Christianity and the New Spirit of Capitalism

Kathryn Tanner is Frederick Marquand Professor of Systematic Theology at Yale Divinity School. She is the author of Christ the Key and Economy of Grace, among other books.

“A stunning reworking of the financial metaphors that have become a standard feature of Western theology.”—Amy Plantinga Pauw, Christian Century“Ambitious and multi-faceted work . . . richly researched, nuanced, refreshingly lucid and often damning descriptions of how we work, invest and manage now.”—Chris Franks, International Journal of Systematic Theology    Winner of the 2020 Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion in the category of Constructive-Reflective Studies, sponsored by The American Academy of Religion.  “In this book, Kathryn Tanner exposes the vacuity of current capitalist mythologies and offers an alternative way of imagining human well-being, grounded in a sophisticated and provocative theological vision. A hugely important essay in strengthening resistance to the subtle tyrannies of financial fundamentalism.”—Rowan Williams, Cambridge“Kathryn Tanner is a distinguished Christian theologian of the highest order whose prophetic critique of financial capitalism is powerful and persuasive. She moves through Max Weber’s classic book, then subtly turns his work on its head with a great relevance to our present moment.”—Cornel West“Once again, Kathryn Tanner has reshaped the field. Her 'Protestant anti-work ethic' shows the deep incompatibility between basic Christian beliefs and contemporary capitalism in a way that is at once fresh, clear, and utterly compelling.”—Ian A. McFarland, University of Cambridge“With her usual precision and clarity, Kathryn Tanner shows how we have a choice today between equally worn paths: we can live a life defined by a 'spirit of capitalism' or one in conformity with the God of Jesus Christ. Her book suggests the way to a better future.”— Kelly Brown Douglas, Union Theological Seminary“In our time, capitalism is dominated by the financial sector, repels nearly all encroachments on its sovereignty and reach, and impels us toward eco-catastrophe. Kathryn Tanner makes a wonderfully astute, learned, and compelling case that Christian theology has something important to say about this situation.”—Gary Dorrien, author of Social Democracy in the Making