I read a great new book on the Spirituality of work last night, by Darrell Cosden. This is a helpful avenue to explore the redemptive nature of our calling to work, in the vein of the Benedictine maxim, "Ora et Labora" (prayer and work). Here is the back cover description of Cosden's "The Heavenly Good of Earthly Work":
Does a person’s day to day work have any ultimate value from the perspective of Eternity? Should our work be seen as a discipline through which we connect spiritually with God and others? Is ordinary work the primary way that people can participate in God's mission to make all things new? What is the heavenly good of earthly work?
In this book Darrell Cosden takes us on a spiritual and theological journey of discovery exploring these questions. Creatively, constructively, and sometimes provocatively, he shows us that the heavenly good of earthly work really makes the gospel good news for ordinary people by offering the possibility of a genuinely purpose-full Christian life.
"Surprising, substantial, thoroughly informed, clear, and readable . . . a premier resource for understanding work in Christian perspective."—William Messenger, Director of the Mockler Center for Faith and Ethics in the Workplace, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
"[O]ur understanding of the Christian message has been immeasurably enriched [by this book]. Highly recommended!"—Brian McLaren, pastor, author and activist (anewkindofchristian.com)
"This is cutting-edge theology of the highest order. [It]... makes a vital contribution to the ongoing search for a new paradigm of the Christian mission in the twenty-first century."—Dr. David Smith, Lecturer in Urban Mission and World Christianity, International Christian College, Glasgow.
"This is an important, clearly written book."—J. Richard Middleton, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Roberts Wesleyan College
Darrell T. Cosden is Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at International Christian College, Glasgow. He is the author of A Theology of Work (Paternoster, 2005).
