Faith Dilemmas for Marketplace Christians

Quotes

“Faith Dilemmas for Marketplace Christians provides an excellent guide for the serious Christian-in-business. Understanding truth and determining right and wrong is never easy or clearcut in the marketplace. Jesus told stories which embodied deeper realities of truth, to sensitize listeners. Our questions about fairness and our stories of doing what seems right convey the real-world struggle of business ethics better than lists of do’s and don’ts. We need to keep telling and discerning lest each of us does what is right in one’s own eyes; if that happens, we have become acculturated into our individualistic society.”

—Henry L. Rosenberger, Chairman and CEO, Rosenberger Cold Storage Companies, Hatfield, Pa.

”Each day new dilemmas come our way. They require us to face hard and unclear choices. Often we must act without specific scriptural direction or common understanding among those with whom we worship. This book explores how we might handle such situations.”

—Ben Sprunger, President, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), in the Preface

”A well-written, incisive look at the dilemmas facing marketplace Christians today. The scriptural references are offered as valid coordinates on the individual’s spiritual path, rather than blanket panaceas for entire groups of people. This is a vibrant and vital study guide.”

—Laurie Beth Jones, Author, Jesus, CEO; The Path; and Jesus in Blue Jeans

“We have all too few good resources for helping Christians in the marketplace relate their work to their faith. One strength of this set of case studies is their recognizability: these are not dilemmas encountered by only a few at the top but situations people regularly confront in various positions of responsibility. Another strength is the way they involve a clash of Christian values, not just competing claims between the world and the church. This is a user-friendly book, with helpful questions and relevant Scriptures, for use in discussion groups in either the congregation or the workplace.”

—Robert Banks, Homer L. Goddard Professor of the Ministry of the Laity, and Executive Director of De Pree Leadership Center, Fuller Theological Seminary

”Following Jesus is a challenge. Business is tough. Trying to follow Jesus and run a successful business in a complex competitive world brings forth images of a camel trying to go through the eye of a needle. Faith Dilemmas for Marketplace Christians helps point the way through the needle’s eye.

“Each of these thirteen case studies includes biblical background and discussion questions. It is an easy read. The cases are interesting, short, focused, and well-written. But thoughtful readers won’t stop with a quick scan. They will be drawn into reflection about tough and very real dilemmas Christian businesspersons face.

“The book is not a list of answers. That is its strength. Answers to tough questions are not found on lists but in thoughtful, honest conversations among persons committed to following Christ, studying the Bible, and being led by the Holy Spirit.

Faith Dilemmas is authentic. It will generate helpful discussion. I recommend it highly as a discussion starter in Sunday school classes, prayer breakfasts, Bible studies, and other places where committed Christians gather to find support and challenge in working through tough real-world decisions.”