|
 "The
church grows in numbers when we keep the coffee hot, the sermons
lukewarm, and cool off the occasional 'fanatic' who insists upon
Bible authority for our practices.... We become more and more
concerned about caring for physical needs, and the betterment of
our community from a civil and social viewpoint. AND THUS WE
BECOME CONVERTS OF THE SOCIAL GOSPEL."
After
reading the article from which this excerpt is taken, I was
reminded of Solomon's words in Eccl.1:9 "That which hath
been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is
that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the
sun." For you see, the article was written by Robert Turner
in 1957 - twenty-two years ago.
The
social gospel is not novel to brethren — it did not blossom
overnight. Satan patiently developed it through almost
imperceivable trends and tendencies, and that is why it is so
dangerous. It seems that many today want to compare the church's
present work with the accomplishments of past generations or the
"restoration movement" — rather than starting afresh
with God's word. The danger involved is the fact that to many of
the "new generation", the church has
"always" been involved with the social benefit of
brethren and the world. Unless taught by God's word, not past
traditions, many will continue to think that the social gospel
is the gospel of Christ.
Paul,
in writing to the Romans, exclaimed, "For I am not ashamed
of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
| |
unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16 ). To the
church in Corinth he wrote that the gospel would save them
"if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you"
(1 Cor. 15:2). It seems that the Galatians, like so many today,
did not hold fast to the gospel of Christ. Paul warned them
"I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that
called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel"
(Gal. 1:6). He further warned "If any man preacheth unto
you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be
accursed" (verse 8).
That
warning should motivate us to make sure that we indeed preach
the gospel of Christ. Each generation, and more specifically,
each individual must compare his teachings with the Bible's
teachings. That is his only assurance against teaching a
perverted gospel. When the social gospel is compared with
Christ's gospel, its error is clearly seen.
The
purpose of the social gospel is to improve social conditions
here on earth. It deals in economics, politics, secular
education and poverty. The gospel of Christ deals with the
spiritual welfare of man — the salvation of man's soul. The
emphasis of Christ's gospel has always been to save man and keep
him saved. This is to be the emphasis of the church's work, but
the social gospel would rather see the material welfare of man
emphasized. The social gospel is a gospel of this world only —
it ignores the eternal, the divine, the world to come. It is not
the gospel of Christ! Kevan O'Banion
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
