Working Blessedly Forever, Volume 1: The Shape of Marketplace Theology

by R Paul Stevens, Steven Garber (foreword)

Work, whether from home, in cyberspace, or in a factory or office, occupies a major chunk of our time, energy, and soul. This book seeks to make sense of our work in the world through adapting the pithy statement of the Puritan William Perkins to define marketplace theology as the “science of working blessedly forever.” It is a science involving investigation, but not just with the head (thought), but also with heart (prayer) and hand (practice). But it is a science of working. So the book investigates a theology of work undertaken in the light of God’s blessing and purpose. And our work is not just for this life but “forever,” since some of it could last into the new heaven and new earth where, guess what, Scripture says we will work as fully human and resurrected beings. Stevens gathers his lifetime of research and teaching into this book showing through biblical research and contemporary analysis the meaning of work and human enterprise. It could change your lifestyle, your work style, and your soul.

248 pages, Paperback

Published February 20, 2024

Reviews

[Bill Pence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a number of books by R. Paul Stevens about the integration of our faith and work. This volume, the first of three, explores the shape of marketplace theology, its posture and methodology. The author uses a modified version of William Perkins’s definition of marketplace theology “marketplace theology is the science of working blessedly forever.” The author tells us that marketplace theology is good because it helps us make sense of where we spend most of our waking hours. He tells us that for believers this theology means integration, bringing work and faith together for the glory of God and the benefit of neighbors.
In this first volume, the author gathers his sixty years of working, praying, reflecting, teaching, and writing on the shape of marketplace theology. He uses the Epilogue to summarize the book and that is what I read first, and would recommend to you.
Stevens tells us that positively, marketplace theology engages the whole of biblical theology in the understanding, practicing, and spirituality of work, the worker, and the workplace. The integrating theme of marketplace theology is the kingdom of God.
There is much to glean in this volume about the integration of faith and work in the world from the now eighty-five-year-old author. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
• God brings to us the meaning of our work. In God we bring meaning to our work.
• Our work will last, and we will work in the new heaven and new earth.
• Use every work opportunity and every challenge to seek God in prayer.
• The Great Commandment to love our neighbor finds at least partial fulfilment in our daily work.
• Essentially work is a sacrament through which men and women in the workplace are offering their work-service to God and neighbor as a sweet and pleasing gift.
• There is no such thing as secular work for the Christian. They either view their work as a sacrament with themselves as royal priests offering up their work to God or they are defaming their work.
• Doing our work for God is a great thing. But doing our work with God is even greater for it affirms that, bidden or not, God is with us and is working with us.
• Whatever gifts, talents, and personality you have now will be present and exalted in the new heaven and new earth.
• Your calling, which I assume is to help people, does not end with death, or worse still with formal retirement. It continues into eternity.
• Marketplace theology concerns the integration of faith and work in the world.
• Calling tells us why we work, for whom we work, how we are to work, and what our work should be.
• Marketplace theology is never finished, always provisional, always in process, ever being learned and practiced however imperfectly.