Does a social Gospel treat the symptoms and not the cause?

A social Gospel focuses on social issues and rarely gives the gospel. It relys on friendship evangelism to satisfying worldly needs and not spiritual needs.





They focus on making the world a better place.





Why? Are we as Christians really to be driven to make the world a better place to go to Hell from?





What is man's greatest problem? The Bible says its sin and the social problems we face are a symptom of that.





We need to treat the root cause, mankind sinful nature, through the proclamation that there is forgiveness of sin through repentance and faith in Christ and the rest will work itsself out through the love and kindness from a changed nature of believers.





Do not distort what I am saying that good works are not needed. I say instead that good works are proof of salvation. And salvation must come first.





What say you?

Does a social Gospel treat the symptoms and not the cause?
your preaching 2 the choir . give this message 2 T. D. Jakes %26amp; Joel Olsten .
Reply:Oh, one of the right-wing excuses not to help people (or to be greedy and keep all the good things for yourself and not share.)





"Those people must be ebil sinners, or they wouldn't be IN this trouble. If we help them, we're condoning sin, and [G]od might beat us up. Besides, Jesus is going to come back and end the world anyway, so why bother?"





((drinks))
Reply:What say Jesus,





Treat the "Symptom"





Matthew 25:31-46 (New International Version)





The Sheep and the Goats


31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.


34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'





37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'





40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'





41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'





44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'





45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'





46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Reply:I think you're right. I understand what you mean and your on the correct interpretation on the FACTS (the meaning of "gospel") that are described in the books. It's clearly impossible even for Saints to not commit sins, still we combat the "good battle", plus we don't have to be friends as a rule, I'm not a pleasant guy. I don't complain and act sensible.


Social encyclicals (like the second part of "Deus Caritas Est" naturally have to be read because they're parts of our doctrine, but that's another story I think.) Sorry for my English. I hope I get the meaning of your question.


- A laic Franciscan sick of Franciscanism.
Reply:Jesus said Whatsoever you do, to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.





I can't give Jesus a sandwich, so I think he wants me to give one to that guy over there who looks hungry.





Get it? A small child could understand this basic point of Christianity





Edit: a sandwich saves someone from hunger, at least temporarily. Helping the person find a job that pays a decent wage would really save the whole family from hunger.
Reply:...having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof...