Churches of Christ Divided in mid 1800’s Issues: Missionary Society (1849) Instrumental Music (1855) Result: Formation of Christian Church (1900) Later: Disciples of Christ (liberal)

Churches of Christ Divided in mid 1900’s Issues: Sponsoring Church (Herald of Truth) Orphan Homes Colleges in the Church Budget Social Gospel (Recreation) Result: Split among churches (1955-1965) Institutional churches of Christ

Divisions Within The Church of Christ Issues: 1. Missionary Society (1849) 2. Instrumental Music (1859) 3. Colleges in Church Budget (1938) 4. Orphan Homes (1950’s) 5. Sponsoring Church (1950’s) 6. Social Gospel (1960’s)

Divisions Within The Church of Christ The Social Gospel

The Social Gospel Defined A Great Shift Spiritual Social

A great shift (spiritual to social) Purpose of Gospel Message—improve social circumstance Includes Churches involved in: Colleges Schools/Day care Fellowship halls Bus Ministry Gyms—ball teams “Gimmicks” to draw crowd

The Social Gospel I. History Behind It

I. History Behind It A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s 1. Problems of society following Industrial Revolution a. Crime b. Poverty c. Inequality d. Drunkenness e. Etc. 2. Many churches sought to fix the social ills

“In the 1870’s and 1880’s the leaders of American society suddenly realized that they were faced with overwhelming social problems. The industrial revolution in this country raised problems in business and political ethics, employer-employee relationships, economic competition and the nature of poverty and its remedy which shocked many American social philosophers out of a well-worn complacency. No less serious were the social maladjustments connected with the unparalleled rise of high cities. Slums, drunkenness, prostitution, organized crime, juvenile delinquency, abject poverty and all other problems sprawling, filthy cities were convincing realities that demanded that something be done.” Dr. David Harrell, FCC Lectures, March 23, 1960

“Out if this setting came the social gospel movement “Out if this setting came the social gospel movement. Religious leaders were not the first to delve into these social evils but in the late 1870’s and the 1880’s increasing numbers of them from almost every denomination began to offer suggestions for the solution of the new America’s social dilemma.” Dr. David Harrell, FCC Lectures, March 23, 1960

I. History Behind It A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s B. Crept into Restoration Movement

“Conservative” Denominations Got Involved In Social Gospel “By the 1880’s social gospelism had invaded the restoration movement. Leaders of the Disciples of Christ, still Biblically conservative at this junction, such as Isaac Errett, Richard M. Bishop of Cincinnati, and Frederick Power of Washington D.C. participated in the earliest organized efforts of the social gospel leaders in the United States.” Dr. David Harrell, FCC Lectures, March 23, 1960

I. History Behind It A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s B. Crept into Restoration Movement C. Issues of 1950’s/1960’s Made Two Shifts Social Spiritual Individual Church

The Mirror of a Movement Churches of Christ as seen through the Abilene Christian College Lectureship “Although not directly involved with the social gospel tensions in the mainstream of national thought, some of the basic questions of the larger debate were essentially the ones at stake in the Abilene tributary: What is the extent of the church’s social responsibility? How can efforts at social betterment be related to the problems of individual salvation? Will the church forsake its spiritual purposes by becoming inordinately encumbered with social services? Among churches of Christ, these infectious questions gathered, festered, and erupted into one bitter, benevolent issue: In what way can the church scripturally provide for the needs of widows and orphans?” (pp. 330-331) 1965 William S. Banowsky, Ph.d.

The Mirror of a Movement Churches of Christ as seen through the Abilene Christian College Lectureship “The benevolent battle among churches of Christ, then, was very definitely, if indirectly, related to the social gospel war being waged in contemporary Protestantism.” (p. 328) “The overtones of the social gospel movement endowed the more sequestered conflict with a flavor of national relevancy. There is ample evidence that the Lectureship was the brotherhood’s most forceful and continuing voice urging a broader conception of the churches social responsibility.” (pp. 341-342) 1965 William S. Banowsky, Ph.d.

