Calling in Context, Susan L. Maros
Calling in Context, Susan L. Maros
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Calling in Context
Social Location and Vocational Formation

Author: Susan L. Maros

Narrator: Lisa Larsen

Unabridged: 8 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/19/2022


Synopsis

"I don't care for vocational books written in the United States; they're too American."

When Susan Maros heard this comment from a Malaysian colleague, she was initially taken aback. Isn't the concept of calling universal? Why wouldn't resources with a biblical perspective on vocation apply to everyone? The reality is that each of us encounters our questions of calling from within a particular context. In this path-breaking book, Maros explores how various dimensions of social location—including race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, and gender—shape our assumptions and experiences with vocation. Maros helps Christians in the United States in particular see how ideas about calling that emphasize certainty, career paths, and personal achievement arise from cultural priorities that shouldn't go unexamined, such as individualism, productivity, and meritocracy. She explains how unexamined "mental maps" can distort our perspective and refocuses our attention on biblical insights about calling as a lifelong journey. In the process, she helps us find both clarity and encouragement to explore the paths before us.

Filled with numerous stories from Christians in diverse communities, Calling in Context invites anyone exploring questions of calling to find fresh possibilities in their own identity and engagement with God's mission.

About Susan L. Maros

Susan L. Maros is an affiliate assistant professor of Christian leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, where she has also served as a doctoral supervisor, and an adjunct professor at the King's University, Southlake, Texas. She is a past president of the Academy of Religious Leadership.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Carmen

What a wonderful book! I'm so glad to be able to recommend this to students to help them become more self-aware of their own social location and the way it impacts their idea of calling. Maros includes many stories of men and women from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Most books I'v......more

Goodreads review by B.J.

The back of the book blurb begins... "I don't care for vocational books written in the United States; they're too American." When Susan Maros heard this comment from a Malaysian colleague... I agree with the author's Malaysian colleague. Unfortunately, this book is also far too American. Granted, it......more

Goodreads review by Caleb

A good introduction to the idea of calling and how your context does and likely should affect your calling. Although some may say these ideas are clear and obviouse, sometimes things needed to be stated again and again, so someone like myself can truly understand......more

Goodreads review by Conrade

Calling is a much-talked-about topic whenever there is a life transition. The Bible says it. People use it. We live it. From looking for a life partner to trying to find a job; choosing a college to commit to making investments; the word "calling" has been used, misused, and sometimes abused. Some s......more

Goodreads review by Beth

Unique insights on calling I appreciate this perspective and reminder that our church experiences as well as cultural experiences are diverse. The author does an excellent job of featuring people throughout the chapters whose life experiences vary greatly from her own. I also believe her Scripture p......more