Social Gospel: Avoiding the Confines of Political Rhetoric

Our Topic for Today:

• Can the meaning and implications of the Social Gospel be explored on their own merits without resorting to politically motivated liberal vs conservative arguments?

Many people attempt to reduce discussions of the definition and merits of the Social Gospel into the tired old framework of liberalism vs conservatism, but the words and actions of Jesus cannot be reduced to modern day political rhetoric and us-vs-them debates.

Lisa Robinson takes a alternative approach to the Social Gospel which avoids this trap in her Parchment and Pen Blog:

Excerpt:

The social gospel is a product of the liberal branch of Christianity that considers the main function of Christ’s earthly ministry to demonstrate humanitarian compassion and justice.  …   The supporter of the social gospel would contend that Scripture has demonstrated God’s concern for the down trodden and oppressed, and the correct response to demonstrate Christian virtues are to address the needs of society’s unfortunates.  In this way we love God by loving what he cares about.

The typical conservative evangelical response is that the gospel is built on the work and person of Jesus Christ, whose incarnation fulfills Old Testament prophecy. ….. However, I am not so sure that the conservative response should negate the need for addressing social concerns or necessarily tag ministries that are predominantly engaged with the provision of social programs or care as ones who promote a social gospel.  While I wholeheartedly agree that Jesus’ earthly ministry must be considered in context of his redemptive purpose, I don’t think the parameters should just be confined to the spiritual redress he came to correct.

God is concerned with the total person and not just the state of our souls.  Moreover, I believe that Jesus’ earthly ministry demonstrated that people do have tangible needs and are apt to have a more positive response, when those tangible needs are met.

I am not in favor of substituting humanitarian works for a clear message of redemption but neither do I think we can dismiss addressing social needs as carriers of that message.  I think Scripture has very much has demonstrated that social injustice is a reflection of the fallenness of humanity and something God cares deeply about because in the end, it is about the people he created.   And people need to know that they matter, especially the ones who seem to have gotten the short end of society’s stick.

…. I do know that people have very real needs and to quote a very common cliche “we might be the only Jesus they know”.

---- http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2010/01/does-social-good-equal-social-gospel-rethinking-a-need-for-tangibility/