Theology of Work Bible Commentary (5 vols.)

by Theology of Work Project

Publisher:

Hendrickson

, 2014–2016

Overview

Does work really matter to God? Most people believe that God cares about how people relate to one another, how people relate to him, and whether they cheat, steal, lie or break the Ten Commandments, but are surprised to think God wants us to work a certain way. God cares a great deal about our work. In fact, work is a major topic in the Bible, beginning with the statement in Genesis 2:15 that God created people to work. Not as a punishment, but as a pleasure and a way of relating to God himself.

This collection of commentaries written by a team of collaborators deals with the theology of work. Gain a new perspective on God’s plan for Christians’ working lives and learn how to incorporate vocation into worship with this applicable study.

Key Features

• Focuses on theological questions regarding vocation
• Discusses origins in light of God’s work in creation
• Focuses on work in the setting of ancient Israel

Top Highlights

“What is the difference between being smart and being wise? Wisdom goes beyond knowledge. It is more than a catalog of facts; it is a masterful understanding of life, the art of living, and an expertise in good decision-making. We can be smart yet never become wise.” (Volume 2, Page 155)

“In the case of Boaz, Ruth, and Naomi, the gleaning laws worked as intended. If it weren’t for the possibility of gleaning, Boaz would have faced two alternatives once he became aware of Ruth and Naomi’s poverty. He could let them starve, or he could have had ready-made food (bread) delivered to their house. The former is unacceptable, but the latter, while it may have alleviated their hunger, would have made them ever more dependent on Boaz. Because of the opportunity of gleaning, however, Ruth not only could work for the harvest, but she would also be able to use the grain to make bread through her own labors. The process preserved her dignity, made use of her skills and abilities, freed her and Naomi from long-term dependency, and made them less vulnerable to exploitation.” (Volume 2, Page 37)

“In particular, how can we provide opportunities for people to gain access to the means of productive work rather than being smothered by dependency or exploitation?” (Volume 2, Page 38)

“in Genesis there is no sharp distinction between the material and the spiritual.” (Volume 1, Page 4)

“There is simply no support in Genesis for the notion, which somehow entered Christian imagination, that the world is irredeemably evil and the only salvation is an escape into an immaterial spiritual world, much less for the notion that while we are on earth we should spend our time in ‘spiritual’ tasks rather than ‘material’ ones. There is no divorce of the spiritual from the material in God’s good world.” (Volume 1, Page 7)

Praise for the Print Edition

The Theology of Work Project is providing desperately needed resources to pastors and the entire church on what the Bible has to say about our work. I hope that every pastor will preach regularly on how the Gospel changes the way we work and sometimes the work that we do. And I hope that every Christian will see the ways their work connects to God’s work!

—Tim Keller, senior pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City

Did you ever wonder what your work has to do with your faith? The short answer is everything, and now you can read all about it in the Theology of Work Bible Commentary, now in print for the first time. Heartily recommended.

—Eric Metaxas, New York Times Bestselling author, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

Product Details

• Title: Theology of Work Commentary
• Authors: Theology of Work Project
• Editor: William Messenger
• Series: Theology of Work Commentary Series
• Publisher: Theology of Work Project
• Volumes: 5
• Pages: 1,112
• Resource Type: Commentaries
• Topic: Biblical Studies

Theology of Work Bible Commentary, Volume 1: Genesis through Deuteronomy

• Author: Theology of Work Project
• Editor: William Messenger
• Series: Theology of Work Commentary Series
• Publisher: Theology of Work Project
• Publication Date: 2015
• Pages: 209

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

What do the initial chapters of the Bible say about our work? Created by a team of biblical scholars, pastors, and laypeople, this insightful resource mines the first five books of the Old Testament to provide answers for both blue- and white-collar workers. It also offers practical principles that give meaning, relevance, and perspective to vocation. With a foreword by Haddon Robinson, this is a valuable tool for preaching and discipleship.

From the very beginning, God designed us to work. This unique commentary offers a comprehensive survey of an important biblical theme. It is an invaluable resource for pastors and business professionals alike.

