Biblical Theology of Work

What is the place of work, the worker and the workplace in the Bible? In this subject take time to reflect on the relationship between faith and work, and consider how to apply a Biblical theology of work to the modern workplace. Learn how to integrate your faith with the reality of the working environment and be encouraged by God’s purposes and design.

Please visit the timetable by clicking here for current information on subject availability.

Subject Details

Mode	Online
Workload	One semester, 12 credit points
Status	Elective
Subject Code	PE014
Prerequisites	None
Teacher	Andrew Laird

Content

• Section A: The God of Work (Genesis 1-2; metaphors in Psalms and Isaiah)
  • Introduce the idea of the God who is sovereign over all work
  • How has this idea of the “work” God approves of changed in Christian understanding over time?
• Section B: The Work of God: Father, Son and Spirit (Genesis 1, Ephesians 1, John 17)
  • Introducing the idea of God’s “work”
  • How does contemporary understanding of the work of God: Father Son and Spirit compare with the biblical narrative?
• Section C: Creation (Genesis 1-2, Psalms, Isaiah 45, John 1, Romans 1 & 8)
  •  Explore through the Old and New Testament the work of creation
  • Why has there been a link broken in our biblical understanding of creation, work and creativity?
• Section D: Fall (Genesis 3, Exodus 1 & 5, Ecclesiastes 2-3, Romans)
  • Explore through the Old and New Testament the impact of the Fall on work
  • What is the extent of the Fall in terms of our working? On what theological basis have Christians portrayed opposing economic systems as perpetrators or examples of the Fall?
• Section E: Redemption (Ezekiel 36, 2 Chronicles 34, Psalm 90, Colossians 3:23, 1 Thessalonians 2)
  • Explore through the Old and New Testament efforts to redeem work
  • On what biblical or theological basis do Christians tend to restrict the act of redemption to the state of the soul?
• Section F: New Creation (Isaiah 65, Revelation 21-22)
  • Look at the Biblical model for a New Creation in Old and New Testaments and evidence of its impact on work
  • What has been the biblical or theological basis for differing views on the eschatology of work?

Study Expectations
In this subject, you can expect to be guided through a variety of weekly learning activities which are designed to develop your understanding of and skills in the topics covered in the syllabus. For online students, these usually include watching videos, reading, completing set learning tasks and contributing to online seminars and interacting with your peers. Students should allow 10 hours of study time per week for this subject.