A Theology of Work: Work and the New Creation
Overview
A Theology of Work explores and investigates the theological implications of the nature, meaning, and value of human work. Through dialogue with Moltmann, Pope John Paul II, and others, this book develops a genitive “theology of work,” presenting a theological definition of work and a model for a theological ethics of work that shows work's nature, value, and meaning both now and eschatologically. Work is shown to be a transformative activity consisting of three dynamically inter-related dimensions: the instrumental, relational and ontological.
Top Highlights
“The first part says that truly human work, i.e. work as it ought to be, is constituted when each of these three aspects (instrumental, relational, and ontological) exist together in a mutual and interdependent relationship.” (Page 10)
“Jesus is a worker then, not because he was a carpenter, but because he was this servant. Moltmann then suggests that Phil. 2, in calling for the imitation of Christ’s servanthood, should be the theological basis for work.” (Pages 56–57)
“Work and play are meaningful, expressive, serious activities. Neither however, includes the extreme seriousness that comes with burden and utility.” (Page 50)
“Moltmann rather develops the idea by appealing to the concept of the work of redemption, the theology of the cross. God is a worker, but this is not seen primarily in the fact that God created the universe. More prominently it is seen in redemption. As we identify with Christ our work corresponds to his work. In our work then we both suffer as a servant, and anticipate his lordship and our rule with him. This dual identification of servanthood and lordship, (suffering and success) built on the doctrine of redemption, is the ultimate theological basis which Moltmann gives to work.” (Page 57)
“Nonetheless human work can and should ‘correspond’ to the creative activity of God. Moltmann cites the command to work and to keep the sabbath found in Exodus 20:9–11 as the Biblical support for this idea. (HD, p. 40.) He then turns to the doctrine of the initial creation to suggest that human work was part of God’s good created purpose for humanity. The point is that when human work truly corresponds to God’s, that is when it is actively creative but also seasoned with Sabbath, it becomes truly meaningful. (HD, p.” (Page 56)
This careful, well informed and interesting book offers an important thesis that work is of the essence of human being, including the eschatological dimension: it will provide a significant focus for much theological debate of a neglected topic.
—Timothy Bradshaw, Senior Tutor, Regent's Park College, Oxford, UK
Cosden's A Thelogy of Work is a substantial new contribution to the field. He highlights the enduring significance of human work in light of the Christian hope of the New Creation and the Kingdom of God. I heartily recommend it to all who are concerned to integrate their work with Christian faith.E
—John Jefferson Davis, Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA, USA
- Title: A Theology of Work: Work and the New Creation
- Author: Darrell Cosden
- Publisher: Paternoster
- Print Publication Date: 2004
- Logos Release Date: 2011
- Pages: 208
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Work › Religious aspects--Christianity
- ISBNs: 9781842273326, 9781597527576, 1842273329, 1597527572
- Resource ID: LLS:THEOWRK
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-02-20T17:41:50Z