Working Blessedly Forever, Volume 2: The Practice of Marketplace Theology

by R Paul Stevens (Editor), Lucas Lee (Editor)

Overview

In volume 1 of Working Blessedly Forever, Paul Stevens argues that doing marketplace theology requires head (thought), heart (prayer), and hand (action). Volume 2 takes up "the doing" part through the experience of multiple practitioners thus providing a practical marketplace theology. So under the headings of "Doing Theology from Above and Below," "Dimensions of Marketplace Practice," "Issues in the Marketplace," and "Marketplace Practice and the Church," these sixteen authors, ranging from a machinist to a lawyer, elaborate on what they have learned about the integration of faith and work from their actual work life. Edited by R. Paul Stevens, who writes the introduction, a short introduction to each session, three of the short chapters, and the epilogue, this book does not cover everything but gives a window into the actual life of a marketplace Christian in their work for God and neighbor. Along with volume 1 this puts "flesh on" the invigorating and empowering truth of biblical marketplace theology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781666760194
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	02/27/2025
Pages:	226
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

R. Paul Stevens is professor emeritus of marketplace theology at Regent College, Vancouver, BC, and founding chairman of the Institute for Marketplace Transformation. He teaches, writes, and practices what he writes as a carpenter, a homemaker, a professor, and a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His most recent book among many is The Kingdom of God in Working Clothes: The Marketplace and the Reign of God (Wipf & Stock, 2022).

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“The sociologist and lay-theologian Jacques Ellul once made the statement that the great challenge of our age was for the Christian message, with its good news, to become an embodied reality in both the church and the world. This is the vision and practice of this marketplace theology book. This draws all human activity, particularly our work-a-day world, into the powerful ambit of God’s renewing work for every dimension of life. Church and world, prayer and action, human achievement and God’s purposes co-inhere into a symphony of hope and a mosaic of transformation for our world—pregnant in the shalom and flourishing of the grace of God. Here, the farmer, engineer, and houseparent take their rightful place alongside the clergyperson, the monk, and the missionary.”

—Charles Ringma, emeritus professor, Regent College



“This volume of Working Blessedly Forever is nothing short of brilliant! I have had the privilege of walking with and working alongside Paul Stevens for a quarter of a century now. I have watched and listened as he has continued to work out a biblical theology of work, now so compellingly presented in this book. Would that I had understood this better when I began in pastoral ministry, for I would have done things much differently. I will now recommend this to every working pastor so that kingdom workers can be more effectively served and blessed by the church.”

—Darrell Johnson, teaching fellow, Regent College



“Paul Stevens has made seminal, if not singular, contributions to the faith

and work movement over a long and distinguished career. Working

Blessedly Forever is the fruit of that blessed life in conversation with many

influenced by his example. Volume 2 gathers thoughtful marketplace

practitioners and practical marketplace theologians to explore how faith and

work can find expression in everyday life. Highly recommended and a gift

to the church and the world.”

—Uli Chi, author, The Wise Leader

Editorial Reviews

The sociologist and lay-theologian Jacques Ellul once made the statement that the great challenge of our age was for the Christian message, with its good news, to become an embodied reality in both the church and the world. This is the vision and practice of this marketplace theology book. This draws all human activity, particularly our work-a-day world, into the powerful ambit of God’s renewing work for every dimension of life. Church and world, prayer and action, human achievement and God’s purposes co-inhere into a symphony of hope and a mosaic of transformation for our world—pregnant in the shalom and flourishing of the grace of God. Here, the farmer, engineer, and houseparent take their rightful place alongside the clergyperson, the monk, and the missionary.”

—Charles Ringma, emeritus professor, Regent College



“This volume of Working Blessedly Forever is nothing short of brilliant! I have had the privilege of walking with and working alongside Paul Stevens for a quarter of a century now. I have watched and listened as he has continued to work out a biblical theology of work, now so compellingly presented in this book. Would that I had understood this better when I began in pastoral ministry, for I would have done things much differently. I will now recommend this to every working pastor so that kingdom workers can be more effectively served and blessed by the church.”

—Darrell Johnson, teaching fellow, Regent College



“Paul Stevens has made seminal, if not singular, contributions to the faith

and work movement over a long and distinguished career. Working

Blessedly Forever is the fruit of that blessed life in conversation with many

influenced by his example. Volume 2 gathers thoughtful marketplace

practitioners and practical marketplace theologians to explore how faith and

work can find expression in everyday life. Highly recommended and a gift

to the church and the world.”

—Uli Chi, author, The Wise Leader

From the Publisher