Book Review

Callings: Twenty Centuries of Christian Wisdom on Vocation is an excellent anthology of various authors throughout Christian history. William Placher has carefully selected passages on work and vocation which give insight into the meaning and value of one’s vocation. Placher adds much to the collection of writings by providing key biblical texts, insightful perspectives on each of the four main historical periods, and a brief introduction to each reading.

Pracher arranged the book under four broad sections:

1. Callings to a Christian Life: Vocations in the Early Church, 100-500

2. Called to Religious Life: Vocations in the Middle Ages, 500-1500

3. Every Work a Calling: Vocations after the Reformation, 1500-1800

4. Christian Callings in a Post-Christian World, 1800-Present

Pracher stated in his introduction: “One reason to read passages on vocation from the history of Christianity is thus to encounter a range of different options. For Christians ‘vocation’ does not have to mean ‘converting to Christianity’ or ‘becoming a monk’ or ‘finding a job’ — it does not have to mean any one thing. The study of history frees us up by offering a wide range of ways in which past Christians have found that God was calling them, so that we do not feel that following the Christian tradition leaves us only one choice.”

The authors presented in each section are mostly well-known in Christian history. Tertullian, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, George Fox, John Wesley, Bonhoeffer, and Kierkegaard are some who span the centuries, stating their perspective on “calling” and the surrounding issues. Women writers are well represented throughout the various time periods, with selections from Mechthild, Christine de Pisan, Joan of Arc, Teresa of Avila, Sor Juana, and Dorothy Sayers.

This book offers the opportunity to reflect on the evolution of the concept of “calling.” One realizes in reading through this anthology that the Early Church “calling” meant choosing Christ and possible martyrdom. The “calling” of the Middle Ages was often to the monastic life. Placher writes, “Unlike most of us, medieval monks and nuns chose a life that left plenty of time for disciplined thinking about God. We twenty-first-century folk are so focused on doing that we can forget about being.” And, “While the vocational questions faced by Christians have changed through the centuries, this book demonstrates how the distilled wisdom and reflections of these saints, preachers, theologians, and teachers remains relevant to Christians today.”

Callings is a great resource for serious study or devotional reflection.