Abstract:
John Calvin and Reformed Protestantism interlinked questions of life and death with questions of
faith. Not only faith and the church, but life in general call for constant renewal through the word
of God. These processes of renewal incorporate society and the economy. In contrast to the popular
assertion that Calvin and Calvinism are responsible for capitalism and its aberrations, Calvin
in particular shows a deep sensibility for human beings trapped in economic deprivation. In his
sermons Calvin exhorts the rich to consider the poor as ‘their’ poor and to thank God by practicing
generosity. This appreciation of social questions within an ecumenical context is demonstrated in
the Reformed church in a whole array of charitable services. It will be crucial for the current debate
on economic ethics to assess economic processes in relation to how they serve life. For it is liberty,
justice and fellowship – as gifts of God – that serve as an orientation and an obligation to be aware
of human beings suffering from the negative consequences of globalisation.
Description:
This contribution was
originally presented
during a consultation of
the Joint Globalisation
Project of URCSA and the
ERK at the Evangelical
Academy Arnoldshain,
Germany, on 26–30 May
2008.
