For many of us, we worry that our calling to be entrepreneurs or to run a creative business is at odds with our call to follow Christ. Raynor shows in this excellent book that this just isn't true.

An entrepreneur himself, he uses his own experience and that of many other Christian business owners to show this and to give us great examples of how working out our salvation can be compatible with our business and creative lives.

His thesis is amply bolstered by Bible quotations and by quotes from many evangelical pastors and theologians. This brings me to my major complaint with the book. Catholic theology has a very strong theology of work, especially in the writings of St. Jose Maria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei. Raynor is completely unfamiliar with this and seems to think that the idea of having a calling or vocation that is not a church-related occupation is one that is a new idea. I have news for him, it isn't to Catholics.

Although he does cite one important current Catholic thinker on the subject, Robert Siricio, the founder of The Acton Institute, he is referred to as "Rev" instead of the proper address for a Catholic priest, Father. His book would be far better if he looked at this rich resource of Catholic thought.

The book is pretty clearly written for an Evangelical reader, although it is valuable to anyone. He uses terms that are only a part of this world, such as "worship leader" instead of "minister" or "priest." He avoids identifying the entrepreneurs as part of any denomination unless they are evangelicals. Near the end of the book he strays into what are theologically muddy waters to Catholics and many Protestants by talking about creating heaven on Earth. I would have preferred that he took the time and effort to make his book for a more general Christian audience.

Because he sees his audience as mainly Evangelicals, he wishes to stay away from these waters. Strong feelings against the Catholic Church by some readers might turn them away from his ideas. But I do think the book and his own development would be better if he looked into it.

Honestly, this book has opened my eyes to how God IS a creator and as we are made in His image, we are creators too. It's so easy to say yet reading it was like a revelation. I've requested this book for my library. The only thing I would say is that so far I've found the book a little lacking in how to identify that calling although with trust and time and exploration I expect it will become clearer. Thoroughly recommended.

I have recommended this title to friends. Still reading my copy.

This book is not quite what I anticipated, based on the title. I thought the book would deal with being creative in general. Raynor, however, has focused this book on only one aspect of being creative, being an entrepreneur.

I was surprised at Raynor beginning his book by saying God was the first entrepreneur. That just did not ring right with me. Raynor later gave this definition: “an entrepreneur is anyone who takes a risk to create something new for the good of others.” (Loc 130/2958) The risk could be financial or social so his definition is a much broader one than I would make. I do have an issue with calling God an entrepreneur, however. In general understanding, an entrepreneur is one who organizes and operates a business, that is, provides goods or services to people. Describing God as one who operates a business just does not ring true to me. Also, Raynor says such an operation must include risk. God is omniscient, knowing the future, so there was no risk involved in His creating. He knew precisely what was going to happen.

That criticism aside, I really appreciate this book. The Christian community has too often distinguished the “secular” work of owning a business from the “spiritual” work of full time ministry. Raynor sets the record straight, defending the traditional Reformed view that all life is spiritual, including non-ministry vocations. He writes about calling, motives, products, challenges to Christian entrepreneurs, making disciples, and more.

Raynor is an accomplished entrepreneur. He uses his own life as an example but also includes stories of many others. They are great illustrations of entrepreneurs doing their work to the glory of God and with excellence.

I do recommend this book to Christians who are interested in business. You'll find great examples of people doing much good for others. You'll see how entrepreneurs further the glory of God through both behavior and products. There is a link to a free journal you can download to work through your own thoughts as you read the book.

Food for thought: What will you choose to create for the glory of God and the good of others?

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Jordan Raynor is a serial entrepreneur and bestselling author who leads a growing community of Christians following God's call to business. He is a sought after public speaker on the topic of entrepreneurship. He lives in Florida with his wife and their two daughters.

Baker Books, 240 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.