Things That Make You Go. . . Hmmm
“We are interested rather in something entirely different: the influence of those psychological sanctions which, originating in religious belief and the practice of religion, gave a direction to practical conduct and held the individual to it. Now these sanctions were to a large extent derived from the peculiarities of the religious ideas behind them.” [1] Weber seems to be highlighting attitudes or practices represented by the religious, framing them as peculiarities of religious ideas, that affected culture as it pertains to capitalism and consumerism. As I engaged in the challenging read of German sociologist Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, I gleaned some insights into the concept of the “Protestant Work Ethic”. Some of the key insights developed within Weber’s protestant work ethic include:
- Religious Influence on Economic Behavior: Weber argues that certain Protestant religious beliefs played a significant role in shaping economic behavior. [2]
- Calling and Asceticism: According to Weber, Calvinist beliefs led individuals to view their work as a “calling” or a divine duty. This sense of calling drove them to work diligently and accumulate wealth, not for hedonistic or self-indulgent purposes, but as a sign of God’s favor. [3]
- Asceticism: Calvinism also emphasized ascetic values, including self-discipline, frugality, and restraint. These values influenced how individuals lived and worked, encouraging thrift and investment rather than conspicuous consumption. [4]
- Rationalization of Life: Weber argued that Protestantism played a role in the rationalization of economic and social life. It encouraged systematic and rational approaches to work, which were conducive to the development of modern capitalism. [5]
- Capital Accumulation and Economic Growth: The Protestant Work Ethic, as described by Weber, led to the accumulation of capital (savings and investments) that could be used for further economic development. Over time, this contributed to the growth of modern capitalism.
Weber suggests that religious beliefs and values could have profound and lasting effects on economic systems and the way people approach work and wealth. However, it’s important to note that Weber’s thesis has been and still is the subject of debate and criticism. Dr. Clark in his work, Evangelicalism and Capitalism, notes that Weber’s main emphasis is upon the role of religious ideas as they generate an attitude of ascetic discipline, creating a set of economic attitudes that may have aided the rise of capitalism. [6]
The actions Weber described as “religious peculiarities” will look peculiar, I believe in some respects, because Jesus lived in the world but not of it. Our actions as Christians, Christ followers, will look peculiar and may look extreme and somewhat ascetic. Not conforming to the world’s patterns and living fully into who God created us to be will look peculiar, especially if, as a follower, I value community and interdependence, but the world values self-reliance and individualism. . . or the world values the acquisition of wealth and pursuit of personal enjoyment, but as followers we value living with less to be able to give more or sticking with church commitments when some other event or activity looks more entertaining or appealing.
In my research of young adults who have abandoned their faith (some abandoning “the bride” too), there is a desire for authenticity and vulnerability. Also evident in story and story is the overall dissatisfaction with the camouflaged or chameleon Christian that they have observed in the pew, who “in their view” looks more like the world than a radical apprentice of Jesus. As I listen to their narratives, I pause and ponder, “How might I live more fully into the love of Jesus (maybe looking more peculiar)?”
Missionary Jim Elliott, martyred on the mission field, once wrote, ‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.’ [7] While to some that may look like peculiar, ascetic, religious behavior, to others, it looks like following Jesus’ model of love that lays down everything for a friend. In Jesus’ words,
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world,
the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world,
but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
John 15:18-19
Is it possible that as followers of Jesus, the “appetites” we have are out of sync, unveiling underlying motivations for how we love and engage in community and worship? What cultural shifts have taken place if Weber thought that the role of religious ideas generated an attitude of ascetic discipline, and now Gen Z sees a major disconnect in the practice and application of religious ideas? “Things that make me go. . . . hmmmm?”
[1] Weber, Max. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. (London: Routledge, 2001). 55.
[2] Ibid, 124.
[3] Ibid, 106.
[4] Ibid, 30.
[5] Ibid, 235.
[6] Clark, Jason. Evangelicalism and Capitalism: A Reparative Account and Diagnosis of Pathogeneses in the Relationship, 2018. 78.
[7] Elliot, Elisabeth. The Journals of Jim Elliot, (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 1978). 82.
