| Title | : | Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to Gods Plan for the World |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0525952705 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780525952701 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 288 |
| Publication | : | First published November 1, 2012 |
“A touchstone of the [new evangelical] movement.” — The New York Times
Tim Keller, pastor of New York’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church and the
Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to Gods Plan for the World Reviews
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Though I did not have any idea what this book was about, only that it was Reverend Keller's new book, I am so glad I decided to read this at this point in my life. It almost seemed like God's personal counseling to me, since the topic discussed in the book, namely Gospel-minded career choices and attitudes toward work, is exactly the main focus of my thoughts and efforts right now for the past year or so. And finally, I found sound Christian career advise that is realistic, applicable, and Biblical to the 21st century young, educated, non-fundamentalist Christian who does want to live according to the Gospel but always had so much difficulty finding mentors who seem to do so.
A lot of the "Christian professionals" I have seen either seemed to be very exclusive in their career choices or friends they associate with, or lived a dualistic lifestyle that differentiated their church life versus "real life." I always felt this was somehow fundamentally wrong. If the Gospel is true and that our lives are made new because of Christ, and we do work most of our lives, whether we want to or not, than somehow I felt our work life, in both it's goals and execution, should be fundamentally different to those who are not followers of Christ. What exactly was this goal and execution, was always lost somewhere in transition. This book truly did help me sort out through this transition and re-established what is God's intention of work. And that I should be proud of my work, even if it is mere "layman's work", since God had intended all work to be holy and cultivating.
Of course, I still have a lot of figuring out to do. The book definitely helped me organize and lay-out my thoughts, as well as signs I should be looking out for in my personal motivations, but it certainly is not a manual or recipe, nor is it the Bible. I still have to take time to internalize and act upon these ideas and thoughts. But for anyone who is either struggling to find meaning to their work, or to live according to the Gospel and have always felt that somehow the "evangelizing, Bible on the desk" view of Christian work life was too one dimensional or lacking, I definitely recommend this book. -
Mark Twain said that "work is a necessary evil to be avoided." Tim Keller and Katherine Leary Alsdorf disagree. They contend that work is a vital part of being created in the image of God. This book is divided into three parts, which can be summarized as: (1) work is good, (2) after the fall work is frustrating, (3) and because of the gospel, work can be redeemed.
Work is good: There is dignity to our work because we care for God’s creation in his place (ch. 2). Work is how we love our neighbor (ch. 4).
Work is bad: The fall makes love and work frustrating. Our accomplishments cannot match our ambition (ch. 5). Ecclesiastes teaches us that work becomes pointless (ch. 6). Making work a form of self-fulfillment is idolatry (ch. 8).
Work is redeemed: Keller and Alsdorf highlighted positive features from several faith backgrounds, resulting in a collage of insights. We should approach work from a distinct worldview (ch. 9), unique conception (that God cares for the world through our work, ch. 10), a new ethic (ch. 11), and a supernatural power (ch. 12).
Great quote: “It is a mistake to think that the Christian worldview is operating only when we are doing…overtly Christian activities. Instead, think of the gospel as a set of glasses through which you ‘look’ at everything else in the world” (pp. 179-180). -
This is the kind of book I like to read: theologically substantial, well-organized and well-written, and practical. I typically read these books, however, on one condition, and that is that I go slowly and take lots of notes. Because I started reading through this book with some guys in my family in July 2021, I didn't read it on my own terms. But I'm still glad I went through it, even if I didn't wring out all of the good parts and display them on Goodreads. I underlined a lot, and maybe later I'll go back through and distill some of the bigger points.
I read pp. 9–16 (the section on Tolkien's "Leaf by Niggle") on Jan. 22, 2019. It's one of the most encouraging pieces on work/vocation I've ever read. For more on "Leaf," see Tom Shippey's J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century (266–77).
Review at Comment.
Random work thoughts:
Don McLean on the meaning of "Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie": "It means I'll never have to work again."
