Callings

by Placher, William C.

• ISBN13: 9780802829276
• ISBN10: 0802829279
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781467418454
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-30
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co
• More Book Details

About This Book

Callings: Twenty Centuries of Christian Wisdom on Vocation

ISBN: 9780802829276

Callings: Twenty Centuries of Christian Wisdom on Vocation is a comprehensive anthology that explores the concept of vocation across two millennia of Christian thought. This book is a treasure trove of wisdom, offering insights into how Christians have sought meaning and purpose in their lives. From the call to religious commitment to various life roles such as parenting, citizenship, and voluntary service, this collection provides a rich tapestry of perspectives.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students, educators, and individuals interested in the theological and philosophical dimensions of vocation. It is particularly valuable for courses in theology, philosophy, and religious studies at the college and university levels. The book also serves as a resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Christian tradition and its application in everyday life.

History and Editions

First published in 2005 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Callings has been a cornerstone in educational resources for over a decade. The book's enduring popularity stems from its ability to provide long, thought-provoking selections that give readers a true sense of the contours of each argument. The editor, William C. Placher, was renowned for his insightful introductions that help readers understand how and why the quest for a meaningful Christian life has taken different forms over time.

Author and Other Works

William C. Placher was a distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Wabash College. He was recognized for his exceptional teaching skills, earning him the title of best teacher in the country from the American Academy of Religion in 2002. Placher's contributions to Christian theology and philosophy are evident in his other works, which include Readings in the History of Christian Theology and The Domestication of Transcendence.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Coverage: The book covers a wide range of topics related to vocation, drawing from the sweep of Christian tradition.
• Historical Perspective: It provides a historical context for understanding how Christian thought on vocation has evolved over centuries.
• Insightful Introductions: Placher's introductions offer a clear and concise guide to each selection, making it easier for readers to navigate the complex ideas presented.
• Educational Value: Highly recommended as a basis for courses, informal discussions, and individual reflection, making it an invaluable resource for both students and educators.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Paperback: ISBN-10: 0802829279 / ISBN-13: 9780802829276

Publication Details

• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Publication Date: July 1st, 2005
• Number of Pages: 424 (468 in some editions)
• Language: English

Other Editions and Formats

While there are no other editions or formats listed specifically for this book, it is available in paperback and can be found through various online retailers such as AbeBooks, ChristianBook.com, and Alibris.

Related ISBNs:

• Hardcover: Not available (only paperback)
• eTextbook: Not available (only paperback)
• Loose-leaf: Not available (only paperback)
• Rental Options: Not available (only paperback)

This detailed information section provides a quick reference for all the available formats and sources for Callings: Twenty Centuries of Christian Wisdom on Vocation, making it easier to find and access the book in the preferred format.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Preface	xv
Introduction	1	(12)
Prologue: Some Biblical Texts on Calling	13	(10)
1. Callings to a Christian Life: Vocations in the Early Church, 100-500
Introduction	23	(10)
Ignatius of Antioch	33	(2)
Letter to the Romans
Justin Martyr	35	(4)
Dialogue with Trypho
The Martyrdom of Perpetua	39	(8)
Clement of Alexandria	47	(4)
Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
Tertullian	51	(8)
Apology
Athanasius	59	(6)
The Life of Antony
Gregory of Nyssa	65	(8)
The Life of Macrina
Palladius	73	(7)
The Lausiac History
Sayings of the Desert Fathers	80	(3)
Augustine	83	(24)
Confessions
2. Called to Religious Life: Vocations in the Middle Ages, 500-1500
Introduction	107	(8)
John Cassian	115	(8)
Institutes
Sulpicius Severus	123	(5)
Life of St. Martin
Benedict of Nursia	128	(4)
The Rule of St. Benedict
Bernard of Clairvaux	132	(8)
Letters
John de Joinville	140	(3)
Chronicle of the Crusade of St. Louis
Bonaventure	143	(7)
The Life of St. Francis
Mechthild of Magdeburg	150	(4)
The Flowing Light of the Godhead
Thomas Aquinas	154	(22)
Summa Theologiae
Christine de Pisan	176	(14)
The Treasure of the City of Ladies
The Mission of Joan of Arc	190	(6)
Thomas à Kempis	196	(9)
The Imitation of Christ
3. Every Work a Calling: Vocations after the Reformation, 1500-1800
Introduction	205	(6)
Martin Luther	211	(2)
To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation
Martin Luther	213	(2)
Gospel for the Early Christmas Service
Martin Luther	215	(2)
Trade and Usury
Martin Luther	217	(3)
Whether Soldiers, Too, Can Be Saved
Martin Luther	220	(7)
A Sermon on Keeping Children in School
Ulrich Stadler	227	(5)
Cherished Instructions on Sin, Excommunication, and the Community of Goods
John Calvin	232	(7)
Institutes of the Christian Religion
Ignatius Loyola	239	(5)
The Spiritual Exercises
Teresa of Ávila	244	(10)
The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz	254	(8)
Reply to Sor Philothea
William Perkins	262	(11)
A Treatise of the Vocations
George Herbert	273	(4)
The Temple, or The Country Parson
George Herbert	277	(1)
The Collar	277	(1)
Richard Baxter	278	(8)
Directions about Our Labor and Callings
John Bunyan	286	(8)
The Pilgrim's Progress
George Fox	294	(6)
Journal
Gerrard Winstanley	300	(3)
A Declaration from the Poor Oppressed People of England
William Law	303	(7)
A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life
Jonathan Edwards	310	(6)
Personal Narrative
John Wesley	316	(3)
Journal
John Wesley	319	(3)
"Sermon 28: Sermon on the Mount-8"
John Wesley	322	(5)
"Sermon 51: The Good Steward"
4. Christian Callings in a Post-Christian World, 1800-Present
Introduction	327	(6)
Søren Kierkegaard	333	(10)
Fear and Trembling
John Henry Newman	343	(6)
Divine Calls
Feodor Dostoevsky	349	(4)
The Brothers Karamazov
Horace Bushnell	353	(6)
Every Man's Life a Plan of God
Pope Leo XIII	359	(12)
Rerum Novarum
Max Weber	371	(6)
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
Walter Rauschenbusch	377	(8)
Christianity and the Social Crisis
Howard Thurman	385	(4)
What Shall I Do With My Life?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer	389	(11)
The Cost of Discipleship
Simone Weil	400	(5)
Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the Love of God
Dorothy L. Sayers	405	(8)
"Vocation in Work"
Dorothy Day	413	(8)
Selected Writings
Thomas Merton	421	(8)
No Man Is an Island
Karl Barth	429	(16)
Church Dogmatics
Index	445