There’s another wayto bring Jesus intothe discussion onAmerican values.
Is Christianity the ‘Religion of Revolution’?By Cliff Montgomery – Oct. 25th, 2006A grave concern arose in 19th-to-middle 20th Century America over rising inequality in the Land of Opportunity. As the United States has always been a religious society, the response to the problem was often discussed in theological terms.One answer was a defiantly liberal interpretation of the Bible: The Social Gospel. Its adherents believed that it was the duty of every Christian to ask, “What would Jesus do?”, when dealing with others. They felt that the essential duty of human life was not to hold it in contempt, but to make it better for those who could not help themselves.Followers of the Social Gospel have had a profound effect on modern American religious life. It was a liberal Christian who coined the phrase mentioned above, “What would Jesus do?” Another wrote what became the Pledge of Allegiance. The Social Gospel’s most famous exponent was Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.One of the most eloquent reverends in the 1890s preaching the Social Gospel was Herbert S. Bigelow, pastor of the Vine Street Congregational Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. His unconventional sermons created a stir in conservative church circles, as Bigelow began to apply to both public and individual affairs what he saw as the basic principle of religion.One of his supreme texts is a collection of fiery sermons called, ‘The Religion of Revolution‘. As the role of religion in society is again a matter of discussion, it may be time to re-visit the good reverend’s views:“Wendell Phillips declared that churches were the great apologists for every powerful wrong. Nevertheless, Christianity is the Religion of Revolution. Churches may not always be agencies of revolution, but Christianity is.”At the heart of all the Christian theologies is the doctrine of the supreme worth of the individual soul. There can be no peace between that doctrine and any form of slavery.”Jesus taught that in the humblest peasant of Judea there was that which is greater than the temple, an immortal soul. The souls of the lowliest of earth, in the sight of God, must be equal to the highest. That teaching is dynamite to every institution of human oppression.”Churches may make their peace with the world. Church people may condone conditions which lift a few into the light, while putting burdens upon many too grievous to be borne. But such people are not Christian. They are merely worldly people who have a superficial attachment to an established ecclesiastical institution.”Christianity is the faith that the souls of men are of supreme and equal worth to God. That is the central fire of the great gospel of the Galilean. Social injustice is the denial of that faith.”If that faith has become a vital principle in a man’s life, if it has reconstructed him, if it has brought to him the reality of a new birth, he cannot be a defender of social injustice, he cannot be indifferent to social injustice, he cannot be silent because social injustice is profitable to him.”He will recoil from conditions which give the lie to his faith. He will have to think in terms of his faith. He will have to act consistently with it.”To the degree that Christianity is genuine, it must be a revolutionary force in the world. If a church is not a revolutionary force…[then] its Christianity is not genuine. The soul of the Christ is not in it.”According to Ezekiel, Jehovah said of the land which was given to the children of Israel: ‘Ye shall inherit it, one as well as another.'”One as well as another. That is a sentiment worthy of the God of Jesus. That is the way a just and loving father would legislate for his children.”We profess to believe that God loves all of His children, and that it is our first duty to Him to deal justly with one another. But is this profession anything more than a motion of the lips?”How shall you know whether or not a man is a Christian? Do not ask him to recite his creed. Ask him what he thinks about a government which fails to do its utmost to secure to all of God’s children a fair start, an equal chance in life.”If he is satisfied with such a government, if he is afraid to change it for fear he may lose a few dollars, then he is no Christian.”He may be a church member. He may even be the preacher. But his Christianity is counterfeit.”There is but one thing to say to such a man. It is what Jesus said to Nicodemus: His soul has not yet been born into the spirit of the Christ.”Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
