Christianity and the Social Crisis

by Walter Rauschenbusch

Publishers:

Macmillan and Co.; Macmillan Co.

, 1920

In this foundational work, Rauschenbusch explores how Christianity can meet the needs of his time. He opens with a history examining how the Old Testament prophets, Jesus, and the early church responded to social needs, before discussing how the church has failed to continue this focus. He describes current social issues and the church’s interest in responding to them. Finally, he considers what contributions the church should make and distinguishes between correct and incorrect methods for social change.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The prophets were the heralds of the fundamental truth that religion and ethics are inseparable, and that ethical conduct is the supreme and sufficient religious act.” (Page 7)

“We saw at the outset of our discussion that Jesus was not a mere social reformer. Religion was the heart of his life, and all that he said on social relations was said from the religious point of view. He has been called the first socialist. He was more; he was the first real man, the inaugurator of a new humanity. But as such he bore within him the germs of a new social and political order. He was too great to be the Saviour of a fractional part of human life. His redemption extends to all human needs and powers and relations.” (Page 91)

“If the Bible was not a living power before the Reformation, it was not because the Bible was chained up and forbidden, as we are told, but because their minds were chained by preconceived ideas, and when they read, they failed to read.” (Page 45)

“His midnight arrest, his hasty trial, the anxious efforts to work on the feelings of the crowd against him, were all a tribute to his standing with the common people.” (Page 84)

“If the kingdom of God is the true human society, it is a fellowship of justice, equality, and love. But it is hard to get riches with justice, to keep them with equality, and to spend them with love. The kingdom of God means normal and wholesome human relations, and it is exceedingly hard for a rich man to be in normal human relations to others, as many a man has discovered who has honestly tried. It can be done only by an act of renunciation in some form.” (Page 77)

Product Details

• Title: Christianity and the Social Crisis
• Author: Walter Rauschenbusch
• Publishers: Macmillan and Co., Macmillan Co.
• Print Publication Date: 1920
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 429
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Christian sociology
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRSOCCRISISRAUSCH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-14T02:17:21Z

About Walter Rauschenbusch

Walter Rauschenbusch (October 4, 1861 – July 25, 1918) was a Christian theologian and Baptist minister. He was a key figure in the Social Gospel movement in the United States of America.