Thomas Cooper's 1846 The Baron's Yule Feast speaks of "lighten[ing] Labour's curse." -
This book is a game-changer. I started reading it because I had an inkling that my theology on work was lacking, and that inkling was immediately confirmed. "Lacking" was an understatement. I had no idea the good and holy things God has for us in work- *all kinds* of work. Getting to digest and discuss these ideas has changed the way I view the world and my place in it! There is not one person for whom these truths are irrelevant.
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I will never stop coming back to this book. It is an antidote to my workaholism and an answer to so many young people’s unanswered questions about the fruitlessness/burnout/weight/stress of work today. Every page of this book slapped me across the face with truth. Dramatically changed my relationship with work. I’ve just been emerging from two years of intense over-working & workaholism & extracting my self-worth from my accomplishments. This book diagnosed all of the reasons why and painted me a clear picture of why I absolutely cannot continue doing that without burning out and perishing further. Makes me view work as a beautiful thing and God's gift that must be treated with care. Workaholics, high-achievers, haters of work, people who hate their job, people who love their job, literally, everyone should read this book, because everyone on this earth works.
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Great book to get my brain jogging about the proper ways to serve God through my work. Sometimes the obvious ways of bringing Christ to work are talking to people about Jesus, or setting up a Bible study. But this book is not about this. It's about how God designed us for work, and how we are receiving that calling. Am I living out my true calling in my work. In addition we need to view our work through the Gospel worldview and benefit as many people as possible through the work we do.
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Positives: asks some good questions, makes some good points - how does the doctrine of common grace impact work? (Ch10) What does it mean to 'work with all your heart as to the Lord, not men?' Kellar is correct that we cannot believe that the only place God is active is the church, creating again the "spiritual estate" of Christian work verses the second-tier Christianity everyone else is engaged in (p68). I think there is a right criticism of how 'narrow' over-intellectualised doctrine creates an overly simplistic and especially negative view of god's good gifts in the world and the ways that we can serve him.
Negatives: some terrible logic jumps, (for example 'being God's hands at work to serve other humans means being as technically skilled as we possibly can be in our work' - not at all!) not supported by scripture (most egregiously, 'Paul said this but Tolkien shows that actually he meant something different' (p29). Overall seems to too often spiritualise the values of the world (skill, prosperity, now-focused goodness). There must be a balance between 'nothing matters in your whole life except the five minute conversation you have in your lunch break about the fact you go to church' (which I think has been the worst form of the teaching on work that I have heard) and 'making the best table you can make is the highest calling your faith has on your life' (p77), but it's not here.
TL;DR: once or twice intrigued, but mostly unconvinced and a few times very concerned, especially in the first half. -
epic. fire. so so good!!! completely changed my thoughts regarding work. i feel equipped!! i think everyone should read this. do it now now now
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In 1990, Doug Sherman wrote "Your Work Matters to God." It's a great book and highly recommended. But it is a bit dated and thus, I picked up Tim Keller's more recent treatment on the theology of work, "Every Good Endeavor," and I am very happy I did so.
Early in Keller's book, he asks, do you feel that you have a "job" or a "calling"? Most of the time people think of a "calling" as being something a Pastor / missionary / professional Christian worker has from God. But Keller reminds us that God put work in place as something for all of us, and it is a "GOOD" thing. Thus we are all "called" by God to do our work in a way that brings honor and glory to His name and serves others.
God gives each of us talent and intellect and in His grace "calls" us to the work we do. Keller challenges us to ask ourselves: how can I bring please God through my daily work? How will my attitude at work be a positive witness to others about my faith? How will I serve others through the work to which God has called me.
On page 210 Timothy Keller says that wisdom, according to the Bible, is knowing the right thing to do in the 80% of situations where moral rules (e.g. The Ten Commandments) don't apply (e.g., whether to move, whether to accept a job offer, whom to marry).
