Kingdom Values @ Work?

Big Stuart came to the Church I go to on Sunday night to be part of a service taken by the guys on our year out discipleship course.

He talked on a Theology of Work and in particular, using the example of how Zaccheus' encounter with Jesus transformed his work, got us all thinking about how we live out kingdom values at our work.

Studying theology in an academic setting is work, but how do kingdom values apply in how we do academic theology?

I'd welcome others thoughts. I few things I've been trying to practice to try and live this out are;

(1) Being fair - its easy to quote a source out of context and twist it to suit our argument. But we need to be fair to the person we are quoting.

(2) In a similar vain one of the things the Prof's at New College are big in is showing respect to those you engage with in an essay. Sure you can strongly disagree with someone but this should be done respectfully, gracefully and skilfully.

(3) Share - it's easy to either be competitive or get stuck in your own we tack of what your looking at. One of the advantages of studying theology in a college or uni setting is that your part of a learning community that should seek to support each member. So its good to take an interest in other peoples work. If you find a good book, tell other and don't keep it to yourself. I've really appreciated the suggestions of things to read from a couple of guys in particular who are in their first year of doctoral studies.

Comments

[Sally]

You make some excellent points here, I especially agree with your point on sharing, it is easy to become self absorbed... now I need to get back to work...I have a 10,000 word assignment to complete!

[lynn]

Bless you Brodie for practising that which you post about today - I am ever grateful to you for taking the time to explain eschatological hope and Moltmann a little more clearly! Wouldn't be nearing the end of the BA Th without it!

[fernando]

Man, great to see you posting and what an excellent topic to kick off with. I agree with you completely, theology as a work should be obviously and deliberately Christian and moral.

Sadly, my experience is that theology as an academic game is all too frequently marked by unfairness, lack of respect and intellectual selfishness.

[brodie]

Sally,
What's your essay on? I find that it don't have too much trouble writing lots of words, the difficulty is getting the right words and in the right order!

[brodie]

Lynn,

mo worries.

[brodie]

Fernando - Your right in what you say that for many it is just a game. That said I think theologians with strong connections to church are less concerned with the "game" and more concerned about good theology.

[jason]

great post, good to see this place active again, I agree with what has been posted, yet considering our battles with the flesh it is not always easy to apply