Exposing the Social Gospel: What Would Jesus Steal?
Since their defeat in the late 1970’s in the SBC, socialists and theological liberals (often one and the same) have been clawing their way back into positions of influence in the evangelical world. Taking advantage of the soft analytical focus of the postmodern era, they have been careful to avoid outright attacks on the Bible, but carefully twist its message for their political agenda.
Groups like Sojourners and other quasi-evangelical left-wing groups often are able to influence young evangelicals, their church experience usually leaving their heads full of feel-good mush more than doctrine, by taking advantage of young peoples’ idealism and foolish assumptions about their ability to change the world. The liberals promote some “new, vain thing”, stirring up the young with cynicism against tradition and their elders, that inevitably leads to greater power for liberals and the government orifices they control.
The Marxists keep marching, and it is this persistence more than anything that we in the opposition must take to heart. Only when we are willing to fight as hard and as long and against great odds, in other words when our faith exceeds theirs, will we win the battle.
Of particular concern is the tendency of the “Christian pop culture” towards this kind of thing. When our youth look to shiftless musicians (Christian ones, but still still shiftless artsy muddle-headed types) as theological guides, problems are bound to arise. Witness the CCM world’s fawning over the socialist manifesto parading as Christian parable called “The Shack” (for a review click here).
It all goes back to the Social Gospel, a movement that must be terminated by the orthodox Christian mainstream.
Gary North’s latest essay on this subject is a gem. Choice quotes:
If voters can be made to feel guilty about their economic success, they can be manipulated. This is why the politics of guilt manipulation is at the heart of the welfare state.
In a systematic political program to make people feel guilty, the Social Gospel movement within Protestantism has played an important role for over a century.
The Social Gospel movement, which began in the United States in the 1880’s, shared an ethical principle with the Progressive movement, which began at the same time and in the same social circles. This ethical principle can be summarized as follows: Thou shalt not steal, except by majority vote.
Defenders of the welfare state may wax eloquent about justice and fairness and the moral high ground. But no matter how lofty the rhetoric may be, as you are listening, ask yourself these three questions:
1. Where is the gun?
2. Who is holding the gun?
3. At whom is the gun pointing?
Today, there is a small, dedicated movement within the evangelical Protestant camp that regards Federal tax increases and Federal welfare increases as crucial to extend the kingdom of God in history. This is a recent development.