth(HarperCollins,2001),andJ.R.R.Tolkien,TheTolkienReader(Del
Rey,1986).Thesetextscontainboth“LeafbyNiggle”andTolkien’sclassicessay“OnFairy
Stories.”Thequotesfrom“LeafbyNiggle”inthissectionaretakenfromJ.R.R.Tolkien,“Leafby
Niggle”inTreeandLeafandTheHomecomingofBeorhtnoth,93–118.
10.ThisquoteandtheimmediatelyfollowingaccountofTolkien’smind-setaretakenfromHumphrey
Carpenter,Tolkien,220–1and293–4.
11.Ibid.,221.
12.QuotedinShippey,JRRTolkien,267.
13.ShippeycitestheOldEnglishpoem“Bede’sDeath-Song,”whichbegins,“Beforetheneed-fare.”A
“needfare”wasacompulsoryjourney,alongjourneythatallhavetomake,anditbegins(Bede
says)onone’s“death-day.”Ibid.
14.Tolkien,“LeafbyNiggle,”109–10.
15.TomShippeyandHumphreyCarpenterrepresenttwosomewhatdifferentinterpretationsoftheending
ofthestory.CarpentersaysNiggle’streeisa“truepartofcreation”—thatis,itwasthereall
along,partoftheglorioustruecountryofGod.Asanartist,Nigglewasgivingtheworldavery
partialglimpseofthiscomingworld,thisunderlyingtruth.Shippeyisevenmoreambitious.He
writes,“Niggle’srewardistofindhispicturecometrue[myemphasis]attheendofhisjourney,
his‘sub-creation’acceptedbytheCreator”(pp.276–7).Inotherwords,Niggle’sartistic
imaginationhasbeenmaderealbyGodintheheavenlycountryasareward.
16.ShippeypointsoutthatoriginallyTheDublinReviewaskedTolkienforaworkof“Catholic
humanity”(p.266).Inotherwords,TolkiensawhisstoryasexpressingaspecificallyChristian
andCatholicunderstandingofcreativityandart.Shippeypointsoutthatintheheavenlyrealmas
depictedthereisa“shepherd,”obviouslyareferencetoChrist(p.277).
17.SeethefamousessaybyTolkien,“OnFairyStories,”inTolkien,TreeandLeaf,3ff.
18.Carpenter’swordsinTolkien,221.
19.Ibid.
CHAPTER1—THEDESIGNOFWORK
20.OldTestamentscholarVictorHamiltonwrites,“God’screativeactivityisdescribedtwiceashis
work.TheOThastwowordsfor“labor.”Thesecondwordemphasizeslaborthatisrawand
unskilled.Thefirst—andtheoneusedhere—designatesskilledlabor,workthatisperformedbya
craftsmanoranartisan.SuchisthemeasureofthefinesseandprofessionalskillsofGod’swork.”
V.P.Hamilton,TheBookofGenesis:Chapters1–17(Eerdmans,1990),142.
21.AsmanyplacesintheOldTestamentinsist,thesix-dayworkweek,withadayofrestforeveryone,
evenservantsandlivestock,madeIsraeldifferentfromitsneighbors.“InEgypttherewasnoday
ofinterruptionoftheunendingroundofforcedlabor;Moses’srequestsfortimetoworshipwere
metbyPharaohwithscorn;butYahweh‘broughtthemoutfromthere’andsocommandsthemto
celebratethesabbathdayasa“stoppingday”proclaimingnotonlytheirdependenceuponYahweh
butalsotheirindependenceofallotherpeoplesandpowers.J.I.Durham,WordBiblical
Commentary:Exodus(Word,2002),290.
22.Agood,briefcompilationofancientcreationmythscanbefoundintheEncyclopediaBritannica
Onlineathttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/142144/creation-myth.
23.BiblicalscholarGerhardvonRadhasarguedthat,unlikeanyofitsneighbors,Israelcouldconceive
ofnodivinepowersonaparwiththeLord.GerhardvonRad,WisdominIsrael(SCMPress,
1970),304.
24.SeeHesiod’sWorksandDays,lines109–29.TheEnglishtranslationcanbefoundonlineatElpenor:
HomeoftheGreekWord,http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/ancient-
greece/hesiod/works-days.asp?pg=4.
25.G.J.Wenham,WordBiblicalCommentary,vol.1,Genesis1–15(Word,2002),35.
26.Ibid.,34.
27.Formoreonthis,seeChapter3,“WorkasCultivation.”
28.Formoreonthis,seeChapter4,“WorkasService.”
29.BenWitherington,Work:AKingdomPerspectiveonLabor(Eerdmans,2011),2.
30.LesterDeKoster,Work:TheMeaningofYourLife(GrandRapids,MI:ChristianLibraryPress,
1982),17.
31.DorothySayers,“WhyWork?”inCreedorChaos?(Harcourt,Brace,1949),53.
32.Formoreonthisconcept,seeTimothyKeller,“IsChristianityaStraitjacket?”TheReasonforGod:
BeliefinanAgeofSkepticism(Dutton,2008).
33.JohnCalvin,InstitutesoftheChristianReligion,ed.JohnT.McNeill,trans.FordLewisBattles
(WestminsterPress,1960),III.10.2.720–1.
34.AnglicanhymnbyWilliamHenryMonk,“AllThingsBrightandBeautiful.”
35.Pieper,Leisure,33.
CHAPTER2—THEDIGNITYOFWORK
36.AynRand,AtlasShrugged(Penguin,1999),782.
37.AdrianoTilgher,Work:WhatItHasMeanttoMenThroughtheAges(ArnoPress,1977),quotedin
LeeHardy,TheFabricofThisWorld:InquiriesintoCalling,CareerChoice,andtheDesignof
HumanWork(Eerdmans,1990),7.
38.Aristotle,Politics,I.VIII.9,andNicomacheanEthics,X.7,bothquotedinIbid.
39.Plato,Phaedo,inPlatoinTwelveVolumes,vol.1,trans.HaroldNorthFowler(HarvardUniversity
Press,1966).
40.Hardy,FabricofThisWorld,27.
41.ThisisLucFerry’ssummaryofEpictetus’steaching.SeeLucFerry,ABriefHistoryofThought:A
PhilosophicalGuidetoLiving,trans.TheolCuffe(HarperCollins,2010),45.
42.LelandRyken,WorkandLeisureinChristianPerspective(Multnomah,1987),64.
43.Hardy,FabricofThisWorld,16.
44.DerekKidner,Genesis:AnIntroductionandCommentary(Inter-VarsityPress,1967),61.
45.AlecMotyer,LooktotheRock:AnOldTestamentBackgroundtoOurUnderstandingofChrist
(Kregel,1996),71.
46.V.P.Hamilton,TheBookofGenesis:Chapters1–17(Eerdmans,1990),135.
47.PhillipJensenandTonyPayne,Beginnings:EdenandBeyond,FaithWalkBibleStudies(Crossway,
1999),15.
48.JeffVanDuzer,WhyBusinessMatterstoGod(AndWhatStillNeedstoBeFixed)(Inter-Varsity
Press,2010),28–9.
CHAPTER3—WORKASCULTIVATION
49.DerekKidner,Genesis,61.
50.Somecommentatorspointoutthat,eventhoughAdamandEvearetoldto“rule”overtheanimalsand
“subdue”them,Genesischapter1,verse29showsthatthisoriginaldominiondidnotevenallow
themtokillanimalsorusetheirfleshforfood.OnlyafterthefloodinGenesischapter9doesGod
givepermissiontoconsumeanimalsasfood.So“rule”and“subdue”cannotmean“exploit.”See
V.P.Hamilton,TheBookofGenesis:Chapters1–17(Eerdmans,1990),139.
51.AlbertN.Wolters,CreationRegained:ATransformingViewoftheWorld(Eerdmans,1985),36.
52.http://www.tufenkian.com/about/james-tufenkian.xhtml
53.MarkNoll,TheScandaloftheEvangelicalMind(Eerdmans,1995),51.
54.YouaredoingwhatGodhasdone,if—andthisisabig“if”—yourprojectdoesnotaddvalueto
humanlifebutonlymakesyouaprofit.Themostobviousexamplesofthingsinthisallegoryare
illegaldrugdealingandpornography.Butthereareplentyofotherprojects—manycomingtolight
intherecentrecession—thatmadeshort-termprofitsforindividualdealmakerseventhoughit
wasobviousthedealswerenotgoodfortheinstitutions,formanycustomersandshareholders,or
forsocietyasawhole.
55.AndyCrouch,Culture-Making:RecoveringOurCreativeCalling(Inter-VarsityPress,2008),47.
CHAPTER4—WORKASSERVICE
56.MostofmybiblicalquotationsusetheNewInternationalVersiontranslationoftheBible.HereIuse
theEnglishStandardVersionbecauseIbelieveitbetterbringsoutthesenseoftheoriginalGreek
text.
57.Apointofcontroversyisthatinverse21Pauldenotesslaveryasa“calling”inwhichitispossibleto
serveGod.Itisbeyondourscopetoenterintothisdiscussion(thoughseeChapter9onournew
motiveandEphesianschapter6).Itisimportanttoobservethat(a)inverse21Paultold
Christianswhowereslavestoacquiretheirfreedomiftheycould,and(b)wemustnotthinkthat
allslaveryinancienttimeswaslikemodernchattelslavery.Foranexcellenttreatmentofthis
passage,seeR.E.CiampaandB.S.Rosner,TheFirstLettertotheCorinthians(Eerdmans,
2010),306–28.Theywrite,“Paulhasbeencarefulnottomakelightofthecircumstancesof
Christianslaves”(p.327).
58.Ibid.,308–9.
