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The '''Social Gospel''' movement was a Protestant intellectual movement that was most prominent 1880-1940 in the United States and Canada, during the [[Third Great Awakening]].  applied Christian principles to social problems, especially poverty, inequality, liquor, crime, racial tensions, slums, bad hygiene, poor schools, and the danger of war. Theologically, the Social Gospel leaders were overwhelmingly "post-millennialist." That is because they believed the Second Coming of Jesus Christ could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort. For the most part, they rejected pre-millennialist theology (which was predominant in the Southern United States), according to which the Second Coming of Christ was imminent, and Christians should devote their energies to preparing for it rather than addressing the issue of social evils. Social Gospel leaders such as Washington Gladden, (1836-1918) were predominantly liberal politically and theologically, although [[William Jennings Bryan]] was theologically conservative and politically liberal.

The '''Social Gospel''' movement was a Protestant intellectual movement that was most prominent 1880-1940 in the United States and Canada, during the [[Third Great Awakening]].  It applied Christian principles to social problems, especially poverty, inequality, liquor, crime, racial tensions, slums, bad hygiene, poor schools, and the danger of war. Theologically, the Social Gospel leaders were overwhelmingly "post-millennialist." That is they believed the Second Coming of Jesus Christ could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort. For the most part, they rejected pre-millennialist theology (which was predominant in the South and among Fundamentalists), according to which the Second Coming of Christ was imminent, and Christians should devote their energies to preparing for it rather than addressing the issue of social evils. Social Gospel leaders such as Washington Gladden, (1836-1918) were predominantly liberal politically and theologically, although [[William Jennings Bryan]] was theologically conservative and politically liberal.

==In the United States ==

==In the United States ==

The Social Gospel was a driving force in much of Protestant America. The Presbyterians said it best in 1910: [Rogers and Blade 1998]

The Social Gospel was a driving force in much of Protestant America. The Presbyterians said it best in 1910:<ref>Rogers and Blade 1998</ref>

<blockquote>The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.  

<blockquote>The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.  

</blockquote>

</blockquote>

In the United States prior to 1930, the Social Gospel was the religious wing of the [[progressive movement]] which had the aim of combatting injustice, suffering and poverty in society.  During the [[New Deal]] of the 1930s Social Gospel themes could be seen in the work of [[Harry Hopkins]], [[Will Alexander]] and [[Mary McLeod Bethune]], who added a new concern with African Americans. After 1940, the movement withered, but was invigorated in the 1950s by black leaders like Baptist minister [[Martin Luther King]] and the civil rights movement. After 1980 it weakened again as a major force inside mainstream churches; indeed those churches were losing strength. Examples of its continued existence can still be found, notably the organization known as the "Call to Renewal" and local organizations like the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.

In the United States prior to 1930, the Social Gospel was the religious wing of the [[progressive movement]] which had the aim of combatting injustice, suffering and poverty in society.  During the [[New Deal]] of the 1930s Social Gospel themes could be seen in the work of [[Harry Hopkins]], [[Will Alexander]] and [[Mary McLeod Bethune]], who added a new concern with African Americans. After 1940, the movement withered, but was invigorated in the 1950s by black leaders like Baptist minister [[Martin Luther King]] and the civil rights movement. After 1980 it weakened again as a major force inside mainstream churches; indeed those churches were losing strength. Examples of its continued existence can still be found, notably the organization known as the "Call to Renewal" and local organizations like the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.

== In Britain and Canada ==

== In Britain and Canada ==

In Catholicism, [[liberation theology]] has similarities to the Social Gospel.  

In Catholicism, [[liberation theology]] has similarities to the Social Gospel.  

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==