The Approach of Max Weber’s Sociology of Religion as Exemplified in His Study of Ancient Judaism

Max Weber’s approach to the sociology of religion still poses a puzzle. Difficult logical-methodical and substantive issues are involved. As it is well known, he first dealt with religion in 1904/1905, in his essay on the relationship between ascetic Protestantism and the emerging ‘spirit’ of modern capitalism, which he regarded a study in the history of religion, confined to the post-Reformation period. From 1910 onward, however, step by step he expanded his approach in scope and analytical complexity. Now he tried to cover all major religions in the Mediterranean-European and Asian areas. This project, which was to be realized in four volumes, aimed at identifying the distinctiveness of the European and American, i.e. Western, modern rationalism and at explaining its emergence, especially from a religious-ethical viewpoint. It is linked to another major project, his Grundriss article, known as Economy and Society. Both projects are complementary, but do not mature simultaneously. In the present article it is shown, how they remained interconnected and how Weber established through them his comparative and developmental-historical perspectives. It is also demonstrated, how he put his early study on ascetic Protestantism into context by connecting it with his later study on ancient Judaism.