Office of the Dean, Sydney College of Divinity
Theology of Work: Eschatology, Co-Creativity and the Pneumatological Impetus
Presentation Abstract
In his 2001 monograph Work in the Spirit: Toward a Theology of Work, Miroslav Volf helpfully draws together the doctrines of pneumatology and eschatology to reimagine ‘work’ from a fresh perspective. Shedding traditional views with limiting concepts in relation to vocation and the Holy Spirit, Volf reimagines the scope of work set against an eschatological backdrop which allows for not only a lasting significance of human work, but that ‘work’ is to be understood as ‘cooperation with God’ for the purpose of world preservation and ultimate transformation. Volf prepares a solid foundation for the understanding of transformatio mundi – but it is this theme of ‘cooperation with God’ or ‘co-creativity’ that this paper desires to engage with more fully. More specifically, how ‘co- creativity’ across an eschatological backdrop is to be considered in light of understanding the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit with the human agent. Drawing from Volf’s understanding of Christ as eschatological, Father as protological, and the Holy Spirit as pneumatological this paper will seek to consider how ‘we’ as humans are the ‘work’ as ‘we work’ through our work. More specifically, what does this mean for the ‘work’ of theological educators in curriculum design and delivery or for the ‘work’ that our students will undertake post-study in their chosen areas of ministry whether in a church or in a secular workplace.
Stream(s)
Teaching & Learning (D.3)