59.QuotedinIbid.,309.
60.RobertBellah,RichardMadsen,WilliamM.Sullivan,AnnSwidler,andStevenM.Tipton,Habitsof
theHeart:IndividualismandCommitmentinAmericanLife(UniversityofCaliforniaPress,
1985),287–8.
61.CiampaandRosner,FirstLettertotheCorinthians,309,n.184.
62.SeeLouisBerkhof,SystematicTheology(Eerdmans,1949),569.
63.ItisinterestingtorememberthatLuther’sothergreatopponentsintheReformationwerethe
Anabaptistsofthe“RadicalReformation.”TheAnabaptistssawthepublicrealmasessentially
therealmofSatanandforbadetheirmemberstofulfillcivilofficessuchaspoliceman,magistrate,
andthelike.Ironically,thoughtheAnabaptistschargedReformerslikeLutherandCalvinwithnot
rejectingtheCatholictraditionenough,theyhadasnegativeaviewof“ secular”workinthe
worldasdidtheCatholicChurchatthetime.Luther’s(andCalvin’s)teachingofallworkas
God’svocationthereforewassetagainstboththeCatholicChurchandtheAnabaptists.
64.MartinLuther,ThreeTreatises(Fortress,1970),12.
65.ThetranslationofLuthercitedmakesuseoftheKingJamesVersion.SeethetranslationbyEdward
SittlerinLuther’sWorks:SelectedPsalmsIII,ed.,J.Pelikan,vol.14(Concordia,1958).
66.Ibid.,95.
67.Luther’sLargeCatechism:WithStudyQuestions,trans.F.SamuelJanzow(Concordia,1978),90.
68.Pelikan,Luther’sWorks,vol.14,95.
69.Ibid.,96.
70.Ibid.,100.
71.Ibid.,96.
72.Luther’sWorks,SermonontheMountandtheMagnificated.J.Pelikan,vol.21,(Concordia,1958),
237.
73.Hardy,Fabric,45.
74.ThisisfromhisprefacetothecompleteeditionofLuther’sLatinWritings(Wittenberg,1545),printed
inLuther’sWorks,vol.34,CareeroftheReformer(Fortress,1960),336–8.
75.Luther’sWorks,GenesisChapters6–14,eds.J.PelikanandD.E.Poellot,vol.2(Concordia,1960),
348.
76.Luther’sWorks,SermonontheMount,vol.21,367.
77.DorothySayers,“WhyWork?”inCreedorChaos?(Harcourt,Brace,1949),51.
78.Sayers,“CreedorChaos?”inCreedorChaos?,42–3.
79.Ibid.
80.LesterDeKoster,Work:TheMeaningofYourLife(ChristianLibraryPress,1982),5,7,9–10.
81.Sayers,CreedorChaos?,56–7.
82.RecountedinWilliamE.Diehl,TheMondayConnection:ASpiritualityofCompetence,Affirmation,
andSupportintheWorkplace,(HarperCollins,1991),25–6.
83.Ibid.,29.
84.Ibid.
85.JohnCalvin,InstitutesoftheChristianReligion,ed.JohnT.McNeill,trans.FordLewisBattles
(WestminsterPress,1960),III.11.6.725.
CHAPTER5—WORKBECOMESFRUITLESS
86.SomehavearguedthatAdamandEvecouldhaveobeyedoutofself-interestbecauseGodtoldthem
thatiftheyateittheywoulddie—butwithinthecontextofthenarrativetheycouldnothavebeen
abletocomprehendwhatthatmeant.
87.ThissectionassumesthatwhenAdamandEveturnedawayfromGod,thehumanracesinned,and
thereforeyouandIsinnedaswell.Romans5:12tellsusthat“allsinned”inthesinofAdam.This
iscounterintuitivetoourindividualisticWesternsociety(though,itshouldbeadded,nottotherest
oftheworld).OnewayChristiantheologianshaveexplainedthisbiblicalteachingisthis:Adam
wasespeciallymadebyGodtobeourperfectrepresentative.Therefore,wecannotprotestthatif
wehadbeentherewewouldhaveacteddifferently.AdamandEvedidexactlywhatwewould
havedoneifwehadbeenthere—andalsowhatwecontinuetodoinourownlivestoday.Thus
wesinned“inthem.”Seearticleon“Sin”inJ.I.PackerandI.H.Marshall,eds.,TheNewBible
Dictionary,ThirdEdition(Inter-VarsityPress,1996),1105ff.
88.WilliamButlerYeats,“TheSecondComing”inMichaelRobartesandtheDancer(Kessinger
Publishing,2010),19.
89.DavidAtkinson,TheMessageofGenesis1–11:TheDawnofCreation(Inter-Varsity,1990),87.
90.AlecMotyer,LooktotheRock:AnOldTestamentBackgroundtoOurUnderstandingofChrist
(Inter-VarsityPress,1996),118–9.
91.Thisisabigsubject.SeeTimothyKellerandKathyKeller,TheMeaningofMarriage:Facingthe
ComplexitiesofCommitmentwiththeWisdomofGod(Dutton,2011),Chapter6.DerekKidner
saysthatweseehereinGenesischapter3,verse16:“Lovehasslippedfromthefullypersonal
realmtothatofinstinctiveurgespassiveandactive.”“Toloveandtocherish”becomes“todesire
andtodominate”(DerekKidner,Genesis,71).
92.AlbertC.Wolters,CreationRegained:ATransformingViewoftheWorld(Eerdmans,1985),44.
93.W.R.Forrester,ChristianVocation(Scribner,1953),129.QuotedinIbid.
94.“Work,Worker”inTheDictionaryofBiblicalImagery,eds.L.RykenandT.Longman(Inter-Varsity
Press,1995),966.
95.ItshouldbeobservedthattherealhistoricalfiguresofSalieriandMozartarenotidenticaltothe
charactersdepictedintheplay.
96.ThescriptforPeterShaffer’splayAmadeuscanbefoundatTheDailyScript,
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/amadeus.xhtml(retrievedMay16,2012).
97.FromaninterviewwithSebastianThruninAndyKessler,“What’sNextforSiliconValley?”TheWall
StreetJournal,June16–17,2012.
98.Crouch,Culture-making,188.SeealsoDavidBrooks,“SamSpadeatStarbucks,”TheNewYork
Times,April12,2012.
99.IsaacWatts,“JoytotheWorld.”InIsaacWatts,ThePsalmsofDavid:ImitatedintheLanguageof
theNewTestamentandAppliedtotheChristianStateandWorship(London:C.Corrall,1818).
CHAPTER6—WORKBECOMESPOINTLESS
100.TremperLongman,TheBookofEcclesiastes(Eerdmans,1998),15–20.
101.TraditionhasitthatthespeakerinEcclesiastesdescribinghisaccrualofwisdom,money,andpower
isSolomon,thekingofIsraelafterhisfather,David.Therearemajorproblemswiththistradition,
however,largelystemmingfromtheevidenceinthebookitself.InEcclesiasteschapter1,verse
16thespeakersays,“IhaveincreasedinwisdommorethananyonewhohasruledJerusalem
beforeme.”ButonlyDavidruledIsraelfromJerusalembeforeSolomon.Itishighlyunlikelythat
Solomonwouldhavesaidthis.SeediscussioninLongman,BookofEcclesiastes,2–9.
102.TheQohelethcharacterisnotsomuchanatheistasasecularist,forwhomGodisvagueanddistant.
Buttheauthorofthebookshowsattheveryendthatheisamanoffaithwhoseesthatlife“under
thesun”cannotbeallthereis.Thoughtherearenoexactparallelstotheliterarygenreof
EcclesiastesintheBible;theclosesttoitisthebookofJob.There,too,acharacterisintroduced
inthebeginningandevaluatedattheendinapositiveandstraightforwardway.Inthemidstofthe
book,thestrugglingcentralcharactersaysmanydubiousandself-contradictorythings.
103.PeterShaffer,Amadeus,TheDailyScript,http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/amadeus.xhtml
(retrievedMay16,2012).
104.MichaelA.Eaton,Ecclesiastes:AnIntroductionandCommentary(Inter-VarsityPress,1983),101.
105.Hardy,FabricofThisWorld,31.Onpages29–37,Hardygivesagoodoverviewandcritiqueof
KarlMarx’sunderstandingofwork.
106.QuotedinIbid.,32.
107.SeePeterDrucker,TheConceptoftheCorporation(JohnDay,1946);TheAgeofDiscontinuity
(HarperandRow,1969);Post-CapitalistSociety(HarperCollins,1993).
108.DerekKidner,ATimetoMournandaTimetoDance(Inter-VarsityPress,1976),47.
109.DavidBrooks,“TheServicePatch,”TheNewYorkTimes,May24,2012.
110.Ibid.
111.JohnA.BernbaumandSimonM.Steer,WhyWork?CareersandEmploymentinBiblical
Perspective(Baker,1986),70.
112.DorothySayers,“WhyWork?”inCreedorChaos?(Harcourt,Brace,1949),59.
113.Ibid.,60–62.
CHAPTER7—WORKBECOMESSELFISH
114.Kidner,Genesis,109.
115.Kidner,Genesis,110.
116.C.S.Lewis,MereChristianity(SanFrancisco:Harper,2001),122.
117.QuotetakenfromtherecordingofasermonbyDickLucas,“Gen.44-45:StoryofJosephRecalled
andApplied:4.NoWaybutdowntoEgypt.”OriginallypreachedatSt.HelensBishopsgate,
London,onWednesday,July26,1989.
118.SeeRaymondJ.Bakke,ATheologyasBigastheCity(Inter-VarsityPress,1997),Chapter13:“The
PersianPartnershipfortheRebuildingofJerusalem,”105ff.
