I learned some things at the Two Kingdoms conference I spoke at, sponsored by Jordan Cooper at Just and Sinner. Jordan commented that our vocations–in the family, the economy, the church, and the state–are no less than the foundations of culture.
He studied the first chapters of Genesis and concluded that the so-called “cultural mandate” (by which human beings are given the authority and the ability to rule the earth), should more properly be called the “vocational mandate.”
UPDATE: You can hear Jordan’s complete presentation here.
Before the Fall, God called Adam and Eve to vocation: to marriage (giving Adam and Eve to each other), parenthood (“be fruitful and multiply”), and to work (tend the garden and exercise dominion over creation).
I’ve been reading Luther’s stunningly insightful Lectures on Genesis (sometimes called “Commentary on Genesis”). He says there that all of the “orders” or “estates” are established in Eden, except for one. The household, to be sure, with family and work. But also the church, since Adam and Eve are worshipping God and in relation with Him. The state, though, does not exist until after the Fall. The state, says Luther, exists only to restrain sin. If we had no sin, we would not need earthly government, which is thus subordinated to the family and to economics.
Anyway, seeing vocation as at the essence of culture gives us a different paradigm for looking at cultural issues. I’ve got to think about that. Any ideas about what that could tell us?
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In