MARTIN JR.
9 A Discussion and Analysis Of some of his Contributions As Well as their Social, Political and Economic Impacts Since the Thirteen Colonies first united, the United States has had one of the strongest economies in the world. Over the years, many theorists have had varying opinions concerning the reason for this nation's strong economic standing. One reason that has often been overlooked is that a great many of this nation's workers have been influenced by the Protestant work ethic. The philosophy behind this work ethic has driven many workers to attain as much as possible at their jobs during their lifetimes. If one man were to be given credit for the development of the Protestant work ethic it would have to be Martin Luther. In the course of the next several pages this researcher will examine the ethic that has had such a great impact on the United State's economy and on the economies of other nations. It has been suggested by such writers as Weber and Smith that the Protest!ant work ethic first developed around the word "calling." Basically, this term has a religious connotation which is a task set by God. However, gradually this term was expanded to the point where it covered many of man's activiti
he morning to late each evening, that person will be able to attain credit. If, however, a person has a reputation of relaxing and not taking his job seriously, then that person will not be lent money when he needs it to expand his business. The above examples depict the spirit of capitalism (the true development of capitalistic thought among the masses). Luther emphasized that men should work their hardest at their particular calling. It became obvious that hard work often resulted in higher earnings. Therefore, workers began to figure out all of the possible ways by which they could increase their earnings.k Luther's thoughts on work resulted in the development of a capitalistic mentality among workers. One example of a man who is dedicated to serve God through fulfilling his calling is a man of this era who (being elderly) was asked to retire. he had made a sizeable sum of money in his lifetime and his friends wondered when he would give the chance to younger workers to acc! BIBLIOGRAPHYAtkinson, James. Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. (Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1968).Richard L. DeMolen. The Meaning of the Reformation. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1974).Arthur Dickens, Martin Luther and the Reformation. (London: Oxford University Press, 1967).Richard Marius, Luther. (New York: Erdicott Press, 1973).Olin, John C. Luther, Erasmus and the Reformation. (New York: Fordham University Press, 1969).Parsons, Talcott. The Theory of Social and Economic Organization. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1947).Thompson, Craig. Christian Humanism and the Reformation. (New York: Macmillan and Co., 1965).Weber, Max. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. (New York: Charles Scribner and Sons, 1958). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ y) their tasks on earth. This unique conception of the word "calling" was developed by Luther during his first active decade as a reformer. At first he believed, like many other theologians, that everyday world activities were activities of the flesh. Although these activities were willed by God, they were nonetheless morally neutral. However, gradually Luther began to protest against the life of the monks. He criticized them as leading a life "devoid of value as a means of justification before God, but he also looks upon its renunciation of the duties of this world as a product of selfishness, withdrawing from temporal obligations." This was in direct contrast to the everyday labors of man. These worldly activities were outward expressions of man's love for others and for God. Thus, according to Luther, the only way to live up to the expectations God has for us is to fulfill our worldly duties. A very important point that Luther makes in reference to callings is that each cal! mation in the sixteenth century and more than half of these accepted and retained Protestantism. To arrive at an understanding of why the dissatisfied social groups of the cities so readily accepted the Reformation, one must evaluate their positive heritage. This consisted of three important elements: first, the medieval ideals, attitudes and experiences of the free members of urban communes who had worked out a method of government among themselves and with their feudal lords; second, the practical, late-medieval mysticism with its empha
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Approximate Word count = 2244
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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