On the Nature, Limits, Meaning, and End of Work

Book Description

In a world where personal identity has become inseparable from professional achievement, many find themselves trapped in cycles of relentless productivity and workplace pressure. This thoughtful exploration offers a different path forward by turning to one of Christianity's most influential thinkers for wisdom about work's proper place in human life.

Drawing from the scattered writings of St. Augustine, Zachary Thomas Settle weaves together a comprehensive theology that challenges contemporary assumptions about labor and meaning. Rather than accepting that our worth stems from our productivity, this study reveals how the early church father understood work within the broader context of spiritual community and divine purpose.

The book addresses pressing modern concerns including automation's impact on employment, wage inequality, worker exploitation, and the psychological toll of constant efficiency demands. Through Augustine's monastic vision, readers discover an alternative framework that honors both human dignity and practical necessity without falling into the trap of work-centered identity.

Settle's careful scholarship makes Augustine's insights accessible to contemporary readers grappling with questions about career fulfillment, work-life balance, and economic justice. By examining how early Christian communities approached labor within their spiritual practice, this volume provides both historical perspective and practical wisdom for those seeking to integrate their professional lives with deeper values and purposes.

This work will particularly resonate with readers interested in Christian ethics, social justice, and finding meaningful alternatives to our culture's productivity obsession.