From the lectures, text, and Scripture, discuss God’s design for work. How did sin change our relationship with work?
o Requirements: 500 words minimum, APA format
Keller, Ch. 1-6
Messenger, Part 2
Ellis, C., Holmes, P., & Platt, D. (2018, September 25). Saints Are Needed in Every
Sphere. -podcast/saints-needed-every-sphere/Links to an external site.
Gen. 1:26-28, 3; Exod. 20:8-11; Ecclesiastes 2, 9:10; John 5:17
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
God’s Design for Work: Creation, Fall, and Redemption
Introduction
Work is an integral aspect of human existence, rooted in the very fabric of creation. From a theological perspective, God’s design for work encompasses not just the act of labor but also its purpose and the relationship it fosters between humanity and the divine. This essay examines God’s original intention for work, how sin has distorted this relationship, and the implications for believers today.
God’s Design for Work
In Genesis 1:26-28, God creates humanity in His image and grants them dominion over the earth, commanding them to be fruitful and multiply. This foundational text establishes work as a divine mandate rather than a mere necessity. Keller (2012) highlights that God Himself is a worker, having created the world in six days and resting on the seventh (Exodus 20:8-11). Thus, work is not merely a function of survival; it is an expression of creativity, stewardship, and divine partnership.
Work was intended to be fulfilling and meaningful. The task of cultivating the earth implied a purpose that transcended labor for sustenance; it was about nurturing and developing creation (Keller, 2012). Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 suggests that enjoyment of work is a gift from God, emphasizing that labor should bring joy rather than sorrow. Furthermore, John 5:17 reveals Jesus’ understanding of work as a continuous activity of God in the world, affirming that the divine work of restoration and creation never ceases.
The Impact of Sin on Work
However, the narrative shifts dramatically with the introduction of sin in Genesis 3. The fall brings about a curse that fundamentally alters humanity’s relationship with work. God informs Adam that the ground will be cursed because of his actions, leading to toil and struggle in his labor (Genesis 3:17-19). This transformation signifies that work, once a source of joy and fulfillment, is now fraught with frustration and hardship.
Messenger (n.d.) notes that sin distorts our motivations and intentions behind work. Rather than being an act of service or stewardship, work can devolve into a means of self-justification or an idol that competes with our relationship with God. The consequences of sin lead individuals to seek fulfillment in their jobs rather than in their identity as children of God. Ecclesiastes 9:10 encourages individuals to do their work with all their might but also reflects the futility that can accompany labor when disconnected from divine purpose.
Redemption Through Christ
Despite the distortion caused by sin, Scripture offers a redemptive perspective on work. In Christ, believers are called to restore the original intent of work as a way to glorify God and serve others. Ellis, Holmes, and Platt (2018) affirm that Christians are equipped to engage in every sphere of society, suggesting that the workplace is a mission field where they can reflect God’s character.
Keller (2012) emphasizes that through Christ’s redemptive work, believers have an opportunity to reclaim their vocation as a calling. This involves seeing work not solely as a means to an end but as a way to contribute to God’s kingdom on earth. Ecclesiastes reminds us that while work may be burdensome, it can also be enjoyed as a divine gift when pursued with the right heart.
Conclusion
God’s design for work is rooted in creativity, stewardship, and fulfillment, reflecting His character and purposes. The fall introduced toil and frustration into this relationship, distorting our understanding and experience of labor. However, through Christ’s redemptive power, believers are called to reclaim their work as an avenue for glorifying God and serving humanity. In doing so, they can navigate the complexities of their vocations with purpose and joy, ultimately reflecting the divine intention behind work.
References
Ellis, C., Holmes, P., & Platt, D. (2018). Saints Are Needed in Every Sphere. [Podcast].
Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. Dutton.
Messenger, J. (n.d.). Part 2. [Lecture].
The Holy Bible (New International Version). (1984). Zondervan.
