Translating Human Dignity, Work And Labour A Social-Economic Significance Of The Concept Of Work

By PhD I.U. TANIMU-SAMINAKA

This book gives insights on the fact that work in itself is sacred and wholly-addressing a wide range of economic, social, political, cultural and theological imbalances. It was ordained by God from the beginning, before the fall of man. After the Fall, it just got tougher, frustrating, exhausting, sometimes even boring.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Midas Touch GEMS
• Release date: Jun 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088182642

Book preview

About the Book

My book gives insights on the fact that work in itself is sacred and wholly-addressing a wide range of economic, social, political, cultural and theological imbalances. It was ordained by God from the beginning, before the fall of man. After the Fall, it just got tougher, frustrating, exhausting, sometimes even boring. But work pursued with excellence and integrity is still pleasing to God, a way of honouring Him by serving in the unique ways He has equipped us. Our work often provides the opportunities to proclaim Him to a broken, unredeemed world—­­­­through our examples, as well as by our words.  

A lot of workers do not see a connection between what they do and what they believe God wants it done in the world, within their circle of influences. We found out that many workers feel unfulfilled and frustrated in their work –including Christians, largely because they probably lack a proper understanding of why they work and its meaning to them. This book gives an overview of the attitude of people regarding work. The big idea is that our attitude towards work might change for good and thereby make considerable impact in our world.  Our attitude towards work is characterise by the way people view work

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While human dignity is not supposed to be regional or racial in discussion, I quite agree with Dr Tanimu on the emphasis in the lives of the very poor people of Africa...Tanimu has laboured extensively to show how through God’s perspective, systems in society can be discovered, developed and deployed to enhance the dignity of human life in Africa.

——Bishop Michael O. Amamieye

President, Aggressive Faith Ministries, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Dr Tanimu’s book is a painful reminder of the fact that issues of hunger and poverty as well as lack of respect for human dignity are still dominant issues to be addressed in Africa today.

——-Dr Timothy Tseror

President, Hephzibah Revival Ministries, Worldwide Jos, Nigeria

About the Author

Dr. IU TANIMU-SAMINAKA, Ph.D. holds a doctor of philosophy degree from the International University Bamenda Cameroon, Central Africa. He is Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the International University Bamenda. He owns degrees in agricultural extension and management, education, missiology, theology and transformational development. He is an independent researcher in Sustainable Development and senior lecturer and researcher with the American International University West Africa, The Gambia campus. He is the current Rector of ECWA International Theological Seminary, The Gambia. He has taught for more than 10 years in various bible colleges, seminaries and universities in Africa. He is the author is several works: Foundation For Social Transformation; Advocacy For Social Justice; Transforming The Dignity of Africans; Social and Theological Interactions of Work;  and lots more which combine an interdisciplinary approach with a deep burden for social justice, good governance and sustainable development processes in Africa.

DEDICATION

To my earthly PARENTS who taught me the Meaning of WORK and the respect for human dignity

FOREWORD

While human dignity is not supposed to be regional or racial in discussion, I quite agree with Dr Tanimu on the emphasis in the lives of the very poor people of Africa...Tanimu has laboured extensively to show how through God’s perspective, systems in society can be discovered, developed and deployed to enhance the dignity of human life in Africa.

——Bishop Michael O. Amamieye

President, Aggressive Faith Ministries, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

PREFACE

Work and labour are two words that are synonymous to each other and are used interchangeably in this book. The Christian Biblical narrative of the origin of man and  labour explains how the duty of human kind in the Garden of Eden was to work and care for everything created in the garden for man’s benefit. It brings to light the concepts of relationship and dignity and communication between the Creator –GOD, and the created being –Man. For an appropriate social and economic interaction, God the Father must be understood and believed as the One who created work and was the first worker. He designed, fashioned, engineered, molded the universe and made it so beautiful and sweetable for man to live in, with a clear mandate to work it (Genesis 2:15) for the benefit of mankind and for the glory of God. In essence, a bond of relationship through work is established between God and humanity with a corresponding public human dignity and respect. God again, grants people such inherent essence of equality as a moral, theological, or supernatural idea that evolutionism can’t support... because evolution is a theory created to explain inequality in nature...which is contrary to the discovery of Martin Luther in the New Testament doctrine of the priesthood of all believes.

