The Fourth Frontier: exploring the new world of work
by Stephen R. Graves and Thomas G. Addington;
Nashville, Word Publishing; ix, 207 pp..

Summary This brief, well-written book is the work of two colleagues who founded a consulting company together, who vacation together with their families, and who share a passion for understanding work in the light of the calling of God. The passion of the two authors shows through every page as they enthusiastically share illustrations, long debated subjects, the Scriptures, and history in a volume that is fun to read. I believe these authors will take

I have some significant concerns about the book as well, primarily based on a “light” treatment of the impact of the Fall on work, and some of the tough issues that must be dealt with here. For example, I am concerned with the unexamined acceptance of the secular profit model for business, the lack of discussion about the environment, and the complete omission of discussion about those who are unemployed, underemployed, or work as volunteers.

In spite of these and other concerns, I encourage others to read this book. My reasons are straightforward. I believe this material could form a great starting point for the other discussions that are desperately needed. I also believe that many in the Christian community have never considered the basic truths they lay out so well in this book. From this foundation, I believe the other things can be carefully explored.

Summary of the Contents

The book is divided into four parts, and a total of eleven chapters. The first part is introductory, and outlines in two chapters:

Each chapter starts with a historical narrative, often dealing with ancient explorers, in order to capture the spirit of the journey to an integrated, whole life where work is properly placed.

Summary of Section One

In order to help us into the topic, the authors identify four common myths about work: It’s a part of the curse Its enemy territory It’s our salvation It is the last priority.

The last one is particularly well done. It is common for people to say their priority is God, family, self, and work, but their lives never reflect such an ordering. Rather, the authors suggest, we have only one priority, and that is God. In an integrated life, God is the center, but in making Him so, we must be obedient in our dealings with family, church, self, community, work, etc. It sounds good the other way, but in fact we can’t please God without being responsible in our work.

In developing a theology of work, the authors turn to the first three chapters of Genesis, identifying both the command of God for humans to work in the first two chapters, and the difficulty that comes in our work from the curse. They also draw on the Psalms for motivation for our work. I found this treatment rather light. They do not go into the types of work God has called us to in the first two chapters, nor the specific impact of the curse on our work in the third chapter.

Their summary of reflecting God on the job at the end of this chapter (p.33) is strong on how we work, light on the type of work we can and should do, and very light on the new work we are called to do as redemptive acts, as a part of God’s work of redemption to overcome the work. For example, nothing is said of our work as ministers of reconciliation from II Corinthians 5: 17-21, or our work as salt and light in the world from Matthew 5:13-20 (except in a secondary reference in chapter 10 on transforming culture, p. 176).

Summary of Section Two

This is one of the better sections in the book, dealing with many illustrations and Scripture references on living a whole life. I think they do a generally good job here in discussing some of the tough issues of today. In our world with “startups” requiring almost complete commitment to a job for a period of time, they draw in present day illustrations as well as the biblical account of Nehemiah to give room for this “for a season,” p. 61. Thus they are realistic in confronting the realities of the world we may face in this high speed era. Drawing on the same examples, however, they caution that six months of this can turn into two years and then ten, and it becomes wrong. We need the balance in our lives, but it doesn’t have to be rigidly accomplished every day or week.

On the other hand, this would be a great place to confront the realities of unemployment, underemployment, and trying to pay the bills on jobs that may seem to go nowhere. Particularly in “third world” countries where the luxury of being “fulfilled” in a job are almost non-existent (or require very special grace) this is a very necessary discussion and the authors are mainly silent. Working through the reality of the curse in our world, finding a path for God’s pleasure in our work in these circumstances, and identifying a way to make peace between the “haves” and the “have nots” are all critical omissions here.

Summary of Section Three

They do not duck the tough issues on integrity, drawing illustrations from successes to dealing with failures, including the life of David. They link the life of integrity with the life of wholeness in a very nice way here. The reality of the curse, our failures, and the need for continuous repair is confronted honestly.

The largest chapter in this section is the one on calling. The authors do a good job of identifying the calling both in general terms (all believers) and in specific terms (each individual with gifts, skills, and abilities). They follow Guiness here in his book The Call. What seems to be missing is the reality of the Fall and the common circumstances where individuals are unable to find work that pays the bills in areas of their giftedness. I would think this chapter might be particularly discouraging for Christians in many parts of the world, including America. Perhaps they were swept away with the tight job market before the NASDAC drop in 2000.

In stewardship, they discuss the reality of the ownership of God which leads to an attitude in our work. It is not ours but his. They deal well with the subject of giving back to God through tithes and offerings. When it comes to managing the business, we owe him a return, and should handle his money wisely. They draw almost solely on the parable of the talents for biblical support of profit, however, so they never question what is the right level of profit and what are other measures of stewardship. They talk about the proper management of the firm distributing TruGreen-Chemlawn, or a chicken farm without asking the environmental questions at all.

I was pleased to see the chapter on Sabbath and rest. They seem to walk the line between Sabbath as rest for work, and work as necessary to get us to the Sabbath. That is, they generally recognize both as a part of God’s call. Sometimes they slip: “The Sabbath is cosmic stress management,” p. 166.

The last chapter in this section deals with expanding our influence—using our work as a platform for other things. Transforming our culture and sharing our faith are two such areas described. Here is where the authors clearly miss any work but paid work. On p. 177 they list work as non profit charities, publicly traded Internet companies, home based businesses, factories, etc. No mention is made of the role of volunteers, homemakers, people out of work, etc. Most of their ideas would carry over to this world throughout the book, and they should not miss this opportunity. Work in God’s Kingdom is more than what we receive a paycheck for. I don’t see any credible evidence that Adam and Eve were given a paycheck.

Summary of Section Four

The last section, and chapter, is great and should be a discussion piece for many churches. It outlines the problem when business people leave all theological issues to the “professionals” at church, and the church leaders leave all understanding of the business world to the business leaders. Both sides need to work at understanding in some level of depth the world of the other in order to bring wholeness.

There are a couple of statements here that I can’t let pass, however. They make the interesting point that the Greek word tekton, in Mark 6:3 describing Jesus’ work as a carpenter, “refers to someone who was more than an average carpenter of the time but a skilled craftsman,” p. 189. But then they make the leap “Jesus was indeed an excellent carpenter who turned out an excellent product at a profit [italics added],” p. 189. It’s clear the authors hoped this was so, but it is not clear it was so.

In the concluding sentences they state “The marketplace, the Fourth Frontier, is about doing our work on his behalf.” While this is part of it, it is also about doing his work to his glory and receiving his pleasure for it because he is pleased with this work.

Conclusions

Though I have identified a fair number of criticisms in this review, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and found their work very helpful. They brought in a significant number of resources in this writing, and this is a very worthwhile book for any Christian serious about gaining wholeness and a new perspective on work.

Reviewed by Dr. Al Erisman, 7/2002