The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism · Chapter
B. Pietism explained
This chapter examines Pietism as an ascetic movement rooted in the doctrine of predestination, focusing on its development within the Reformed Church and its German Lutheran variants.
What happens
This chapter examines Pietism as an ascetic movement rooted in the doctrine of predestination, focusing on its development within the Reformed Church and its German Lutheran variants. It highlights the tension between emotional religiosity and rational asceticism, the role of conventicles, and the impact on economic conduct. The chapter contrasts Pietism's emphasis on present emotional satisfaction with Calvinism's future-oriented proof of election, and discusses how Pietism, despite its weaker consistency, reinforced the ethic of the calling in certain social roles.
Themes in this chapter
Asceticism and Worldly Conduct
Pietism intensified ascetic control in worldly callings, but with less rational consistency than Calvinism, favoring faithful officials and patriarchal employers.
Predestination and Anxiety
Pietism, while rooted in predestination, shifted focus from future proof to present emotional states, leading to a weaker motive for rational economic activity.
The Calling and Duty
Labor in a calling was seen as ascetic activity, especially by Francke, but the emotional orientation reduced the drive for systematic worldly success.
Characters to notice
- Philipp Jakob Spener
Key figure in German Pietism; combined Lutheran ideas with Calvinistic doctrines of good works and perfection, but lacked consistency.
- August Hermann Francke
Advocated labor in a calling as ascetic activity; believed God blesses the elect through success, and emphasized unique repentance experiences.
- Nikolaus von Zinzendorf
Represented the emotional side of Pietism, associated with patriarchal employer attitudes and religious dilettantism.
- Albrecht Ritschl
Noted that purely emotional Pietism is a religious dilettantism for leisure classes.
- Samuel Bailey
His works were read in Spener's early conventicles, indicating influence on Pietist thought.
Key passages
“Brotherhood was, as a great mission centre, at the same time a business enterprise. Thus it led its members into the paths of worldly asceticism, which everywhere first seeks for tasks and then carries them out carefully and systematically.”
The Brotherhood functioned as both a mission hub and a business, guiding members toward disciplined worldly asceticism that systematically seeks and completes tasks.
Highlights the business-like nature of ascetic practice.
“All in all, when we consider German Pietism from the point of view important for us, we must admit a vacillation and uncertainty in the religious basis of its asceticism which makes it definitely weaker than the iron consistency of Calvinism, and which is partly the result of Lutheran influences and partly of its emotional character.”
German Pietism's asceticism is less consistent than Calvinism's due to Lutheran influences and emotional elements, leading to uncertainty in its religious foundation.
Contrasts Pietism's weaker asceticism with Calvinism's rigor.
“In place of the systematic rational struggle to attain and retain certain knowledge of future (otherworldly) salvation comes here the need to feel reconciliation and community with God now.”
Instead of rationally striving for future salvation, Pietism seeks immediate emotional reconciliation with God.
Emphasizes the shift from future-oriented proof to present emotional satisfaction.
