Calvinism emphasizes "calling" and "self-control". Protestants tend to be diligent, punctual, save, invest, and not waste, which constitute the ethical basis for the rise of capitalism. They also believe that one of the ways to "glorify God" is to be faithful in their own work. All this makes Protestant countries the richest.
Is the underlying logic because Protestantism is more in line with the Bible? Protestantism particularly emphasizes Sola Scriptura, emphasizing that believers read the Bible directly and know God. In terms of reliance on and dissemination of the Bible, Protestantism is obviously closer to the original meaning of the Bible. · In contrast, Catholicism, Orthodoxy, etc., have added a lot of traditions and man-made authority. The Catholic Church in the Middle Ages also restricted ordinary believers from reading the Bible.
Protestantism emphasizes: universal literacy, reading the Bible, and independent thinking; faith permeates public life, daily life, and political life, emphasizing "carrying the cross of the Lord".
However, heretical churches emphasize that "faith is better than knowledge", believers' lives are separated from politics, and they teach that "believing in Jesus will make you rich, healthy, and promoted." That is to say, "a country that is superficially Protestant" does not mean "a country with profound Protestant beliefs and culture."
Protestantism requires: true repentance and understanding of the gospel. Only in this way can we establish a social ethics of piety, justice, and law-abidingness. Heresy is rampant。
There are a few so-called Protestant countries in Latin America or Africa. They have many believers, but no foundation of faith. "Conversion" is only for blessings, promotion, and wealth. The result is that in these countries where heresy is rampant, the churches there only emphasize emotional experience and miracles, but lack the rooting of biblical truth and the renewal of life. They cannot establish a social ethics of piety, justice, and law-abidingness. The government is corrupt, the judiciary is not independent, and corruption is rampant.
The degree to which the core values of Protestantism (such as fearing God, abiding by the law, hard work, temperance, emphasis on education, rationality, and institutional construction) are implemented in society is the sign of a Protestant country.
The so-called Protestant countries in Latin America and Africa emphasize diversity and tolerance: they believe in Jesus, have folk beliefs, or have amulets, etc.
Without the in-depth understanding of the truth of the gospel, the implementation of biblical values, the reform tradition of the church, and the renewal of the system, it is impossible to enjoy the blessings brought by faith.
Unfortunately, these heresies are also growing in some Protestant countries. Therefore, some Protestant countries in Europe and the United States are also rapidly degenerating. Each of us must be vigilant and not become a heretic without knowing it.