Isn’t all this talk about social justice and reforming society simply just the social gospel all over again? The threat of the social gospel has among evangelicals often been used as a dismissive tactic to equate any talk of social justice with a lack of gospel fidelity. In this episode we explore if this is in fact a fair reaction; discuss what exactly the social gospel is and examine the over-spiritualized evangelical response known as the “Great Reversal” and its destructive legacy in South Africa. Finally we ask, can the Kingdom of God exist outside of the Church? And isn’t pursuing social justice a slippery slope to loosing the gospel?
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In the quest to create more just churches and interrogate the historical failings of the church, in areas of social justice, it has been popular to re-evaluate, and sometimes discard some of the traditional doctrines associated with orthodox Christianity.
One such doctrine is the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement. Do we discard it as an archaic and barbaric conception of God’s saving work? Or do we embrace and apply it as a truth that not only ensures our forgiveness, but legitimately provides us with deep resources by which to pursue justice? Join us for a discussion around the relationship between the historic doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement and the contemporary pursuit of biblical justice in our country.
At our recent breakfast for Pastors and Church Leaders, John Scheepers, shared the vision and goals for Isiphambano. Calling for us to embrace a two-handed theology that both proclaims Jesus and embraces a new way of just living, both individually and collectively in South Africa today.
The aim of this Land and Restitution forum was to discuss these important issues biblically and contextually. To reflect on our history, our fears and ideologies and our current socio-economic and political context through the lens of cross-centred, contextual theology. To apply gospel thinking and practice to this crucial issue which is currently further exposing the divided state of the church along racial and economic lines. In this talk John Scheepers will explore white fears and anger around issues of land and restitution.