BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
Business for the Glory of God
Abstract
It is not a secret to anyone that the USA has adopted western European business ethic model. Considering the dominance of Judeo-Christian culture in that region, it is of small wonder that quite a few moral principles from the Bible have entered the field of international affairs. I suggest that we compare the two sets of morals: the one hidden beneath the texts of the Bible and the one widely applied in business.
The work in the world of negotiation has been traditionally seen as something that cannot possibly contribute anything to God worship. Ambitions and wealth, property owning and exploitation of human labor (however slight and well rewarded) are considered sinful in the opinion of representatives of the traditional branches of Christianity, such as the Orthodox and Catholic churches. Yet Wayne Grudem claims that an effective work of any businessman can be a proper way to glorify the Holy Father. I suggest that we investigate some of the ideas provided by the author in his book “Business for the glory of God: the Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business”. They will be criticized from a few points of view, and certain remarks will be included based on the ideas of Karl Marx and John Kaynes.
John Kaynes made a curious comment concerning the discussed subject: “Capitalism is the astounding belief that the wickedest of men will do the wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone”. These words cannot be disregarded (for the concept of private business is a tribute to capitalism), because Kaynes is one of the “developers” of modern economic theory, yet, this remark contradicts with the main idea of Grudem. Can it be simply because Kaynes 's point of view is a realistic one and the author of the mentioned book makes assumptions about what the state of things could be like in perfect conditions? Wayne Grudem does not deny the fact
Abstract
It is not a secret to anyone that the USA has adopted western European business ethic model. Considering the dominance of Judeo-Christian culture in that region, it is of small wonder that quite a few moral principles from the Bible have entered the field of international affairs. I suggest that we compare the two sets of morals: the one hidden beneath the texts of the Bible and the one widely applied in business.
The work in the world of negotiation has been traditionally seen as something that cannot possibly contribute anything to God worship. Ambitions and wealth, property owning and exploitation of human labor (however slight and well rewarded) are considered sinful in the opinion of representatives of the traditional branches of Christianity, such as the Orthodox and Catholic churches. Yet Wayne Grudem claims that an effective work of any businessman can be a proper way to glorify the Holy Father. I suggest that we investigate some of the ideas provided by the author in his book “Business for the glory of God: the Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business”. They will be criticized from a few points of view, and certain remarks will be included based on the ideas of Karl Marx and John Kaynes.
John Kaynes made a curious comment concerning the discussed subject: “Capitalism is the astounding belief that the wickedest of men will do the wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone”. These words cannot be disregarded (for the concept of private business is a tribute to capitalism), because Kaynes is one of the “developers” of modern economic theory, yet, this remark contradicts with the main idea of Grudem. Can it be simply because Kaynes 's point of view is a realistic one and the author of the mentioned book makes assumptions about what the state of things could be like in perfect conditions? Wayne Grudem does not deny the fact
References: Grudem, W. (2003). Business for the glory of god: the bible’s teaching on the moral goodness of business. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books. Keynes, J. M. (1936). The general theory of employment, interest and money. United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan. Marx, K. H. (1867). Capital. (4 ed., Vol. 1). Chicago: Charles H. Kerr and Co.