Abstract
Insufficient attention has been paid to the interface between religion, business and development, allowing assumptions and stereotypes to abound. This paper takes a broadly conceptual and sociological approach to the development potential of the Evangelical Pentecostal Charismatic Movement (EPCM). Taking their cue from Weber, three questions are addressed, and three corresponding suggestions are made that are important to understanding this potential. Using the notion of ‘calling’ as an example, the first suggestion is that the cognitive, behavioural and social characteristics of the EPCM that are significant for development relate closely to personal and corporate purpose. Secondly, in contrast to what Weberian and secular perspectives tend to assume, the EPCM and its associated virtues will not necessarily decline as economies grow. Thirdly, while alternatives (such as Confucianism) are possible, the EPCM demonstrates considerable potential in terms of practical development impact. None of this challenges existing evidence that the movement is influenced by the ‘prosperity gospel’; by world-denying pietism and supernaturalism; and by socio-economic factors often described as ‘neo-liberal’—influences that have received much scholarly attention. It does indicate, however, that a more nuanced understanding of the movement and of its causal relationships is needed, given the complexity of the religion–business–development nexus.
Highlights
The interface of religion, entrepreneurship and human development has received inadequate attention from academics, politicians and development professionals.1 In their best-selling books, for instance, two of the world’s most renowned development economists make no reference to entrepreneurship or religion (Sachs 2005; Easterly 2006)
This article has not sought to use the theme of this journal—a Christian perspective on social enterprise—to focus on ‘Christian’ enterprise, nor on ‘social’ enterprise
It has done so in part on the understanding that all enterprise that promotes human and environmental flourishing is social and spiritual, ‘commercial’ and ‘secular’ it may be in its modus operandi
Summary
The interface of religion, entrepreneurship and human development has received inadequate attention from academics, politicians and development professionals. In their best-selling books, for instance, two of the world’s most renowned development economists make no reference to entrepreneurship or religion (Sachs 2005; Easterly 2006). The religion Weber considered of greatest socio-economic consequence was Christianity, especially in its Protestant form His methods and findings are dubious by today’s scholarly standards, Weber’s genius lies in his discernment of a crucial link between religion, business and human development. SMEs have immense social significance, regardless of country or region, and regardless of whether or not they are formally recognised as ‘social enterprises’ Against this background, this article seeks to address three questions that reflect Weber’s legacy and are crucial to the prospects for the human and environmental flourishing of the religion–business–society nexus that is the focus of this Special Issue of the Religions journal:.
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