Liberalism’s Good News

Historical BackgroundThe Social Gospel movement is a Protestant Christian

intellectual movement that was most prominent in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The movement applied Christian ethics to social problems, especially poverty, inequality, liquor, crime, racial tensions, slums, bad hygiene, child labor, weak labor unions, poor schools, and the danger of war. Above all they opposed rampant individualism and called for a socially aware religion. Theologically, the Social Gospel leaders were overwhelmingly post-millennialist. That is because they believed the Second Coming could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort.[1] Social Gospel leaders were predominantly associated with the liberal wing of the Progressive Movement and most were theologically liberal. Important leaders include Richard T. Ely, Washington Gladden, and Walter Rauschenbusch. - www.wikipedia.org

Historical BackgroundThe Social Gospel was a driving force in much of Protestant America. The Presbyterians said it best

in 1910:[2] The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world. In the late 19th century, many Americans were disgusted by the poverty level and the low quality of living in the slums. The social gospel movement provided a religious rationale for action to address those concerns. Activists in the Social Gospel movement hoped that by public health measures as well as enforced schooling so the poor could develop talents and skills, the quality of their moral lives would begin to improve. Important concerns of the Social Gospel movement were labor reforms, such as abolishing child labor and regulating the hours of work by mothers. By 1920 they were crusading against the 12-hour day for men at U.S. Steel. Many reformers inspired by the movement opened settlement houses, most notably Hull House in Chicago operated by Jane Addams. They helped the poor and immigrants improve their lives. Settlement houses offered services such as daycare, education, and health care to needy people in slum neighborhoods. The YMCA was created originally to help rural youth adjust to the city without losing their religion, but by the 1890s became a powerful instrument of the Social Gospel. [3] NearLy all the denominations (including Catholics) engaged in foreign missions, which often had a social gospel component in terms especially of medical uplift. The Black denominations, especially the African Methodist Episcopal church (AME) and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion church (AMEZ) had active programs in support of theSocial Gospel.[4] Both evangelical ("pietistic") and liturgical ("high church") elements supported the Social Gospel, although only the pietists were active in promoting Prohibition. [5] In the United States prior to World War I, the Social Gospel was the religious wing of the progressive movement which had the aim of combating injustice, suffering and poverty in society. During the New Deal of the 1930s Social Gospel themes could be seen in the work of Harry Hopkins, Will Alexander and Mary McLeod Bethune, who added a new concern with African Americans. After 1940, the movement withered, but was invigorated in the 1950s by black leaders like Baptist minister Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement. After 1980 it weakened again as a major force inside mainstream churches; indeed those churches were losing strength. Examples of its continued existence can still be found, notably the organization known as the Call to Renewal and more local organizations like the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. – www.wikipedia.org

Historical BackgroundIn the United States, the Social Gospel is still influential

in mainline Protestant denominations such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church USA, the United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church; it seems to be growing in the Episcopal Church as well, especially with that church's effort to support the ONE Campaign. In Canada, it is widely present in the United Church and in the Anglican Church. Social Gospel elements can also be found in many service and relief agencies associated with Protestant denominations and the Catholic Church in the United States. It also remains influential among Christian socialist circles in Britain in the Church of England, Methodist and Calvinist movements. In Catholicism, liberation theology has similarities to the Social Gospel. In the Anglican Church, the social gospel has found expression in pacifism. – www.wikipedia.org

Historical Background First, European “modernism” caused

religions to abandon basic Bible truths such as creation, inspiration, miracles, resurrection, heaven & hell

Second, sin was redefined to mean “social disorder,” and salvation to mean “social order”

Third, the focus of the gospel was changed from spiritual to physical

Fourth, religions changed directions in order to stay alive

Historical Background

Fifth, religions responded with the “social gospel”- The content of sermons was changed to “self-

help”- The work of religions was changed to social

activities

Sixth, justification for the so-called social gospel was sought in the “whole man” concept of Luke 2:52- Indeed, Jesus grew in all areas of his life- But, this is the goal of the individual and

family, not the work of the local church

The Social Gospel Many would ask, “Why is this wrong?” Is

social reform and ending poverty so bad?

Nothing is mentioned about removing sin (Mt. 1:21; Rom. 1:16; 3:23; 6:23; etc.)

What was the message of the first gospel sermon, social reform or sin (Acts 2)?

Man has been tempted to change the true gospel from the very beginning (2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:6-9)

Social Gospel

Feed the bodyEducationRecreationFraternityBirth-controlInner-cityMake a livingCivil rights, lawsRevolutionCivil disobedience

NT Gospel

Feed the soulSalvationSanctificationEternitySelf-controlHeavenly cityMake a lifeSpiritual fights, lawsRevelationSpiritual obedience

Social Gospel vs. NT Gospel

Will Social Issues Be Ignored?

No, social issues will be addressed…

As a by-product of obeying the gospel…

Poor (Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:28)

Family (Eph. 5-6; Col. 3)

Employment (1 Thess. 4:11-12; 2 Thess. 3:10)

Individually (Mt. 25:35; 1 Cor. 11:22,34; Gal. 6:10; Jas. 1:27)

Six Errors of the Social Gospel

1. It is born of liberal infidelity and a shaken faith

2. It perverts the mission of Christ (Mt. 1:21; Lk. 2:10)

3. It perverts the nature of the gospel (1 Cor. 1:21)

4. It perverts the nature of the kingdom (Jn. 18:36-37)

5. It perverts the mission of the church (1 Tim. 3:15)

6. It perverts the one hope of the gospel (Eph. 4:4)

The Social Gospel and Churches of Christ

Some Churches of Christ began to use the social gospel approach beginning in the 1950’s – 1960’s

Today, these churches have the following:Elaborate dinning halls GymnasiumsYouth camps, retreats Colleges, UniversitiesHospitals, Day-care Hobby classes, Weight lossTalent shows Scout troopsAthletic teams Trips to amusement parksSocial programs Family programsMedical clinics Skating partiesCoffee, donuts Shelters, food banksYouth ministers Job trainingEtc. etc. etc…………………………………………………………

Why the Social Gospel?

Many brethren today…

Are discontent with the current work

Lack faith in the current work

Want to be like the denominations

Get side-tracked from the true mission

Are worldly-minded

What Are the Results?

What happens when we change the work of the local church?

We do that which is unauthorized and sinful

We burden the church and waste the Lord’s money

We lose our focus: we cause the lost to remain lost in sin

We fail (Mt. 15:13)

Gospel Reminders

The NT Gospel Is God’s…

Calling power (2 Thess. 2:14)

Drawing power (Jn. 6:44-45,63,68)

Convicting power (Acts 2:37)

Saving power (Rom. 1:16-17)

Sustaining power (Rom. 16:25)

Gospel Reminders Preach the whole gospel (Acts 20:20-27; 2 Tim.

4:2)

Don’t change the gospel (Gal. 1:6-9)

Don’t change the mission of the Lord’s church (Eph. 3:10; 4:11ff; 1 Thess. 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:5)

Don’t forget the real problem in the world is sin (Mt. 1:21; 20:18; Lk. 19:10; Jn. 12:46)

Don’t forget our focus (Lk. 10:42; Jn. 4:34; 6:26-27)