Theology of Social Theology of Social MinistryMinistry

By Bob Munson, ThDBy Bob Munson, ThDBukal Life Care & Counseling CenterBukal Life Care & Counseling Center

www.bukallife.orgwww.bukallife.org

There are Several IssuesThere are Several Issues

Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical)Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical) Attitudes About Social Ministry?Attitudes About Social Ministry? Holism Versus DualismHolism Versus Dualism Biblical Example of Community Biblical Example of Community

DevelopmentDevelopment

Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical)Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical)

Reason 1: “Love thy Neighbor”Reason 1: “Love thy Neighbor”

Read: Luke 10:27 and the Parable of the Good Read: Luke 10:27 and the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Also James 2:15-16Shepherd. Also James 2:15-16

What are some ways to show love to one’s What are some ways to show love to one’s neighbor?neighbor?

Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical)Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical)

Reason 2: “Love God”Reason 2: “Love God”

Read: Luke 10:27 and Matthew 25:34-Read: Luke 10:27 and Matthew 25:34-

What are some ways to show love to God?What are some ways to show love to God?

Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical)Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical)

Reason 3: Great CommissionReason 3: Great Commission

Read: John 20:21 and Luke 4:18-19Read: John 20:21 and Luke 4:18-19

If we are to be sent as Jesus was sent, how was If we are to be sent as Jesus was sent, how was Jesus sent?Jesus sent?

Why do Social Ministry?Why do Social Ministry?

It would be incorrect to say that the Bible is the It would be incorrect to say that the Bible is the only reason for doing social ministry.only reason for doing social ministry.

After all, social injustice and suffering are certainly After all, social injustice and suffering are certainly valid reasons for doing social ministry.valid reasons for doing social ministry.

Likewise, while we may be “citizens of heaven,” Likewise, while we may be “citizens of heaven,” that does not negate our role and responsibility that does not negate our role and responsibility as “good citizens of earth.” as “good citizens of earth.”

Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical)Why do Social Ministry? (Biblical)

SUMMARYSUMMARY

Caring for people in need is commanded by God, Caring for people in need is commanded by God, and is being part of God’s mission on earth. and is being part of God’s mission on earth.

One does not need to justify doing social ministry. One does not need to justify doing social ministry. God already has blessed it.God already has blessed it.

What are some attitudes about Social What are some attitudes about Social Ministry?Ministry?

#1 Spiritualist (Avoidance)#1 Spiritualist (Avoidance)

Our job is to proclaim the word of God and lead Our job is to proclaim the word of God and lead people to Christ. That’s it.people to Christ. That’s it.

Ignores the social side of the GospelIgnores the social side of the Gospel

What are some attitudes about Social What are some attitudes about Social Ministry?Ministry?

#2 Social Gospel#2 Social Gospel

Doing good for people IS essentially the full extent Doing good for people IS essentially the full extent of God’s command for us.of God’s command for us.

Ignores spiritual side of the GospelIgnores spiritual side of the Gospel

What are some attitudes about Social What are some attitudes about Social Ministry?Ministry?

#3 Convenience#3 Convenience

Since we are evangelizing and discipling, why not Since we are evangelizing and discipling, why not do some social work at the same time. No do some social work at the same time. No harm in it, as long as it doesn’t get in the way.harm in it, as long as it doesn’t get in the way.

Deemphasizes the social side of the GospelDeemphasizes the social side of the Gospel

What are some attitudes about Social What are some attitudes about Social Ministry?Ministry?

#4 Ulterior Motive#4 Ulterior Motive

We want to share the gospel. So to get people to We want to share the gospel. So to get people to listen, we will do some nice things.listen, we will do some nice things.

This is a common viewpoint among Evangelical This is a common viewpoint among Evangelical Christians.Christians.

What are some attitudes about Social What are some attitudes about Social Ministry?Ministry?

#4 Ulterior Motive (Continued)#4 Ulterior Motive (Continued)

But the command and gospel of God includes But the command and gospel of God includes both spiritual and social aspects.both spiritual and social aspects.

The problem with this view is that it leads to The problem with this view is that it leads to using trickery to evangelize. Also leads to using trickery to evangelize. Also leads to sloppy and disreputable behavior.sloppy and disreputable behavior.

What are some attitudes about Social What are some attitudes about Social Ministry?Ministry?

