664
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Craftsmen
== Craftsmen ==
Craftsmen (I don't know if the Biblical terminology includes women or not) are people who use the tools of their trade -- be it pottery, fabric, carpentry, metal work or stone masonry -- to fashion raw materials into something useful or beautiful. What they fashion might be honouring to God or not. In the latter case the Bible is obviously critical -- for instance the condemnation in [[Deuteronomy 27:15]] of craftsmen who made idols, and Paul's response to the opposition of "Alexander the metalworker" in [[2 Timothy 4:14]].
The skills and the wisdom of craftsmen are bestowed by God ([[Exodus 28:3]]). In fact Wisdom herself is referred to as the craftsman at God's side in [[Proverbs 8:30]]. One of the outcomes of God's craftsmanship is us -- "we are God's workmanship" according to [[Ephesians 2:10]]. God crafts us with the tools of love, grace, relationships with others, suffering and the Spirit of Christ Jesus within us. We have been manufactured for a purpose and to the extent that our creative workmanship honours God, we are functioning as designed.
[[Exodus 31]]
[[Exodus 35]]
[[1 Kings 7]]
In summary, craftsmen are honoured in the Bible to the extent that they apply their skills to God's glory. Their use of technology for that end is repeatedly encouraged.
== Design and construction ==
