Three Fallacies of the Social Gospel

"Individualism means tyranny." Baptist theologian Walter Rauschenbusch famously preached these words in Christian opposition to the evils of capitalism and big business. Of course, the opposite is true: individualism is freedom from tyranny. But he firmly believed the Gospel promoted a form of Christian socialism that is somewhat reminiscent in some Emerging Church circles today.

In the early 20th century, the Social Gospel movement was driven by the belief that the Second Coming of Christ could not happen until humanity rid itself of all social evils by human effort. Followers applied Christian ethics to social justice issues, especially as it related to economic policy.

Similar to the way Marxism twisted Scripture, as I pointed out in one of my recent posts, the Social Gospel Movement was guilty of three major theological fallacies

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http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/VBBCYNZUJPMNVGYK45HXRD7ZJ4 A Real American

What has occurred, and still occuring, in this post-modern Church is spiritual corruption in the pulpit and church leadership. These social gosper preachers have no reverential fear of God. They know not the Biblical Jesus, but create their own social Jesus for their apostasy. I pity any innocent sheep sitting in their churches who have not read their Bible for "knowledge, understanding, and wisdom" nor apply Acts 17:11 "search the scriptures to prove to themselves what they're told is true". They're blind sheep being led to spiritual slaughter.
daves

Doesn't individualism mean the individual is more important than society? Isn't society all of God's children?
- http://www.facebook.com/ken.kirkham.7 Ken Kirkham
  
  Individualism is nothing more than using your spiritual gifts and skills which are what makes you an individual. Society would not function without individuality. In God's economy everyone is part of the body yet each is unique…that is indivualism.
  - Kalev
    
    If only more people understand as you do. Shame the Democrats do not view it this way.
- John Adams
  
  The only children God has are those who have repented of their sins and trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.
  - daves
    
    And here I thought we are all created in God's image.
    - John Adams
      
      Created in God's image – yes, but that does NOT make one a child of God.
      - Vladimir
        
        Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father…"
      - John Adams
        
        That prayer was given to those who already believed in Jesus Christ as God and Saviour.
      - Vladimir
        
        How do you know they already believed in Jesus Christ as God and Savior, John Adams? The scriptures don't give evidence for your conclusion. It doesn't seem reasonable to assume that either, given the number in attendance. Jesus, Himself, doesn't make that distinction in His sermon.
      - John Adams
        
        Here's the proof:
        Luk 11:1
        
        ¶
        
        And it came to pass, that, as
        he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples
        said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his
        disciples.
        
        Luk 11:2
        
        And he said unto them, When ye
        pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy
        kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
        
        Luk 11:3
        
        Give us day by day our daily bread.
        
        Luk 11:4
        
        And forgive us our sins; for we
        also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into
        temptation; but deliver us from evil.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58215905 Wesley Woods
      
      we are, even Hitler, Stalin, and Nero Caesar. to be human is to bare the image of God for that is what separates us from the animals. for even the animals have soul, but they are not made in the image of God.
      - Kalev
        
        Animals have a soul? Never read that in the Bible. Prove it to me if you can.
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58215905 Wesley Woods
        
        where does the Bible plainly states that animals do not have souls? i have yet to read such a verse or even heard of such a verse.
      - mallen11
        
        Animals do not have a soul; that is why we are different that them. Animals live on instinct and can't think as man can even though we "think" our pets can. We are born physically alive but spiritually dead. We are made alive in Him when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior and given eternal life through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325143250 Audie C. Gates
      
      Adam WAS created in God's image..but didn't remain that way, Because of sin, he & Eve were driven from perfection(Eden). Man continues in God's image, but he has lost his innocence…marring all of us, his descendents . But that's why Jesus came, to redeem us & heal us from sin! Hallelujah !
- Winston
  
  No, what you are describing is "collectivism" and "communitarianism", both of which are socialistist. The "social gospel" apostates are liberals/socialists which wormed their way into the church to distort and abrogate Biblical Christianity.
- mallen11
  
  God's children are only those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior. All others are enemies of God.
  
  Psalm 110:1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a
  footstool for Your feet.”
  
  Heb 10:12-14 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
  
  Phil 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
John Adams

The "social gospel" is an attempt by Satan to make people feel spiritual and godly when they are actually on their way to Hell. And the "gospel" they spread facilitates the eternal destruction of those they come in contact with.
There is NOTHING good about the social "gospel".
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58215905 Wesley Woods
  
  slavery would still be legal in Christian nations around the world. the Methodists and catholic belief in the social gospel ended child labor, built hospitals, and created schools to educate children. poverty dropped because of the social gospel. poverty is the lowest in countries where Christianity was once strong. all these are a direct result of the social gospel. we are to live out the gospel always and use words when the time comes.
  - John Adams
    
    I could not disagree more. I've heard those lies before; they are just not true.
  - Kalev
    
    hogwash & pork bologna, you are indeed deceived.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58215905 Wesley Woods

Jesus told his disciples in the parable of the sheep and the goats that whatever you do to the least of these you do unto me. this parable is a clear teaching of the social gospel. all we have to do is look at the moral decay of society since the church decided to ignore society. divorce is rampant, more children are living in single parent households, abortion, and teen pregnancy have caused the welfare state to bloom especially under this president who believes in big big government. two years ago i was working with children from broken homes who just needed to be loved by caring adults. we are to be the body of Jesus Christ like the church at Antioch in Acts were the believers were first called Christians for the people saw Jesus Christ in the believers. the social gospel is all about how we live out our faith. Mother Teresa said that the reason she continued to care for the lepers in India was she saw Jesus Christ in each and every leper that she met. St. Francis believed that the leper he kissed one day on the road was Jesus Christ in disguise. the author of Hebrews tells us to entertain strangers for we maybe entertaining angels in disguise or Jesus Christ himself.
- Vladimir
  
  Wesley Woods, perhaps it would help if you defined what you think the social gospel is. From your post, I couldn't identify it.
  - Winston
    
    The error of the Social Gospel in the church:
    http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR283.htm
    It takes the professed believer's eyes off of Christ and onto themself and their humanist world and its cares. It's just one of Satans deceptive practices which are found hidden under the banner of the "church".
    - Vladimir
      
      Thanks, Winston.
    - Mary
      
      How can people actually caring about others be Satan's plot? Didn't Jesus say you shall know them by their fruits?
      BTW most people who I know who practice the "social gospel" are not doing it because they expect salvation,.They help others because they care and are following Jesus' example. I can't understand how anyone can object to that.
  - Mary
    
    He seems perfectly clear to me. Love thy neighbor as thyself.
- Kalev
  
  Yes, you are deceived, for sure. You must not be aware of all the social gospel adherents (goats) in the Democratic Party.
- aceituna
  
  Continue reading Jesus' description of the judgement day her and what he says to the ones on the left. What did the people on the left say when he pronounced that they hadn't done it.
  They asked when had they not done these things;they were sure that they had done them. What Jesus was telling them they had not done these things as a result of their faith in the Redeemer, but they were doing them in the same mode as the pharasees that Jesus often upbraided because they thought they were living a good enough life to merit heaven.
- Mary
  
  Finally. Someone who makes sense!
Kalev

Good article, thanks for putting it on Zionica.