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Coming Events

Note: Outreaches are subject to change, especially on rainy days. Call (510) 282-5629 to confirm outreaches or for more information.

Friday March 6, 13, 20 6 – 9 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.

Sat. March 7 and 14 11 AM – 4 PM. Fisherman’s Wharf outreach. Jefferson St. near Powell, SF.

Sat. March 21 12:30-4:30 PM Berkeley outreach. Shattuck and Center St.

The Social Gospel

Dear Christian friends,

Since the early 20th century, many mainline churches have moved away from the gospel of Jesus Christ and replaced it with the “social gospel.” They think that the gospel preached in the New Testament is outdated, offensive, narrow-minded and irrelevant to today’s world, so it must be replaced with this new “gospel,” which non-Christians can more readily accept.

In addition to social action, they also preach about unconditional love, which involves not judging any behavior to be sinful (except that of Christian “fundamentalists”). This past month, a house member attended an Oakland “church” in which the female “pastor” said “When I see injustice by the police against black lives, the lesbian in me says, hands off, not on my body.”

Recently I read an article in Relevant Magazine, a Christian magazine which is popular with young people,
in which Jesse Carey is interviewing Lisa Sharon Harper of Sojourners:

Carey: “I recently heard someone say that the situation in Ferguson is a gospel issue. Exposing injustice and correcting it is ultimately what we’re called to do as the Church.”

Harper: “To add to that I would say that the reason why this is gospel. This is not Christianity 401. This is not an addendum to the gospel. This is the gospel.”

So, in the view of these people, exposing injustice and correcting it is the gospel. The gospel is not about people recognizing that they are sinners, repenting of their sins, and trusting in Jesus Christ to save them. The gospel is about exposing and correcting injustice in the world.

This is, as Paul would say, “another gospel.” It is certainly not the gospel that is preached in the New Testament. “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” Gal. 1:8. Then, as now, the other “gospel” is the “gospel” of salvation by works, not by faith in Christ.

God will lead individuals in different ways, and some He could lead to get involved in social issues. But, unlike the Great Commission to preach the gospel and make disciples throughout the world, this is not a scriptural command for all Christians. And it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here are some excerpts from an article I read on the social gospel which will help in understanding it:

“The phrase ‘social gospel’ is usually used to describe a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that came to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Those who adhered to a social gospel sought to apply Christian ethics to social problems such as poverty, slums, poor nutrition and education, alcoholism, crime and war. These things were emphasized while the doctrines of sin, salvation, heaven and hell, and the future kingdom of God were downplayed. Theologically, the Social Gospel leaders were overwhelmingly postmillennialist, asserting that Christ’s Second Coming could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort.”
“For a Christian perspective on the idea of a social gospel, we need to look to Jesus, who lived in one of history’s most corrupt societies. Jesus never issued any call for political change, not even by peaceful means. He did not come to earth to be a political or social reformer. The gospel Jesus preached did not have to do with social reform or social justice or political change. Rather than attempt to change governments and institutions, which are made up of people, Jesus came to change people’s hearts and point them to God’s kingdom. He preached the saving power of the gospel and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.”
“Christians are under a personal obligation to love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:39). We have a responsibility to be good stewards of our own wealth because all wealth comes from and belongs to God. Christians should take a God-centered approach to social justice, not a man-centered approach. We see Christ Jesus as our Savior. When He returns, He will restore justice. In the meantime, Christians are to express God’s love and justice by showing kindness in practical ways to those who are less fortunate.”

Tim Moon sings at Fisherman’s Wharf

On the Streets

On Fri. Dec. 5, we witnessed at the Sony Metreon. We have witnessed here for many years, and this is a good place to reach young people who are going to the movies, restaurants, or the new Target store. However, the past few times we have gone here, we have been shut down, first by the Ambassadors who are hired by the shopping center and next by the police responding to their complaints. One hour after we arrived, a police officer shut us down. I asked him to show us what law we were violating, but he refused, saying I could only find out if he arrested me. I offered to show him the San Francisco noise ordinance, but he was not interested in knowing what it said. Sadly, he told me he is the permit officer for South Station.

We moved a block away to 4^th St. and Market. We had no problem there. Before we moved, Eddie witnessed to Max, a young man who said he believed in the Norse gods. Eddie knew about this religion and asked if all the people he killed would be his slaves, as the Norse believed. He also witnessed to another young man, Jaquis, who believed everything is god. Eddie spoke with him about Jesus being the only way to God.

That night, Dave witnessed to Adrian, a young Hispanic Catholic, who listened very intently to the gospel. He also spoke with Beverly, a Christian who had a great testimony. As a teenager, she had no religious background but had once heard a Christian tell her to read the book of John. She was on heroin and spending time in prison when she told God she would kill herself unless He revealed Himself to her. She woke up the next day filled with joy and peace. God told her to read the Bible, so she started reading the book of John and was saved.

The next day, we witnessed at 5^th St. and Market. Tim Moon played music, including some Christmas carols. While I was preaching, Joey started asking me questions. Amos stepped in and spoke with him. He gave him a New Testament, which he took, and instructed him to read the gospel of John three times. Amos also witnessed to Patricia, who said she was a “Catholic Buddhist.” He shared the gospel with her and prayed with her. Eddie witnessed to Jack, a young man who had just finished talking with some Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was very receptive to the gospel. Dave and Priscilla witnessed to Adolfo. His English was limited, but Priscilla is from Colombia and witnessed to him in Spanish. She also preached in Spanish and English.

On Fri. Dec. 12, we witnessed at Powell and Market St. Amos witnessed to Tabitha, who had no Christian background. She went to college in Tennessee, where she was witnessed to by some Christians. At the time she showed some interest in the gospel, but forgot about it when she returned to San Francisco. She asked some questions and Amos gave her a Bible. Dave witnessed to Derek, who thought he would be saved by good works, and Alan, who didn’t know much about Jesus. He took a Chinese tract and said he would read it. He also ministered to Joe, 21, who was raised in a Christian family but didn’t know if he was right with God. I witnessed to Richie, River and Emmanuel, all of whom were in the Job Corps on Treasure Island. They professed to believe in Jesus, but were involved in drugs.

The next day, we witnessed at 5^th St. and Market. Tim Moon was sick and couldn’t come. Later he learned he has shingles. Mike witnessed to Stefan, a Jewish agnostic who believed in intelligent design, and an Asian lady who is a scientist. Dave witnessed to two Jehovah’s Witnesses. He asked them if they were thankful to Jesus for dying for their sins. They could only say that they were thankful to Jehovah for sending Jesus, but refused to talk to Jesus (unlike Stephen who said “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”) And unlike Paul, who prayed “that I may know him,” they had no desire to know Jesus. That afternoon about a thousand people dressed like Santa walked by, as part of an event called “Santacom.” There were also several thousand “Black Lives Matter” demonstrators who passed us.

Ministry Needs

Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. Larry DuBois is leaving us at the end of January to preach around the country. He expects this trip to last a year. You can follow his adventures at https://lawrencedubois.wordpress.com.

Please pray for those we have witnessed to recently, especially those mentioned in this newsletter. I hope some of you will join us for an outreach this next month.