IS THE SOCIAL GOSPEL, ANOTHER GOSPEL? REIMAGINING THE SOCIOECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION OF AFRICA

Abstract

The Christian gospel has brought hope and succour to many, particularly African society. Apart from engaging in spiritual works of evangelization to win the souls of men and women to God, there are equally Christians who have engaged in social activism in promoting social-based projects to foster justice, peace, development, and environmental wellbeing. But some see Christians engaging in social projects for human promotion and corporal works in society, which has come to be called social gospel, as abandoning the true gospel. For such people, the social gospel is a heresy. This paper through a critical hermeneutic and analytic method argues that the social gospel is an essential aspect of the gospel. It is not heretical and it should be encouraged. The Christian gospel should attend to both the spirits, souls, and bodies of people. There are biblical foundations for this. The Christian gospel should not attend to the souls of people and ignore the social conditions that damn their bodies. The paper shows that there are many socio-economic and environmental problems in Africa. The paper concludes that the social gospel can help in fostering a better Africa.