Proclamational Social Gospel - Part 1

Proclamational Social Gospel - Part 1
This morning I found it quite difficult to leave home to go to work. I could hardly stop writing down what I have studied for the last two weeks. My mind has been on trying to define what is meant by the Social Gospel; and whether or not the Bible mandates the Church of Jesus Christ to seek to cure all the felt needs and social evils in our society and the world.

First and foremost I need to confess that in GFC's 22 year history, we have failed our community by not proclaiming the Good News to them, and we have not actively sought out the needy in our area. We could have done much more, but we were mostly concerned about our own nice little group. As a matter of fact, I heard more than once from members of our Assembly that they like the "small" church atmosphere.

Secondly, I need to define the term "Proclamational Social Gospel". Matthew 28:16-20 tells us: "16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The Churchs' mandate is to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; AND teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded us. As the Gospel is proclaimed in our City and surrounding areas (and the Nations), and men and women are gloriously saved by the power of God, our society will be impacted. It was said of the first century Believers that they turned the world upside down.

Linking arms with Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Catholics and Emergents to rid the world of "social evils" is not the proclamational social gospel - it is purely social. You cannot proclaim the exclusive nature of the historic Christian gospel joining hands with religious groups who deny the Deity of Jesus Christ and other fundamental Christian doctrines.

Jesus said very clearly that He IS the ONLY way through whom anyone can enter Heaven.

Consider what Don Carson has to say about trends in the Church today.

For Part 2 click here