The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber, 1905
For more than 100 years, Max Weber’s ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’ has set the parameters for the debate over the origins of modern capitalism. This classic of twentieth-century social science examines the deep cultural “frame of mind” that existed at the birth of modern capitalism in northern America and Western Europe. [Ref 1]
Weber sees the fulfillment of the Protestant ethic not in Lutheranism, but in Calvinistic forms of Christianity. Baptists dilute the concept of the calling relative to Calvinists. [Ref 2]
Calvin and Commerce Lecture, by David Hall, Feb 2017 (@Bethlehem College & Seminary)
David Hall is author of ‘The Genevan Reformation and the American Founding’, 2003, and co-author of ‘Calvin and Commerce: The Transforming Power of Calvinism in Market Economies’, 2009 (5th volume in the Calvin 500 series, published for the 500th anniversary celebration of John Calvin’s birth).
David Hall’s lecture expands on Max Weber’s 1905 classic, and brings out the “spiritual turbine” driving the system, from Calvin’s writings.
- Theme: Money is a creation (10:00 -16:35 @ https://vimeo.com/211104323)
Money is a tool, a created asset, that can increase or decrease: it is not static. Money is a creation, as such it should not be worshipped, overemphasized, or ignored.
Calvin left a body of commentary on the Ten Commandments, for example- 1st Commandment: Calvin called for exclusive allegiance to God. If one is subtly tempted to put wealth, acquisition above God, then he is reminded that God is a jealous God, and will not tolerate co-allegiances between God and mammon (13:44-14:00). 8th Commandment ‘You shall not steal’: as strongly as Calvin supported the holding of private property in that commandment, he also opposed the wrongful taking or seizing of others property (14:04 – 14:32). 10th Commandment ‘You shall not covet’: Calvin advised against setting our hearts on others property, or seeking the gain at another’s loss, or inconvenience. Calvin perceived that God sought by it to put a restraint on the evil desires that may prevail. He compared coveting and temptations to “so many fans that swirl human passions even higher” (14:32 – 15:03).
- Theme – Calling (sacredness of ordinary vocation) (25:18 – 31:05 @ https://vimeo.com/211104323)
Calvin is associated with a view of Christian vocation that changed. Prior to Calvin’s time, the notion of “calling” to a particular profession, was limited exclusively to the clergy. Calvin noted that a calling carried with a beckoning from God’s finger to each individual saying I want you to live this way or that. Calvin applied that broader and wider than simply the pastoral ministry. He was modern enough in his commentaries, to speak of occupations, crafts, and trades, that were good and profitable for Christians to be involved with. And that calling, or labor itself, or any job or vocation that is legal, in which one may serve God, is one that Calvin said had an equal nobility. Calvin understood, that as humans breathe, they are also producing, devising, repairing, and creating. “Moreover, that this economy, this diligence may flourish amongst us, let everyone regard himself as a steward of God, in all things he possesses”. Another of the culture shaping aspects of Calvin thought, was his emphasis on the sacredness of ordinary vocations. Calvin called for all Christians to serve God using their gifts, and any vocation, any job could be a valid calling of God. He called for hard work, that doesn’t necessarily equate to success or prosperity with divine blessing. Business, Commerce, and Industry were elevated by Calvin’s principles. (Max Weber correctly identifies that Calvinism dignified work and callings of many kind). Calvin taught that any area of work -Farming – Teaching – Governing – Business – could be a valid calling from God, every bit as sacred as serving as a minister, and that was a radical change in world view. Calvin helped retire the “sacred-secular” distinction, and he sought to educate Genevans in a new way of viewing human labor, that a person could serve God in any area, and glorify God, and he did not revile any lawful calling.
- Theme- “charging of interest” (7:17 -9:56 @ https://vimeo.com/211104323)
In Calvin’s day, due to a long tradition of interpretation of scriptures (Psalm 15, Exodus 22, and others), it was the view that no interest could be charged, and the charging of interest, “usury” was a sin. … Calvin realized that a wealthy borrower could be taking assets at no charge and profiting, while the lender is defrauded of profit from that asset. … Such would be a form of stealing, and a violation of the eight command. …Therefore, to limit human depravity in the marketplace, …interest could and should be charged in the business sector. …Calvin did not deny that there were places to give the poor interest free loans, and to care for those in our family.
Calvin understood, he realized that human depravity would bend any market forces to our own selfish advantages, and we would inherently misuse others. Calvin based that seismic shift in exegesis, on two principle ideas: 1) In a fallen world, it is possible for persons to borrow with ill intent, and if the loaner is never paid that constitutes theft. 2)In a growing economy, if one wish to loan his money to another person who is producing or developing, that was deemed a fruitful use of assets. Freedom to invest, found a theological buttress in Calvin, and Markets have not been the same since. (51:12 – 52:07 @ https://vimeo.com/211104323)