Religion and the Rise of Capitalism · Chapter
Luther explained
This chapter examines Martin Luther's social and economic teachings in the context of the sixteenth-century economic revolution.
What happens
This chapter examines Martin Luther's social and economic teachings in the context of the sixteenth-century economic revolution. It contrasts Luther's conservative, anti-commercial stance with the rising capitalist spirit, showing how his religious radicalism was paired with a medieval, agrarian ideal of society. Luther denounced usury, monopolists like the Fuggers, and the corrupting influence of commerce, advocating a return to simple Christian virtues and a hierarchical social order. The chapter also situates Luther within the broader Reformation debate over economic ethics, noting that his reaction against economic individualism was part of a wider religious effort to regulate conduct and institutions according to divine law.
Themes in this chapter
Conflict Between Ethics and Economics
Luther's vehement opposition to commercial capitalism and usury exemplifies the tension between traditional Christian ethics and the emerging economic individualism of the sixteenth century.
Religion and Economic Individualism
The chapter contrasts Luther's medieval, communal ideal with the rise of capitalist enterprise, showing how religious leaders attempted to resist or accommodate the new economic forces.
The Role of the Church in Society
Luther and other reformers insisted that the Church should regulate all departments of life, including commerce and industry, according to divine law, rejecting the compartmentalization of business.
Transformation of Social Ethics
The chapter discusses the shift from medieval canonist approaches to economic questions toward the Reformation's attempt to reconstruct social ethics on a biblical basis, though with unintended consequences.
Characters to notice
- Martin Luther
Central figure of the chapter; his social theory is explored in depth, showing his distrust of commerce and capitalism, his advocacy for peasant and craft labor, and his violent reaction to the Peasants' War.
- Philip Melanchthon
Mentioned as expounding godly doctrine on money-lending and prices, and as sharing Luther's admiration for the peasant life.
- John Calvin
Referenced for writing a famous letter on usury and delivering sermons on the subject, contrasting with Luther's more extreme anti-commercial stance.
- Martin Bucer
Noted for sketching a scheme of social reconstruction for a Christian prince, contributing to the Reformation debate on economic ethics.
- Henry Bullinger
Mentioned for producing a classical exposition of social ethics in the Decades dedicated to Edward VI.
- Ulrich Zwingli
Referenced along with Oecolampadius for devising plans for the reorganization of poor relief.
- The Fuggers
Cited as the great capitalist house that financed Eck's expedition to Bologna, and as the target of Luther's call to 'put a bit in the mouth of the holy company of the Fuggers.'
- Niccolò Machiavelli
Mentioned in the context of social theory beginning to emancipate itself from ecclesiastical frameworks.
Key passages
“Whoso can, strike, smite, strangle, or stab, secretly or publicly … such wonderful times are these that a prince can better merit Heaven with bloodshed than another with prayer”
Luther urged princes to violently suppress the peasant rebels, claiming that killing them was a more godly act than prayer.
Reflects Luther's extreme reaction to the Peasants' War and his turn toward reliance on secular authority.
“the message of Christ, the promised Messiah, the word of life, teaching only love, peace, patience and concord, was incompatible with serfdom, corvées, and enclosures.”
The peasants argued that Christ's gospel of love and peace could not coexist with feudal oppression and land enclosures.
Illustrates how the peasants used religious rhetoric to justify their revolt, which Luther condemned.
“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees”
Luther insisted that Christian morality must go beyond mere legal compliance to a genuine habit of love.
Highlights Luther's emphasis on inner virtue over external legalism in economic and social conduct.
“it was time to put a bit in the mouth of the holy company of the Fuggers.”
Luther called for restraining the powerful Fugger banking family, whom he saw as exploiting the economy.
Demonstrates Luther's hostility toward large-scale finance and monopolists.
