In response to Jonathan M’s comment that I haven’t considered how much middleclassness is influenced by the Bible I say
I think you’re right. Living frugally, working hard and being honest in your work, sticking with your family and giving your children a head start in life (cash, property, education) is an ethic that can be derived from the Bible, and is likely to ease families up the social scale. Although that ethic can be derived from the Bible, I don’t think it takes into account the movement/directionality in the Bible. It doesn’t see the the whole in terms of the climactic sequence of Jesus’ life and death.
I’ve begun to sketch out that sequence, following the Gospel of Luke. The question I have in mind is What does this have to do with middle-class values? Anything at all? Here goes: (more…)