In Pursuit of the Almighty's Dollar

A History of Money and American Protestantism

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Church, Church History
Cover of the book In Pursuit of the Almighty's Dollar by James Hudnut-Beumler, The University of North Carolina Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James Hudnut-Beumler ISBN: 9780807883044
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press Publication: March 5, 2007
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press Language: English
Author: James Hudnut-Beumler
ISBN: 9780807883044
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication: March 5, 2007
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Language: English

Every day of the week in contemporary America (and especially on Sundays) people raise money for their religious enterprises--for clergy, educators, buildings, charity, youth-oriented work, and more. In a fascinating look into the economics of American Protestantism, James Hudnut-Beumler examines how churches have raised and spent money from colonial times to the present and considers what these practices say about both religion and American culture.

After the constitutional separation of church and state was put in force, Hudnut-Beumler explains, clergy salaries had to be collected exclusively from the congregation without recourse to public funds. In adapting to this change, Protestants forged a new model that came to be followed in one way or another by virtually all religious organizations in the country. Clergy repeatedly invoked God, ecclesiastical tradition, and scriptural evidence to promote giving to the churches they served.

Hudnut-Beumler contends that paying for earthly good works done in the name of God has proved highly compatible with American ideas of enterprise, materialism, and individualism. The financial choices Protestants have made throughout history--how money was given, expended, or even withheld--have reflected changing conceptions of what the religious enterprise is all about. Hudnut-Beumler tells that story for the first time.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Every day of the week in contemporary America (and especially on Sundays) people raise money for their religious enterprises--for clergy, educators, buildings, charity, youth-oriented work, and more. In a fascinating look into the economics of American Protestantism, James Hudnut-Beumler examines how churches have raised and spent money from colonial times to the present and considers what these practices say about both religion and American culture.

After the constitutional separation of church and state was put in force, Hudnut-Beumler explains, clergy salaries had to be collected exclusively from the congregation without recourse to public funds. In adapting to this change, Protestants forged a new model that came to be followed in one way or another by virtually all religious organizations in the country. Clergy repeatedly invoked God, ecclesiastical tradition, and scriptural evidence to promote giving to the churches they served.

Hudnut-Beumler contends that paying for earthly good works done in the name of God has proved highly compatible with American ideas of enterprise, materialism, and individualism. The financial choices Protestants have made throughout history--how money was given, expended, or even withheld--have reflected changing conceptions of what the religious enterprise is all about. Hudnut-Beumler tells that story for the first time.

More books from The University of North Carolina Press

Cover of the book States of Emergency by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Pickett's Charge--The Last Attack at Gettysburg by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Slavery on Trial by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book The Life and Times of General Andrew Pickens by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Workers' Control in Latin America, 1930-1979 by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Captive Nation by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Defining Duty in the Civil War by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book An American Triptych by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Latino City by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Chancellorsville by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Colored Travelers by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Neighbors and Strangers by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Struggle for Mastery by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book Nation Building in South Korea by James Hudnut-Beumler
Cover of the book American Honor by James Hudnut-Beumler
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy