Written by a leading expert on the Puritans; this brief; informative volume offers a wealth of background on this key religious movement. This book traces the shaping; triumph; and decline of the Puritan world; while also examining the role of religion in the shaping of American society and the role of the Puritan legacy in American history. Francis J. Bremer discusses the rise of Puritanism in the English Reformation; the struggle of the reformers to purge what they viewed as the corruptions of Roman Catholicism from the Elizabethan church; and the struggle with the Stuart monarchs that led to a brief Puritan triumph under Oliver Cromwell. It also examines the effort of Puritans who left England to establish a godly kingdom in America. Bremer examines puritan theology; views on family and community; their beliefs about the proper relationship between religion and public life; the limits of toleration; the balance between individual rights and one's obligation to others; and the extent to which public character should be shaped by private religious belief.About the Series: Combining authority with wit; accessibility; and style; Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer; they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics; from philosophy to Freud; quantum theory to Islam.
#825387 in Books 2006-12-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.30 x 1.00 x 9.50l; 1.08 #File Name: 0195314808232 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Hoping Author's Goal are Accomplished.By Danny SmithSubtitle: The History and Promise of the Faith at Work MovementThis is a subject near and dear to my heart; and my attempted habits.I read the book in preparation of hearing the author speak briefly at the Austin Christian Business Summit. Britt Harris; an acquaintance; knows Dr. Miller personally and brought him in for the evening. Thanks Britt.The book seems to be written in a very "mainstream" academia manner and a brief visit with Dr. Miller confirmed that was the purpose. While the book does contain much of the history of the "faith at work" movement; it lacked some fundemental points developed by others; Doug Sherman; R. Paul Stevens; and the depth of the Puritans. But; the promise it lays out is done well.A comment on inside front cover makes the book work it's cost and time to read: "Secretaries to CEOs do not turn to their cleargy for guidance in bringing their faith to work; but to their peers and a burgeoning cottage industry on spirituality at work." Dr. Miller gets it!Some of the my margins notes; underlines; and comments:Lack of scripture and mention of Jesus and the Holy Spirit is obviously due to the audience (mainstream academia)Chapter One - good; solid; and transparent about how the church is not equipping itself to minister to its average member (this theme continues throughout the book with suggestions to the church in Chapter 8)Lack of Biblical history on God at work; mentions R. Paul Stevens' definition of work: simply as "purposeful activity involving mental; emotional; or physical energy; or all three; whether remunerated or not" - I emailed Stevens to see if I could get a dialog going about the book. So far; he has just commented that he has not read the book but did read Miller's doctrinal thesis.Interesting points about pre vs postmillennialists and how that can shape one's view (pg 25-)Manufacturing; demand for labor in cities; and family unit being torn apart (pg 27)Very interesting how he lays out his "Social Gospel Era" and the conservative; radical; and progressive typesAuthor mentions "laity; layperson" quite a bit; doesn't seem to have any real emphasis on priesthood of the laity and doesn't present any argument for or against the lack of New Testament usage of the work "clergy"Nothing mentioned in book about Doug Sherman and his book "Your Work Matters to God"Miller does a good job telling about his departure from his partnership at private equity firm in order to go to seminary to study theology and how his peers and clients responded. He sent out 150 faxes and letters and struck a deep cord among many; if not all. Responses indicated many of the executives where experiencing a deep emptiness and disconnect.Pg 75 - The demand for faith at work may best be understood by identifying and analysing the needs that businesspeople and other workers feel.Pg 76 - Research of this book suggests......integration of faith and work can be seen in 4 major types of faith issues; Ethics; Evangelism; Experience; and Enrichment (Four E's)Pg 79 - Among the many roles and functions of both the church and theological academy is to think theologically about the nature and purpose of humanityWe think the church would be interested in being present in the whole of life; including the workplace.....and the academy through research would support such a viewComments on Chapter 5; author does a great job describing how unprepared the church is to not only help their members on work-related issues; but their sermons are not relevant to our day-to-day lives and what we REALLY deal with - to the point; we don't want to go to the church for help when we need it.Great stuff on page 85; 91; 94Chapter Seven lays out the author's Four E's (part of pursuing the promise)Pg 145: Pastors and churches that wish to respond seriously to the Sunday-Monday gap will need to develop new strategies of equipping laity ministry of integration that connects the Christian faith to the workplace in meaningful and constructive ways....yet an intentional ministry to businesspersons and the workplace must be more than a laundry list of programsPg 145: Clergy should go to their parishioners' places of work for short visits as regularly and naturally as they make hospital and home visits.Pg 146-149: Clergy who wish to equip their people to integrate faith and work effectively will first need to develop an ministry of presence and listening; of public preaching and prayer; of teaching; spiritual integration; of gatherings.Dr. Miller wraps the book up by outlining the promise and then commenting that the book "while perhaps providing a foundation for future research into the FAW movement; is hardly complete."He concludes by stating the goals of the book which includes "to raise questions for further research."Good book and while not exhaustive it is a very important read.And.....If it takes more research to get the vocational ministers to get it together to properly minister to their members; then I pray for more research.To that end.....0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Setting The Bar . . .By Timothy EwestDr. Miller (a friend) provides a very solid contribution to the emerging field of faith and work (workplace spirituality). I have published with and supported Dr. Miller's research over the last four years; simply because I believe his research provides a valuable and scholarly insight into the nature and reality of how employees of faith - bring their faith into work.Dr. Miller's book does not argue that employees today are trying to include their faith into the workplace; instead his book reveals that employees have always taken their faith to work in four identifiable ways (the Four E's). He asks the reader to consider what the impacts of having the whole person (faith; gender; ethnicity and economic status) at work; not only for increased employee performance; but more importantly; for employee satisfaction.Ewest; TimVisiting Research Collaborator;Princeton University Faith and Work Initiative.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Start here to learn about the Faith at Work movementBy NoVAReaderFor many years; it has been considered unprofessional; or at least unacceptable; to be openly Christian at work. Many Christians have struggled with the Sunday-Monday divide. That is starting to change. It is increasingly acceptable to talk about faith in the office. Some forward-thinking companies have even taken the step to encourage faith groups to form and meet at work. David Miller; in this largely academic survey; explores the history and basis of the movement he calls FAW -- Faith at Work. Chapter seven gives an outstanding analysis of FAW by creating a language and framework for further study. The book comes with an extensive bibliography for those wanting to go further in the topic.