—Ravi Zacharias, author and speaker

This commentary was written exactly for those of us who aim to integrate our faith and work on a daily basis and is an excellent reminder that God hasn’t called the world to go to church, but has called the Church to go to the world.

—Bonnie Wurzbacher, former senior vice president, The Coca-Cola Company

There are many popular books on the doctrine of work and a few on the theology of work. But this is the first to investigate the biblical text book by book in order to glean insights into work from God’s perspective. . . . This book helps Christian workers to relate their labor to God and thereby make their work holy and meaningful.

—Bruce Waltke, professor emeritus of biblical studies, Regent College

Theology of Work Bible Commentary, Volume 2: Joshua through Song of Songs

• Author: Theology of Work Project
• Editor: William Messenger
• Series: Theology of Work Commentary Series
• Publisher: Theology of Work Project
• Publication Date: 2015
• Pages: 237

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Business, education, law, service industries, medicine, government—wherever you work, in whatever capacity, the Scriptures have something to say about it. The Theology of Work Bible Commentary is an in-depth Bible study tool put together by a group of biblical scholars, pastors, and workplace Christians to help you discover what Joshua through Song of Songs says about work.

This commentary is a revolutionary document! It does what no other commentary has done, which is to turn us around and to see what the Bible actually says about work. . . . It is about time we saw that the Word of God gives meaning, purpose, perspective and practical guidelines for daily work. It is hard not to be enthusiastic about something that is just plain wonderful and transformative. This commentary can turn the church inside out as the people of God serve God full time from Monday to Friday.

—R. Paul Stevens, professor emeritus, Regent College, Vancouver, BC

Theology of Work Bible Commentary, Volume 3: Isaiah through Malachi

• Author: Theology of Work Project
• Editor: William Messenger
• Series: Theology of Work Commentary Series
• Publisher: Theology of Work Project
• Publication Date: 2015
• Pages: 191

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

With a foreword by Haddon Robinson, this commentary draws out emphases and implications from the Old Testament texts. God cares about what we do for work, how we do it, and how we use our resources. This commentary is an in-depth Bible study tool put together by a group of biblical scholars, pastors, and workplace Christians to help you discover what Isaiah through Malachi says about work.

Theology of Work Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew through Acts

• Author: Theology of Work Project
• Editor: William Messenger
• Series: Theology of Work Commentary Series
• Publisher: Theology of Work Project
• Publication Date: 2014
• Pages: 220

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

What does the Bible have to say about work? This one-of-a-kind Bible resource answers that very question. The Theology of Work Bible Commentary is an in-depth Bible study tool put together by a group of Bible scholars and business-people. This volume covers Matthew through Acts, and can be used by pastors to consider the Bible’s perspective on work when teaching on particular passages or topics. It is also helpful for laypeople as part of a personal or group Bible study.

This series is a magnificent contribution to one of the most neglected themes in Christian ethics. Avoiding the easy anachronism of finding a few proof texts that might apply to modern work, the authors let the distinctive voices and broader themes of Scripture illuminate our working life. The conversation about faith and work is deeper and richer thanks to the Theology of Work Project

—Andy Crouch, executive editor, Christianity Today

Theology of Work Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Romans through Revelation

• Author: Theology of Work Project
• Editor: William Messenger
• Series: Theology of Work Commentary Series
• Publisher: Theology of Work Project
• Publication Date: 2015
• Pages: 255

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The Scriptures provide the foundation that gives both meaning to work and tells us how to work. The Theology of Work Bible Commentary is an in-depth Bible study tool put together by a group of Bible scholars and business-people and reveals what the Bible says about all kinds of work. This volume covers the books of Romans through Revelation.

About Theology of Work Project

The Theology of Work Project is an independent, international organization dedicated to researching, writing, and distributing materials with a biblical perspective on work. Its mission is to help people explore what the Christian faith can contribute to ordinary work, and to develop resources for the most significant topics in today’s workplace, such as calling, ethics, truth and deception, motivation, compensation, and more.