#5 Holism#5 Holism

We don’t separate between physical, spiritual, We don’t separate between physical, spiritual, mental, economic, and social.mental, economic, and social.

Sees the Gospel as providing eternal bliss, and Sees the Gospel as providing eternal bliss, and the arrival of some aspects of the Kingdom of the arrival of some aspects of the Kingdom of God now. God now.

Another way of looking at it.Another way of looking at it.

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Material SpiritualMaterial Spiritual

Social Gospel Avoidance Social Gospel Avoidance

Liberation Theology ConvenienceLiberation Theology Convenience Ulterior MotiveUlterior Motive HolisticHolistic

Holism Versus DualismHolism Versus Dualism

What is Dualism? Dualism sees there being a major What is Dualism? Dualism sees there being a major separation between the two different parts of life. separation between the two different parts of life.

-Physical Versus Spiritual-Physical Versus Spiritual -Sacred Versus Secular (Separatism)-Sacred Versus Secular (Separatism) -Belief Versus Behavior (Hypocrisy)-Belief Versus Behavior (Hypocrisy)

Holism Versus DualismHolism Versus Dualism

Holism seeks to recognize the Kingdom of God as Holism seeks to recognize the Kingdom of God as applying to:applying to:

-The whole person-The whole person -The whole community-The whole community -The whole world-The whole world

Holism Versus DualismHolism Versus Dualism

Holism is consistent with the concept of:Holism is consistent with the concept of: God’s plan for Creation God’s plan for Creation

Genesis 1Genesis 1 <God’s original plan><God’s original plan> Isaiah 65: 17-25Isaiah 65: 17-25 <God’s plan for the future><God’s plan for the future> Rev. 21:1-4, 22-26; 22:1-5Rev. 21:1-4, 22-26; 22:1-5

Great Commandment Great Commandment Jesus’ call to be salt and light to the world.Jesus’ call to be salt and light to the world. Jesus call to the Kingdom of God.Jesus call to the Kingdom of God.

Biblical Example Of Community Biblical Example Of Community DevelopmentDevelopment

The Book of Nehemiah can be read as a The Book of Nehemiah can be read as a case study of Holistic Community case study of Holistic Community Development. Development.

This is a good model for us. This is a good model for us.

Biblical Example Of Community Biblical Example Of Community DevelopmentDevelopment

Nehemiah:Nehemiah: Discovered a felt needDiscovered a felt need Prayed and planned. Analyzed internal and external Prayed and planned. Analyzed internal and external

resources.resources. What were his “internal resources”.What were his “internal resources”. (No time, No money, No authority)(No time, No money, No authority) (Had knowledge, Had connections, Had God)(Had knowledge, Had connections, Had God) Expressed Vision, Competence, and Trustworthiness to Expressed Vision, Competence, and Trustworthiness to

others to partner with him, getting time, money, and others to partner with him, getting time, money, and authority.authority.

Biblical Example Of Community Biblical Example Of Community DevelopmentDevelopment

Nehemiah:Nehemiah: Started with felt needs (Wall) and then started Started with felt needs (Wall) and then started

going to actual needs (moral, social).going to actual needs (moral, social). Started with easy things (Wall, usury), and moved Started with easy things (Wall, usury), and moved

to difficult things (societal transformation).to difficult things (societal transformation). Started with things that required little partnership Started with things that required little partnership

and worked toward things that required much and worked toward things that required much partnership.partnership.

Concluding ThoughtsConcluding Thoughts Because of the spectre of “the Social Gospel” Because of the spectre of “the Social Gospel”

many Evangelicals have downplayed social many Evangelicals have downplayed social ministry. ministry.

Christians would benefit from a balanced Christians would benefit from a balanced assessment of the Biblical understanding of social assessment of the Biblical understanding of social ministry within the context of the churchministry within the context of the church

Missions/ministry theology (and pretty much all Missions/ministry theology (and pretty much all forms of Practical theology) is fairly poorly forms of Practical theology) is fairly poorly developed. It is hoped by the writer that the developed. It is hoped by the writer that the future brings a better theological foundation for future brings a better theological foundation for ministry. ministry.

Theology of Social Theology of Social MinistryMinistry

By Bob Munson, ThDBy Bob Munson, ThDBukal Life Care & Counseling CenterBukal Life Care & Counseling Center

www.bukallife.orgwww.bukallife.org