119.KarenH.Jobes,Esther:TheNIVApplicationCommentary(GrandRapids,MI:Zondervan,1999),
146.
CHAPTER8—WORKREVEALSOURIDOLS
120.LucFerry,ABriefHistoryofThought:APhilosophicalGuidetoLiving(Harper,2011),3–12.
121.MartinLuther,ATreatiseConcerningGoodWorks(1520;KessingerPublishingReprint,nd),
X.XI.18–20.
122.SeeTimothyKeller,CounterfeitGods:TheEmptyPromisesofMoney,Sex,andPower,andthe
OnlyHopeThatMatters(Dutton,2009).Mostofthebookisdedicatedtodiscerningpersonaland
individualidols,butpartsofChapters5and6touchoncultural,corporateidols.
123.AndrewDelbanco,TheRealAmericanDream:AMeditationonHope(Harvard,1999),3,23,91.
124.ThesurveyofNietzsche’sthoughtaboutidolsandcultureisfoundinFerry,BriefHistoryof
Thought,144–8.SeeNietzsche,TwilightoftheIdols,trans.DuncanLarge(Oxford,1998).
125.Nietzsche,thefatherofpostmoderndeconstruction,soughttooutlineawayoflivingthatdidnotfall
preyto“idolatry,”butitisgenerallyconcededthathedidnot.Manyhavepointedoutthat
Nietzsche’srelativismand“philosophyofthehammer”arebasicallytruthclaims.Ferryargues
mostconvincinglythat,inthenameofsmashing“idols,”Nietzscheturnsthereal—theworldasit
is—intosomethingessentiallysacred.SeeFerry,BriefHistoryofThought,199–219.
126.ReinholdNiebuhr,TheNatureandDestinyofMan,vol.1,HumanNature(Scribner,1964),189.
“Thelustforpowerispromptedbyadarklyconsciousrealizationofitsinsecurity.”Seealso“The
mostobviousformsofidolatryarethoseinwhichtheworldofmeaningisorganizedarounda
center...suchasthelifeofatribeornation,whichispatentlycontingentandnotultimate”(165).
127.StevenBrull,“NoLayoffIdealCostsJapanDearly,”TheNewYorkTimes,November26,1992,
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/26/business/worldbusiness/26iht-labo.xhtml.
128.Ferry,BriefHistoryofThought,145–6.
129.PhilipKitcher,“TheTroublewithScientism:WhyHistoryandtheHumanitiesAreAlsoaFormof
Knowledge,”TheNewRepublic,May4,2012.
130.SeeRobertBellah,RichardMadsen,WilliamM.Sullivan,AnnSwidler,andStevenM.Tipton,
HabitsoftheHeart:IndividualismandCommitmentinAmericanLife(UniversityofCalifornia
Press,1985).
131.Ferry,BriefHistoryofThought,122.
132.Ibid.,126.
133.AnexamplewasTaylor’s“ScienceofShoveling”casestudyfromhistimeatBethlehemIron
Company(laterBethlehemSteel).WhenTaylorarrived,therewerealmostsixhundredmen
shovelingcoal,eachhavinghisownshovelandmethod.Afterthousandsofhoursofanalysis,
Taylordeterminedthemostefficientshovelshapeandthemostefficientmethodofshoveling.
AfterTaylorinstitutedthesechangesandtightlymonitoredworkerseveryminute,thenumberof
shovelerswascutbytwo-thirds,andtheaveragenumberoftonsshoveledperdaypermanmore
thantripled.FrederickW.Taylor,ThePrinciplesofScientificManagement(Harperand
Brothers,1911),66ff.CitedinLeeHardy,TheFabricofThisWorld:InquiriesintoCalling,
CareerChoice,andtheDesignofHumanWork(Eerdmans,1990),132.
134.QuotedinHardy,FabricofThisWorld,139.SeealsothearticlebyStephenP.Waring,“Peter
Drucker,MBO,andtheCorporatistCritiqueofScientificManagement,”OhioStateUniversity
Press,https://ohiostatepress.org/Books/Complete%20PDFs/Nelson%20Mental/10.pdf.
135.Foranexcellent,appreciativeyetcriticalsurveyofNietzsche’sthoughtandinfluence,seeFerry,
BriefHistoryofThought,Chapters5–6,143–219.Thefollowingparagraphsaredependenton
Ferry’streatment.
136.SeeEdwardDocx,“PostmodernismIsDead,”Prospect,July20,2011,
http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/postmodernism-is-dead-va-exhibition-age-of-
authenticism.
137.Ferry,BriefHistoryofThought,215–6.
138.JacquesEllul,TheTechnologicalSociety,trans.JohnWilkinson(AlfredA.Knopf,1964).
139.Delbanco,RealAmericanDream,96–7,102.
140.Ibid.,105.
141.SeeWendellBerry,Sex,Economy,Freedom,andCommunity:EightEssays(Pantheon,1994);
WilliamT.Cavanaugh,BeingConsumed:EconomicsandChristianDesire(Eerdmans,2008);
RichardA.Posner,AFailureofCapitalism:TheCrisisof’08andtheDescentintoDepression
(Harvard,2009).Posnermakesthecaseagainstamajorpartofcapitalistdogma,namely,that
marketsareself-correcting.SeealsoBobGoudzwaard,“TheIdeologyofMaterialProsperity,”
IdolsofOurTime(Inter-VarsityPress,1984),49ff.
142.DanielBell,TheCulturalContradictionsofCapitalism:20thAnniversaryEdition(BasicBooks,
1996).
143.NaomiWolf,“ThisGlobalFinancialFraudandItsGatekeepers,”TheGuardian,July15,2012,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jul/14/global-financial-fraud-gatekeepers.
144.NicholasWolterstorff,Justice:RightsandWrongs(PrincetonUniversityPress,2010),145.
145.Somereaderswillbeinterestedtonoticetheconnectionbetweenthesefourwaysofintegratingfaith
andworkandthevarioustheological“streams”thathaveshapedtheChristianviewofwork.
Chapter9,“ANewStoryforWork,”drawsontheReformedunderstandingofdistinctworldviews
andlifeviews.Chapter10,“ANewConceptionofWork,”drawsontheLutheranappreciationof
allhumanworkasGod’smeanstocareforhiscreationandthehumanrace.Chapter12,“New
PowerforWork,”accordswiththeconservativeevangelicalfocusonpersonalsalvationand
spiritualgrowth,whileChapter11,“ANewCompassforWork,”alignssomewhatwiththe
ecumenical-mainlineemphasisonethicalbehaviorinwork,andespeciallyonsocialjustice.
CHAPTER9—ANEWSTORYFORWORK
146.AlasdairMacIntyre,AfterVirtue:AStudyinMoralTheory,2nded.(UniversityofNotreDame
Press,1984),210.
147.Foranaccessibleyetscholarlyoverviewofhowstoriesrelatetoworldview,seeN.T.Wright,
“Stories,WorldviewsandKnowledge,”TheNewTestamentandthePeopleofGod(Fortress,
1992),38–80.Thismaterialisveryprofitableandshouldbeconsultedforagoodunderstanding
ofworldviewandnarrativeingeneral,andespeciallyasworldviewisconveyedintheBible
throughitsnarrativeaccounts.
148.Ibid.
149.Agoodintroductiontothehistoryoftheconceptandacompellingargumentforitsusefulnessis
DavidK.Naugle,Worldview:TheHistoryofaConcept(Eerdmans,2002).SeealsoJamesW.
Sire,NamingtheElephant:WorldviewasaConcept(Inter-VarsityPress,2004).JamesK.A.
Smithdoesnotdenythatwehavecomprehensiveperspectivesthroughwhichweinterpretreality,
andheheartilyagreestheyareinnarrativalform,buthearguesthatmostpeopleconceiveof
“worldview”todayintermsthataretoocognitive.Hearguesthatyourworldviewisnotmerelya
setofdoctrinalandphilosophicalbeliefs,whicharecompletelyformedbyreasonand
information.Italsocomprisesofasetofhopesandloves—“tacit”knowledgeandheartattitudes
—whicharenotalladoptedconsciouslyanddeliberately.Worldviewformationthendoesnot
happenonlythroughargumentormainlythroughpolitics.Rather,itistheresultofthenarratives
weembrace,especiallythosethatgiveusacompellinganddesirablepictureofhumanflourishing
thatcapturesourheartandimagination.Thosenarrativesarepresentedtousnotonly(oreven
mainly)inclassroomsbutthroughthestorieswesee,hear,andreadfromvariousculturalsources.
JamesK.A.Smith,DesiringtheKingdom:Worship,Worldview,andCulturalFormation(Baker,
2009).Smith,citingCanadianphilosopherCharlesTaylor,proposesthattheterm“social
imaginaries”wouldbeabettertermthan“worldviews.”
150.MacIntyre,AfterVirtue,211,quotedinWright,NewTestament,38.
151.LeslieStevenson,SevenTheoriesofHumanNature(Oxford,1974).
152.Ibid.,42.
153.AlbertC.Wolters,CreationRegained:ATransformingViewoftheWorld(Eerdmans,1985),50.
154.“TwoMurdochs,TwoViews,”TheWallStreetJournal,August24,2012.
155.SeeJayRosen,“JournalismIsItselfaReligion,”Pressthink,January7,2004,
http://archive.pressthink.org/2004/01/07/press_religion.xhtml.
156.AndrewDelbanco,College:WhatItWas,Is,andShouldBe(PrincetonUniversityPress,2012),
94–95.
157.C.S.Lewis,“IllustrationsoftheTao,”inTheAbolitionofMan(Collier,1955),7.
