Calling & Christian Vocation
Posted by Brian | Labels: Calling | Posted On Friday, August 6, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Christian Vocation
Following the notion of a personal call to a specific profession is the broader concept of a Christian Vocation. There is actually rather little biblical evidence to support the idea that one would be called to a specific career field. When we look to the Old Testament concept of calling, we see many patriarchs and heroes who are called through circumstances that unfold around them. People who are called are brought forth to fulfill God’s greater purpose, and not often a sensation of being guided toward a specific position or office. In the Old Testament, we see many miracles unfold and dramatic stories surrounding individuals, but these occur only because of the individuals absolute submission to the Almighty.
When we look to the New Testament, we do see a transformation occur within the disciples where they leave secular jobs to follow Christ. I must question the right-ness of basing the way we should live our lives off of the dramatic encounters with a physical Christ and a personal teaching that these first disciples encountered. When we consider the twelve, they all had other jobs prior to meeting Christ and they abruptly left them to follow Him and learn. These close apprentices to Christ were more or less prototype disciples that Jesus was establishing to spread the good news. Jesus knew his time on earth were short, and he therefore called upon these to continue the good work after the crucifixion and resurrection. When we look at the words kalon who is God, the one who calls, and then keklemenoi, the called ones, then it seems to fit that the act of kalein, to be called, is a general call to salvation and commitment than it is to a specific ministry. This essentially levels the playing field that all Christians are expected to be equally committed to discipleship.
What does a disciple look like in scripture? There is a threefold image that can be rooted. First, belong to God. Identify yourself as a member of the heavenly family and and recognize others as brothers and sisters. Second, be a member of this family in life. Pray and commune regularly, live a life of holiness and recognize God’s sovereign and providing hand in all situations. Third, do God’s work. Consider the things we’ve discussed in this article, as well as the previous one. Your natural talents, abilities, circumstances, background and passions and embrace these through the lens of holiness. This can be accomplished in virtually all career fields, save those professions that are in direct contradiction to living a life in accordance to scripture.
Following the notion of a personal call to a specific profession is the broader concept of a Christian Vocation. There is actually rather little biblical evidence to support the idea that one would be called to a specific career field. When we look to the Old Testament concept of calling, we see many patriarchs and heroes who are called through circumstances that unfold around them. People who are called are brought forth to fulfill God’s greater purpose, and not often a sensation of being guided toward a specific position or office. In the Old Testament, we see many miracles unfold and dramatic stories surrounding individuals, but these occur only because of the individuals absolute submission to the Almighty.
When we look to the New Testament, we do see a transformation occur within the disciples where they leave secular jobs to follow Christ. I must question the right-ness of basing the way we should live our lives off of the dramatic encounters with a physical Christ and a personal teaching that these first disciples encountered. When we consider the twelve, they all had other jobs prior to meeting Christ and they abruptly left them to follow Him and learn. These close apprentices to Christ were more or less prototype disciples that Jesus was establishing to spread the good news. Jesus knew his time on earth were short, and he therefore called upon these to continue the good work after the crucifixion and resurrection. When we look at the words kalon who is God, the one who calls, and then keklemenoi, the called ones, then it seems to fit that the act of kalein, to be called, is a general call to salvation and commitment than it is to a specific ministry. This essentially levels the playing field that all Christians are expected to be equally committed to discipleship.
What does a disciple look like in scripture? There is a threefold image that can be rooted. First, belong to God. Identify yourself as a member of the heavenly family and and recognize others as brothers and sisters. Second, be a member of this family in life. Pray and commune regularly, live a life of holiness and recognize God’s sovereign and providing hand in all situations. Third, do God’s work. Consider the things we’ve discussed in this article, as well as the previous one. Your natural talents, abilities, circumstances, background and passions and embrace these through the lens of holiness. This can be accomplished in virtually all career fields, save those professions that are in direct contradiction to living a life in accordance to scripture.
Post a Comment