A Theology for the Social Gospel [Paperback]

Walter Rauschenbusch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 1986

A Theology for the Social Gospel is Walter Rauschenbusch's most enduring work. As "the father of the Social Gospel" in the United States, he articulates the theological roots of the social activism that surged forth from mainline Protestant churches in the early part of this century. Skillfully examining the great theological issues of the Christian faith--sin, evil, salvation, the kingdom of God--Rauschenbusch offers a foundation upon which the church is to fully engage society.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918) was a Christian theologian and Baptist minister, and a key figure in the Social Gospel movement in the United States. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 289 pages
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (December 19, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579100228
• ISBN-13: 978-1579100223
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,426,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Book, May 13, 2005

By 

Timothy J. Brooks (Lenexa, KS) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Theology for the Social Gospel (Library of Theological Ethics) (Paperback)

This book is a very heavy theological book (in concept), while remaining a light read. Rauschenbusch does a masterful job of commencing a discussion of what it means to be an active Christian in the world we find ourselves. This means never turning a blind eye to the manifest social evils of our society.

Therefore, as Christian we must reconsider what it means to be Christian outside of Christendom, realizing that we are part of a broken world of hurt and anguish.

Chief among the social problems is poverty, and Rauschenbusch seeks to explicitly name this problem and then call and mobilize the church to be the chief combatants of this problem.

Rauschenbusch is particularly qualified to write this book because of his solid theological background/expertise (He became a thologican at Rochester Seminary) and saw the social evils he seeks to combat as pastor in Manhattan's "Hell's Kitchen" in the early 20th century.

Finally, it must be stated that this book is an important read for Christians for two reasons: (1) it is academic enough that it was assigned in a Master's Level course that I took and (2) the rhetoric is light enough that anyone that is prepared to love their neighbor in a profound and transforming way could be profoundly affected by the content in these pages.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book, June 8, 2006

By 

Robert Huttmeyer (Ft Worth, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Theology for the Social Gospel (Library of Theological Ethics) (Paperback)

This classic of Christian ethics is a must read for anybody who is even concerned with the history of Christian thought. Rauschenbusch writes about why Christianity must be focused on helping the other and not so much on correct doctrine and an assent to that doctrine.

12 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theology, Social good, but No God, April 22, 2006

By 

Philip S Roeda (Cook, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Theology for the Social Gospel (Library of Theological Ethics) (Paperback)

How does on conceive who God is? How does one perceive how God has worked in the past and the future? What agenda does one bring into interpreting the bible? What philosophy does the reader have about God and His creation? Dr. Rauschenbusch perspective about God, His creation, and the bible is at variance to mine. His respect for the bible as a historic document and God's inspired word is quite different from mine. His theology is based on a more open mind then mine. He states the bible is inspired then proceeds to redefine what it means to be God's inspired word. I believe God through His providence has given the Christian community of Saints an inerrant group of books compiled into one cannon commonly known as the bible. Rauschenbusch teaches that God wants to test every spirit for truth. He refers to Paul when he asks Christians to test every spirit for truth.

This book is written in fine eloquence. Yet his biblical interpretation is quite subjective, and convenient. This book first came to my attention while reading about the theology of Dr. Martin Luther King jr. the Book titled King Came Preaching stated Dr. Rauschenbusch had great influence on the formulation Dr. King's theology and sermon subject manner. Later I saw the book cited as a major influence on theological debate in these United States inside Ligonier's devotion Table Talk.

Rauschenbusch's Paradigm

"The argument of this book is built on the conviction that the social gospel is a permanent addition to our spiritual outlook and that its arrival constitutes alarge development of the Christian religion."

Rauschenbusch writes about the evaluational nature of Christianity. He even is critical Martin Luther not being more open minded about what is truth. Anyway he argues the Social Gospel is a further point of evolution in Christian theology. Rauschenbusch argues that individual Christians organize and work together work together in a corporate manner to improve lives of all individuals by changing society. I believe Christianity should have a positive effect on society as a whole. Ialso believe Christians should organize themselves in an effort to improve society. Yet I believe this without denying that the Bible is God's written word, finale authority, and ultimate source of truth. Rauschenbusch felt compelled to argue for social justice and to change Christian theology that is at odds with scripture. Rauschenbuschuses uses rationale to openly dismiss what he does not deny the clear meaning of scripture. He does not make an argument on this or that doctrine impedes Christians from working for Social justice.

I read the bible and other Christian books to understand God and His creation. Some theological scholars are dismissive of the bible as God's recorded word. Rauschenbush believed a 'theologians' job was to question the bible not just interpret the bible. Yet he wanted to use the institution of the Christian Church to work for social change. I have come to the conclusion that he felt traditional Christian theology was at best a waste of time and at worst one of the social philosophies he felt needed to be destroyed to better man. He wanted to inspire people to work for a more fair humane society without a belief in the supernatural or man's damnation.