158.AndrewDelbanco,“ASmugEducation?”TheNewYorkTimes,March12,2012,
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/opinion/colleges-and-elitism.xhtml.
159.Aclassicdeconstructionoftheartworldasessentiallyareligiousfieldwithitsownpriesthood,
doctrines,andtemplesisTomWolfe’sshort1975pieceofsocialcriticism,ThePaintedWord
(Bantam,1975).
160.Itisimpossibletomakeacompletedistinctionbetweenpsychologicalandsociologicalidols,since
allidolsworkontheheart,controllingusthroughfearanddesire.Andaninternalidolsuchasthe
over-desireforhumanapprovalalwaysworksinclosetandemwiththeidolsoftheculture.In
traditionalculturesthewaytohumanapprovalisdifferentthaninanindividualistic,Western
culture.(Indeedthesamebehaviorsthatwinapprovalinoneculturearefrowneduponinthe
other.)Nevertheless,thepsychologicalidolsalwaysworkintimatelywithsociologicalidolsto
formaunique“idolcomplex”thatblindsandcontrolsus.FormoreonthissubjectseeTimothy
Keller,CounterfeitGods:TheEmptyPromisesofMoney,Sex,andPower,andtheOnlyHope
ThatMatters(Dutton,2009).
161.D.MartynLloyd-Jones,HealingandtheScriptures(ThomasNelson,1982),14.
162.Thequotesfromdoctorsarefrompersonalcorrespondencetotheauthor.
163.JeromeGroopman,“GodattheBedside,”TheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine,vol.350,no.12,
March18,2004,1176–78.
164.Lloyd-Jones,HealingandtheScriptures,50.
165.ChristianSmith,WhatIsaPerson?RethinkingHumanity,SocialLife,andtheMoralGoodfrom
thePersonUp(UniversityofChicagoPress,2010),203.
166.C.JohnSommerville,TheDeclineoftheSecularUniversity(Oxford,2007),69–70.
167.SeeRodneyStark,FortheGloryofGod(PrincetonUniversityPress,2004);andDiogenesAllen,
ChristianBeliefinaPostmodernWorld:TheFullWealthofConviction(Westminster,1989).
CHAPTER10—ANEWCONCEPTIONOFWORK
168.Asnotedpreviously,theworldview(workascreativity)approachtendstofollowtheReformedor
CalvinisticstrandoftheProtestantReformation,whiletheprovidential(workaslove)approach
tendstofollowtheLutheran.Foragoodoverview,seeLeeHardy,TheFabricofThisWorld:
InquiriesintoCalling,CareerChoice,andtheDesignofHumanWork(Eerdmans,1990),
Chapter2,“OurWork,God’sProvidence:TheChristiansConceptofVocation,”44–78.Hardy
outlinestheLutheran,Calvinist,andmodernCatholicviewsofwork.
169.RichardMouw,HeShinesinAllThat’sFair:CultureandCommonGrace(Eerdmans,2001),14.
170.FrancesHutcheson,eighteenth-centurymoralphilosopher,usedafamousillustrationtodemonstrate
this.Heasksustoimaginethatwehearofamanwhodiscoversburiedtreasureinhisbackyard—
worthmillions.Butthenyouhearthathegivesitallawaytothepoor.Evenifyouwouldneverdo
soyourself,andevenifyouswaggerpubliclythatsuchanactisstupid,youcannothelpbutadmire
whatwasdone.Thereisanindeliblesenseofthemoralbeautyoftheaction.
171.AlecMotyer,TheProphecyofIsaiah(Inter-VarsityPress,1993),235.
172.JohnCalvin,InstitutesoftheChristianReligion,ed.JohnT.McNeill,trans.FordLewisBattles
(WestminsterPress,1960),II.2.15.
173.Ibid.,II.2.12.
174.FromLeonardBernstein’sTheJoyofMusic(Simon&Schuster,2004),105.
175.TimothyKeller,GenerousJustice:HowGod’sGraceMakesUsJust(Dutton,2010).SeeChapter7
—“DoingJusticeinthePublicSquare,”pp.148ff.SeealsoDanielStrange,“Co-belligerenceand
commongrace:Cantheenemyofmyenemybemyfriend?”CambridgePapers,vol.14,no.3,
September2005,http://www.jubilee-centre.org/document.php?id=48
176.ThiscasestudyisheavilybasedonTedTurnau,“ReflectingTheologicallyonPopularCultureas
Meaningful,”CalvinTheologicalJournal37(2002),270–96.Wewillnotgointothedifferences
betweenpopularcultureandso-called“high”culturethatTurnauexplores.
177.Foranexcellentsurveyandpracticaldescriptionofthesebasicapproachestoculture,seeAndy
Crouch,CultureMaking:RecoveringourCreativeCalling(Inter-Varsity,2008),Chapter5,
“GesturesandPostures,”78ff.
178.Whatdoesthis“humble,critical”engagementlooklike?SeeTimothyKeller,CenterChurch:Doing
Balanced,Gospel-CenteredMinistryinYourCity(Zondervan,2012),Part5,“Cultural
Engagement,”181ff.AlsoseeJamesD.Hunter,ToChangetheWorld:TheIrony,Tragedy,and
PossibilityofChristianityinLateModernity(Oxford,2010.)
179.R.C.Zaehner,quotedbySteveTurner,HungryforHeaven:Rock’n’RollandtheSearchfor
Redemption(Inter-VarsityPress,1995),1.
180.Turnau,“ReflectingTheologically,”279.
CHAPTER11—ANEWCOMPASSFORWORK
181.SheelahKolhatkar,“TradingDown,”TheNewYorkTimes,July5,2009.
182.“ForswearingGreed,”TheEconomist,June6,2009,66.
183.FredCatherwood,Light,Salt,andtheWorldofBusiness:WhyWeMustStandAgainstCorruption
(InternationalFellowshipofEvangelicalStudents,2007).
184.“WhyWasTransparencyInternationalFounded?”TransparencyInternational,
http://www.transparency.org/whoweare/organisation/faqs_on_transparency_international/2/#whyTIFounded.
185.Catherwood,Light,Salt,andtheWorldofBusiness,20.
186.PaulBatchelorandSteveOsei-Mensah,“SaltandLight:Christians’RoleinCombatingCorruption,”
LausanneGlobalConversation,
http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/12129#article_page_4.
187.SeeMeeraSelva,“UKPoliticians:BankingSystemIsCorrupt,”SeattleTimes,June30,2012,
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2018564970_apeubritainbanks.xhtml.
188.HughHeclo,OnThinkingInstitutionally(OxfordUniversityPress,2011).
189.BruceK.Waltke,TheBookofProverbs:Chapters1–15(Eerdmans,2004),96.MybookGenerous
Justice(Dutton,2010)expandsonthisconcept.
190.SeeLewis,Abolition,95–121.Lewislistseighttraitsthatwereuniversallyrecognizedamong
ancientcultures,whetherNorthernEuropeanpagan,GreekandRoman,Egyptian,Jewish,
Confucian,Buddhist,orChristian.Thesetraitsweregeneral“beneficence”(namely,treatingyour
neighborasyouwantyourneighbortotreatyou);specialbeneficence(loyaltyandlovetoone’s
ownpeople,group,andnation);loveandrespectforone’sparentsandancestors,careand
concernforone’schildrenandposterity;“justice”(includingsexualfaithfulnesstoone’sspouse,
truthtelling,andequitabletreatmentofallpartiesincourt);keepingpromises;mercytothepoor
andweak;andfinally“great-heartedness,”namely,courage,self-discipline,andhonor.Aswe
willseeintherestofthischapter,theChristian“theologicalvirtues”arelargelymissing.While
ancientculturesrequiredmercyforthepoorandweak,itwasnotgroundedintheteachingthat
everypersonwasmadeintheimageofGodandthereforehadarighttopropertreatment.Rather,
mercifulbehaviorwasseenassomethingthatanhonorablepersondid.Inotherwords,mercywas
somethingthatwasdoneforyourownhappinessandhonor,notthepoorperson’s.Seehow
AugustinebroughtChristiandoctrinetobearonethicsandchangedtheolderpaganunderstanding
ofwhyandhowtotreatpeopleweakerthanyou,inNicholasWolterstorff,“Augustine’sBreak
withEudaimonism,”Justice:RightsandWrongs(PrincetonUniversityPress,2010),180–207.
191.ThomasAquinas,SummaTheologica,II.1.61.Therearemanyversionsavailable,includingonline
versions.Forexample,seeNewAdvent,http://www.newadvent.org/summa/2061.htm.
192.LucFerry,ABriefHistoryofThought:APhilosophicalGuidetoLiving(HarperCollins,2011),
58–9.
193.Ibid.,60.
194.ForthemostdevelopedexpositionofthisunderstandingofwhyGodcreatedtheworld,seeJonathan
Edwards’streatise“ConcerningtheEndforWhichGodCreatedtheWorld,”inTheWorksof
JonathanEdwards:EthicalWritings,vol.8,ed.PaulRamsey(YaleUniversityPress,1989).
195.Ibid.,58.
196.Aristotle,Politics,I.V.ThequoteisfromthetranslationofBenjaminJowett(DoverThriftEdition,
2000),12.
