Calling in Today’s World

Voices from Eight Faith Perspectives

Kathleen A. Cahalan and Douglas J. Schuurman, eds.

Eerdmans, 2016

Visit this title on the publisher’s website »

The concept of “vocation” or “calling” is a distinctively Christian concern, grounded in the belief that we find our meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in God.

But how do other faith traditions understand calling or vocation?

In Calling in Today’s World: Voices from Eight Faith Perspectives, experts in diverse faith traditions explore the idea of calling through sacred texts, key figures, practices, and concepts from Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confu­cianism, Daoism, and secular humanism. To learn more, please visit Interfaith Perspectives on Vocation.

As a companion to Calling in Today’s World, our videos on vocation from interfaith perspectives can be used as classroom or congregational resources.

Questions of Calling

Meet the Experts

Mark Berkson is professor and chair in the Department of Religion at Hamline University and an expert on Confucian and Daoist thought.
Watch Mark’s story from Lives Explored.
Read more from Mark’s interview on Bearings Online.

Amy Eilberg, the first female rabbi ordained in Conservative Judaism, teaches and practices interreligious and intra-Jewish dialogue.
Watch Amy’s story from Lives Explored.
Read more from Amy’s interview on Bearings Online.

Imam Makram El-Amin is the imam at Masjid An-Nur in Minneapolis. He is an active participant in interfaith dialogue as well as a leader in civic and community service.
Watch Makram’s story from Lives Explored.
Read more from Makram’s interview on Bearings Online.

Mark Unno is a scholar, author, and Buddhist priest. He is associate professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Oregon.
Watch Mark’s story from Lives Explored.
Read more from Mark’s interview on Bearings Online.