predestination & the preterite [Re: MDMD(3)--Just a

[LBernier at tribune.com]

To: pynchon-l at waste.org 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Description: cc:Mail note part

     
Jules a dit:
     
     I would be interested in seeing further discussion of the relationship 
     between Calvinism and class structure, as well as its role in the 
     history of industrialism. In reading Elaine Pagels' book on the 
     Gnostics, I see many points that indicate that the Gnostics were driven 
     out of mainline Christianity by people who acted more like businessmen 
     or political leaders than religious figures.
     
     Does Pynchon see I. G. Farben, et al, as the inheritors of the 
     Christianity as business?
     
I would say more that IG Farben, et al, are the inheritors of Christianity 
as religion.  The cult of the almighty dollar is certainly something that 
the Calvinists (and I must include my own protestant ass in that group) had 
no qualms with.  Ever step inside a So. Baptist church?  Just take a look at 
the multi-million dollar building, ringed with the mercedes and beemers of 
its congregation, and you'll be left with little doubt about who the REAL 
God of the believers is.

Jean.