Protestant work ethic is a termed coined by German sociologist Max Weber in 1905 in his book Die Protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kapitalismus (The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism). The gist of Weber’s thinking is summarized thusly in Wikipedia: “Calvinist theologians taught that only those who were predestined to be saved … Continue reading The Mennonite service ethic
predestination
The dark side of the Protestant work ethic
In 1905 German sociologist published what many called the most important sociological work of the 20th century: Die protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kapitalismus. The book was later translated into English and published in 1930 as: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. His thesis was that because of the teaching of predestination, … Continue reading The dark side of the Protestant work ethic
The voice of God
Early in my Christian life I obtained some literature that gave an intellectually logical explanation of the atonement. The theme was that Jesus had suffered punishment in hell equivalent to the eternal torment of every soul that would ever be saved. Therefore there was no way that a saved soul need ever fear hell, because … Continue reading The voice of God
Robotic Christians?
Am I nothing more than a robot? Is every detail of my life preplanned and manipulated by an unseen hand, right down to the moment and circumstances of the end of my life? That made sense to Zeno the Stoic, to Augustine, to Mohammed, to Buddha and to John Calvin. Some people find it comforting … Continue reading Robotic Christians?
Free will
We must believe in free will — we have no choice. Isaac Bashevis Singer. Hmm. I wonder what he was getting at? Having nothing more to go on to discern a more complex meaning in Mr. Singer’s thought than this fragment, I will say that I agree. When Moses told the people “I call heaven … Continue reading Free will
Eternal security or insecurity?
Evangelicals of the present day are being taught a doctrine of eternal security, but most are not aware of the dubious foundation and history of this doctrine. Here is how it all began. In 312 AD Constantine was facing a battle with a rival whose army was twice the size of Constantine's. The story goes … Continue reading Eternal security or insecurity?
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts
Among the gifts bestowed upon us by the ancient Greeks there are many that are without a doubt of priceless value, such as democracy. But there are others that were better left outside the gates, as the Trojan horse should have been. Astrology is one. Yet the belief persists among many today that the sign … Continue reading Beware of Greeks bearing gifts
Flatlander Faith 