About the Author
Cathy Glei
Cathy Glei serves as an instructional leader and pastor with over 27 years in education and ministry. She is dedicated to discipling others as they grow in their relationship with God, others and the world. Cathy has facilitated numerous professional development sessions, trainings, and workshops in both education and ministry. Passionate about supporting others in uncovering the Creator's design within them, Cathy lives in Michigan with her husband, Steve, and their eight-year-old Springer Spaniel, Otis. Cathy is a mother of three daughters and "Gooma" (grandma) to two adorable grandsons (emphasis on adorable 😊). She enjoys listening and exchanging laughter and stories with others, hanging out with friends, both old and new, as well as being outdoors, enjoying activities such as cycling, camping, hiking, and kayaking.10 responses to “Things That Make You Go. . . Hmmm”
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Hey Cathy, your post is very good but the ending is quite dangerous. Ouch! The questions at the end make you think but the first question is powerful, “Is it possible that as followers of Jesus, the “appetites” we have are out of sync, unveiling underlying motivations for how we love and engage in community and worship?” I love that phrase “unveiling underlying motivations” Our motives reveal why we do what we do and your post about Gen. Z keeps me asking about my motives, my practice and application of my faith and how it is impacting those around me. It makes me think maybe at times this ascetic discipline might be good at times. Thanks again for making me ponder…your thoughts.
Yes, it is ouchy. As I listen and interview young adults, a common thread in our dialogue is around the inconsistencies that they see in what is “said” versus what is “modeled”. It is recognized, by the ones I have listened to, that there is a bit of hypocrite in us all. This is where more authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty are desired, instead of coverups or attempts to hide the inconsistencies.
Hi Cathy,
Your first sentence/quote threw me for a loop. So I asked ChatGPT to write a more casual version…We’re not here to dive into some fancy academic discourse; we’re interested in something completely different. We want to explore how religious beliefs and practices affected people’s behavior, pushing them to act in a certain way. These effects were mainly linked to the unique ideas that underpinned their religious beliefs. So, what we’re after is the impact of religious beliefs on how people behaved and stuck to their principles.
Whew…thanks AI!
Todd quoted you saying, “Is it possible that as followers of Jesus, the “appetites” we have are out of sync, unveiling underlying motivations for how we love and engage in community and worship?”
I prayerfully hoping our “appetites” for service, building relationship, for giving, and sharing the word would swim upstream from US consumerism and capitalism.
Otherwise we are no longer the salt. Thrown out tainted and useless in expanding God’s kingdom.
Shalom…
Thanks Russell!
Consider the words of this song and the invitation:
May the mind of Christ, my Saviour,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.
May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me,
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.
May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.
Hi Cathy, I love the questions you pose at the end of your post, “Is it possible that as followers of Jesus, the “appetites” we have are out of sync, unveiling underlying motivations for how we love and engage in community and worship? What cultural shifts have taken place if Weber thought that the role of religious ideas generated an attitude of ascetic discipline, and now Gen Z sees a major disconnect in the practice and application of religious ideas?” What keeps coming to mind is how Jesus calls us to an “upside down” way of living that is counter to our culture (even out Christian culture)and that includes our approach to the use of money, the how’s and why’s of accumulating wealth, and as you mentioned how we worship. God’s economy is very different. What we may “lose” we gain in different ways, Matthew 19:29. Your observation of Gen Z is so accurate. They want something more and authentic. I just visited one of our churches in Singapore in which the next generation of young people want a different way to worship on Sundays. The entire church gives up one Sunday morning and early afternoon each month (no regular church service) to go out to serve and be among those in their community. They are thinking differently about how to do church. What specific disconnects have you uncovered in your research of Gen Z? Are you noticing new and vibrant ways they want to engage with worship and lifestyle choices?
Yes, upside-down Kingdom living.
One of the challenges has been in the area of connection and relationships. There is a need for partnerships on a path of life-giving holiness. Living life in community with another (mentorship/discipleship). Where a person “older” in the faith, mentors a person “younger” in the faith with intentionality to grow together in Christlikeness. (love, time, sharing life together, studying the scriptures, serving, prayer, confession & accountability, etc.). This is what I have heard is a desire of those represented in Gen Z.
Hi Cathy! Thank you for your insightful writing.
Your post has opened my eyes and mind to the underlying motivations for loving and engaging in fellowship. Weber, as a sociologist at that time, showed that the enthusiasm and sincerity of the people in loving their God was because of a doctrine that produced anxiety rather than assurance. An underlying motivation has become an ultimate key in Christian teaching throughout the ages and for all generations. Christ has and will always love us all sincerely, so our underlying motivation is to love God and others with all our hearts, souls, and minds. In love, there is no fear (as it should be).
Yes, we love because He first loved us.
I also was drawn to the out of sync appetites reference you made at the end of your essay (before I read the other comments). I think you are on to something in regards to your NPO. Seems like there is a question of authenticity in all of this capitalism?
The idea of authenticity, and indeed being a peculiar people, but without staunch religiosity, does seem to resonate with Gen Z, and I’ve discovered that the spirit of capitalism seems to be something that generation has begun to reject. I wonder if there is a connection?
Great post.