Book Review: Every Good Endeavour

As this post goes live just after New Years Day, I'm sure two things come to mind: Christmas presents left unused since Boxing Day, and New Years Resolutions. This book review neatly dovetails with both of these thoughts. Tim Keller's "Every Good Endeavour" is a book that many will have got for Christmas, and most will have not read, but that every Christian could consider informing their approach to their 'work' over the next year. In classic Keller style, its chunkily published by Hodder and Stoughton, and is at least loosely based on his sermons on the topic. About work, its relevant to everyone, even those of us who are currently unemployed!

Keller opens this important book with the acknowledgement that work is Good, God-Designed, and an activity that God engages in. The uniqueness of Christianity in its understanding of work is powerfully stated, as is the inherent goodness and Joy of work, with reference to various sources, including Calvin. In the following chapter on the Dignity of Work, Keller superbly blends reference to contemporary thought, Genesis, and Greek Philosophy to show that the Christian view, a thread of the biblical Christian story, speaks highly of work. The fundamental dignity of work comes from the fact that "it is something God does and because we do it in God's place, as his representatives". Herein are the building blocks for a fundamentally biblical, intelligent and contemporary theology of work.

In the pattern of some of my previous reviews, I considered doing a 'turn by turn' analysis of this one, but decided against it on the grounds that it is a book I would hope people might read, rather than merely nod at a summary! This is a must read book, especially for those of us no in current full time work, or who have shifted careers. Briefly, though, this is a book in classic Keller style, with three key parts; "God's Plan for Work", "Our Problems with Work", and the final part, "The Gospel and Work". Each part has three hard-hitting, biblical and application-heavy chapters. This is an accessible book - but one with serious depth.

As you can probably guess, I loved reading Keller's latest. It's been a book that has challenged me to rethink my biblical understanding of work, and enjoy afresh the fact that a Christian commitment does impact every part of our lives. This is a great book for students preparing to leave university, for people growing weary of a secular calling, or for those looking for a great resource to equip them in their secular work. I'd seriously recommend it!