Business and Religion in the American 1920s

(Hardback)

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Addressing a phenomenon that continues to shape our culture today, Professor Lunden presents a full-length analysis of the relationship between business and religion during the 1920s. He examines both the impact of the business mentality on Protestant institutions and values and the effects of religion on business. Beginning with a discussion of business and entrepreneurship as determining factors in the development of American society, Lunden looks at the position of the Protestant churches vis-a-vis business. He next explores business attitudes toward religion. Commenting on the adoption of specific Judeo-Christian concepts, religion. Commenting on the adoption of specific Judeo-Christian concepts, he describes both how these concepts were applied in a business context and what concessions were made by business when Protestant values came into conflict with those of the commercial world. In his final chapter he considers the implications of the business community's appropriation of religious functions and the widespread belief that its mission was linked to the redemption of society.

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Rolf Lunden is professor of American studies at the University of Uppsala in Sweden. He notes that foreign observers have been impressed by the religious idealism and a passion for business which characterizes America. This was especially true in the 1920s. Professor Lunden analyzes the relationship between business and religion, especially Protestantism, during this period. He examines the impact of the business mentality on Protestant institutions and values, how religion in America has contributed to the emergence of the capitalistic spirit, how it lent an idealistic and spiritual dimension to entrepreneurial activities, and how business appropriated religious values and became a pseudoreligion.-Theology Digest
"Rolf Lunden is professor of American studies at the University of Uppsala in Sweden. He notes that foreign observers have been impressed by the religious idealism and a passion for business which characterizes America. This was especially true in the 1920s. Professor Lunden analyzes the relationship between business and religion, especially Protestantism, during this period. He examines the impact of the business mentality on Protestant institutions and values, how religion in America has contributed to the emergence of the capitalistic spirit, how it lent an idealistic and spiritual dimension to entrepreneurial activities, and how business appropriated religious values and became a pseudoreligion."-Theology Digest

Author Bio

ROLF LUNDEN is Professor of American Studies at Uppsala University in Sweden.