Volume 2 Issue 1 January, 1996
by Tim McPhearson
(Romans 1:16,17), and although God has chosen the "foolishness of the message preached to save them that perish" (I Cor. 1:17), some people are apparently not satisfied with God's truth. Therefore, an attempt is made by man to "improve upon God's means and method of salvation by makeing a "more appealing" religion (Jer. 10:23; Isa 55:7-9; Prov. 14:12).
The approach of the social gospel varies from place to place. Recently, I witnessed a parade of clowns called "Fools for Jesus". Other religious groups might use "Muscle Men for Jesus". Still another group might appeal to people by announcing "Crafts for Jesus." The social gospel comes in all different sizes and flavors. Carnal (or worldly things) are used to APPEAL to the desires of fleshly man and supposedly bring people to Jesus. It is obviously the philosophy of those that propagate a social gospel that "the end justifies the means". Whatever it takes is used to appeal to men: sports, recreation, fun, clubs, current political speakers, novel guest speakers, etc., etc. But God has given us the only means to use, and that is the Gospel of Christ (Mk. 16:15). It is all sufficient to reach deep into the heart of man and penetrate to the innermost parts (Heb. 4:12). It strikes the chords of the heart that brings us humbly to our knees in sorrowful repentance and submissive obedience to His will. Nothing else can (or is able to) supplant, replace, or enhance the gospel message. Only it can truly bring man to Christ, the way he wants man to come to him. Any other "means" are unauthorized additions to the gospel and perversions to the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6,7).
The "social" gospel emphasizes this worldly life rather than emphasizing spiritual life. It caters to this world rather than God's spiritual truth. Consider the following truths:
First, the church is a spiritual kingdom (John 18:36) and Christ is the spiritual head of the church (Eph. 1:22,23). He came to this earth and shed his blood to save men spiritually (Luke 19:10), and He purchased the church with his shed blood (Acts 20:28). Have you ever considered the fact that if the church was to be some sort of organization catering to the affairs of this world, giving fun and pleasure in this life, then all
this could have been done had Jesus never come to this earth? But, you see, no man's spiritual needs could have been met had Jesus not come and died. Jesus died for a spiritual cause. The gospel, the church, and the message we preach are not pertaining to "the things of this world" nor appealing to the things of this world (Col. 3:2). Consider more spiritual truths. The church is entered at the point of baptism by a spiritual birth (John 3:3-5), and the churches primary work is spiritual as recorded in Acts 20:28 and Eph. 4:11-15. With all this considered, we can plainly see that the "god of the world", Satan, is trying to thwart God's spiritual purposes. His efforts are to profane the holy by taking the spiritual and making it carnal or worldly. Religious activities are nothing more than an affair of this world. Please keep in mind the following scriptures as you teach religious people (and, unfortunately, some of our own brethren) out of "the social gospel."
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, it says 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 is about, as they appeal to man through the things of this world. We must appeal to man through God's spiritual word and the weapons of our warfare: truth, righteousness, salvation, 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 the gospel of Christ is rejected by man and considered unappealing and inadequate by the world, then we must leave that in the hands of God. It says that "his word will judge us in the last day". I will not attempt to insult God by introducing a "social" gospel to replace the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
