Gisela Mettele: Kommerz und
fromme Demut. Wirtschaftsethik und Wirtschaftspraxis im
„Gefühlspietismus“
The essay investigates the
economic ethics and practices of the Moravian Brethren in order to revise Max
Weber’s position towards pietism. In assuming a marked contrast between
an “ascetic” calvinism resp. puritanism and an
“emotional” pietism Weber underestimates not only the irrational
aspects of calvinistic religiosity but also the high amount of rationality in
pietistic life style and occupational work. Pietists did not strive to ensure
their inner salvation by visible economic success, however they worked hard in
order to build the worldwide Kingdom of God and to accelerate thereby the
second coming of Christ (Reich-Gottes-Arbeit). This idea offered a theological
reason for purposeful economic activity and formed a strong motivation for
rationalization, ascetic lifestyle and sucess in occupational work.