The social gospel seeks to bring about change in society by applying Biblical principles to problems like poverty, hunger, and lack of education.
In this Episode of Now Is the Time I discuss whether the social gospel is really gospel. I also answer a questions on Christian perfectionism and on the purpose of baptism.
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Questions:
If you have a question you can ask me here or just give me a call (747) 221-6478
- Amanda asked a question about how to answer the false teaching of Christian perfectionism.
- Mark asked a question about whether the purpose of baptism was more for those watching or more for the one being baptized.
Prayer
- Praise God for another good trip to Eastern Ukraine where I led an evangelism and discipleship seminar. We also visited some areas that were destroyed by the war. If you missed the pictures and videos you can find them here.
- Pray for Christina and the kids as they make the final push to finish our home school year.
- Pray for me at the leadership of our church as we deal with some false teaching issues.
Is the Social Gospel Really Gospel?
In general the social Gospel focuses more on solving the problems of contemporary society such as poverty, homelessness, hunger, and lack of education.
This approach to the gospel was popularized around a hundred years ago by Walter Rauschenbusch who is quoted as saying that the Kingdom of God “is not a matter of getting individuals to heaven, but of transforming the life on earth into the harmony of heaven.”
The Social Gospel is based on texts like Isaiah 58:6-12 and Matthew 25:31-40.
34 Then the King shall say to those on His right hand, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; 36 I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. 37 Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You? 40 And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me. Matthew 25:34-40
So is the Social Gospel really gospel?
Listen to the podcast for my answer and then let me know what you think!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:37 — 38.1MB) | Embed
Nancy Suko
May 28, 2016Well said!