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Applying the Reformational Doctrine of Christian Vocation to our Understanding of Engineering as a Sacred Calling

Applying the Reformational Doctrine of Christian Vocation to our Understanding of Engineering as a Sacred Calling. Timothy R. Tuinstra Cedarville University. Motivation. Some students struggle with career decisions. “Should I get a secular job? Or should I enter the ministry?”

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Applying the Reformational Doctrine of Christian Vocation to our Understanding of Engineering as a Sacred Calling

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  1. Applying the Reformational Doctrine of Christian Vocation to our Understanding of Engineering as a Sacred Calling Timothy R. Tuinstra Cedarville University

  2. Motivation • Some students struggle with career decisions. • “Should I get a secular job? Or should I enter the ministry?” • Some students have misplaced objectives. • “I can earn a lot of money if I become an engineer.”

  3. Vocational Theology has fallen on hard times within Christianity. This calls for a resurgence of the Reformation doctrine of Christian Vocation

  4. Definition • Vocation – From the Latin meaning a calling or summons. • Sometimes used to identify a calling from God to saving faith. • For this presentation – A calling from God concerning a person’s primary employment on earth. • This concept of vocation is largely lost in modern American culture.

  5. Vocation in the Bible “Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life [or vocation] that the Lord assigned to him and which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.” -The Apostle Paul I Corinthians 7:17

  6. Brief History of Vocational Theology – Middle Ages • Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) • World divided into realms of “Nature” and “Grace”. • Callings are either “secular” or “sacred”.

  7. Brief History of Vocational Theology – Middle Ages Sacred Callings Secular Callings

  8. Brief History of Vocational Theology – Reformation • Martin Luther (1483-1546) • Standing before God not based on earthly status. • God accomplishes His work through human callings.

  9. Brief History of Vocational Theology – Reformation “A cobbler, a smith, a farmer, each has the work and office of his trade, and yet they are all alike consecrated priests and bishops, and everyone by means of his own work or office must benefit and serve every other, that in this way many kinds of work may be done for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the community, even as all members of the body serve one another.” -Luther

  10. Brief History of Vocational Theology – Puritans • Significant contributions to the doctrine of vocation. • Callings are meant for serving one’s neighbor and glorifying God.

  11. Synopsis: The Reformation Teaching on Vocation • God provides for mankind through human callings…Providence. • All legitimate callings are then sacred because they provide legitimate goods and services to one’s neighbors thus fulfilling Christ’s greatest commandment.

  12. Synopsis: The Reformation Teaching on Vocation GOD NEIGHBORS

  13. What does this mean for engineers and engineering educators? • Engineering as engineering is a sacred calling because God uses engineers to bring real benefits to mankind. • God’s providence is hidden behind the engineers.

  14. God Hidden Behind the Engineers: Agricultural Mechanization • Advancements in technology allow us to increase the crop yield of the farmer’s field. • Many farm tools are now using GPS to minimize costs and maximize yield. Modern combine harvesting corn.

  15. Lesson: God uses the skills of engineers to vastly increase the world’s food supply helping to ease the world’s hunger. “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?”

  16. God Hidden Behind the Engineers: Modern Medical Imaging • Engineers have developed devices to “see” inside the human body. • This results in earlier diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. Computed Tomography Scanner.

  17. Lesson: God uses the skills of engineers to improve the welfare and health of many people, a fulfillment of the greatest commandment. “When did we see you sick…?”

  18. God Hidden Behind the Engineers:Severe Weather Forcasting • Doppler RADAR developed by engineers has allowed us to predict deadly weather phenomena such as tornados, saving numerous lives. Hook-echo RADAR signature of a tornado in Oklahoma.

  19. Lesson: God uses the skills of engineers to increase the safety of the public a fulfillment of the Greatest Commandment. “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matt. 25:40

  20. How can we teach vocational thinking to our engineering students? • We would do well to emphasize the sacred nature of engineering in introductory engineering courses. • Individual courses should emphasize examples such as those given above.

  21. Recommended Reading Gene E. Veith Jr., God at Work: Your Vocation in All of Life

  22. Recommended Reading Gustaf Wingren, Luther on Vocation

  23. Conclusion The Reformation doctrine of vocation can and should be taught within the curricula of the engineering programs of Christ-centered universities. This will provide meaning and purpose to our students as they pursue their engineering careers.

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