A Theology for the Social Gospel

295 Pages·14.229 MB·English

by  Rauschenbusch Walter.

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A theology for the social gospel
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WALTER RAUSCHENBUSCH
THEOLOGY
A
FOR THE
SOCIAL GOSPEL
Abingdon Press
NEW YORK $) NASHVILLE
A THEOLOGY FOR THE SOCIAL GOSPEL
Copyright,1917,byTheMacmillanCompany
All rights inthisbookare reserved.
PRINTEDINTHEW.S.A.
THISBOOKISINSCRIBED
WITH REVERENCEAND GRATITUDE
TO
AUGUSTUS HOPKINS STRONG
FORFORTY YEARS
PRESIDENT OFROCHESTER THEOLOGICALSEMINARY,
MYTEACHER, COLLEAGUE, FRIEND,
HUMANISTAND LOVEROFPOETRY,
ATHEOLOGIANWHOSEBESTBELOVED DOCTRINE
HASBEEN
THEMYSTICUNIONWITH CHRIST
FOREWORD
IN April, 1917, I had the honour of delivering four
lectures on the Nathaniel W. Taylor Foundation before
the Annual Convocation of the Yale School of
Religion.
Theselectures areherewith presented in elaborated form.
The Taylor Lectures are expected to deal with some
theme in Doctrinal Theology, but the Faculty in their in-
vitation indicated that a discussion of some phase of the
social problem would be welcome. I have tried to obey
thissuggestion and still to remain well within theoriginal
"A
purpose of the Foundation by taking as my subject,
Theology for the Social Gospel."
Of my qualifications for this subject I have reason to
think modestly, for I am nota doctrinal theologian either
by professional training or by personal habits of mind.
Professional duty and intellectual liking have made me
a teacher of Church History, and the events of my life,
interpreted by my religious experiences, have laid the
social problems on my mind. On the other hand, it may
be that the necessity of approaching systematic theology
from the outside may be of real advantage. Theology
has often received its most fruitful impulses when secu-
lar life andmovements have set it new problems.
Of the subject itself I haveno causeto speakmodestly.
Its consideration is of the highest importance for the
future of theology and religion. It bristles with intcl-
FOREWORD
lectual problems. This book had to be written some
time, and as far as I kno.w, nobody has yet written it. I
offer my attempt until some other man comes along who
can plough deeper and straighten
I wish to assure the reader who hesitates in the vesti-
bule, that the purpose of this book is wholly positive and
constructive. It is just as orthodox as the Gospel would
allow. I have dedicated it to an eminent representative
of the older theology in order to express my deep grati-
tude for whatI have received from it, and to clasp hands
through him with all whose thought has been formed by
Jesus Christ.
My fraternal thanks are due to my friends, Professor
James Bishop Thomas, Ph.D., of the University of the
South, and ProfessorF. W. C. Meyer of Rochester Theo-
logical Seminary, who have given a critical readingto my
manuscript and have made valuable suggestions.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I THE CHALLENGE OF THE SOCIAL GOSPEL TO THE-
OLOGY
i
II THE DIFFICULTIES OF THEOLOGICAL READJUST-
MENT 10
III NEITHER ALIEN NOR NOVEL 23
IV THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SIN
31
V THE FALL OF MAN 38
VI THE NATURE OF SIN 45
VII THE TRANSMISSION OF SIN
57
....
VIII THE SUPER-PERSONAL FORCES OF EVIL 69
IX THE KINGDOM OF EVIL 77
X THE SOCIAL GOSPEL AND PERSONAL SALVATION . 95
XI THE SALVATION OF THE SUPER-PERSONAL FORCES no
XII THE CHURCH AS THE SOCIAL FACTOR OF SALVA-
TION 118
XIII THE KINGDOM OF GOD 131
XIV THE INITIATOR OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD . . . 146
XV THE SOCIAL GOSPEL AND THE CONCEPTION OF GOD 167
XVI THE HOLY SPIRIT, REVELATION, INSPIRATION, AND
PROPHECY 188
XVII BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER 197
XVIII ESCHATOLOGY 208
...
XIX THE SOCIAL GOSPEL AND THE ATONEMENT 240