ENI—German Bishop Margot Kässmann has criticized the Protestant work ethic ascribed to the 16th century theologian John Calvin, saying it has excesses in the current social and economic climate.
Kässmann said she found problematic the belief that, “People who are more productive, are therefore more blessed. In times of burnout syndrome, we have to ask ourselves: ‘What did we trigger with this ethic?’”
In his teachings, Calvin propagated a strong sense of duty and purpose often described as the Protestant work ethic, and seen as a contributing factor in the rise of capitalism. (See last month’s Marilynne Robinson book review and this month’s Calvin article for other perspectives on Calvin’s capitalism.)
