More on the Social Gospel--Interview with Kevin deYoung

Kevin deYoung, in an interview* with Michael Horton, weighed in on this matter of churches putting the social gospel (the Great Commandment) ahead of the basic gospel of what Jesus did at the cross (the Great Commission). He said some great things but this part really struck me because I've been saying this for a year now. It seems we both have the same prognistication. He talks about what churches putting the social gospel above the gospel of the cross will do to the members (especially the younger members who are usually the ones who are into this),

They will say, I'm burned out. I'm thirty-five. I can't change the world like I thought I would, and the church is failing in every possible way.

This quote expresses what I've felt for some time. Horton and deYoung also talk about another thing I've brought up here, and that is, the new legalism. Instead of the old "don'ts"--don't smoke, don't drink," we have the new legalism of "do's-you must help the poor."


This interview was in the September/October issue of Modern Reformation magazine, page 47. The interview was based on a new book by Kevin deYoung and Greg Gilbert entitled, What is the mission of the Church?. You betcha I'm going to read that book.