The Social Gospel

Most churches today have fellowship halls and gymnasiums. They have co-ed softball leagues, and some even have fitness centers and bowling alleys. I remember when I was active in denominational churches that I participated in all kinds of church-sponsored recreation and social activities. At one of the churches I attended, there was a teen dance club in the basement of the church building where hundreds of young people would come every Friday night to play pool and groove to the latest hits from Britney Spears. There were pizza parties, pancake breakfasts and I even heard of cappuchinos for Christ.

These social and recreational activities are justified in two ways. First, it is argued that these activites promote edification and fellowship among the people of God. The second argument is that such activities are really works of evangelism. That is, they draw people to the church and ultimately to Christ. In this article, I want to refute this "Social Gospel" and affirm that the church has absolutely no authority to engage in such activities.

I want to begin with Romans 1:16. Paul says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." This is a principle with which we should all agree. The gospel, or good news, of Christ is the way to salvation. In order for someone to be saved, they must hear the gospel. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." How do we bring people to Christ? How do we grow in our relationship with God? The common denominator here is God's word. Basketball and pizza have nothing to do with our salvation. Cake walks and pool tables do not increase our faith. Swimming pools and carnivals will not lead us closer to Christ. According to the verses above, it is the gospel, the word of God, that lead to spiritual edification and salvation.

Interestingly enough, this is exactly what we find in the book of Acts. In Acts 8:5-6, we're told that "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did," and then in verse 12, "But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized." When Philip came to Samaria, he did not organize a Greco-Roman wrestling tournament to draw the multitudes to Jesus, nor did he set up a Pitas for Christ event. He simply preached the gospel and as a result, multitudes of people were converted.

Later in the same chapter (Acts 8), Philip was given the opportunity to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch. Acts 8:35 says, "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him." Acts 13:5 says, "And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews." Many other verses in Acts could be cited, but here's the point: whenever the apostles and evangelists of the first century sought to convert the lost to Christ, they simply preached the word of God. Not once did they organize some social or recreational event. When the churches were established, they did not build gymnasiums and have fellowship meals. Instead, when they assembled they studied God's word (Ac. 20:7).

If this is the New Testament pattern, then why do so many churches today insist on promoting the social gospel? Why are churches not content to simply preach and promote the gospel of Jesus Christ? If basketballs and chicken dinners have nothing to do with salvation, then why do churches build gymnasiums, kitchens and dining rooms? Perhaps it is because these activities make church "more fun," or maybe it is because they are afraid that sinners will not want to come to church if all they do is study the Bible. Both lines of reasoning are saturated with a lack of faith in the power of the gospel. Furthermore, when we use such temporal pleasures to draw people to the church, any growth that occurs is superficial. Finally, the end does not justify the means (Rom. 3:8).

Before I bring this article to an end, there is one other point I want to make. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 11. Here, Paul is rebuking the church in Corinth because it had perverted the Lord's supper. He tells them in verse 22, "What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise teh church of God and shame those who have nothing?" and then in verse 34, "But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment." According to this passage, there are certain things that we CAN do at home that we CANNOT do when we go to church. This is true of social and recreational activities. If you want to play basketball, go to the park. If you want to eat some chicken, go to KFC. If you want to work out, go to the YMCA. But the church should not be transformed into something that God never intended it to be.

Let us follow the simple pattern of the New Testament. Let us maintain the purity of the local church. Let us be not only content but happy and willing to study the word of God and promote the gospel of Christ only.

Are you part of a church that has left the simplicity of the gospel of Christ to pursue social and recreational activities? If so, please consider these things. Let me know if you have any questions or disagreements. Comment below. I'd love to hear from you.