Customer Reviews

A Theology of Work: Work and the New Creation (Paternoster Theological Monographs)

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An excellent book on the the theological meaning of human work. Although work usually occupies the majority of our working hours, the typical protestant or evangelical views of the nature and meaning of work are incredibly shallow. This book is really good on several levels. In its own right it explores the meaning of work, in its instrumental, relational and ontological aspects, all of which the author says are equal. It is this third aspect, the ontological, which is the main focus of the book, because the two other aspects are common is the previous protestant and catholic discussions on work, while the ontology of work has been neglected. In short the author develops an ontology of work in relationship with both Creation and New Creation, though the latter has primacy, for 'the End is more than the Beginning'. The author contends that work is ontologically part of human beings, and that this will remain so in the New Creation. Although, the focus is on work, the book also has a good discussion on the meaning of the 'imago dei' in Genesis 1-2, and also has, although limited in scope, an excellent introduction and discussion of the theology of Jurgen Moltmann. Overall, a really good and interesting book, though I will have to work out the theological and practical implications of the it.

Dr. Cosden's book argues that work is central to human identity and vocation, and by working we can cooperate with God to better our world. Eschatology takes on a new characteristic of direct coherence between our current world and God's new creation. Judgment is redefined as an evaluation and purification of both our selves and our work: God takes humanity's work, purifies it, and uses it as the building blocks for the new creation. Cosden presents and engages both human experience and theological expression throughout history concerning the potential for the heavenly good of earthly work.