197.JohnCalvin,InstitutesoftheChristianReligion,ed.JohnT.McNeill,trans.FordLewisBattles
(WestminsterPress,1960),III.4.6.696–7.Hereisthelongercitation:“Thegreatpartof[men]are
mostunworthyiftheybejudgedbytheirownmerit.ButhereScripturehelpsinthebestwaywhen
itteachesthatwearenottoconsiderthatmenmeritofthemselvesbuttolookupontheimageof
Godinallmen,towhichweoweallhonorandlove.[You]say,‘heiscontemptibleand
worthless’;buttheLordshowshimtobeonetowhomhehasgiventhebeautyofhisimage.Say
thatyouowenothingforanyserviceofhis;butGod,asitwere,hasputhiminhisownplacein
orderthatyoumayrecognizetowardhimthemanyandgreatbenefitswithwhichGodhasbound
youtohimself.Saythathedoesnotdeserveevenyourleasteffortforyoursake;buttheimageof
God,whichrecommendshimtoyou,isworthyofyourgivingyourselfandallyour
possessions....Youwillsay,‘Hehasdeservedsomethingfardifferentofme.’Yetwhathasthe
Lorddeserved?...remembernottoconsidermen’sevilintentionbut...lookupontheimageof
Godinthem,which...withitsbeautyanddignityalluresustoloveandembracethem.”
198.ThemainbookisBrianTierney,TheIdeaofNaturalRights:StudiesonNaturalRights,Natural
LawandChurchLaw1150–1625(ScholarsPress,1997).AlsoseeTierney,“TheIdeaofNatural
Rights—OriginsandPersistence,”NorthwesternJournalofInternationalHumanRights,vol.2,
Spring2004.
199.WhileitisobviousthatnonbelieversinGodcanbelieveinhumanrightsandworkverypassionately
forjustice—indeed,thisfitsinwiththeChristianunderstandingofcommongrace—itisanother
thingtoholdthattheirbeliefinhumanrightsisintellectuallywarranted.Mostsecularpeople
essentiallysharethebeliefsofmanyoftheolderGreekandRomanthinkers,namely,thatwe
sprungfromanimpersonalcosmosandafterdeathourmatterwillgobacktoanundifferentiated,
unconscious,impersonalstate.Yetseculargovernmentsandinstitutionsdonotreturntothemore
logicallyconsistentpositionthattheancientshadandinsteadcontinuetoholdtotheinviolable
dignityandvalueofeachhumanindividual.Thereisnothingthatsaystheyarenotallowedtodo
so,andfromanypointofview,societywillbebetteriftheydonotreturntotheolderwayof
conceivingofhumanlife.Butsuchbeliefsinhumanrightsareanenormousleapoffaithaway
fromtheirownworldview’sunderstandingofhumannature,forbeliefinhumanrightsmakesfar
moresenseifthereisaGodthanifthereisnot.NicholasWolterstorffmakesthiscasein“Isa
SecularGroundingofHumanRightsPossible?”and“ATheisticGroundingofHumanRights,”
chapters15and16inhisbookJustice:RightsandWrongs.AlsoseeChristianSmith,“Does
NaturalismWarrantaMoralBeliefinUniversalBenevolenceandHumanRights?”inThe
BelievingPrimate:Scientific,Philosophical,andTheologicalReflectionsontheOriginof
Religion,eds.J.SchlossandM.Murray(Oxford,2009),292–317.Sowhilemillionsof
nonreligiouspeoplebelieveinhumandignityandhumanrights,suchbeliefisessentiallyreligious
innature.
200.IhavecombinedtheNIVandKJVversionsinthequotedpassage,asIpreferthewaythelatter
translationhandlesverse16.
201.Themodernreaderwincesatthewords“slaves”(verse5)and“masters”(verse9)largelybecause
weimmediatelythinkonlyofthemodernAfricanslavetrade,inwhichslaverywasrace-based,
lifelong,andbasedonkidnapping.However,intheancientworldthereweremany“slaveries.”
Thereisgoodevidencethatmuchofslaverywasveryharshandbrutal,butthereisalsolotsof
evidencethatmanyslaveswerenottreatedlikeAfricanslaveswouldbe,butlivednormallives
andwerepaidthegoingwage,butwerenotallowedtoquitorchangeemployers,andwerein
slaveryanaverageoftenyears.Prisonersofwaroftenbecameslaves,andmencouldbe
sentencedtobeinggalleyslavesforcrimes.Apersoncouldbecomeaslaveforasetperiodof
timeinordertoworkoffdebts,becausetherewasnosuchthingasbankruptcyinancienttimes.
Oftentheresultwasanindenturedservanthoodforyearsuntilthedebtswerepaid.Toour
surprise,slavescouldownslaves,andmanyslavesweredoctors,professors,administrators,and
civilservants.(SeeAndrewT.Lincoln’sdiscussionofancientslaveryWordBiblical
Commentary:Ephesians[Word,1990]inhisWordcommentaryonEphesians,415–20.)Inhis
survey,Lincolnsaysthatnooneinancienttimescouldconceiveofaneconomicorlaborstructure
withoutit.Whiletherewerebrutalformsofslavery,theconcept—indenturedlaborinwhichthe
laborerwasnotfreetomarkethisskillstootheremployers—wasconsideredagiven.Quoting
anotherscholar,hewritesthatthiswassoaccepted,“onecannotcorrectlyspeakoftheslave
‘problem’inantiquity”(LincolnquotingWesterman,415.)Inotherwords,noone—noteven
slaves—thoughtthewholeinstitutionshouldbeabolished.ThisiswhyPaul’slettersdonotaimat
abolishingslaverybutratheraimtotransformthevariegatedancientinstitutionfromtheinside.As
thescholarF.F.BrucesaysaboutPaul’sbriefstatementsabouttheequalityofslavesandmasters
inthefirstbookofCorinthians,Galatians,Ephesians,Colossians,andPhilemon,“What[Paul’s
letters]doistobringusintoanatmosphereinwhichtheinstitutionofslaverycouldonlywiltand
die”(F.F.Bruce,Paul:ApostleoftheHeartSetFree[Eerdmans,1977],407).Thatisquiteright.
Slaverywasanacceptedinstitutioninallculturesandsocietiesoftheworldfromtime
immemorial.OnlywithinChristianitydidtheideaeventuallyarisethatslaverywasanabominable
institutiontobeabolished.Why?Largelybecauseoftheimplicationsofthegospel,laidoutby
Paul.AllChristiansare“slaves”ofChrist,whohimselfcameasadoulos,orservant(Philippians
2:7).PaulregularlytoldChristianslaveownersthattheirslaveswereequaltotheminthesightof
Godandhadtobetreatedasbrothers(1Corinthians7:22–23).InGalatianschapter3,verses26–
29,hewritesthatinChristthereisnoslaveorfree—again,allareequal.Thecasestudyinwhich
heappliesthisgospeltheologyisthebookofPhilemon.TherePaulsendsOnesimus,aChristian
slave,backtohisChristianmaster,Philemon.PhilemonistoldthatOnesimusishisbeloved
brotherintheLordandafellowman.InMiroslavVolf’sbookPublicFaith:HowFollowersof
ChristShouldServetheCommonGood(Brazos,2011),hesaysthatthiskindofteachingso
transformsthemaster-servantrelationshipthat,whileitisstillthereinform—theservantisstillto
workforhisemployer—“slaveryhasbeenabolishedevenifitsouterinstitutionalshell
remains...”(p.92).Thisofcourseunderminedandweakenedtheinstitutionofslaveryamong
Christiansveryquickly,sothatitwas“emptiedofitsinnercontent”untileventuallyitwas
discarded.Later,theinstitutionofrace-based,kidnapping-fueledslaveryintheNewWorldwas
sooutofaccordwithbiblicalprinciplesthatChristiansledthefighttohaveslaveryabolished.
Despitehowcomplicatedthissubjectis,itisimportantforChristianstodaytothinkitout.Many
criticsofChristianitysimplyassumethattheBiblewronglyendorsedslaveryandthatthereforeit
maybewrongaboutotherthingsitteaches.Actually,biblicaltheologydestroyedthecoercive
heartoftheinstitutionofslaverywithintheChristiancommunityandfinallyledChristiansto
abolishtheinevitablyoppression-proneinstitutionitself.FormoreonhowChristianitygavethe
worldtheideathatslaverywaswrong,seeRodneyStark,FortheGloryofGod(Princeton
UniversityPress,2003),Chapter4,“God’sJustice.”Insum,whenPaulspeakstoChristiansin
Ephesians6,heisnotdenouncingtheinstitutionofslaveryperse(whichwouldhavebeenuseless
inimperialRome).HeisspeakingdirectlytoindividualChristianswithintheinstitutionabout
howtoconductthemselves,andwhathesaysisquiterevolutionary.
202.P.T.O’Brien,TheLettertotheEphesians,PillarNewTestamentCommentary(GrandRapids,MI:
Eerdmans,1999),454.
203.AtthetimeJesuswasspeaking,mothsandverminwereagreatdanger,sincegarmentswereamajor
partofone’swealth;fashionchangedlittleandclothingwasoftenpassedontoothers—and,of
course,human“thieves”arealwaysouttotakeawaythethingswelovemost.
204.SeeJonathanRushworthandMichaelSchluter,TransformingCapitalismfromWithin:ARelational
ApproachtothePurpose,Performance,andAssessmentofCompanies(RelationshipsGlobal,
2011).
205.ArlieHochschild,TheOutsourcedSelf:IntimateLifeinMarketTimes(MetropolitanBooks,
2012).
206.Somegoodplacestostart:Oncapitalism:BobGoudzwaard,CapitalismandProgress:ADiagnosis
ofWesternSociety(PaternosterPress,1997);JohnMedaille,TheVocationofBusiness:Social
JusticeintheMarketplace(ContinuumBooks,2007).Onbusinessdecisions:JeffVanDuzer,
“HowThenShouldWeDoBusiness?”inWhyBusinessMatterstoGod:AndWhatStillNeedsto
BeFixed(Inter-VarsityPress,2010);LeeHardy,“PartTwo:Applications,”TheFabricofThis
World:InquiriesintoCalling,CareerChoice,andtheDesignofHumanWork(Eerdmans,
1990);seealsoRushworthandSchluter,TransformingCapitalismfromWithin.Ingeneral:
MichaelGoheenandCraigBartholomew,“LifeattheCrossroads:PerspectivesonSomeAreasof
PublicLife,”LivingattheCrossroads:AnIntroductiontoChristianWorldview(Baker,2008).