Keller lists five sources of growing wisdom:
1. Know God personally. Why? Because God is all-knowing.
2. Know ourselves.
3. Remember the results of your experiences. Don't repeat failures and mistakes.
4. Read the book of Proverbs. It has 31 chapters, one for each day of the month. Read and re-read it.
5. Seek the Holy Spirit. He is the spirit of wisdom (Ephesians 1:17) and the power source for wisdom (Ephesians 1:19).
Keller's book is a needed reminder that work is "GOOD" and that we are blessed with talents and abilities by God to work for His glory and honor. Though it's written primarily with the Christian in mind, and could easily be used for a small group discussion or for personal development, I could also see it as a good vehicle for evangelism.
Highly recommended reading. -
I have long been very intimidated of all things Tim Keller, so I put off reading this for as long as possible. Not only did this book completely change my perspectives on Keller (he is quite easy to understand and follow), it mainly reframed how I view work and the role I play in it.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone entering any sort of job as it ties our role as Christians in the workplace together with scripture with masterful arguments.
It may have taken me 2 months to finish, but it was well worth the time. -
GO READ THIS!! It discusses the dignity of all work and the rhythm of work and rest in very human terms. There was one part that conflicted with Catholic teaching (faith vs faith and works), but I really appreciated his emphasis on scripture backed evidence for our deep desire for work that contributes to the good of others.
A couple quotes that struck me:
“Work is so foundational to our makeup, in fact, that it is one of the few things we can take in significant doses without harm. Indeed, the Bible does not say we should work one day and rest six, or that work and rest should be balanced evenly— but directs us to the opposite ratio. Leisure and pleasure are great goods but we can only take so much of them.”
“Ability to be disciplined in your practice of Sabbath… it means you are not a slave— not to your culture’s expectations, your family’s hopes, your medical school’s demands, not even your own insecurities. It is important that you learn to speak this truth to yourself with a note of triumph— otherwise you will feel guilty for taking time off, or you will be unable to truly unplug.” -
I stalled out in my first attempt to read this book a while back, and I'm glad I gave it another go.
It's classic Keller: down-to-earth and real, bathed in solid theology and biblical perspective, and helpful in real-life. I imagine I'll return to it throughout my life, and I have a list of people I plan to recommend it to. -
As someone in college ministry, this is THE book I’d recommend to every student. Instead of “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” high school graduates should be given this book. Such a rich, yet accessible, look into the liberating Christian doctrine of vocation.
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There are many helpful things in this book, but I expected more Biblical exposition. Keller quotes many times from philosphers, authors, thinkers, and leaders both past and present. This is interesting and helps to see how others through time, geography, and differing circumstances have viewed work, but I want to know what Scripture says about work.
I did appreciate Keller's take on common grace. He argues that an unbeliever can be gifted by God (through common grace) in business, the arts, and any number of things. Such a gifted person can evidence some of the characteristics of being made in God's image even while living apart, or even, in purposeful rebellion, to God. Common grace in a fallen world; there was some helpful thoughts for me around this issue.
Parts of the book seemed like an apologetic for a Biblilcal worlview and Gospel thinking, instead of an exposition of that view from Scripture.
Overall, a good bood. Maybe my expectations tainted my ability to get as much out of it as I could have. -
Just as Keller's book on marriage was the most beneficial I have read on that subject this book is the best I've read on work. Keller is a master at getting to the root of an issue and not getting distracted by the subsidiary issues. This book is encouraging, thought provoking, and well worth anyone's time who has a job or might want one some day.
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TK did what he does best: comprehensively addressing a cultural pillar through a sound gospel lens, helping readers "grow legs" for what we believe and how it relates to our actual living... and in this case, working.
My favorite new food for thought piece is the concept of not just serving other people through work, but seeking to "serve the work" itself. I.e. - cultivating a field of work to be more just, more enriching, more beneficial to more people. Basically, going beyond "working to the glory of the Lord" to: how can I set up systems and structures and processes that will benefit others most in this field? Exciting stuff, because then our work output starts doing the work to aid others at base level solely by being in place. (Wish I could italicize some here to make that point more clearly but alas) -
An excellent book. I picked this up because I was starting to realize my extremely negative view of work/labor and that I was struggling with searching for jobs that have both purpose and impact. Was definitely searching for "the" answer, but came away with some thoughts that challenged my own and some I want to more readily embody in my daily life, both in action and in thought.
