From 'Devil's Drink' to Christian Self-Help Bestsellers: The Complex History of Coffee
Coffee, a daily ritual for many, has evolved from a controversial beverage to a popular theme in Christian self-help literature. Books like "Café com Deus Pai" (Coffee with God the Father), which made pastor Junior Rostirola Brazil's best-selling author in 2023, have spawned a genre featuring titles such as "Café com Nossa Senhora" (Coffee with Our Lady) and "Café com Jesus" (Coffee with Jesus), even extending to "Café com Exu," demonstrating its broad appeal beyond Christianity. The phrase "tomar um café" (to have a coffee) often signifies an intimate encounter or a moment of personal reflection amidst a busy day. Interestingly, the Portuguese word for coffee, "café," is phonetically similar to "com a fé" (with faith), a linguistic quirk that adds another layer to its cultural significance. Brazil ranks as the second-largest coffee consumer globally, trailing only the United States, according to the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association (Abic).
Historically, coffee's relationship with religion has been fraught. Early written records from the 6th century suggest its discovery in Ethiopia, where a goat herder observed its stimulating effects on his flock. The practice of roasting coffee beans is believed to have begun in the 14th century with Ethiopian Orthodox monks. By the 15th century, Sufi Muslims in Yemen used coffee to stay awake during long nocturnal prayers. The Arabs called it "qahwah," meaning wine, due to its stimulating properties, but it was deemed permissible by Islamic jurists as it did not cause intoxication. Coffee reached Europe via Turkey in the 16th century, where it was initially demonized by Christians as the "devil's drink." Legend has it that Pope Clement VIII, upon tasting it around 1600, found it so appealing that he "baptized" it, thereby removing its negative religious stigma and paving the way for its acceptance and spread throughout the Western world in the 17th century. This papal approval was seen as a way to promote sobriety among the populace, contrasting with the widespread consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Despite its eventual acceptance, coffee has remained a subject of religious controversy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) prohibits its members from drinking coffee, based on a revelation from founder Joseph Smith in 1833, which condemned "hot drinks" as detrimental to physical health and spiritual well-being. The Seventh-day Adventist Church, while not officially prohibiting coffee, advises its adherents against its consumption, viewing it as potentially harmful to the body, which is considered a temple of God.
The evolution of coffee's perception, from a religiously condemned beverage to a motif in spiritual self-help literature, highlights shifting cultural and societal values. The commercial success of "Coffee with God the Father" and its imitators suggests a market demand for accessible, faith-based content that integrates daily rituals with spiritual reflection. This trend may reflect a broader societal search for meaning and comfort in an increasingly complex world, where familiar practices like drinking coffee are imbued with new symbolic significance. Historically, religious institutions have often sought to regulate or co-opt popular consumption patterns, as seen with coffee's journey from "devil's drink" to papal approval. Contemporary religious guidelines, such as those from the Latter-day Saints and Seventh-day Adventists, demonstrate ongoing efforts to align lifestyle choices with theological principles, often framing health and moderation as spiritual imperatives. The juxtaposition of coffee's historical demonization with its current role in devotional literature underscores the dynamic interplay between tradition, commerce, and belief systems.
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