Thursday, December 18, 2008

Social Gospel ?

I just came across this on the Christian Post website and blog and thought you might find it of interest in light of our Redemptive Presence assignment. I read it with curiosity and satisfaction, as the work that you did fully agrees with and supports Warren's accurate (at least I think so) opinion on this issue:

Social Gospel is 'Marxism in Christian Clothing,' Says Warren
By Jennifer Riley
Christian Post Reporter
Tue, Dec. 16 2008 03:35 PM EST


Best-selling author, social activist and megachurch pastor Rick Warren described the social gospel supported by many of the mainline churches as “Marxism in Christian clothing.”

“[W]e don’t need to care about redemption, the cross, repentance. All we need to do is redeem the social structures of society and if we make those social structures better the world will become a better place,” explained Warren as he described the beliefs behind those who support the "social gospel," in his interview with Beliefnet.com, which was posted Monday.

“Really in many ways it was just Marxism in Christian clothing,” he criticized. “[I]t was in vogue at that time that if we redeem society then man will automatically get better. It didn’t deal with the heart.”

Warren, recognized as one of the most socially active Christians in the world, did not hold back his criticism of those who call themselves Christians but seek to make the world a better place by focusing on the body – issues of poverty, disease, social justice and racial justice – and not the soul.

But he also disagreed with their counterpart – Christians who disregard the body altogether while caring only for the soul and personal morality.

“Who’s right? . . . Read the rest of the article here.

Blessings
Bill H

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