I especially loved the way in which justice and integrity were tied to work and think it revealed some of the selfish desires and misguided thoughts I've held toward the idea of work. A notion I've held onto for the last few years (although well short of putting into action) that this book also touches on is the idea that all people and the work they produce have inherent dignity and value and thusly should be treated so.
While this book brought up some really good points and interesting thoughts, I want to be careful not to take all that I've read and assume it as truth.
Would 100% recommend!!! -
If you have read Keller before, you know that he doesn't exactly get right to the point in his books. I love him and I accept this, but it's true. In this book, this meant that we had to go through 100 pages of "What even is work? Why do we work? How should work make us feel?" and it's like COME ON TIMOTHY LETS MOVE IT. Sure it's good stuff but it's not really what I came here for, and that's how a lot of the book felt.
This book was mostly for people who already have an established career, and I am the opposite of that right now, so it wasn't terribly helpful for my situation. Still, the practical advice about work was excellent. -
Why do we work? How should we work? How should we THINK about our work, in light of the Gospel? Keller has a way of putting ideas and concepts down so that they take root. While I didn't find the every page of this book to be rapturously engaging, there are brilliant portions throughout that make the journey very much worthwhile. One of the ideas that I was familiar with, but hit me profoundly through this book, was the concept of Common Grace in our (and others') lives. Keep your eyes open for those passages. I'd recommend this book to any person (though it will resonate more with Christians, I should think), who would like a fresh perspective on why they do what they do for work. 4.5 stars.
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A very well-written book with a lot of Biblical truth about how we should relate to and think about work. I came away with a desire/need to change my mindset towards how/why I work, but less practical "do this to share your faith at work" tips. This is in part because sharing your faith at work is just one facet of how we should work and rest as Christians. Convicting and encouraging to see my need to grow in this new (for me) realm of work.
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Surprisingly not a lot of big thoughts, even though this is important in my life right now.
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So good. So relevant.
Will be re-reading immediately. Taking time to meditate, study, learn, and implement. -
This book took me longer than expected to really get into, but it still contained useful and thought-provoking insights throughout. I loved the discussion of work through the lens of the Gospel and the connections drawn between work and all other parts of our lives. I personally enjoyed the last section of this book the most and appreciated the range of industries and lifestyles that were mentioned.
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Splendid. I can't believe how much of this really is just common-sense applying the gospel to vocation, but it just needed someone like Keller to do it well. The book doesn't just fly high in the clouds, but comes down to earth with its plethora of examples. Highly practical. Would recommend to all, especially young adults in popular modern fields like medicine, business, research, etc., though the book addresses other vocations in depth as well, including the arts.
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Great for everyone looking to connect their everyday work with the mission of God.
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This book was a brilliant mix of biblical exposition, how-to advice, and big picture insights. Though brief and down-to-earth, it is a lens through which one can make sense of the world and not just the world of work. Keller's thoughts on the character of nonbelievers as an expression of God's common grace are particularly helpful in seeking to avoid a judgmental, us versus them attitude in a largely secularized culture. If you are not both challenged and encouraged by this book, I doubt you're paying attention.
SECOND READ: Until the flesh lets go its grip and Christ's image is completely reflected in us and our work, this one could stand to be reread every few years. I found it even more relevant as, by His grace, I've experienced more success in my career than when I read it last time. -
Nearly ever Keller book is the best in class, and Every Good Endeavor is no exception.
We live in a culture that spans the 4-Hour Work Week mentality and working 80+ hours a week to maintain consumeristic lifestyles. We desperately need a theology of work.
In typical Keller fashion, he combines solid Biblical interpretation, secular wisdom, and real-world examples to clearly lay out how we should think about work.
He especially helps us think about success in the work place being more than just sharing our faith with our coworkers or leading a Bible study before work. Instead it's a holistic, "gospel glasses" approach to our work to honor the Lord and love our neighbor in a complex moral environment.