{
  "id": "dict_005940",
  "term": "Vocation & Calling",
  "slug": "vocation-and-calling",
  "letter": "V",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "In Christian usage, calling refers first to God’s summons to salvation and faithful discipleship in Christ, and secondarily to the particular responsibilities and forms of service he gives a believer. Vocation is often used for a believer’s life work and duties carried out before God.",
  "simple_one_line": "",
  "tooltip_text": "",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [],
  "see_also": [],
  "lede_intro": "",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [],
  "description_academic_short": "In Scripture, God’s call most clearly refers to his gracious summons into fellowship with Christ and a life of holiness, obedience, and service. Christians also speak of vocation or calling in a broader sense to describe the work, relationships, and responsibilities through which they serve God in everyday life. The Bible clearly teaches a shared calling for all believers, while more specific personal guidance should be described with caution and tested by Scripture and wisdom.",
  "description_academic_full": "Vocation and calling are closely related terms in Christian theology. In the clearest biblical sense, God’s calling is his summons to salvation in Christ and to a life shaped by holiness, love, perseverance, and service. All believers share this fundamental calling, regardless of occupation or social position. In a secondary and more practical sense, Christians use vocation to speak of the work, roles, gifts, and duties through which a person honors God in daily life, whether in family, church, labor, or public service. Scripture supports the dignity of ordinary faithfulness and teaches that believers should do their work unto the Lord, but it does not always present vocation as a single lifelong profession or as a private revelation of a unique destiny. Therefore, it is safest to say that God calls every Christian to belong to Christ and serve him faithfully, while specific life direction should be pursued through Scripture, prayer, wisdom, godly counsel, and providential circumstances.",
  "background_biblical_context": "",
  "background_historical_context": "",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "",
  "key_texts_primary": [],
  "key_texts_secondary": [],
  "original_language_note": "",
  "theological_significance": "",
  "philosophical_explanation": "",
  "interpretive_cautions": "",
  "major_views_note": "",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "",
  "practical_significance": "",
  "meta_description": "In Christian usage, calling refers first to God’s summons to salvation and faithful discipleship in Christ, and secondarily to the particular responsibilities and forms of service he gives a believer. Vocation is often used for a believer’s life work and duties carried out before God.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/vocation-and-calling/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/vocation-and-calling.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}