Max Weber's seminal work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, embarks upon a nuanced exploration of the economic evolution of capitalism, with a particular emphasis on its unexpected entanglement with Protestant Christianity. Central to Weber's thesis is the assertion that the Protestant Reformation, and specifically the doctrines of Calvinism, played a pivotal role in shaping the ethos that gave rise to modern Western capitalism. At the heart of this intricate relationship is the doctrine of predestination, a theological concept that Calvin espoused as a fundamental tenet of his faith, echoing earlier church thinkers like Saint Augustine.

Calvin’s interpretation of predestination encapsulates the notion of an omnipotent and omniscient God, a concept resonant throughout Western monotheism, including Judaism and Islam. In Calvinist thought, the stark reality of predestination led to a denial of human free will, which, according to Weber, inadvertently fostered a unique work ethic. This work ethic, characterized by discipline, frugality, and a sense of duty, became instrumental in the emergence of a capitalist spirit.

While Calvinism stands prominently in Weber’s analysis, he also contrasts it with medieval Catholicism. Here, Weber delves into the religious practices of monastic orders, who, unlike the Calvinists, retreated from the world in search of spiritual enlightenment. This withdrawal contrasts sharply with Calvinist engagement in worldly affairs, thus highlighting differing religious approaches to life and labor. Furthermore, Weber touches upon Martin Luther’s doctrine of salvation by faith, noting Luther’s closer ties to Catholic traditions than to the Calvinist ideology.

Despite the convincing nature of Weber’s argument linking Calvinism to capitalism, his thesis has not gone unchallenged. Economists and historians, such as R. H. Tawney, have posited an inverse relationship, suggesting that the economic transformations of the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance necessitated a religious evolution. This shift, they argue, prompted Protestantism's ascendance as a response to the waning corporatism of Catholic civilization, thereby positioning religion as reactive to rather than a progenitor of capitalist development.