Social concern and twentieth century British preaching

Abstract

Today, most countries are facing complex economic-welfare issues. Ministers generally are not preaching effectively to these social concerns, according to the research of Rodney Stark in WAYWARD SHEPHERDS. Facing similarly complex economic-welfare questions in an earlier day, British clergy (for example, John Baillie and William Temple) were challenged to develop types of social preaching. The approaches, insights and styles of their sermons are relevant and helpful to us today, in our attempts to preach to comparable issues.This thesis is primarily a search for pertinent facts related to social preaching and their meanings or implications with reference to social concerns and Twentieth Century British preaching.This critical study focuses on social preaching for today, as the prophetic proclamation of the word, which reflects response to and concern for social issues. Implications and relevance for ministry today, are drawn from British sermons, primarily those of British clergy, waiter Rauschenbusch is also included because of his extensive influence and his being a model on both sides of the Atlantic. The time period covers approximately 1900 to 1950, a microcosm of time reflecting similar economic-welfare issues that face many countries today. The economic-welfare issues include work and unemployment, poverty, health, housing and other related social issues. This thesis presupposes the Biblical imperatives of the Gospel for social preaching today.The study begins with a chapter on aims and scope. Then it examines the historical background of social preaching. The economic-welfare issues of Britain during the first half of the Twentieth Century are portrayed, followed by the response of British sermons during the same time period. The implications for social preaching today are divided into theological themes, homiletical techniques and psychological implications; and conclusions are offered.Preaching responsibly with genuine concern about economic-welfare issues is essential in the application of the Christian Gospel to the lives of people. This thesis makes a strong case for both the past effectiveness of timely, well-formulated and persuasively expressed social preaching and the continuing need, appropriateness and methods of social preaching today.