What we call the "social gospel" is not without merit as I read Isa 58:9-11.jt: No John, there is just one way/door and this is through Christ and by repentance. Giving
Romans 2:18ff shows that there is at least a second path to God other than preaching the gospel. John
It is the sacrifice of Christ that makes salvation for the world a factual reality. Romans 2:18ff (let's not forget that I have quoted scripture) works because of the blood of Christ. And what does Romans 2 offer in terms of revelatory truth? That those who have a natural inclination to accomplish the law have the offer of salvation. When we realize that Christ beleived that only two statments summed up all of the law and prophets (Love God and love your neighbor), we can understand just how one might accomplish his will instinctively -- and that is the message of Paul.
In Isa 58:9-11 (a passage that helped me in a very personal way) makes it very clear that some search for God in vain, thainking that compliance with form is more important or just as important as a true conversion of the heart. David, in Psalms 51 makes it very clear that compliance to for (the altar of sacrifice of the current law of God) was NOT what God really wanted. Rather, God in every age and under whatever administration seeks contrition and brokenness.
When we limit the offer of salvation to the preaching of the "gospel," we actually close the door on objectivity and the truth of salvation for all. Don't misunderstand me, here. I beleive that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation -- but my definition of the gospel is very different from that of thousands of others. The gospel, for me, is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ -- period. In my personal ministry, I was once criticized for not preaching the whole gospel because I omitted Sunday sermons on instrumental music and the notion that ministers were not pastors. T
