social gospel

noun

, Protestantism.

1. a movement in America, chiefly in the early part of the 20th century, stressing the social teachings of Jesus and their applicability to public life.

Social Gospel

1. A religious movement that arose in the United States in the late nineteenth century with the goal of making the Christian churches more responsive to social problems, such as poverty and prostitution. Leaders of the movement argued that Jesus' message was as much about social reform as about individual approaches to salvation (see also salvation ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of social gospel¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

The movement that emerged under those conditions came to be known as the "Social Gospel" for Protestants, which joined like-minded Protestant antecedents and the existing tradition of Catholic social teaching to uphold the ideals of human dignity and the common good.

From Salon

Marshall Turman, a Yale Divinity School professor, offered pointed critiques in her first book at what she deemed the inherent patriarchy of Morehouse’s social gospel justice tradition.

From Seattle Times

No. Many proponents of the early 20th century social gospel saw their efforts to help the needy as part of building a Christian society.

From Seattle Times

In her book, “Toward a Womanist Ethic of Incarnation: Black Bodies, the Black Church and the Council of Chalcedon,” Marshall Turman critiqued the Morehouse social gospel tradition, even interviewing Butts.

From Seattle Times

“We were social action, social gospel kind of people,” Larry, the painter’s brother, said of their upbringing.

From New York Times