New Mutations of the Protestant Ethic among Latin American Pentecostals
✍ Scribed by Bernice Martin
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 1995
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 121 KB
- Volume
- 25
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0048-721X
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
This article argues that there is a partial consonance between the 'inner-worldly asceticism' of the fast-growing Protestant movement in Latin America and the economic imperatives of the global capitalism into which Latin America has been progressively incorporated since the 1960s. This consonance stops short of being an unequivocal 'elective affinity' since there are also points of tension between the new Protestant ethic and the spirit of contemporary capitalism. It is argued that such consonance as exists arises out of a complex symbiosis rather than a simple one-way causal relationship. The article outlines the range of views among Latin American Pentecostal Protestants about the implications of their faith for economic behaviour, and relates these views to current economic conditions. It suggests that certain Protestant habits and values minimally assist economic survival and can even lead to modest success. Particular attention is paid to recent developments in the Pentecostal movement in Latin America which diverge from the classic Protestant ethic of the West, notably the emergence of an indigenous prosperity gospel and a selective acceptance of consumerism.
If Pentecostal leaders are told of John Wesley's disapproval of interest they are amazed and disbelieving. They know he forbade alcohol and smoking but can't believe there is anything wrong with getting a return for their hard-earned money.
Professor Arturo Chacon (interviewed in Santiago, Chile, November 1990).
I read in Deuteronomy 28: if you are faithful and obey my words, everything you put your hand to will prosper. You will always be on top and never underneath. You will always be the head and not the tail. And you will lend to many people but will not borrow. And then I saw John saying-Jesus saying, he who is in me and my words are in you, you will ask the Father whatever you want and it shall be done for you. He doesn't say just some things but anything. So I began to claim these spiritual and material blessings from God . . . So we've put God to the test and we've seen that he's not like a mortal man who might lie to us. He always keeps his promises to those who work hard. Wilson Rodriguez de Oliveira, Owner of a Painting and Decorating company, member of the Assemblies of God and of ADHONEP Christian Businessman 's Fellowship (interviewed, Campinas, Brazil, November 1991).
The Bible speaks of a great possibility, it speaks of wealth. Because all the men who served God were very rich. I don't know why I haven't begun to develop a talent. (Pause). I have to go deeper in my aim of getting rich. I've just earned enough to eat. But what I want is something really big. I don't want just a little blessing today, another tomorrow, and then you've got the cord round your neck again. What God promises for my life I haven't got yet.
Interviewer: Do you think you still have that spirit of laziness (you told me about)?
No. Now I have the spirit of a winner, I'm doing my part. I have the spirit of victory.
José Diniz, self-employed street tradesman, member of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (interviewed, Campinas, Brazil, March 1992).
God doesn't accept investment. He enriches and impoverishes whoever he wills . . . The believers are subject to sickness and everything that can befall nonbelievers. The difference is that if we die, we die saved.
Nelson Rezende, retired operative in the Campinas Water Treatment Plant, member of the Assemblies of God (interviewed, Campinas, Brazil, July 1992).
Work is a good thing, it is not a punishment. As for wealth, God gives more to some people to test them, for them to share those gifts with others. God can give me wealth, but the devil also offers wealth . . . I do not believe that people are poor