Episode 218: The Problem with the Social Gospel
“WWJD?” It's a virtuous aim for Christians to behave like Jesus Christ. Feeding and clothing the poor, caring for the orphan and widow are the command of Scripture, and a righteous pursuit of any disciple of Jesus Christ. But what about other social injustices like economic equality or racial equity? Is it the aim of the Christian to fight against child labor or unjust wars, or advocate for environmental protections or public education? If so, in what way and in what context?
What are the boundaries of Christian responsibility? Is our primary goal as Christians to pursue justice and the establishment of a Christian ethic in our world? Or is it to preach the gospel in order to see souls saved? In this episode, provost of Living Faith Bible Institute, Brandon Briscoe, has invited Dr. Alan Shelby of Harvest Baptist Church, dean of the Living Faith Bible Institute, to chat about the Social Gospel, a movement that has influenced the church for over 150 years now.
Pastor Shelby expounds key Bible passages in the gospels pertaining to the aim of the Christian, showing from Christ’s own words how the social gospel has distracted the church from a scriptural approach to ministry and world missions.
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