I. History Behind It A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s B. Crept into Restoration Movement C. Issues of 1950’s/1960’s Made Two Shifts D. Started with Food and Fun 1. Fellowship Halls 2. Church Kitchens 3. Bus Ministry 4. “Gimmicks” to bring the crowds 5. Fun days

Ridgedale Church of Christ Chattanooga, TN

10/01/97

E. How Far it has Gone I. History Behind It A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s B. Crept into Restoration Movement C. Issues of 1950’s/1960’s Made Two Shifts D. Started with Food and Fun E. How Far it has Gone

Southwest Central Church (Houston, TX)

Issues that Separate Us Now

Issues that Separate Us Now Is this spiritual edification?

Issues that Separate Us Now

Issues that Separate Us Now

Fourth Ave Franklin, TN

The Differences Now

The Social Gospel I. History Behind It II. Problems With Social Gospel

II. Problems With Social Gospel A. No Authority

How Authority Is Established Acts 15 VV. 13-21 – James appealed to direct statement from Amos 9 Command / Statement V. 12 – Paul & Barnabas appealed to example of their work & miracles Approved Example VV. 7-11 – Peter appealed to events at Cornelius’ house – infers… Necessary Inference

Church Involvement in Social, Recreation and Entertainment ???? NONE Command / Statement NONE Approved Example NONE Necessary Inference

II. Problems With Social Gospel A. No Authority B. Not a social message or mission

Not a Social Order Not a Social Gospel Romans 14:17 John 18:36 The Church Is Not A Social Order Romans 14:17 John 18:36 1 Peter 2:5

II. Problems With Social Gospel A. No Authority B. Not a social message or mission C. Fails to distinguish the individual and church

Distinction in Individual & Church Work Role Money Liberties

A difference in the Individual and the Church 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.”

Name Work Finances “Christian” Acts 11:26 1 Peter 4:16 Church of Christ Romans 16:16 Own Widows 1 Timothy 5:16 Indeed Buy & Sell James 4:13 Free will offering 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Name Work Finances

II. Problems With Social Gospel A. No Authority B. Not a social message or mission C. Fails to distinguish the individual and church D. Adds to the work of the church

1. “Equipping of the saints” a. Means: repair, put in order-make complete b. Ephesians 4:16—edify itself 2. “Work of the ministry” a. Means: serve; used of benevolence (Acts 6; 2 Cor. 8/9) b. Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 5:16 3. “Edifying of the body” a. Means: build up (ASV)—increase by teaching b. 1 Timothy 3:15

The Social Gospel I. History Behind It II. Problems With Social Gospel III. Kitchens, Fellowship Halls, and Eating in the Building

III. Kitchens, Fellowship Halls and Eating in the Building A. The issue

The Use of a Church Kitchen Not Talking About: A place to prepare LS Place to wash LS trays A place for taking care of needy saints Are Talking About: Church providing a place for meals for social & recreational purposes. Fellowship halls Family Life Centers Muti-Purpose Blds

Eating in the Building The Issue: Was Not Was and Is Is the building sacred? Can one eat inside the building? Can one eat on church property? Can the church have a common meal for social and recreational purposes?

III. Kitchens, Fellowship Halls and Eating in the Building A. The issue B. Common meals are individual matters

Common Meals— Individual Matters 1 Corinthians 11:20-22 “Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.” More than abuse of the Lord’s Supper!

III. Kitchens, Fellowship Halls and Eating in the Building A. The issue B. Common meals are individual matters C. No authority for the church— social and recreation

If there is, where is the passage? Command To authorize the church to arrange/support a common meal for social and recreational purposes? Example Necessary Inference If there is, where is the passage?

Aids Are Authorized Within the Command

III. Kitchens, Fellowship Halls and Eating in the Building A. The issue B. Common meals are individual matters C. No authority for the church— social and recreation D. Not the work of the church

A Church Kitchen Is not the work of Evangelism Is not the work of Edification Is not the work of Benevolence

III. Kitchens, Fellowship Halls and Eating in the Building A. The issue B. Common meals are individual matters C. No authority for the church— social and recreation D. Not the work of the church E. Difference in incidentals and planned

Incidentals and Planned Incidental Matters while at the building Planned and Sponsored by the Church Talk about politics Sell/deliver sold items Seek medical advice Eating on property Political rally Church in business Church hospital/clinic Church kitchen/dinner

The Social Gospel I. History Behind It II. Problems With Social Gospel III. Kitchens, Fellowship Halls, and Eating in the Building