Work, From the Beginning: Genesis 5-6

By David Williamson, part six of a series. Genesis 5 begins by repeating the assertion that Adam, humankind, is made in God’s likeness, bears the “imago Dei,” both male and female. Here that honor, that identity, is transmitted from the first man to all successive generations. A similar expression is used in the birth of Adam’s son, Seth, who is “in…

Provision and Wealth

Reprinted from the Theology of Work Project, lead contributor Wayne Kirkland. God intends for everyone to thrive economically. He wants us to find provision (basic needs) for our daily life. He also desires for us to enjoy the wealth (abundance) of his generosity. Furthermore, God’s world has ample resources to provide all we need. However, in the fallen world we…

In Praise of Ordinary Work: Three Idols

By Chris Armstrong, reprinted from Humanism as a Way of Life. Part two of a series. I believe there are at least three idols today that get in the way of a higher understanding of ordinary work. Each of these idols has its own cult – that is, in the older sense of that word, its own way of being worshiped…

So What Are We Meeting For?

By Ken Benjamin, reprinted from the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. …so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10, NSRVue It’s just possible that LICC’s emphasis on whole-life discipleship could be misinterpreted. Given that we so…

Responsible to Serve the Poor Well

By Zachary Ritvalsky, reprinted from the Oikonomia Network. The Economic Wisdom Project is best known for our Economic Wisdom Project Talks, which are short, accessible, engaging and rich presentations suitable for use in classrooms and group discussions. But the EWP also features print resources, including our vision paper and our twelve elements of economic wisdom. Economic Wisdom for Churches, our…

Ministry Design Principles: Holistic Development

Reprinted from the Chalmers Center; part five of a series. Material poverty is complex and not reducible to a single cause. Healthy, sustainable poverty alleviation ministries need to address all five root causes of material poverty—individual brokenness, systemic brokenness, false stories of change, broken and destructive formative practices, and demonic forces. Over the last few weeks, we’ve looked at Ministry Design…

Holy Labor

By Pam Tinsley, reprinted from Living God’s Mission. Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return…

On Discipleship in Silicon Valley

A conversation with Paul Taylor, reprinted from the Bay Area Center for Faith, Work & Tech. After nearly 20 years as a pastor in Palo Alto, Paul Taylor discovered a “room” he never knew existed—a space where faith, work, and technology intersect. “It felt like I found a hidden part of the house,” he shared with Pastor Travis Jamieson, host…

Work from the Beginning: Genesis 4

By David Williamson, part five of a series. The revised script, the new drama of life post-Genesis 3, starts to be played out. Chapter 4 of Genesis begins with a comforting and hopeful statement: In spite of sin and God’s judgement, God’s grace enables Eve to bear a child. Indeed, all work, all labor, all production should be with the understanding…

Ethics at Work

Reprinted from the Theology of Work Project, lead contributors Alistair Mackenzie & Wayne Kirkland. Ethics is about knowing and doing what is good or right, and workplace ethics is about knowing and doing what is good or right at work. For the Christian, this means applying the Bible and other resources of the Christian faith to help decide and do what…