tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post8596485588643144418..comments2023-10-02T05:33:24.040-05:00Comments on A Wondering Disciple: It Takes One To Know One and The Gospel of WealthBJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08312379976764470320noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-37045645644426451822011-03-24T13:37:52.265-05:002011-03-24T13:37:52.265-05:00I haven't read "The Protestant Ethic and ...I haven't read "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism," but the argument makes sense to me. American Religion is heavily influenced by Calvanistic ideology, even if it's in the form of trying to refute it. I've always found it ironic that Calvin first used the concept of predestination to try to calm the anxiety and uncertainty caused by the Reformation. In the end, it just ended up causing it's own uncertainty. Proof is always more desirable than trust, as far as dealing with uncertainty. So it doesn't surprise me that the Gospel of Wealth is so popular since wealth creates a sense of easily measured certainty. Thanks for the post, Austin.BJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08312379976764470320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184182062043395345.post-80865124058786947172011-03-24T13:07:59.527-05:002011-03-24T13:07:59.527-05:00I couldn't agree more. It's interesting ho...I couldn't agree more. It's interesting how such a perverse doctrine could ever be incorporated into the church. I'm wondering if you've ever read Weber's "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism." It argues that this phenomena arose from a need to solidify one's position with evidence that an individual was indeed part of God's elect. In short, predestination created uncertainty, and uncertainty lead to believers trying to demonstrate God's favor with them through wealth; inadvertently creating this massive economic system. How these men and women were able to overlook the dialogue between Jesus and the rich man or James for that matter, is beyond me. Anyways, good thoughts. Glad to see someone fighting against the mega-church epidemic. - AustinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com