Van Wensveen Siker Chapter Summary
Reading: van Wensveen
1. What is the primary ways that Van Wensveen Siker views the relationship between Christianity and business?
A: Van Wensveen Siker reimagines five ways or types of viewing the relationship between Christianity and business. These five types are - Christ against business, Christ of business, Christ above business, Christ and business in paradox, and Christ the transformer of business. For the readers enrichment I will provide a brief summary of the five types. First, Christ against business - this viewpoint holds that the realm of business is evil and idolatrous and therefore in opposition to God. Christians who espouse this belief, focus on a new biblical order and endeavor to remove themselves from all form of corrupt …show more content…
Within his idea, ‘tough business’ examines the tensions between businessmen and ethical decisions and the paradoxical pressure between the moral values of heaven and earth. “Tough business is a place where heaven and earth meet and tussle” (Brinn, 1999, p. 5). The principle of ‘tough business’ also examines the underlaying moral and personal stresses of being ‘in but not of’ the world. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John. 2:15, English Standard Version).
2. What would you have done if your company were considering the property deal that involved riverboat gambling and you had some decision-making authority on the project?
A: I would have chosen to remind with the company and utilize my decision-making authority to serve as a moral, strategic, and constructively critical voice within the company. I would choose this course of action as it is agree with Brinn’s belief that “Christ wanted [his] voice in the discussion [for the riverboat gambling]” (Brinn, 1999, p. 5). As a strong and independent Christian businesswoman I believe the best way to handle any troubling situation is to remain ‘at the table’ and become a voice of critical analysis. Within the riverboat gambling case, holding my ground within discussion and preliminary stages could alter the outcome of the company’s final
1. What is the primary ways that Van Wensveen Siker views the relationship between Christianity and business?
A: Van Wensveen Siker reimagines five ways or types of viewing the relationship between Christianity and business. These five types are - Christ against business, Christ of business, Christ above business, Christ and business in paradox, and Christ the transformer of business. For the readers enrichment I will provide a brief summary of the five types. First, Christ against business - this viewpoint holds that the realm of business is evil and idolatrous and therefore in opposition to God. Christians who espouse this belief, focus on a new biblical order and endeavor to remove themselves from all form of corrupt …show more content…
Within his idea, ‘tough business’ examines the tensions between businessmen and ethical decisions and the paradoxical pressure between the moral values of heaven and earth. “Tough business is a place where heaven and earth meet and tussle” (Brinn, 1999, p. 5). The principle of ‘tough business’ also examines the underlaying moral and personal stresses of being ‘in but not of’ the world. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John. 2:15, English Standard Version).
2. What would you have done if your company were considering the property deal that involved riverboat gambling and you had some decision-making authority on the project?
A: I would have chosen to remind with the company and utilize my decision-making authority to serve as a moral, strategic, and constructively critical voice within the company. I would choose this course of action as it is agree with Brinn’s belief that “Christ wanted [his] voice in the discussion [for the riverboat gambling]” (Brinn, 1999, p. 5). As a strong and independent Christian businesswoman I believe the best way to handle any troubling situation is to remain ‘at the table’ and become a voice of critical analysis. Within the riverboat gambling case, holding my ground within discussion and preliminary stages could alter the outcome of the company’s final