In reading from one of my assignments I found something that I thought was very interesting.  This is from The New History of Social Welfare

 

"'Capitalism…depends…on exploiting the labor of the (poor)…For this reason, (they) have an interest in (poverty), since if there were no have-nots, there could be no one to work for them, no one to rent their buildings, no one from whom wealth could be derived.  This…means that capitalist societies…can never rid (themselves) of poverty.  Poverty is the basis of wealth.  The dependency of the rich on the poor is the fundamental hidden reality of this system.'

 

Protestant ethic is a value accepted by most Americans regardless of religion.  It's complex values includes individualism, personal achievement and worth, the morality of wealth, and for America, patriotism… The work ethic springs from the merchantilist movement of the early Middle Ages and the Protestant Reformation.  Martin Luther's belief in work as a calling and John Calvin's teachings on predestination came to mean that THOSE PREDESTINED TO SALVATION WERE IDENTIFIABLE BY THEIR WEALTH.  IF WEALTH SHOWED MORALITY THAN SURELY POVERTY SHOWED IMMORALITY."

 

And there we have it.    Calvin's predestination = judgment of who is "in" and "worthy" based upon ones wealth not the heart.  

 

Sahid here is one more reason to stand bold and declare the open view instead of predestination!

 

Interesting, isn't it? -- How in opposition the American work ethic is from what Jesus came to declare.  The Kingdom of God is not about individualism but about the whole body of Christ.  Jesus declared that the last shall be first and humbled himself in service by washing the feet of his disciples.  "Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom"  "Don't store up treasures that won't last" …..  This difference between the American/Protestant work ethic and what Jesus exemplified can bring one to examine their own life.

 

Open theism might be dangerous... but NOT examing our beliefs and values can be extremely dangerous.  I wonder how many people live in auto pilot, believing deep down what Luther and Calvin suggested?  How many Americans are holding to a work ethic that is in opposition to the teachings of Jesus? 

 

 

Just thought I'd share this

Trosie