The Social Gospel’s Quiet Revolution in Contemporary Society

I’m going to touch on a subject I hardly ever talk about, politics. There’s another side of Christianity in politics that doesn’t get the headlines it deserves. While I still think that Christianity is a load of hogwash, where this aligns with society and the teachings of that faith make a lot more sense than others. Let’s dive into a topic that’s not just about faith, but about how some are using it for a greater good. Ever heard of the Social Gospel movement? It’s making a surprising comeback in American politics, and honestly, it’s pretty fascinating.

Picture this: back in the late 19th century, when the industrial revolution was turning society upside down, a bunch of Christian folks decided that their faith was about more than just praying and preaching. They saw inequality, injustice, and all the mess created by industrial capitalism, and thought, ‘Hey, isn’t our faith supposed to be about helping the downtrodden?’ Thus, the Social Gospel was born, aiming to apply Christian ethics to social problems – think poverty, racial tensions, and all that jazz.

Fast forward to today, and it’s like we’re seeing a revival. Take Shawn Fain, the big cheese at the United Auto Workers. He didn’t just call for a strike against the Big Three automakers; he used the Bible to back it up. And guess what? He nailed a historic agreement for workers. Then there’s Senator Raphael Warnock, who’s out there quoting Matthew 25 in the Senate to push for expanding Medicaid and other social policies. Talk about faith in action!

And we can’t forget the Rev. William Barber II. This guy’s tying his Christian beliefs to issues like climate change, immigration, and voter suppression, and he’s making waves with the Poor People’s Campaign. Plus, there’s Matthew Desmond, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who’s challenging the whole notion that poverty is about personal failure. He sees it as a systemic issue, something the government can and should address.

But here’s where it gets really interesting. The author, John Blake, contrasts this Social Gospel thing with White Christian nationalism. While the Social Gospel is all about social justice and reform, White Christian nationalism focuses more on individual salvation and privilege. It’s like two sides of the same coin, but oh so different.

Back in the day, the Social Gospel was a big deal. We’re talking major influencers like Washington Gladden, Josiah Strong, and Jane Addams. They were all about social reforms, from workers’ rights to women’s suffrage. This movement even had a hand in shaping the Progressive Era, the New Deal, and the civil rights movement. But after World War I, it kind of took a backseat to other religious and secular trends.

Some folks argue that the spirit of the Social Gospel is still alive and kicking. It might not be front and center like it used to be, but it’s definitely influencing modern society in its own way. So, while I might not be a believer in the religious sense, I’ve got to admit – when it comes to making a positive impact on society, this old-school Christian movement is onto something. What do you think? Is there a place for these old-school teachings in our modern world? Drop your thoughts in the comments – I’m curious to hear them!

This article is inspired by John Blake’s report on the revival of the Social Gospel movement in America, which he published on CNN.com on November 14, 2023.

Image Credits: Image created by OpenAI's DALL-E, visualized by ChatGPT, United Auto Workers, Talk Nerdy 2 Me