The Social Gospel

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Examples of the Social Gospel
Bethany Covenant MOUNT VERNON Bethany Covenant
Church will host Bite of Bethany, a family
recipe-tasting night celebrating the publication
of the new church cookbook, Bethany Bounty,
from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church, 1318 S.
18th St. Music will be provided by the mens
quartet. 360-424-9399. (Skagit Valley Herald,
C1, 9/28/02)
Unity Church of Today MOUNT VERNON Unity Church
of Today, 704 W. Division St., will hold a
potluck picnic with an old-fashioned country
theme following the 11 a.m. service Sunday, Sept.
29, at Hillcrest Park. The main entree will be
provided bring food to share. The event will
feature games and live banjo music. 360-419-7409.
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The Social Gospel

• The Wisdom and Will of Men
• 1 Corinthians 25

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Social Gospel not in NT (1 Peter 411)

• Gospel
• of the kingdom, Matt. 423
• of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Mk. 11
• of the kingdom of God, Mk. 114
• of the grace of God, Acts 2024
• of God, Rom. 11 1516
• of His Son, Rom. 19

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Social Gospel not in NT (1 Peter 411)

• Gospel
• of Christ, Rom. 116 1519, 29
• my gospel, Rom. 216 1625
• of peace, Rom. 1015
• the gospel, Rom. 1016
• our gospel, 2 Cor. 43
• of the glory of Christ, 2 Cor. 44

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Social Gospel not in NT (1 Peter 411)

• Gospel
• for the uncircumcised, Gal. 27
• which you heard, Col. 123
• of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Ths. 18
• of the blessed God, 1 Tim. 111
• was preached to you, 1 Pet. 125
• everlasting, Rev. 146

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The Social Gospel Invention of Man
(1 Cor. 25)

• Social Gospel, in U.S. history, a religious
  social reform movement that was prominent from c.
  1870 to c. 1920, especially among liberal
  Protestant groups dedicated to the betterment of
  industrialized society through application of the
  biblical principles of charity and justice.

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The Social Gospel Invention of Man
(1 Cor. 25)

• Labour reforms--including abolition of child
  labour, a shorter work week, a living wage,
  factory regulation, and improvement of the
  working conditions of women--constituted the
  Social Gospels most prominent concerns.
• (Encyclopedia Britannica, 10920)

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The Social Gospel Invention of Man
(1 Cor. 25)

• American Protestant movement in the late 19th
  and early 20th centuries to awaken Christian
  concern about social injustices. It was a
  reaction to the type of religion that
  concentrated solely on the spiritual redemption
  of the individual and ignored such social and
  economic problems as poverty, war, and human
  exploitation.
• (Herbert A. Wisbey, Encyclopedia International,
  16569)

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Focus of the Social Gospel

• Wrong message
• Wrong work of the local church
• Leaves man in his sin
• Galatians 18-10

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Nature of the Kingdom of God

• Not of this world John 1836
• Within you Luke 1720-21
• Not eating and drinking Romans 1417

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The Kingdom of God

• Spiritual, not physical emphasis
• Built through gospel preaching
• Matt. 1618-19 - Keys to kingdom
• Matt. 2819-20 - Teach all nations
• 1 Cor. 21-5 - Power of God
• 1 Ths. 211-13 - Calls into kingdom

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(Chart by Edward C. Wharton, Redemption Is, p.
23, Howard Pub.)
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Objective of the Social Gospel

• Social Gospel, in U.S. history, a religious
  social reform movement that was prominent from c.
  1870 to c. 1920, especially among liberal
  Protestant groups dedicated to the betterment of
  industrialized society through application of the
  biblical principles of charity and justice.

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Objective of the Social Gospel

• Labour reforms--including abolition of child
  labour, a shorter work week, a living wage,
  factory regulation, and improvement of the
  working conditions of women--constituted the
  Social Gospels most prominent concerns.
• (Encyclopedia Britannica, 10920)

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The Social Gospel Adopted Adapted by churches
of Christ

• General benevolence by local churches
• Alleviate human suffering
• Meet human needs wherever and whenever possible,
  even the unsaved
• Means to an end Salvation of souls

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General Benevolence
Surely that same divine love which led Christ to
die for us while we were yet sinners (Rom. 58),
and to feed the hungry multitudes, most of whom
followed him mainly for the loaves and fishes,
and to heal the sick and diseases just because
they needed healing, will lead His body the
church
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General Benevolence
to do what it can to alleviate human suffering,
and to meet human needs wherever and whenever
possible, even of those who are unsaved,
recognizing always that the ultimate goal of all
such efforts is the saving of the souls of those
who are aided. (Gaston Cogdell, The
Cogdell-Turner Discussion, p. 91)
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The Social Gospel Adopted Adapted by churches
of Christ

• Church-sponsored social events
• Supported by the local church
• Planned, promoted provided for by the local
  church
• Overseen by elders of the local church as a part
  of its work

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The Social Gospel Adopted Adapted by churches
of Christ

