First published 1976
Ronald C. White examines the social gospel movement that reshaped both religious practice and public policy across America. White traces how Protestant leaders began connecting faith with social reform, moving beyond individual salvation to address poverty, labor conditions, and urban problems. The author draws on his expertise from his previous work on American Protestantism's social awakening to show how this movement influenced everything from church doctrine to government programs. White demonstrates how religious figures translated biblical teachings into concrete social action, creating lasting changes in how Americans understood the relationship between faith and civic responsibility. The book reveals how this theological shift helped establish the foundation for modern social welfare policies while transforming the role of churches in American society.
Genres: 20th-century, american, social-issues, religion, 21st-century, christianity, church-history, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: faith-and-reform, social-awakening
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century, 21st-Century
326 pages · Paperback · Temple University Press