The Bible
The Bible is a collection of religious texts and scriptures and serves as God’s revelation to humanity. The Bible is humanity’s only source for reliable and honest information about God, what the afterlife holds for each of us, and what direction history is heading (Christian Standard Bible, 2017). The Bible reveals God’s word, principles, and will, and guides individuals on a path towards salvation. It assists in leading individuals through many different areas, obstacles, and stages of life. The Bible states: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, John 4:16). This discussion post will particularly cover the way in which the Bible integrates scripture that is relevant to human resources development, culture and organizational culture, discrimination, and mentoring.
Culture and Organizational Culture
Culture is defined as a set of shared values, beliefs, norms and artifacts that are utilized to illuminate a specific environment and serve as a guide for appropriate behaviors (Werner, 2022). A culture is made up of different traditions, symbols, origin, language, music, clothing, literature, and other attributes which help distinguish one culture from another culture. Organizational culture is defined as a set of shared values, beliefs, norms, artifacts, and patterns that are accepted within an organization (Werner, 2022). Organizational culture plays a large role in how individuals will look at and understand an organization. It is also important that organizational culture is cultivated, as it promotes a positive workplace, with consistent and authentic behaviors (Bourgault& Goforth, 2021). The Bible discusses the importance of culture as well, stating: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, Revelation 7:9-10). This verse is notable in regard to culture, as it discusses how God has chosen and redeemed all who were gathered, those of different nations, tribes, peoples, and languages.
Artifacts and Patterns of Behavior
Organizational culture is made up of cultural paradigms which are often unseen. However, they can be examined through artifacts and patterns of behavior. Artifacts are material and nonmaterial objects that intentionally or unintentionally communicate information related to an organization’s technology, beliefs, values, and norms (Werner, 2022). Material artifacts can include documents, physical objects in the organization, furnishings, and required dress code. Nonmaterial artifacts can consist of organizational stores, ceremonies, awards, and leadership styles. Patterns of behavior are practices that an organization does in order to reinforce an organization’s beliefs and norms, such as team meetings and training programs (Werner, 2022). Artifacts and patterns of behavior are vital to culture and organizational culture, as these two attributes consider what is “right” and what is “wrong” in that specific culture. The Bible says, “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, Romans 2:15). This verse is important to consider as it discusses God’s law, and how it is there for individuals to know what is right and what is wrong, similarly to culture. Culture is a way of life and serves as a guide to help individuals of that culture to act appropriately (Bourgault& Goforth, 2021).
Discrimination
Discrimination is the unjust treatment of different people, relating to age, sex, race, or disability. Discrimination has consequences, as it creates or reinforces political, economic, or social inequalities which, in turn, creates resentment and resistance (Karapin& Feldman, 2020). The Bible states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, Galatians 3:28). God sees everyone as equal and shows no favoritism, therefore it should not matter what the color of someone’s skin is or where someone came from. In the workplace specifically, there are two types of discrimination. One being access discrimination, which is when an organization limits job availability by restricting advertisement, restricting recruitment, rejecting applicants, or offering lower pay to certain types of people, such as women or members of a racial or ethnic minority. The second type of discrimination in the workplace is treatment discrimination, which takes place after a person is hired. It consists of limiting opportunities for certain individuals or harassing certain individuals because of the type of person they are (Werner, 2022). Both of these types of workplace discrimination are covered under the equal employment opportunity laws.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Both the government and the states have put different laws and regulations in place in order to protect citizens civil rights, including the equal employment opportunity. The equal employment opportunity (EEO) was designed in order to protect all individuals and allow all individuals to have the right to obtain jobs and be treated fairly at their job, regardless of non-job-related factors (Werner, 2022). The Bible incorporates the message that, “For God shows no partiality”, which is important, because God sees no one above another, so long as individuals obey the truth of God (Christian Standard Bible, 2017,Romans 2:11). The Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1991 prohibit employers from being able to make hiring decisions based upon race, color, sex, religion, origin, age, disabilities, and pregnancy, unless an organization can prove that it is job related. Once Title VII was developed, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was then established, which is a commission group responsible for enforcing the equal employment opportunity laws and ensuring that discrimination is not taking place in organizations (Werner, 2022).
Mentoring
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, Proverbs 22:6). This verse highlights the importance of mentoring and promotes mentoring, as God states that guidance through mentoring will assist in growth and maturity. According to research, most individuals who are in a top management position have been guided by a mentor (Werner, 2022) Mentoring is the relationship between a junior member and a senior member of an organization and contributes to the career development for both employees. Mentoring in the workplace allows the mentee the ability to develop more knowledge and skills for their current and possible future professions (Manderstedt et al., 2022). Research reflects concerns on what makes a strong mentor, as organizations do not want junior members of an organization to be misled. However, researcher, Strannegard, argues that a strong mentor is someone who has authentic experience being in the same or similar position. The mentor must be genuine, sincere, and honest, by presenting reliable stories to help the mentee understand what the mentor is teaching them (Manderstedt et al., 2022). For the Bible says, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, Proverbs 1:5).
Conclusion
This discussion post covered how the Bible’s scripture is integrated in many different areas of life, including topics related to human resources development, such as culture and organizational culture, discrimination, and mentoring. Because the Bible provides reliable and honest information, it allows individuals to follow the Bible with confidence, and use it as a guide to overcome day-to-day life. Psalm 25:4-5 says, “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, Psalm 25:4-5). This verse is expressing the need for God, as he provides direction and truth. In all areas of life, one must put their trust in God to lead them to good.
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References
Bourgault, A. M., & Goforth, C. (2021). Embrace teamwork to create and maintain a positive workplace culture. Critical Care Nurse, 41(3), 8-10. https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2021662
Christian Standard Bible. (2017). Christian Standard Bible Online. https://read.csbible.comLinks to an external site. (Original work published 1999)
Karapin, R., & Feldman, L. (2020). Discrimination. Polity, 52(2), 157-158. https://doi.org/10.1086/708.312Links to an external site.
Manderstedt, L., Anderstrom, H., Sadbom, R. F., & Backlund, J. (2022). Consensus and discrepancies on quality: Mentor and student teacher statements on work placement mentoring. Teaching and Teacher Education, 116, 103762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103762
Werner, J. M. (2022). Human Resource Development: Talent Development (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
