Between God and gold
Book Description
In a world where faith and commerce seem to occupy separate spheres, Robert A. Wauzzinski challenges us to examine the hidden connections between spiritual belief and economic systems. Between God and Gold explores how two seemingly opposing worldviews—Protestant Evangelicalism and Industrial capitalism—actually share profound common ground that has shaped American culture in unexpected ways.
Rather than accepting the conventional separation of sacred and secular, Wauzzinski reveals how both movements embrace individualism, belief in progress, and materialistic cultural values. He demonstrates that what appears as a supernatural, emotion-driven religious perspective and a mechanistic, scientific worldview actually operate from shared foundational commitments, including the equation of divine natural law with market structures.
Through detailed examination of three influential nineteenth-century figures—evangelist Charles Finney, scholar Francis Wayland, and philanthropist Russell Conwell—the author shows how this synthesis played out in real lives and practical decisions. These case studies illuminate how evangelical leaders accommodated their theology, work, and worship to meet industrial demands, creating a uniquely American fusion of spiritual and economic values.
Wauzzinski concludes by proposing theological and economic alternatives that transcend the traditional capitalism-socialism divide. Using an interdisciplinary approach, he offers possibilities for social revitalization that honor both spiritual depth and economic reality. This work invites readers to reconsider how their deepest beliefs intersect with their daily economic choices and cultural participation.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 272 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Industries, history
- ✓ Explore Economics
- ✓ Explore Evangelischen
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Industrielle Revolution
- ✓ Explore Industries
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Economics
