Jun 13, 2008

Craftsmanship & Raisin Bread

Sam Van Eman is a new blog in our network. I was reading some of our new friends when a couple of his posts caught my eye. Sam is a good writer, certainly. He also seems to be a deep and creative thinker. His thoughts on craftsmanship, using shoe making as an example, were funny, concise, and right on the money. He also has an observation on an event in the life of Henri Nouwen that is worth a read. A trappist monk of Nouwen's named Theodore spent his life making raisin bread. And yet, in spite of the humble nature of his calling, Theodore managed to be a hero.

Check out Sam's work at The New Breed of Advertisers.

"The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."

- Quote widely attributed to Martin Luther

This doesn't mean that craftsmanship is the trump card for faithfulness at work. Surely there are exquisitely-made gambling tables and remarkable displays of artisanship in elite strip club furniture, but these are - in my opinion - misdirected uses of talent. Craftsmanship must be discerningly applied....Read More