CHAPTER12—NEWPOWERFORWORK
207.Dr.Ann,“IDo,ThereforeIAm!Aren’tI?,”Crosswalk,recountedat
http://christiannewsrssfeed.blogspot.com/2012/06/crosswalk-i-do-therefore-i-am-arent-i.xhtml.
208.DorothySayers,CreedorChaos?(HarcourtBrace,1949),81.
209.Ibid.,81–2.
210.C.S.Lewis,MereChristianity(SanFrancisco:Harper,2001),226.
211.Ishouldaddthat,whileEricLiddellwasaChristianandProtestantmissionary,JohnColtrane’sfaith
isnoteasilydefinedandsomeclaimitwasnotspecificallyChristian.Iaminnoplacetopass
judgmentonewayortheother.Nevertheless,theconnectionthatheexpressesbetweenGod’s
love,ourfaith,andworkisvividandright.
EPILOGUE:LEADINGPEOPLETOINTEGRATEFAITHANDWORK
212.QuotefromKuyper’sinauguraladdressatthededicationoftheFreeUniversity.FoundinAbraham
Kuyper:ACentennialReader,ed.JamesD.Bratt(Eerdmans,1998),488.
213.“ReflectionsonWork:ASurvey,”RedeemerReport(churchnewsletter,nolongeravailable),
January2004.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
KatherineandIgetournamesonthecoverofthisbook,butthequarterbackofourteamhasbeenScott
Kauffmann,whoseguidanceandextensiveeditorialworkhasbeencrucialtobringingthisbookinto
existence.Hislongexperienceinthebusinessworld,histheologicalacumen,aswellashisskillwith
words,allbeautifullypreparedhimtoleadusincraftingthisworktogether.Ifyouarefindingthebook
helpfultoyou—thankhim.Asalways,IamgratefultoDavidMcCormickandBrianTart,whoseeditorial
supportcontinuetomakeRedeemer’sgrowingliteraryproductionpossible.
Ialsomustacknowledgetheimpactoftwoparticularfriendshipsonmyunderstandingofthissubject.
MikeBontragerandDonFlowaretwoChristiansinthebusinessworldwhohaveembodiedformethe
faithfulandjoyfulintegrationofgospelfaithwiththeirdailywork.MyjobistoexpoundtheScriptureand
tomakedisciples,butwithouttheirexamples—andtheirabilitytodiscipleme—Iwouldnothave
graspedaswellmuchoftheBible’steachingaboutvocation.
Finally,Iwanttothankthosetowhomthebookisdedicated—thestaffandlayleadersofRedeemer’s
CenterforFaith&Work—forlivingoutthestrugglesandthinkingthroughtheimplicationsofintegrating
yourfaithwithyourwork.Becauseyouaredoingit,wecanwriteaboutit.UnderKatherine’sleadership,
theCFWstaff—KenyonAdams,ChrisDolan,CalvinChin,MariaFee,DavidKim,andAmileeWatkins
—havenotjustreadandlearned,discussedandapplied,developedandtaughtatheologyofworkas
outlinedinthesechapters.Theyhavebeenwillingtoliveitouttogetherastheywork—meaningtheyhave
lookedattheirownmotivations,theyhaveappliedthegospeltotheirownheartsandseenitchangethem,
andtheyhaveworkedoutofthejoythatcomesfromaricherbiblicalappreciationofwork.Ourlay
leaders,outthereinthethornsandthistlesoftheirvocationsandindustries,arewrestlingwithGodover
theirownmotivationsanddesirestoseeglimpsesofhimatwork.Theyarebeingtransparenttohelp
othersgrowintheirknowledgeandpractice.Wecommendyou:Becauseyouaredoingit,yougive
evidenceofthegospel—thegoodnewsofthecomingkingdomofGod—tothecityinwhichGodhas
placedyou.
ABOUTTHEAUTHORS
TimothyKellerwasbornandraisedinPennsylvaniaandeducatedatBucknellUniversity,Gordon-
ConwellTheologicalSeminary,andWestminsterTheologicalSeminary.Hewasfirstapastorin
Hopewell,Virginia.In1989hestartedRedeemerPresbyterianChurch,inNewYorkCity,withhiswife,
Kathy,andtheirthreesons.Today,RedeemerhasmorethanfivethousandregularSundayattendeesand
hashelpedtostartnearlytwohundrednewchurchesaroundtheworld.AlsotheauthorofTheMeaningof
Marriage,GenerousJustice,CounterfeitGods,TheProdigalGod,King’sCross,andTheReasonfor
God,TimothyKellerlivesinNewYorkCitywithhisfamily.
KatherineLearyAlsdorfworkedfortwenty-fiveyearsinthehigh-techindustryasaneconomicanalyst
andinvariousexecutiveleadershippositions.AfterherCEOrolesatOneTouchSystemsandPensare,
RedeemerPresbyterianChurchrecruitedKatherinetoleadthechurch’seffortsinmarketplaceministry,
nowcalledtheCenterforFaith&Work,whichhasgrowntoservemorethantwothousandpeopleayear.
KatherinehasservedontheboardsofInternationalArtsMovement,FellowshipforthePerformingArts,
andtheTheologyofWorkproject.
TheRedeemerimprintisdedicatedtobooksthataddresspressingspiritualandsocialissuesofthedayin
awaythatspeaksbothtothecoreChristianaudienceandtoseekersandskepticsalike.Themissionfor
theRedeemerimprintistobringthepoweroftheChristiangospeltoeverypartoflife.Thenamecomes
fromRedeemerPresbyterianChurchinNewYorkCity,whichTimKellerstartedin1989withhiswife,
Kathy,andtheirthreesons.Redeemerhasbegunamovementofcontextualizedurbanministry,thoughtful
preaching,andchurchplantingacrossAmericaandthroughoutmajorworldcities.
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Thematic Integration of Faith and Learning Grading Rubric
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Content 105 points
Advanced
Proficient
Not present
Academic Field
Review
35 to 33 points
The paper presents an
excellently crafted 3–5-page
overview that effectively
defines the course as an
academic field of study and
clearly relates the significance
of the course to business. The
writing is thorough, engaging,
and descriptive.
32 to 30 points
The paper presents an
effectively crafted 3–5-page
overview that defines the
course as an academic field of
study and relates the
significance of the course to
business. Overall the writing is
thorough, engaging, and
descriptive.
0 points
No review of the course as an
academic field is provided.
Academic Question
Review
35 to 33 points
The paper presents an
excellently crafted exploration
of 5–8 questions that are
critical in order to demonstrate
that a student who completes
this course can synthesize the
key concepts of continuous
improvement and propose
strategies for improving an
organization using recognized
quality management tools and
best practices. The questions
are relevant and the writing is
thorough, engaging, and
descriptive.
32 to 30 points
The paper presents 5–8
questions that are critical in
order to demonstrate that a
student who completes this
course can synthesize the key
concepts of continuous
improvement and propose
strategies for improving an
organization using recognized
quality management tools and
best practices. Overall the
questions are relevant and the
writing is thorough, engaging,
and descriptive.
0 points
The paper does not present
a discussion of the required
academic questions.
Biblical Integration
35 to 33 points
The paper presents an
excellently crafted 3–5-page
discussion that seamlessly
integrates the concepts from
the Keller text into a cohesive
understanding of why quality
management and productivity
32 to 30 points
The paper presents a 3–5-page
discussion that integrates the
concepts from the Keller text
into a generally cohesive
understanding of why quality
management and productivity
are significant for advancing
0 points
The paper does not present
any biblical integration.
are significant for advancing
God’s purposes for business on
earth. Scripture is used to
frame the discussion with
relevant cases and/or verses
that directly relate to the
discussion. The writing is
thorough, engaging, and
descriptive.
God’s purposes for business on
earth. Scripture is used to frame
the discussion with cases and/or
verses that relate to the
discussion. Overall the writing is
thorough, engaging, and
descriptive.
Structure 45 points
Advanced
Proficient
Not present
Grammar and
Structure
15 to 14 points
No grammar, spelling, or
punctuation errors are present.
Voice and person are used
correctly and consistently.
Writing is precise and word
choice is appropriate.
13 points
Few grammar, spelling, or
punctuation errors are present.
Voice and person are used
correctly. Writing style is
sufficient and word choice is
adequate.
0 points
Numerous spelling,
grammar, or punctuation
errors are present. Writing
style is difficult to
understand. Word choice is
poor.
APA Style
10 points
Citations, references and
overall format are in current
APA style. Cover page and
References are correctly
formatted. Paper is written in a
clear, consistent font.
9 points
Citations, references and overall
format are in current APA style.
Cover page and References are
correctly formatted overall.
Paper is written in a clear,
consistent font.
0 points
APA formatting is not
followed.
Materials/Resources
20 to 19 points
At least five scholarly resources
(from peer-reviewed journals)
and the Bible are included. The
resources and Scripture directly
related to the topic explored. A
variety of respected sources is
evident.
18 to 17 points
At least five resources (from
peer-reviewed journals) and the
Bible are included. The
resources are mostly related to
the project management topic.
A fair variety of respected
sources is evident.
0 points
Academic materials are not
used.
