Introduction
Evangelicals were given that label because their primary concern is to evangelize people, get them saved and ready to go to Heaven. I have learned over the past years that the prophet John, Jesus, the apostles, Paul proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom. They were concerned that people surrender to King Jesus and work together to bring the Kingdom into society around them. So, the question is: Between individual salvation or reformation of society – which must come first?
No Social Gospel
The Social Gospel movement started in the late 1800s and peaked before 1920. Protestant leaders sought to apply Kingdom principles to the problems of the Industrial Age, poverty, and labor reform.
“The movement focused on achieving the “Kingdom of God” on Earth by reforming society, not just saving individual souls, emphasizing charity and justice. ” (https://tinyurl.com/52x9cej7)
Evangelicals reacted to “not just saving individual souls” by rejecting the movement. These believers said society will be reformed when people get saved and Jesus comes to bring the Kingdom to Earth. Pentecostals taught individual use of Holy Spirit power to heal the sick and preach the Gospel and prepare people for the Rapture by cleaning up their individual lives. They work to fill the Church with people who love the Lord and bring others to love Him.
Good News of the Kingdom
I lean toward the principles of the Social Gospel. The Kingdom principles of love for others, treating slaves (employees) like brothers, ensuring good pay and health care and work safety have brought about improved conditions in society.
I have a bent toward teaching people how to live better by working to obtain the conditions of Eden in their lives. The efforts of personal growth include
- creating wealth by pursuing one’s purpose and serving it to others
- fighting off anxiety from the harmful elements of society
- pursuing robust health
- growing in peace- fillled vulnerability by exposing one’s flaws to loved ones and accepting the flaws in others.
The fundamental requirement of personal growth is a relationship with the Creator built on trust and obedience. This means reading/ hearing what He says about situations and seeking His solutions. This requires surrendering one’s will to King Jesus, exercising trust through obedience, and working together to proclaim His will and work for it.
Parousia and Millennium
Once this happens enough – from people’s individual problems to Kingdom solutions for international relations – the conditions of Eden will exist all over the Earth. “For the Earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)”
Then, King Jesus will return to take up His throne in Jerusalem. He will require the surrender of all national leaders and the reorganizing of their governments under His reign. He will tweak how people pursue their purposes and trade for the wealth of others. “…the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. (Malachi 4:2)” to ensure people’s robust health. He will spread His peace/ wellbeing and acceptance of people’s few flaws.
The believers then alive and those asleep in death will rise to meet the King in the air and escort Him to Jerusalem (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The resurrected ones will be melded into society and all will live Edenic lives in the Millennium.
Questions
Do you want to merely get saved and go live in Heaven? Or would you rather pursue the purpose for which you were created?
How much would you like to change the conditions of society to bring them under the reign of King Jesus?