Nothing more adequately describes the social gospel than the words the apostle Paul wrote to the young evangelist in 2 Timothy 4:3,4: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." As we examine the social gospel, we see that it is nothing more or less than man's attempt to develop another kind of message that appeals to the public at large. "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." {Gal.1:6,7}
Although the gospel is God's power: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."{Romans 1:16,17} Although God gave His own message, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." {1 Corinthians 1:17,18} Some people are apparently not satisfied with God's truth. Therefore, man attempts, by creating a more appealing religion, to improve on God's means and method for salvation. Many passages (Jeremiah 10:23; Isaiah 55:7-9; Proverbs 14:12) show the fallacy in such an undertaking.
The approach of the social gospel varies from place to place. Recently, I witnessed a parade of clowns called Fools for Jesus. Another religious group might use Muscle Men for Jesus. And still another might appeal to people by announcing Crafts for Jesus. The social gospel comes in all sizes and flavors. Carnal (worldly) things are used to APPEAL to man's fleshly desires and, supposedly, to bring him to Jesus. Obviously, the philosophy of those who propagate a social gospel is "the end justifies the means." They use whatever it takes--sports, recreation, fun, clubs, current political speakers, novel guest speakers, etc.--to appeal to men. But God gave us the only means to use--the gospel of Christ. "And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." {Mark 16:15} The gospel is sufficient to reach deep into man's heart and penetrate to his innermost parts. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." {Hebrews 4:12} The gospel strikes the heart chords and brings us humbly to our knees in sorrowful repentance and submissive obedience to God's will. Nothing can (is able to) supplant, replace, or enhance the gospel message. It alone can bring man to Christ, in the way He wants him to come. Anything else is unauthorized and a perversion of the gospel of Christ. The pure, simple gospel is the only acceptable magnet for drawing men to the cross, where they reach His life saving blood. Nothing else can do the job!
Rather than emphasizing spiritual life, the social gospel emphasizes a worldly life. It caters to this world, rather than to God's spiritual truth. Consider the following truths:
- The church is a spiritual kingdom. "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." {John 18:36}
- Christ is the spiritual head of the church. "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." {Ephesians 1:22,23}
- Jesus came to this earth and shed His blood to save our souls. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." {Luke 19:10}
- He purchased the church with His shed blood. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, 2. among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." {Acts 20:28}
Have you ever considered the fact that if the church was intended to be some sort of organization for catering to this world's affairs, giving fun and pleasure in this life, all of this could have occurred without Jesus coming to this earth? But you see, man's spiritual needs could not have been met if Jesus had not come and died. He died for a spiritual cause. The gospel, the church, and the message we preach do not pertain, or appeal, to the things of this world. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." {Colossians 3:1,2}
Consider more spiritual truths. The believer enters the church through baptism, by a spiritual birth (John 3:3-5), and the church's primary work is spiritual, as recorded in Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 4:11-15. Considering all of this, we can plainly see that the "god of this world," Satan, is trying to thwart God's spiritual purposes. He intends to profane the holy by taking the spiritual and making it carnal, or worldly. Religious activity becomes nothing more than an affair of this world.
Please keep in mind the following scriptures as you endeavor to teach religious people (and unfortunately, some of our own brethren) out of "the social gospel." In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, we read that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. Remember, the sword of the spirit is the word of God. We do not fight this world with the "things of this world." Unfortunately, that is exactly what the "social" gospel tries to do, as it appeals to men through the things of this world. We must appeal to men through God's spiritual word and the weapons of our warfare: truth, righteousness, salvation, and the gospel of peace. In John 6:63, Jesus plainly said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." He also said, "Do not labor for the food which perishes but for the food which endures to everlasting life." (John 6:27)
Remember that Jesus and His apostles refused to use physical appeals or "carnal tactics" to attract people to Him. If man rejects the gospel of Christ, and the world considers it unappealing and inadequate, we must leave that in God's hands. God's word plainly explains how we'll be judged in the last day. "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak." {John 12:48,49} I will not insult God by attempting to introduce a "social" gospel to replace the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Brother McPherson did an excellent job of describing the "social gospel." Take a look at the religious world of our day. Churches sponsor everything--Monte Carlo nights, Bingo, bowling leagues, softball leagues, pizza parties, sweetheart dinners, bridal showers, baby showers, dances, and the list goes on. Where will it end? I remember the words of an old preacher during a discussion on this subject. "If it took hot dogs and hamburgers to bring them to Christ--it will take steak and ribs to keep them." Sadly, we are way past the steak and ribs!!! (KMG)