The wealth of experience and expertise of the author of this book offers it readers a firsthand and better understanding of work and labour and its efficacy as it relates to human dignity. It is significantly important we make clear that this book considers everyone important as integral entity. The big idea is that our attitude towards work might change for good and thereby make considerable impact in our world.  Our attitude towards work is characterise by the way people view work. Based on personal experiences and observations over the years in the area of agricultural science and practices, teaching and training and in Christian mission[1], I found out that many workers feel unfulfilled and frustrated in their work, including Christians, largely because they probably lack a proper understanding of why they work.

Many a times though, work can be boring, mundane, stressful, and insignificant. No wonder Woolley (2007) reminds us that many do not see a bigger purpose for their work than simply earning money or meeting temporal needs of those served. He maintains that Christians often feel that the majority of their time is wasted on things that really don’t matter in the grand scheme of God, and if they really loved God and people, they feel they should dedicate their lives wholeheartedly to God and minister to the spiritual needs of people on a full-time basis. I see a lot of people found culprit to Woolley’s assertions. Professional gospel ministers who, for whatever reason (could be the fear of being stereotyped), abandoned their professional skills for only pulpit ministry.

The other day I asked two of my friends who’re local church pastors of why they abandoned their skills and stay glued to pulpit ministry? The first said; you see, it is true I am a professional tailor but, it is shameful for me to continue sewing for people as a pastor. The other pastor revealed to me that, as a professional carpenter before becoming a ‘full-time’ church pastor, he might not be appreciated by his church members when they suddenly find him in the carpenter’s workshop. I however made them to understand that God gave them these skills to glorify His name and for the benefit of their individual families. As a trained and practising farmer, I encouraged them to reconsider practising their skills alongside pulpit ministry. I do it well and I also teach my children to value work because that will give them respect and dignity in the eyes of people in their world. It is complementary. The carpenter picked up his tools and started working. There’s dignity in labour. By the way, the people they minister to would have some respect for them also.

I suppose that a lot of workers do not see a connection between what they do and what they believe God wants done in the world, within their circle of influences. A theology of work is necessary to see work from God’s perspective and to realize that one’s work is significant to God. Through the years, Woolley discloses that many have had a misconception that in order for a person to be fully pleasing to God and serving Him, they have to go into full-time Christian work by becoming a monk, a pastor, a missionary, a teacher of the Bible, a worship leader, or by performing some other ministry work. Since most people spend a majority of their waking hours at work, it is critical that Christians see their work as having significance to God and how it can be used to further His purposes on earth, otherwise frustration results. That isn’t the whole truth. It was half truth.

But, we preach and practice Marketplace Work Culture (MWC) all the way. In April 2003, during an august visit to a medical doctor friend of mine in Nigeria; he impressed me the other day I visited his work place (Clinic). He told me that, as a Christian medical personnel, I have resolved to use every apparatus within my reach in the hospital to promote the name of Christ even though majority of the people I consult on daily basis are Moslems. All I do is to serve humanity not minding who they are or what religion they uphold or their social or economic backgrounds. For me, my line of work does not matter much but my calling and mandate inform my decision to value marketplace work culture (MWC) as integral part of ministry. I was so thrilled and overwhelmed by his disposition and what I personally saw in the hospital environment couple with the good testimonies about him from the locals. I see a true tentmaker and crucified follower of the Lord Jesus Christ who is determined to live to serve with everything he’s been blessed with by the Lord. I see a man who understands his calling. I see a man who understands his social responsibility to his immediate community. I see