# II: The Continental Reformers explained — Religion and the Rise of Capitalism

> Chapter companion for Religion and the Rise of Capitalism by R. H. Tawney.

## What happens

This chapter examines the shift in social ethics brought about by the Continental Reformers, particularly Calvin and his followers, in contrast to medieval theologians and Luther. It argues that Calvinism, as an urban movement, accepted the realities of commerce, finance, and capital, and sought to moralize economic life from within a commercial civilization rather than condemning it outright. The chapter highlights Calvin's defense of business profits, his nuanced stance on usury, and the broader transformation of religious attitudes toward economic activity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Conflict Between Ethics and Economics

The chapter explores how Calvin and his followers sought to reconcile religious ethics with the practical necessities of commerce and finance, moving away from the medieval suspicion of economic gain.

### Transformation of Social Ethics

Calvinism is described as the first systematic religious teaching to recognize and applaud economic virtues, shifting the focus from condemning wealth to disciplining its use.

### Impact of Economic Revolutions

The chapter situates the Reformation within the context of the vast economic revolution of the sixteenth century, which forced new reflections on social and economic organization.

## Character check-ins

### John Calvin

Calvin is presented as a key figure who broke with medieval and Lutheran tradition by recognizing the legitimacy of business profits and interest under certain conditions, while still imposing strict moral rules.

### Martin Luther

Luther is contrasted with Calvin; he is described as seeing economic life with the eyes of a peasant and mystic, and as being suspicious of capitalist enterprise.

### Ulrich Zwingli

Zwingli is noted as standing midway between Luther and Calvin, denouncing capitalism and interest in principle while acknowledging the state's role in permitting it.

### Martin Bucer

Bucer is mentioned as urging the English Government to develop the woollen industry on mercantilist lines, even while denouncing merchant fraud and avarice.

### Philip Melanchthon

Melanchthon is referenced as having already assumed a position similar to Calvin's on moderate interest for loans to the rich.

### Johannes Oecolampadius

Oecolampadius is mentioned as the recipient of Calvin's letter on usury.

## Key lines

> What reason is there why the income from business should not be larger than that from landowning? Whence do the merchant's profits come, except from his own diligence and industry?

Calvin argues that business profits are as legitimate as land rents, since they result from the merchant's own hard work and effort.

_This quote illustrates Calvin's break with the medieval view that trade profits were morally suspect._

> Calvin deals with usurie as the apothecarie doth with poyson.

An English divine compared Calvin's approach to usury to a pharmacist handling poison—carefully and with strict controls.

_This highlights that Calvin's stance on usury was actually quite rigorous, not lenient._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/religion_and_the_rise_of_capitalism_se/chapters/ii-the-continental-reformers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/religion_and_the_rise_of_capitalism_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/religion_and_the_rise_of_capitalism_se/chapters