Question

Средневековые христиане верили, что <<легче верблюду войти в игольное ушко , чем богатому - в рай>>. Как видоизменилось это положение в кальвинизме??

Answer 1

Я писала так
Легче верблюду пройти сквозь игольное ушко, чем богачу войти в царствие небесное
Из Библии. (Евангелие от Матфея, гл. 19, ст. 24; Евангелие от Луки, гл. 18, ст. 25). Есть две версии происхождения этого выражения. Некоторые толкователи Библии считают, что причиной появления такой фразы стала ошибка в переводе оригинального библейского текста: вместо «верблюда» следует читать «толстая веревка» или «корабельный канат» , который и в самом деле нельзя пропустить через игольное ушко.

С другой стороны, некоторые ученые, занимающиеся историей Иудеи, принимая слово «верблюд» , по-своему толкуют смысл слов «игольное ушко» . Они полагают, что в древности так называли одни из ворот Иерусалима, через которые тяжело груженному верблюду пройти было практически невозможно.

Answer 2

Changes in the Concept in Calvinism

In medieval Christianity, there was a belief that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." This belief reflected the idea that wealth and material possessions could hinder one's spiritual journey. However, the concept underwent changes in Calvinism.

Calvinism and the Doctrine of Predestination

In Calvinism, the concept of predestination played a significant role in shaping the understanding of wealth and salvation. According to John Calvin, a prominent figure in the development of Calvinism, God has already determined who will be saved (the elect) and who will be damned (the reprobate) regardless of their actions or beliefs. This doctrine of predestination had implications for the understanding of wealth and prosperity.

Wealth as a Sign of God's Favor

In contrast to the medieval belief, Calvinism introduced the idea that material success and wealth could be seen as signs of God's favor. This perspective emerged from the concept of the "Protestant work ethic," which emphasized hard work, frugality, and diligence as virtues. The accumulation of wealth was viewed as a potential indicator of one's election by God, rather than a hindrance to spiritual salvation.

Max Weber's Interpretation

The shift in the perception of wealth in Calvinism was famously analyzed by sociologist Max Weber in his work "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism." Weber argued that Calvinism, with its emphasis on predestination and the pursuit of worldly success as a potential sign of divine favor, contributed to the development of a mindset conducive to the rise of capitalism.

Conclusion

In summary, the concept of wealth and salvation underwent a transformation in Calvinism, where the accumulation of wealth was no longer viewed as a barrier to spiritual salvation but rather as a potential indication of God's favor. This shift in perspective had profound implications for the understanding of prosperity and success in the context of religious beliefs.