Praca jako powołanie. Istotne elementy luterańskiego etosu pracy
Work as Vocation. The Significant Elements of Lutheran Ethos of Work

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper is to look at the specifics of the Lutheran approach to the human labour, which often is described as vocation. The article is divided into three parts: (1) Freedom as essence of Luther’s ethics; (2) Luther’s views on the work; (3) Today’s symptoms of Lutheran ethos of work. The conclusions framed in this study are as follows. Lutheran ethos of work, although it strongly emphasizes the need of work and diligence, doesn’t recognize the person as homo laborens only, i.e. a being realizing himself exclusively by the work. The human labour should be considered as a honourable duty, service to the neighbours, and has to be seen also as a vocation and source of joy. However, the work cannot be the only a form of human activity. Because both workaholism and laziness are sinful, inappropriate and harmful behaviours. The quintessence of this Evangelical-Lutheran approach to the phenomenon of human labour is therefore the healthy attitude to him, and the right place, which the work should occupy in the daily life of a Christian, so that he could responsibly enjoy the gift of freedom.

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