This week we did not have any discussion questions to post since there is a book review assignment due in the Advanced Worldview course on Monday, and there is tons of reading to do in the Research Design course (6 chapters of research design in 2 weeks). As part of our reflective journal in the Advanced Worldview course, we were asked to answer one of two questions (or both). The one I chose is “How can the doctrine of vocation affect the way that we view Monday through Friday (and, for many of us, nights and weekends as well)?” This question relates to an article we were assigned to read by Veith called “Arenas of Service” in WORLD magazine. This question also fits in nicely with the last chapter of our Plantinga text (Engaging God’s World), “Vocation in the Kingdom of God.” The Latin origin of vocation is “calling” and in the Oxford English dictionary online, vocation is defined as “divine influence or guidance towards a definite (esp. religious) career.” Veith describes vocation as not only a job or career, but working “side-by-side with God” and serving others by what we do. Vocation is 365 days a year, 24/7. Second Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (New International Version). Knowing God has called us to Him gives us reason to carry out our vocation every day of the week, serving God by serving others.

Blessings to you and yours.

Veith, G. E. (2010, August 28). Arenas of service. WORLD Magazine.  Retrieved from http://www.worldmag.com/articles/17017

Vocation. (2014). In Oxford English dictionary online. Retrieved from http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/224289?redirectedFrom=vocation&