Outline
Overview that defines Strategic Quality Management as an academic field of study
(significance of the course to business)
Strategic quality management (SQM) is a study that was developed through the linkage
of total quality management and corporate strategy. It is a philosophy of quality
management that is able to view the quality through the overall total performance of an
organization.
Strategic quality management is an important academic field of study as the learners are
able to understand the significance of quality in a business which results in sustainability
and competitiveness. Tracing its history of development, it is clear that this field of study
was developed following the integration of total quality management and corporate
strategy.
Customer satisfaction is the best-desired outcome that results as a result of strategic
quality management. As the customer is the main focus of strategic quality management,
the business is able to identify the requirements and needs of the customers, develop
plans and objectives that are aimed at meeting these needs thus ensuring that the business
achieves its goals.
Continuous improvement is one of the core principles of strategic quality management. It
requires well developed and structured management of the processes and systems used in
the organization.
Strategic quality management ensures that the products that are produced are consistent
thus reducing variation. Through the reduction of variation, the business is able to reduce
wastage of the resources and the defective products that are produced by the business.
Discussion of the top 5–8 questions I believe are critical in order to demonstrate that a
student who completes this course can synthesize the key concepts of continuous
improvement and propose strategies for improving an organization using recognized
quality management tools and best practices
There are some top questions that a learner could develop to demonstrate their ability to
synthesize the important concepts of continuous improvement as well as proposing
strategies that can improve an organization through the available tools and practices.
Customer satisfaction is the most important factor that is analyzed through strategic
quality management. The question “Why is it important to analyze the current market
trends or client demands?” ensures that the organization is able to meet the needs and
requirements of the customers thus ensuring customer satisfaction.
It is important to understand the mission and the vision of the organization. The question
“What is the importance of mission and vision statements?” should be addressed by the
learner. The mission and vision statements of an organization outline the direction that an
organization needs to take to ensure that they achieve their goals and objectives.
It is important to understand the direction of the leadership of an organization. The
question “How is one able to cultivate quality management leadership?” ensures that a
learner is able to work hard towards building a strategic leadership in an organization. It
is important for a learner to cultivate an environment that supports innovation and
continuous improvement.
A learner should be able to know and understand the strategic goals of an organization.
The question “Why is it important to analyze the strategic goals of an organization?”
ensures that a leader is able to propose strategies that will improve an organization.
While analyzing the strategic goals, it is necessary to analyze the role of technology in an
organization. The use of technology has the ability to minimize cost as well as improving
the efficiency of production in an organization.
Discussion that integrates the concepts from the Keller (2012) text into a cohesive
understanding of why quality management and productivity are significant for advancing
God’s purposes for business on earth
In the ever-changing world, businesses have been constantly evolving. The workplace
has been undergoing incredible transformation especially since the advent of the internet.
Technology has transformed many businesses and workplaces for many people.
The workplace has become increasingly competitive and somewhat stressful for many
people. In such situations, people often find themselves questioning their purpose of
working why working is hard and how they can be satisfied in their places of work.
Keller describes work as a ‘calling’. This refers to the spiritual aspect of work in which a
person uses the tools and skills that were granted upon him by God to serve other people.
In essence, this means that a person is intended to apply to the best of his/her abilities to
best serve others.
The attitudes of people towards working have completely shifted as a result of a changing
perception of people towards the real world. This shift in mindset has resulted in people
getting less satisfied in their work each passing day.
Keller further notes that linking one’s work to God’s purpose provides a sense of dignity.
In essence, this means that all people, regardless of the job they do, big or small, are all
considered to be working in the eyes of God.
Resources available can at times be scarce. However, approaching the meaning and
purpose of work from a Biblical angle energizes the desire of humans to create value
from those available resources (Keller, 2012).
RUNNING HEAD: THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH
Thematic Integration of Faith
Name:
Title:
Date:
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 2
Overview that defines Strategic Quality Management as an academic field of study
(significance of the course to business)
Strategic quality management (SQM) is a study that was developed through the linkage
of total quality management and corporate strategy. It is a philosophy of quality management
that is able to view the quality through the overall total performance of an organization. Strategic
quality management is able to view quality through the needs of the customer and the
environmental factors thus determining the competitiveness and sustainability of an organization
in the coming future. Strategic quality management is a relevant course of study as it equips the
learners with the necessary values and general direction that is required for an organization to
achieve its goals. It is relevant in businesses today as it ensures that an organization meets total
quality through customer satisfaction and eventually building customer loyalty thus ensuring
sustainability in the future and competitiveness in the market. Below is a discussion on the
importance of strategic quality management as a field of study and its relevance in business.
Strategic quality management is an important academic field of study as the learners are
able to understand the significance of quality in a business which results in sustainability and
competitiveness. Tracing its history of development, it is clear that this field of study was
developed following the integration of total quality management and corporate strategy. The
strategy has been defined as the application of a business’ resources in pursuing the objectives
and policies of the business. It, therefore, ensures the development of quality and the continuous
improvement of the transformation during the conduction of business operations. Strategic
quality management is guided by ensuring customer satisfaction and also the consideration of the
environmental factors that will influence the performance. The significance of this academic
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 3
field of study includes; improved customer satisfaction, development of strategic leadership,
consistent and efficient production of products, competitiveness, and sustainability.
Customer satisfaction is the best-desired outcome that results as a result of strategic
quality management. As the customer is the main focus of strategic quality management, the
business is able to identify the requirements and needs of the customers, develop plans and
objectives that are aimed at meeting these needs thus ensuring that the business achieves its
goals. Through this model, business is first able to identify the different groups of customers and
match their specific needs and requirements from the business to ensure that the quality of these
needs is met. The quality of products is very flexible where it often changes from time to time
and is influenced by environmental factors. These changes in quality require flexibility in the
business to quickly adapt to the changes and address the challenges facing the business. The
customer determines the quality of service or product where if this changed requirement is not
met, the customer may view the business as offering poor quality products or services. Through
meeting these needs and requirements of the customer, the business is able to ensure customer
satisfaction which further builds customer loyalty. Customer loyalty ensures that a business has
future prospects thus creating long term sustainability and competitiveness.
Continuous improvement is one of the core principles of strategic quality management. It
requires well developed and structured management of the processes and systems used in the
organization. The sustainability of a business can be achieved through continuous improvement
of all the processes and internal activities conducted by the business. The business is able to
provide new and improved products or services to the customers thus adding value to their
customers.
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 4
Strategic quality management ensures that the products that are produced are consistent
thus reducing variation. Through the reduction of variation, the business is able to reduce
wastage of the resources and the defective products that are produced by the business. This
consistency ensures that there is the optimization of the quality of production as well as the
maintenance of good response in terms of production of the products and services. Through
strategic quality management, a business is able to improve the existing standards of quality,
therefore, ensuring effectiveness and improved productivity in the use of all the resources that
are available in the business.
A business is able to achieve strategic and efficient leadership through the use of strategic
quality management. Strategic leadership is a core factor that ensures that a business has quality
implementation of decisions that improve the competitive ability of a business. Leadership is
important as it is able to positively or negatively influence the performance of a business in the
market. Strategic leadership ensures that the leaders are able to analyze the internal and external
environmental factors that affect the performance of a business. Some of the functions of
strategic leadership include; determination of the business strategic decision, establishment of
balanced controls of the business, development, and sustainability of an effective organizational
culture, ensuring ethical practice and effective management of the business resources. Through
strategic leadership, the business is able to make effective decisions that will ensure that the
business remains competitive in the current market. The culture of the business is also able to
ensure creativity and innovation through effective strategic leadership that ensures product
differentiation and improvement (Khan & Naeem, 2018). Strategic leadership will ensure that the
organization is able to achieve its goals and objectives at the end of a specific period.
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 5
Strategic quality management ensures that a business remains competitive in the current
market place. As business strives to ensure that its products and services have the best quality
and meet the needs of the customers, the business is able to maintain its competitiveness. The
business is able to make an evidence-based decision-making process, the business is able to gain
a deep understanding of the current market place. The business can also continue to make the
decisions that achieve positive results while also accounting for the previous decisions. Factual
decision making ensures that a business is able to understand the cause and the effect
relationship in business and further also explain the unexpected results and consequences.
Through continuous customer satisfaction, the business is able to gain customer loyalty which
further ensures that the business remains competitive thus reaching sustainability (Elshaer &
Augustyn, 2016).
Strategic quality management ensures that a business is able to achieve customer
satisfaction, sustainability, efficient use of resources, strategic leadership and competitiveness.
Strategic quality management is, therefore, an important course of study for businesses in the
current market place.
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 6
Discussion of the top 5–8 questions I believe are critical in order to demonstrate that a
student who completes this course can synthesize the key concepts of continuous
improvement and propose strategies for improving an organization using recognized
quality management tools and best practices
There are some top questions that a learner could develop to demonstrate their ability to
synthesize the important concepts of continuous improvement as well as proposing strategies that
can improve an organization through the available tools and practices. Some of these questions
include; “Why is it important to analyze the current market trends or customer needs?” “Why is
it important to analyze the strategic goals of an organization?” “What is the importance of the
mission and vision statements?” “How is one able to cultivate quality management leadership?”
“What is the role of technology in strategic quality management?” and “What strategic plans can
be used in strategic quality management?” Below is an analysis of some of the top questions that
can be asked by a learner to demonstrate concepts of continuous improvement and the ability to
propose strategies that can improve an organization.
