RIGHT or WRONG?: Is the ‘Social Gospel’ secularism?

Posted: 5/26/06

RIGHT or WRONG?
Is the 'Social Gospel' secularism?

I’ve heard this statement, “The gospel is both personal and social.” I get the personal part, but doesn’t the “social” angle launch us into a secular, liberal, more humanistic direction? How should I understand this idea of both personal and social application of the gospel?

Jesus affirmed the gospel was both personal and social. Two events in his life illustrate the dual nature of the gospel—literally, “good news.” Jesus began his public ministry “preaching the gospel of God.” He declared the kingdom of God was at hand and it was time to repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:14-15). When asked by a lawyer at a later time to name the greatest commandment, Jesus responded by uniting two into one: Love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-40).

What we experience on Sundays when the pastor invites us to trust Jesus as Savior—“repent and believe”—highlights the gospel’s personal nature. Disciples confess Jesus as Lord and begin the lifelong process of being transformed into his likeness. Actions that grow from this side of the gospel include witnessing, helping others and cultivating personal moral virtues—honesty, sexual purity and abstaining from acts that harm the body, such as smoking, drinking and drugs. While these practices may impact others, the emphasis falls on the individual qualities.

Helping people who have fallen on difficult times often results from this personal transformation. For example, I received a phone call as I was composing this response. The caller was seeking assistance to help pay an electric bill. Churches often receive requests like this. Most Christians offer as much help as they can. We can apply the term “social ministry” to describe this kind of help. The disciple’s relationship to Christ has created a desire to help others in tough times.

Some people need repeated assistance. No matter how hard they try, they just can’t keep up with rent, utilities and groceries. Think about a single mother of three with little education who works 60 hours a week cleaning houses and still can’t make ends meet.

The “social” nature of the gospel does not necessarily launch us into a liberal or secular direction. Look at the reality of poverty in the United States. Amos directed harsh words against Israel for its mistreatment of the poor (Amos 5:1-24). He pronounced God’s judgment on the nation because of injustice and oppression of the needy. We could apply the term “social action” to Amos’ message. Social action focuses on eliminating causes of poverty rather than providing individual help.

Christians of various traditions across the theological spectrum agree we live in a society that falls short of God’s ideal. The specific responses to the needs of society may differ, but Christians want to see society transformed according to their understanding of the kingdom of God. As we address the problem of poverty, one approach has been to offer incentives to businesses that hire the poor. Some Christians support tax cuts aimed at stimulating the economy to create more and better-paying jobs. Then everyone might have a job through which they can provide for their family. Other Christians believe the system itself is in need of transformation. These believers might insist the minimum wage needs to be increased and taxes reduced for those who live near or below the poverty level.

Christians agree the gospel is both personal and social. What distinguishes believers is the direction and understanding of how to change society.

David Morgan, pastor

Trinity Baptist Church

Harker Heights

Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to btillman@hsutx.edu.