• A tool of evangelism Medical Missions
• Meet physical spiritual needs
• Provide entrance into countries
• Provide contact with the lost
• Provide the opportunity to teach the lost the
  gospel

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The Social Gospel Adopted Adapted by churches
of Christ

• A tool of evangelism Secular Education (English
  schools)
• Example World English School
• Teach English using Bible as text
• Compliment missionary efforts

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The Social Gospel Adopted Adapted by churches
of Christ

• Minister to the Whole Man
• Example Bridges to the World (non-profit church
  of Christ based organization based in Abilene,
  TX)
• Meet basic human needs
• Nutrition, education, agriculture, construction,
  economic development

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Problems with the Social Gospel

• Misunderstands nature of the kingdom
• One early influential writer in this movement
  wrote, The kingdom of God is a great social
  synthesis which includes the whole life of man,
  spiritual, moral, mental and physical its field
  of manifestation is mans personal, family,
  social, political and industrial relations.
  
  (Stan Cox, The Social Gospel, Watchman
  Magazine, http//www.watchmanmag
  .com/0306/030615.htm)

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Problems with the Social Gospel

• Remember, the kingdom is
• Not of this world Jno. 1836
• Within you Luke 1720-21
• Not eating drinking Rom. 1417

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Problems with the Social Gospel

• Misunderstands purpose of gospel Salvation from
  sin (Rom. 116-17)
• Not social reform, but soul reform - 1 Tim.
  48-11
• Not bread before the Bible - Jno. 626-29

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Attracting the Masses with Bread
http//www.bible.ca/evangelism/e-social-gospel.htm
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Problems with the Social Gospel

• Misunderstands focus of gospel Salvation from
  Sin (Rom. 116-17)
• Not medication to encourage the message Mk.
  1615
• Not secular education to promote spiritual
  edification Acts 198-10

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Problems with the Social Gospel

• Misunderstands work of the local church (1 Tim.
  315)
• Not health social reform, recovery recreation
• NT Teach gospel relieve needy saints (Acts
  242-46 61-4)
• Gospel drawing power (Jno. 644-45 Acts 239)

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Problems with the Social Gospel

• Mistakes individual action for church action
• Helping poor (Mk. 147)
• Local church Needy saints, Acts 434-35
  31-7, 16 (1 Tim. 516)
• Individual Christians All men, Gal. 610 Jas.
  127

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Problems with the Social Gospel

• Mistakes individual action for church action
• Social activities
• Local church Forbidden, 1 Cor. 1122, 34
• Individual Christians Allowed, 1 Cor. 1122
  (Heb. 131-2)

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The Social Gospel is Creeping into
Non-institutional Churches

• We are not immune! Jude 3-4 1 Cor. 1012
• Youth Fellowships/Forums Ladies Retreats/Days
  with social activities included
• Combined advertising of spiritual and social
  events Often no separation or distinction is
  being made

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Kirkland church of Christ Kirkland, WA (May,
2000)
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Kirkland church of Christ Kirkland, WA (Sept,
2002)
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Westside Youth Lectures, Irving, Texas (9/02)
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WHAT IS NEXT?!

• Learn from history or repeat it!

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Bakersfield, CA
A Church of Christ
Family Life MinistryCommitted to helping build
supportive Christian relationships and strong
Christian marriages and families through a
variety of events.Youth MinistryCommitted to
helping our teens develop steadfast lives and
devoted hearts through Fellowship, Devotionals,
Youth Rallies, and many other activities.Women's
MinistryCommitted to utilizing the unique
talents of women in service to the Church and
community through Ladies Day Retreats, Prayer
Groups, Bible Studies, and other events.
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Bakersfield, CA
A Church of Christ
Men's MinistryCommitted to calling men to stand
together with integrity and devoted hearts
through Men's Retreats, Prayer Groups, Bible
Studies, and other events.Children's
MinistryCommitted to teaching our children and
helping them grow in enthusiasm for God through
Bible Class, Children's Worship, SNICK (Sunday
Night is Cool for Kids), Yosemite Bible Camp, and
other events.OutreachCommitted to reaching
people for God
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Bakersfield, CA
A Church of Christ
Counseling RecoveryCommitted to helping
hurting individuals, couples, and families
discover God's plan for their lives. Central
Church offers a 12-Step support group for
Chemical and Alcohol addiction. A Divorce /
Relationship Recovery support group is provided
through our Singles Ministry. Professional
counseling is also available from licensed
Marriage, Family, and Child counselors. Call for
a confidential appointment [phone].Small
Group Bible StudiesCommitted to helping people
understand God's word and apply its truths to
their lives.
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What is Next?! (Gal. 110 416)

• Change occurs gradually
• Breakdown in distinguishing individual church
  action
• More calls to blend social activities with the
  (spiritual) work of the church
• Targeting of special groups
• Lessons like this viewed as extreme,
  fear-mongering fanatical

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Focus of the Social Gospel

• Wrong message
• Wrong work of the local church
• Leaves man in his sin
• Col. 317 Heb. 85 Gal.
  18-10 1 Cor. 25