CMM3703_ Christian Social Ethics_ Assignment 2 2021.

CMM3703_ Christian Social Ethics_ Assignment 2 2021. Social thought of Reformers: Introduction: The main arguments of Luther, Calvin and Wesley were the need for private property. There was some agreement on the usury of loans. Luther and Calvin had an old fashioned view on the legitimacy of slavery. Wesley however did not believe in it, and was a big spokesperson for the stopping of slavery. These reformers didn’t believe that good works was needed for being a good Christian, unlike the Fathers. The Reformers believed that when doing good deeds , one had to look at the intention and heart with which it was done. They agreed somewhat on the role of the government , on separating spiritual and secular powers . a huge difference on the Reformers point of view came in choosing a monarchy or democratic government. ( CMM 3703 Study guide, p.44-45) Private property and the possession of wealth: Luther, Calvin and Wesley believed that all possessions are a gift from God, making it legitimate to own private property. They didn’t think that the idea of common possession on property were right. They believed that God allowed riches and poverty. And Calvin believed that one should live through the poverty and be patient as it is the will of God. (Gamble 1992:128) The Reformers also believed that some social inequalities was a punishment for bad behavior or sin. Wesley stated that poverty was evil and had to be fought. (Marquardt 1992:43) because our possessions came from God it had to be used in a certain manner: used reasonably, shared with others. . Wesley again believed that because our possessions came from God if doing what He wants with it will be rewarded. We are not the owners but the true Owner is God. ( Marquardt 1992: 37) Calvin and Wesley stated that one should not only have possessions, but also gain wealth. Wesley gives us three rules in dealing with private property. He says that we should gain, save and give all we can. Wesley says that money is the root of all evil, but that the fault lies not with the money but with the way it is used. Using money well will make us faithful stewards in the cause against tha mammon of unrighteousness. ( Forell 1966: 275-276). This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :49:24 GMT -05:00 This study resource was shared via CourseH 4 Calvin says that the way we gain our wealth is also important. We should not gain it through wicked arts and deeds. We must acquire our wealth with a clear conscience. The wealth should not be gained in a manner that will hurt the mind, body or soul. Life is more valuable than meat, the body than raiment. ( Forell 1966:277) Wesley says that what we have we should try and save by avoiding expenses and unnecessary luxuries. We should try and limit ourselves to spending only on the basic needs in life. Calvin adopts Paul’s principles of sobriety- he focuses on the frugal use of goods, and that want should be endured patiently. He emphasizes that we should live in righteousness and godliness , because it separates us from the bad an filthy of the world and connects us with God. Wesley focuses on the basics of life, where Calvin is a little bit more lenient. He believes that wealth should also be enjoyed. This should however be done with a pure conscience. The Reformers believe that individuals hold private property in the trust of God. This means that people should give and avoid living in luxury. Stewardship in the spirit of capitalism: Stewardship can firstly be defined as ; an ethic that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources.( English Oxford Dictionary) In other words it is the use of resources in a wise manner. Capitalism on the other hand is defined as an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. Some of the social scientists have attributed a great deal in the development of capitalism, largely by Calvinism and Methodism. Max Weber according to Douglas( 1992:132) “ the protestant drive to work in a hard and divine calling produced wealth; and Protestant discouragement of conspicuous consumption encouraged saving, and capital formation. “ This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :49:24 GMT -05:00 This study resource was shared via CourseH 5 Marquardt took Webers “spirit of capitalism” and put it in contrast with Wesley’s economic ethics. Wesley warns against wealth, where capitalism strives and promotes it. Wesley was against the hoarding of possessions where capitalism encouraged it. Wesley stated that one should love your neighbour and capitalism exploits each other. This just shows us that the spirit of capitalism goes against the Protestants ethics as stated by Calvin and Wesley. This just says that we should live in a manner of stewardship, something that is contrasted by capitalism which favours hoarding. Martin Luther About: He was born in Germany in 1483 on November 10. He began the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. He questioned some of the Roman Catholic beliefs. He died in his hometown, Eisleben on February 18, 1546, at age 62. Context in which he lived: He was born into a linage of peasants with his father being a miner. When Luther was seven years old he started school in Mansfeld. At age 14 he went to Magdeburg and later returned to Eisleben in 1498 to further his studies. He studied grammar, rhetoric and logic. He was on the road to becoming a lawyer when a life changing event occurred, causing him to promise to become a monk. This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :49:24 GMT -05:00 This study resource was shared via CourseH 6 At age 27, he was given the opportunity to be a delegate to a church conference in Rome. He was very discouraged because of corruption he had witnessed there. He then enrolled in Wittenberg University, maintaining a doctorate and becoming a professor. Contributions: Luther realized while dwelling on scriptures that God should be feared but that faith in Him alone would bring salvation. This started the Reformation. Luther nailed a sheet of paper with 95 theses on the university’s chapel door which critiqued the announcement of Pope Leo X. All of this lead to him being banned and later seen as a wanted man. Contributions to ethical issues: Martin Luther criticized the monopolistic economy, monetary policy, high taxes and land tax. He believed that the church of Christ should resist evil and serve each other in love, not avenging anything. This basically comes together in the concept of treating one like you would want to be treated, in dignity, love and respect. The love we should have for each other is a unselfish love. This meaning that we should always forgive someone that has wronged us, we should not avenge that person, but rather love them. . The ethical issues he believed in, is basically the ones we find in Exodus 20. He also believed that there should be respect towards authority. This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :49:24 GMT -05:00 This study resource was shared via CourseH 7 John Calvin About: Calvin was born in France on July 10, 1509. He was the successor of Martin Luther. He died in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1564. Context in which he lived: John Calvin was a law student at the University of Orleans. His father was Gérard Cauvin, who was secretary to the bishop of Noyon, and his mother, Jeanne le Franc , who died early on in his life. After maintaining his law degree he returned to Paris. Calvin became involved in the movement for church reform. Contributions in relation to ethical issues: Calvin focused on social issues such as living in a modest manner and having brotherly love. He especially focused on poverty and wealth. Calvin’s ethical deliberations on the economy are based on the idea that all human relations and actions are under the dominion of God. Calvin stated that the poor should not be judged or looked down to. He felt that those with wealth should rather help those in need. He felt that things like taxes, etc was unfair towards the poor. People were to love each other like it is stated in the Bible, but not only love- people should show their love through helping those that live in poverty. This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :49:24 GMT -05:00 This study resource was shared via CourseH 8 John Wesley About: John Wesley was born June 17, 1703 in Epworth, England. He died 2 March 1791 in London, England. He attended the Oxford University. In 1729 he joined his brother Charles, Robert Kirkham and William Morgan in a religious study group called the “Methodists.” Context in which he lived: He was child number fifteen for Samuel Wesley and Susanna Wesley. His father was a poet and rector at Epworth. John had 18 siblings. His parents became members of the Church of England as young adults. As children John and his siblings were educated very early on. Wikipedia shares this story: .Apart from his disciplined upbringing, a rectory fire which occurred on 9 February 1709, when Wesley was five years old, left an indelible impression. Some time after 11:00 p.m., the rectory roof caught on fire. Sparks falling on the children’s beds and cries of "fire" from the street roused the Wesleys who managed to shepherd all their children out of the house except for John who was left stranded on the second floor. With stairs aflame and the roof about to collapse, Wesley was lifted out of the second floor window by a parishioner standing on another man’s shoulders. Wesley later utilised the phrase, "a brand plucked out of the fire", quoting Zechariah 3:2, to describe the incident.[8] This childhood deliverance subsequently became part of the Wesley legend.