Faith in Markets: Christian Capitalism in the Early American Republic

In the 19th century, the United States experienced Protestant religious revivals and the expansion of the marketplace. Joseph P. Slaughter's book "Faith in Markets" explores the interplay between religion and capitalism by telling the stories of Protestant entrepreneurs who established businesses to serve as agents of cultural and economic reform. Three Christian business enterprises, shaped by Pietist, Calvinist, and Arminian theologies, offered different visions of a moral, Christian market. George Rapp & Associates operated textile factories as the business side of the Harmony Society, the Pioneer Stage Coach Line provided transportation services only six days a week to keep Sunday sacred, and Harper & Brothers sought to elevate American culture through commerce by producing virtuous products like lavishly illustrated Bibles.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 14 November 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

In the vibrant tapestry of the nineteenth century, the United States witnessed a remarkable convergence of profound religious revivals and the expansive growth of the marketplace. While conservative Protestantism has often been linked to laissez-faire capitalism, it is essential to recognize that the believers who experienced these transformative shifts harbored diverse and competing visions regarding the intersection of commerce and Christianity. To unravel this intricate interplay, Joseph P. Slaughter presents a fresh perspective, weaving the narratives of Protestant entrepreneurs who ventured into the world of business with the aim of serving as agents of cultural and economic reform.

Faith in Markets delves into the captivating stories of three Christian business enterprises, each shaped by distinct theological perspectives: Pietist, Calvinist, and Arminian. These enterprises emerged as beacons of hope, offering unique answers to the pressing question of what a moral and Christian marketplace should entail. George Rapp & Associates, operating sophisticated textile factories, stood as the business arm of the Harmony Society, an idealistic community that embraced communal living and sought to foster a harmonious workforce. Meanwhile, The Pioneer Stage Coach Line, committed to keeping Sunday sacred, operated only six days a week, competing with less pious businesses in an effort to reshape society through its moral values. Lastly, Harper & Brothers, the publisher of lavishly illustrated Bibles, embarked on a mission to elevate American culture through commerce, producing virtuous products that resonated with the nation's aspirations.

Through a meticulous exploration of a diverse range of sources, Faith in Markets unveils the profound ways in which the founders and owners of these enterprises infused their faith into their businesses. In turn, these distinctly religious businesses exerted a profound influence on American capitalism and society, shaping the very fabric of the nation's economic and cultural landscape. This captivating book serves as a testament to the intricate dance between faith and commerce, offering a valuable insight into the complex interplay between religion and the marketplace in nineteenth-century America.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231191104