“God’s grace does not only apply to those who are strong and productive in society,” Kässmann said in comments at a forum organized in the year that marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of Calvin, known for his role in Geneva, a cradle of the Protestant Reformation.
Kässmann said she believed it important to make her point at a time when performance-related achievement seems to be so central in society, the German Protestant news agency epd reported.
Speaking on April 15 at the German Historical Museum in Berlin, 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.
The Berlin discussion forum marked the start of a series of events at the museum to commemorate Calvin (1509-1564). The meeting with Kässmann was on discipline. At weekly intervals, discussions on money, resistance, images, and democracy will follow.
The forum is part of the museum’s exhibition on the life and work of Calvin called “Calvinism: The Reformed Protestants in Germany and Europe”. It runs until July 19. With more than 360 historical documents, works of art and liturgical objects, the Berlin exhibition is the largest exhibition in Europe during the Calvin Year.
The exhibition also touches on issues such as expulsion, migration, and minorities. It was opened on April 1 by Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, a professed Calvinist, in the presence of Berlin Bishop Wolfgang Huber. He also heads the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), the country’s main Protestant umbrella, and other dignitaries.
Balkenende said church reformers like Calvin and Martin Luther were constantly fighting against injustice in their societies. Today this resistance should be seen against the inflated bonus culture of bankers.
He pointed out the strong work ethic that forms an important part of Calvinist theology is “worked into a moral framework”. In the light of the current global economic crisis, Balkenende stated, “It would be a good thing if the financial markets were more strongly governed by this principle.”
More information on the German exhibition is available at: www.dhm.de/ausstellungen/calvinismus/en/index.html
