I have been participating in this post at American Vision.
Then I read Donald James Parker’s response:
I don’t think that God give’s a rat’s derriere about man’s fulfillment using his “gifts” to succeed in banking, truck driving, or whatever profession… Â
Here is how I responded to Donald James Parker:
God is into Beauty and Excellence and Life! In 2002 I spent an extended number of months studying the entire Bible. I was surprised how much of it is about everyday life. I saw prayer, evangelism, and worship in the Bible; but there was a whole lot more about how to live, how to do business, how to treat your employees, how to treat your boss, etc.
If I understand your point correctly, I think you are way, way off. I think you have missed a huge chunk of God’s heart. Perhaps I do not understand you.
Philippians 4:8 talks about thinking on things that are “true,” “noble,” “right,” “pure,” “lovely,” “admirable,” “excellent” or “praiseworthy.” What about beautiful music or art? What about doing things with excellence? What about creative solutions to agricultural challenges? What about inventing things that improve the quality of life? What about taking dominion of the earth? How about improved sanitation ideas? What about cures for diseases? I wonder if we would have light bulbs or Pentium chips if Christians all thought like your statement above.
God wants us to do all things well
Even Milk!I have some dairy farmer friends who once said to me “what do we raise these cows for and sell their milk for but to make money for missions?” I thought long and hard about that. If only spiritual things have value to God, why does He have us work for six days and rest for one? I want to say to my dairy friends that in addition to their missions giving, making safe, affordable, delicious, nutritious and excellent-in-every-way milk is also valuable to God! We need to lead people to reconciliation to Christ, but we also need to glorify God in every area of our lives!
If you think that is “New Age” than you really don’t get the Bible.
Again, maybe I’m misunderstanding you. Feel free to clarify.
Deuteronomy 4:5-8 talks about how God has given Israel excellent laws so that the whole world will see and wonder. They will see the Glory of God in the way the Israelites live.
God is into every area of life. It is impossible to make true disciples without teaching this. If one does not know this, one does not truly know God.
Salvation is only a start. Then? The World!
So… I don’t know Mr. Parker but I am interested in hearing his response to see if I have misunderstood. 🙂