{"product_id":"the-meaning-of-work-a-practical-theology-of-work-and-rest-paperback","title":"The Meaning of Work: A Practical Theology of Work and Rest - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eDonald McGilchrist\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhy do we work each day? Is it only to pay the bills? Are we like the miserable mythological Sisyphus, who was forced to endlessly push a massive rock up a hill only to watch it roll back down? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur beliefs about the meaning of work will either fuel or drain our motivation. Our worldview of work will influence our sense of self-worth. Our philosophy of work will shape our career choices and our impact in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThroughout history, philosophers and theologians have presented shifting views of what work means. Some, like Plato, elevated the value of intellectual work, such as philosophy and poetry. He also devalued material work, such as manual labor, running a shop, farming, etc. By contrast, Aristotle gave more value to physical forms of work, the work of the here and now. Who was right?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the Roman Empire decayed, the medieval church (generally speaking) followed Plato's views about work. Thus, noble work was related to those who helped mortals stay focused on the \"heavenly realms\"; that is, the \"spiritual\" work of priests. But by the early 1500s, prominent theologians like William Tyndale and Martin Luther argued that God valued all work, including the work of common people. Jesus, after all, worked as a carpenter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday, the question of work's meaning continues to weigh on our hearts and minds. Twentieth century existentialist philosophers claimed that the world has no intrinsic meaning; therefore, we should each fabricate our own meaning through choice and action. As a result, many cultures have adopted a belief about work that says, \"You are what you do.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis modern perspective leaves us on fragile ground. What happens to human worth and dignity when a person is unemployed? What if we are working in jobs that the culture devalues? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this study, readers will explore what the Scriptures and contemporary thinkers say about the meaning of work in today's competitive, global economy. Integrating conceptual and practical principles, the study presents the following topics: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGod's original designs for work and relationships\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe ultimate purpose of work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe roots of why work is often so broken and difficult\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe intrinsic dignity of all workers, regardless of profession\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe relationship between work and service\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe nature of true rest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned to be used individually or in small groups, this book is for anyone who longs to discover a profound meaning of daily life, work, and rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 148\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.34 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 25, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51785832988960,"sku":"9781735848761","price":16.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/aa15b003a1d8686d61fce5f131e6b8c7.webp?v=1780621599","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/the-meaning-of-work-a-practical-theology-of-work-and-rest-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}