2. Welcome Times of Assembly Sunday Wednesday Sunday Wednesday 9:45 am Bible Study 7:00 pm Bible Study 10:45 am Worship 5:00 pm Worship -Listening assistance devices are available. -Listening assistance devices are available. -Sermons are available on DVD, VHS & Audio tapes -Sermons are available on DVD, VHS & Audio tapes  Free of charge. -Please turn off cell phones and other devices. -Please turn off cell phones and other devices.

3. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

5. Churches of Christ and The Social Gospel Issues of the 50’s & 60’s

6. Social Gospel The social gospel is not a new concept. The social gospel is not a new concept. Materialistic approach to get big crowds. Materialistic approach to get big crowds. Churches of Christ are using the social gospel. Churches of Christ are using the social gospel. The illusion of the success is just that, an illusion. The illusion of the success is just that, an illusion. May be growing, but they are dying spiritually. May be growing, but they are dying spiritually.

7. Objectives of Lesson Define Social Gospel. Define Social Gospel. Beginning Of The Movement. Beginning Of The Movement. Examine the focus of the Social Gospel. Examine the focus of the Social Gospel. Social Gospel in Germany Post WW II. Social Gospel in Germany Post WW II. Jesus' Concept Of The Kingdom. Jesus' Concept Of The Kingdom.

8. Social Gospel Defined Church is responsible for the social development. Church is responsible for the social development. Seeks to maximize the physical world. Seeks to maximize the physical world. Gospel seeks to minimize this world. (Matt. 6:33) Gospel seeks to minimize this world. (Matt. 6:33) Advocates say… Advocates say… Social problems are the primary concern of the Bible.

9. After Civil War 1885. After Civil War 1885. Societal transformation. Societal transformation. Created may social problems. Created may social problems. Religious leaders desire to solve social dilemma. Religious leaders desire to solve social dilemma. “Message of the gospel was social justice”. “Message of the gospel was social justice”. Found its way into the churches of the Christ. Found its way into the churches of the Christ. Beginning Of The Social Gospel

10. Attracting People by having… Attracting People by having… Exercise rooms. Exercise rooms. Gymnasiums. Gymnasiums. Fellowship Halls. Fellowship Halls. Social Activities. Social Activities. People now expect church welfare. People now expect church welfare. Regardless of their spiritual health! Regardless of their spiritual health! Social Gospel Focus: Man's Body & Physical Needs

11. Gospel saves souls through the Word. Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 9:11-13; 18:11 Gospel saves souls through the Word. Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 9:11-13; 18:11 Can put an old man in a new suit… Can put an old man in a new suit… …Only Christ can put a new man in an old suit. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Cor. 5:17 Social Gospel Focus: Man's Body & Physical Needs

12. Social Gospel in Germany Local Churches Broadway church of Christ Lubbock, TX Other Sources Otis Gatewood Evangelism of Germany

13. Otis Gatewood, in 1947 raised support. Otis Gatewood, in 1947 raised support. Three million dollars raised. Three million dollars raised. Goal: refurbish Germany in a "Church of Christ" style. Goal: refurbish Germany in a "Church of Christ" style. Gatewood said, "We at least can say that we must work for fifteen or twenty years, in order to have what we would like to have in that country." (1947 Lipscomb Lectures,pg. 83). Gatewood said, "We at least can say that we must work for fifteen or twenty years, in order to have what we would like to have in that country." (1947 Lipscomb Lectures,pg. 83). Never happened! Even after 59 years. Never happened! Even after 59 years. Results Of The Social Gospel Concept Germany After W.W.II

14. Conversion by feeding & clothing them Conversion by feeding & clothing them "We will be confronted with the problem of feeding the people, and unless we do so we cannot reach them with the gospel of Christ, but that is a gigantic task." (1947 Lipscomb Lectures,pg. 83) Results Of The Social Gospel Concept Germany After W.W.II

15. Report of the work in the Frankfurt area. Report of the work in the Frankfurt area. Eight local churches in the Frankfurt area (1950) Eight local churches in the Frankfurt area (1950) January 14, 1951, there had been 945 baptisms. January 14, 1951, there had been 945 baptisms. Niederrad congregation had 90 members by March 7, 1951. Niederrad congregation had 90 members by March 7, 1951. 2500 were being taught weekly in Frankfurt. 2500 were being taught weekly in Frankfurt. Where is a church of Christ in Frankfurt?? Where is a church of Christ in Frankfurt?? Results Of The Social Gospel Concept Germany After W.W.II

16. Attracted those who were more interested in the "fishes and loaves" than in salvation. Attracted those who were more interested in the "fishes and loaves" than in salvation. 30 DAY CHALLENGE TO ANY CHURCH: 30 DAY CHALLENGE TO ANY CHURCH: Suspend all activities & use of the building. Suspend all activities & use of the building. EXCEPT for worship or spiritual edification. EXCEPT for worship or spiritual edification. Telling members; “we are going to start focusing on our spiritual needs”. Telling members; “we are going to start focusing on our spiritual needs”. What will be the reaction??? What will be the reaction??? Results Of The Social Gospel Concept Germany After W.W.II

17. Jesus' Concept Of The Kingdom Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. (Jno.18:36) Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. (Jno.18:36) Jesus did not first feed everyone He taught. Jesus did not first feed everyone He taught. The call of the gospel is "a heavenly calling" (Heb. 3:1;Rom. 14:17) The call of the gospel is "a heavenly calling" (Heb. 3:1;Rom. 14:17) Our Kingdom citizenship is in Heaven. (Heb. 12:22-23). Our Kingdom citizenship is in Heaven. (Heb. 12:22-23). Kingdom Of God Is Within You. (Lk. 17:21). Kingdom Of God Is Within You. (Lk. 17:21).

18. Jesus' Concept Of The Kingdom Jesus wants us to seek the Kingdom first. (Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:23) Jesus wants us to seek the Kingdom first. (Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:23) Then God will take care of our worldly needs. Then God will take care of our worldly needs. Gospel is concerned with spiritual needs. (1 Cor.11:22) Gospel is concerned with spiritual needs. (1 Cor.11:22) It improves and perfects one's character. (2 Pet. 1:3-11) It improves and perfects one's character. (2 Pet. 1:3-11) It seeks internal reform (Rom. 12:2). It seeks internal reform (Rom. 12:2).

19. In Summary… Social Gospel tries to fix social problems. Social Gospel tries to fix social problems. Conversion through church welfare. Conversion through church welfare. Post WW II Germany shows it’s failure. Post WW II Germany shows it’s failure. Jesus' Concept Of The Kingdom. Jesus' Concept Of The Kingdom.

20. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33