Sanctification on task

Regeneration, or sanctification - not in individual lives only but collectively in the church's life in the world - is thus the true work of that 'other Paraclete' (or 'Standby') as John calls the Spirit. But alas, said Forsyth, we modern Christians have sadly debased and misconstrued the meaning of that grand old word 'sanctification'. In our modern man-centred religion, we have turned it into self-consecration. But sanctification is not spiritual self-culture, and 'it is a dangerous thing to work at your own holiness'. Paul did not consecrate himself to his great work. He obeyed a call and found his sanctification - his growth in grace - in the pursuit of his ministry. So we too are sanctified when we are on our Saviour's business. Growth in grace comes not by working at it but by passing ever more deeply into self-forgetfulness - into the grace, the cross and the service of Christ.

(p. 65, AM Hunter, PT Forsyth)

Is Luther's concept of vocation outdated?

At the Reformation, with monasticism in his mind's eye, Luther rightly declared that Christians could serve God as truly in their daily work as in their Sunday worship. This was a great step forward. But why does this Protestant conception of Christian vocation sound much less convincing today? Because we live in a quite different world from Luther's.

(p. 96, AM Hunter, PT Forsyth)

As a Luther fan you will know it pains me to admit that Hunter has a point. The world of work is different in many ways. In particular:

• Work is less about creating things of clear benefit to people, but more about creating money.
• We are much freer in the choice of career we follow.
• There is much greater tension between benefiting your employer, benefiting your fellow workers, and benefiting the customer. Where do you find the balance?

I'm not sure of that I have a theology of work that is able to answer these newish challenges. I am yet to read or hear anyone else express such a theology either. Any ideas?

For what it's worth, you can read below what Hunter thinks. Writing in the 70s he is unsurprisingly concerned for the worker primarily.

The long and short of it is that Christian ethics cannot now rest content with calling on such people to glorify God in their station. We of the Christian church must seek to promote such a re-organization industry as will give the worker freedom to live as a man should, find joy in his work, be able to maintain his family, and become a responsible partner, to some degree. in the industry of which he is a part.

(ibid, pp.96-97)