Customer satisfaction is the most important factor that is analyzed through strategic
quality management. The question “Why is it important to analyze the current market trends or
client demands?” ensures that the organization is able to meet the needs and requirements of the
customers thus ensuring customer satisfaction. The question seeks to understand the current
market trends and customer demands in the region. Understanding the market needs and
requirements allows an organization to acknowledge the direction that will be embraced by the
customers in regards to the products. The organization is, therefore, able to estimate when the
sales of the products are expected to rise and the amount of risk that the organization is likely to
face. Through this question, a learner is able to understand the current market trends and
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 7
preferences so as to ensure that the organization is flexible. Flexibility ensures that an
organization is able to adapt to the needs of the customers thus ensuring continuous
improvement. This is achieved through the development of new products and services that are
able to increase customer satisfaction, therefore, ensuring customer loyalty and success of the
organization.
It is important to understand the mission and the vision of the organization. The question
“What is the importance of mission and vision statements?” should be addressed by the learner.
The mission and vision statements of an organization outline the direction that an organization
needs to take to ensure that they achieve their goals and objectives. The mission statement is able
to outline the objectives and approach that will be used by the organization to achieve these
objectives. The vision statement is able to outline the future position that the business. Through
this question, a learner can be able to assess the future goals and objectives of the organization.
The learner is, therefore, able to develop the desired strategic plan that will be used by the
organization so as to achieve the mission and vision of the organization. These statements allow
an organization to identify the primary customers, the products and services that will be provided
by the organization and the best available strategies that will be used to achieve the goals.
Learners can work towards developing strategic plans that will ensure that the organization is
able to achieve its mission and vision.
It is important to understand the direction of the leadership of an organization. The
question “How is one able to cultivate quality management leadership?” ensures that a learner is
able to work hard towards building a strategic leadership in an organization. It is important for a
learner to cultivate an environment that supports innovation and continuous improvement.
Achieving quality management leadership is possible through continuous training, certification
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 8
programs, developing management incentive programs and cross-functional programs. An
organization should ensure that they have regular pieces of training and certification programs
that will ensure the leaders acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. These management
incentive programs and cross-functional programs ensure that the leaders acquire the most recent
skills. The strategic leadership will be able to analyze the internal and external factors that are
affecting the organization thus ensuring that the organization builds continuous improvement and
customer satisfaction. Strategic leadership ensures an efficient determination of the business
strategic decision, establishment of balanced controls of the business, development, and
sustainability of an effective organizational culture, ensuring ethical practice and effective
management of the business resources. A learner should be able to cultivate efficient strategic
management leadership to ensure that the organization evaluates the internal and external
environment thus ensuring that it ensures a continuous environment.
A learner should be able to know and understand the strategic goals of an organization.
The question “Why is it important to analyze the strategic goals of an organization?” ensures that
a leader is able to propose strategies that will improve an organization. Strategic planning
provides guidance for the day to day operations that will be done in the organization (Suarez,
Calvo-Mora & Roldán, 2016). Through analyzing the strategic goals, an organization is able to
develop the processes and systems that will be useful in attaining these goals. This involves the
evaluation of both the long term and short term goals of the organization. This will ensure the
efficient and consistent utilization of resources in the organization. Understanding the strategic
goals assists in the decision-making process. One can be able to identify the resources that are
needed by the organization as well as identifying the budget requirements that are needed to
meet the goals of the organization. This will result in the consistent and efficient use of resources
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 9
thus minimizing wastage. The organization is able to maintain consistency thus avoiding
variation and damage of the resources that are used in production.
While analyzing the strategic goals, it is necessary to analyze the role of technology in an
organization. The use of technology has the ability to minimize cost as well as improving the
efficiency of production in an organization. An organization should be able to use the latest
technology to ensure that they meet customer satisfaction. Technology offers the advantages of
superior data collection and data analysis. These will improve the quality of production as well
as improving communication and quality of the product. Technology can be used in the
development of the strategic plans that will be used by an organization.
These are some of the important questions that show that a learner is able to synthesize
the key concepts of continuous improvement and propose strategies for improving an
organization using the available strategic tools.
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 10
Discussion that integrates the concepts from the Keller (2012) text into a cohesive
understanding of why quality management and productivity are significant for advancing
God’s purposes for business on earth
In the ever-changing world, businesses have been constantly evolving. The workplace
has been undergoing incredible transformation especially since the advent of the internet.
Technology has transformed many businesses and workplaces for many people. As a result,
businesses have adopted measures to ensure the quality and productivity of the employees as
well as the systems they put in place. This is to ensure they are able to provide better quality
products as well as giving them an edge over their competitors. The concept of quality
management is defined as any act that ensures that all activities and tasks that are involved in a
business are maintained to the desired level of distinction (Vlăsceanu, Grünberg & Pârlea, 2004).
On the other hand, productivity in the context of the workplace refers to how efficiently
employees/systems are performing to produce desired output (Tangen, 2002). However, looking
at this from a religious point of view, particularly Christianity, other dynamics are at play. The
purpose of working and businesses has a different perspective than most people tend to overlook.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons behind God’s purpose for humans to work
and to engage in business activities. In particular, the interpretations of Keller (2012) on the
purpose of working are factored in this paper to reflect the relationship between quality
management, productivity and God’s purpose for business on earth.
The workplace has become increasingly competitive and somewhat stressful for many
people. In such situations, people often find themselves questioning their purpose of working
why working is hard and how they can be satisfied in their places of work. According to Keller,
the process of creation as narrated in Genesis is described as work. The process of creation
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 11
entails God ‘working’ in order to make something good and useful. Keller contends that God
created human beings and continued to work for them by being their provider (Keller, 2012).
God forms man, plants a garden for him and waters it (Genesis 2:7, 6, 8). In the scripture, it is
written that after God created anything, He saw that it was good (Genesis 1:4). This is meant to
be an inspiration for humans to work. The work, according to Keller, was done out of joy and
satisfaction in contributing towards the welfare of others, us.
Keller describes work as a ‘calling’. This refers to the spiritual aspect of work in which a
person uses the tools and skills that were granted upon him by God to serve other people. In
essence, this means that a person is intended to apply to the best of his/her abilities to best serve
others. In this sense, the concept of productivity sets in. it is manifested in where an employee or
an entrepreneur works to the fullest and shuns laziness as well as shortcuts in the business.
Quality management sets in in the context of how an employee is using his abilities to maintain
the required or even better level of excellence required in the final product or service being
offered to others.
The attitudes of people towards working have completely shifted as a result of a changing
perception of people towards the real world. This shift in mindset has resulted in people getting
less satisfied in their work each passing day. With such an unhealthy approach towards work and
business, it follows that their productivity and attention to quality drops to mediocre levels. This
is in contrast to God’s original plan for working. The Biblical view of the world provides a
steady and healthy approach towards work in contrast to the corrupted secular view. This
corruption is brought upon by the pressures to turn a profit as well as status and pride. Human
beings are designated to be stewards of God’s creation (DeWitt, 1998). As such, it is the
responsibility of humans to take care of God’s creation while creatively and carefully
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 12
transforming the available resources with the aim of creating balance, equality, and satisfaction
amongst all people.
Keller further notes that linking one’s work to God’s purpose provides a sense of dignity.
In essence, this means that all people, regardless of the job they do, big or small, are all
considered to be working in the eyes of God. The sense of dignity and accomplishment is far
much greater to a person who views work as being an avenue of doing God’s work. Being the
best at what a person does is considered to be Christian in the workplace. Integrating this
perspective in the business world will, in turn, result in increased productivity as people will be
doing the best of what they do. Consequently, higher standards of output, quality, will be easier
to achieve. All this is possible by simply following God’s plan for work.
Resources available can at times be scarce. However, approaching the meaning and
purpose of work from a Biblical angle energizes the desire of humans to create value from those
available resources (Keller, 2012). By creating value in the process, the world and the people are
able to grow and thrive. The process of creating value requires hard work and smart work. The
concept behind productivity as well as quality management requires careful planning as well as
motivation for it. The motivation for it is provided for in the Bible as the desire to create value.
For any business to thrive in terms of productivity and quality, competency must be
present. Basically, competency refers to the understanding of work and doing better in the
workplace. Identifying one’s work as a calling, not a necessity improves one’s level of
competency. This is because in so doing, one is able to treat working as worshipping God
through fulfilling the purpose of work that He intended. All this eventually lead to one serving
other people besides themselves in a much better manner. From the Bible, Genesis 11 narrates
the story of the construction of the tower of Babel. The builders were competent in their work as
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 13
they learned to make taller structures than before. This would be described as serving God
through their competence. However, they also wanted status for themselves which was in
contrast to God’s purpose of any work.
The concept of integrating God’s teaching and purposes to daily business activities is
seen to provide a sense of direction. It is evident that God intended people to continue working in
order to bring out the best in everything and everyone. With the integration of His purpose to
work, a business is able to gain direction, competency, dignity, and faith that it needs in order to
be productive and to have quality output.
THEMATIC INTEGRATION OF FAITH 14
References
DeWitt, C. B. (1998). Caring for Creation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Elshaer, I. A., & Augustyn, M. M. (2016). Direct effects of quality management on competitive
advantage. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management.
Keller, T. (2012). Every good endeavor: Connecting your work to God's work. Penguin.
Khan, B. A., & Naeem, H. (2018). The impact of strategic quality orientation on innovation
capabilities and sustainable business growth. International Journal of Quality &
Reliability Management.
Suarez, E., Calvo-Mora, A., & Roldán, J. L. (2016). The role of strategic planning in excellence
management systems. European Journal of Operational Research, 248(2), 532-542.
Tangen, S. (2002, December). Understanding the concept of productivity. In Proceedings of the
7th Asia-Pacific Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Conference,
Taipei (pp. 18-20).
The Holy Bible
Vlăsceanu, L., Grünberg, L., & Pârlea, D. (2004). Quality assurance and accreditation: A
glossary of basic terms and definitions (p. 25). Bucharest: Unesco-Cepes.
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