Religion and the Rise of Capitalism · Character
Jesus Christ
The moral compass early modern theologians keep invoking to judge usury, prices, and profit, even as Calvinists argue His teachings leave room for interest.
supporting
Also known as Jesus Christ, Christ, Christe
First appearance: religion and the rise of capitalism
As a supporting figure in Religion and the Rise of Capitalism, Jesus Christ is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Christ's teaching on freedom is mentioned as a basis for peasant revolts, contrasting with the Church's stance.
In Tawney's account, Jesus Christ functions less as a doctrinal figure than as the ultimate court of appeal in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century debates over lending, pricing, and enclosure. Reformers like Calvin and his followers insist His words forbid interest on loans to the needy but not interest in principle, while Puritan preachers cite His ethic to denounce those who buy cheap and sell dear. The tension is that every faction claims His authority for opposite conclusions about the new commercial world, making Him the contested standard against which the morality of capitalism is measured.
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Character Web
26 connectionsA slice of how Jesus Christ sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Psychological
- Other
Character groups
- Puritan Religious Leaders
- Protagonist
- Capitalism and Reformation Figures
+21 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the medieva…
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Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- The Puritan
psychological · positive
The Puritan movement centers on a personal, rigorous emulation of Christ's moral… How this plays out →
- Mr. Badman
psychological · negative
- The Puritan
psychological · positive
The Puritan movement centers on a personal, rigorous emulation of Christ's moral… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
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See Jesus Christ in religion and the rise of capitalismIn the story
Jesus Christ appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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