The profile on Christ Community Church was a good example of how to balance the
Gospel with Social Gospel. They are involved with their community, doing good works and
helping those in need, but their primary focus is on bringing others to Jesus. My line between the
Gospel and Social Gospel is when Social Gospel becomes more of the focus than the Gospel.
The Bible tells us that works are important, but you can not gain salvation through works.
Paul told the Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your
own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9,
English Standard Version). Salvation through faith will lead to works. James wrote, “So also
faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I
have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my
works” (James 2:17-18, ESV).
In the “What is the Line between the Gospel and the Social Gospel” video, Peter Cha
talks about how Social Gospel emphasizes horizontal relationships at the expense of the vertical
relationship. The vertical relationship, between us and God, must be the priority. The strong
relationship with God will allow us to have better relationships with those around us, believers
and non-believers alike.
Cha also talked about how Social Gospel puts political and economic systems as a way of
salvation while neglecting the spiritual aspect of sin. The only way to salvation is through belief
in Jesus Christ as Savior. Paul told the church in Rome, “Because, if you confess with your
mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved” (Rom. 10:9, ESV). This is the only way to eternal life. Caring about the needs of others
and believing in fairness and justice for everyone is a worthy venture, but it can not come at the
expense of the true source of salvation.
