On the topic of social justice, if I had to choose between the Pope and Jordan Peterson, I’m going to go with the Pope. Now, I do not believe in the “social gospel” of old liberalism from 19th/20th century Protestant theology. In old liberalism, the promise of the forgiveness of sins is replaced with the love of God and the brotherhood of man and the eschaton is collapsed into quasi-Marxism rather than working for and waiting for the new creation. Hard pass from me!
This post is helpful - thank you! I agree with the diagnosis of the problems that plagued early so called "liberalism" of the early 20th century. Too much and too far with incorrect definitions and presentations of many Biblical concepts.
I think this also brings into question the methods and goals of missionaries and missionary organizations of this same time into the mid 60's and some even today. There seemed to be a tension between bringing the Gospel message strictly as a chance for conversion and an impetus to bring the Gospel message in words, but also in deeds; particularly in the areas you mentioned.
I love your clarification on Luke's use of language. Challenging for sure.
We need both salvation of individuals AND the healing of our communities. Why do so many people seem to think that they have to pick one, and feel threatened by the other?
Excellent word. Thank you. For years as a pastor, I leaned exclusively towards the position that the gospel is about one thing: get saved so you can go to heaven when you die. Then, after going through a Job experience, I reread the gospels with fresh eyes and saw that Jesus was about so much more. He sought out the marginalized and cared about their circumstances as well as their souls. Call me woke if you like. I wear it like a badge.
But the term “social gospel” is confusing and inappropriate (social good news?).
The eschatological promises already include the fixing of the current state of affairs of the world. The one Sovereign King will make sure there’s true justice and “shalom” in the world.
The gospel is therefore the good news that the fulfillment of the eschatological times has started with Jesus obedient life, death, and resurrection — the timer is set. The gospel is something that God alone does (Romans 1:16-17).
Both the Torah and Jesus require that God’s people practice justice and ḥeseḏ. They both call for God’s children to imitate God in his holiness— or distinctiveness, otherness. We are to love and forgive, justice and ḥeseḏ because God does so.
This holy living is a requirement for God’s people and is separate from the gospel. Jesus did not come up with this nor the evangelists when writing the Gospels. The practice of love, forgiveness and justice and ḥeseḏ was not invented by Jesus nor is the message of “the gospel”. Instead, Jesus reinforced the importance of holy living as people of God through obedience of the Torah (“I came to fulfill the Torah and the prophets”). For Jesus there was another Torah commandment similar to the most important one: “love your neighbor as yourself.” As important as this is, it is not the gospel or “social gospel” but a command God gave to all who are call by his name.
Therefore, there is the gospel we preach and there is holiness we live by. The gospel is God’s righteousness to bring eschatological salvation. Holiness is to practice justice and ḥeseḏ.
This post is helpful - thank you! I agree with the diagnosis of the problems that plagued early so called "liberalism" of the early 20th century. Too much and too far with incorrect definitions and presentations of many Biblical concepts.
I think this also brings into question the methods and goals of missionaries and missionary organizations of this same time into the mid 60's and some even today. There seemed to be a tension between bringing the Gospel message strictly as a chance for conversion and an impetus to bring the Gospel message in words, but also in deeds; particularly in the areas you mentioned.
I love your clarification on Luke's use of language. Challenging for sure.
We need both salvation of individuals AND the healing of our communities. Why do so many people seem to think that they have to pick one, and feel threatened by the other?
Excellent word. Thank you. For years as a pastor, I leaned exclusively towards the position that the gospel is about one thing: get saved so you can go to heaven when you die. Then, after going through a Job experience, I reread the gospels with fresh eyes and saw that Jesus was about so much more. He sought out the marginalized and cared about their circumstances as well as their souls. Call me woke if you like. I wear it like a badge.
But the term “social gospel” is confusing and inappropriate (social good news?).
The eschatological promises already include the fixing of the current state of affairs of the world. The one Sovereign King will make sure there’s true justice and “shalom” in the world.
The gospel is therefore the good news that the fulfillment of the eschatological times has started with Jesus obedient life, death, and resurrection — the timer is set. The gospel is something that God alone does (Romans 1:16-17).
Both the Torah and Jesus require that God’s people practice justice and ḥeseḏ. They both call for God’s children to imitate God in his holiness— or distinctiveness, otherness. We are to love and forgive, justice and ḥeseḏ because God does so.
This holy living is a requirement for God’s people and is separate from the gospel. Jesus did not come up with this nor the evangelists when writing the Gospels. The practice of love, forgiveness and justice and ḥeseḏ was not invented by Jesus nor is the message of “the gospel”. Instead, Jesus reinforced the importance of holy living as people of God through obedience of the Torah (“I came to fulfill the Torah and the prophets”). For Jesus there was another Torah commandment similar to the most important one: “love your neighbor as yourself.” As important as this is, it is not the gospel or “social gospel” but a command God gave to all who are call by his name.
Therefore, there is the gospel we preach and there is holiness we live by. The gospel is God’s righteousness to bring eschatological salvation. Holiness is to practice justice and ḥeseḏ.