Walter Rauschenbusch was an influential figure in the Social Gospel movement, arguing that the chief aim of the church should be to transform society. This collection includes his most important works, Christianity and the Social Crisis, Christianizing the Social Order, and A Theology for the Social Gospel, in which Rauschenbusch critiques current social conditions, sets out the church’s role, and gives a theological foundation for the Social Gospel.

In A Theology for the Social Gospel, Walter Rauschenbusch sets out a theological basis for the Social Gospel movement. He explores how key Christian doctrines apply in the Social Gospel, including sin and redemption, the atonement, the Holy Spirit, eschatology, and the Kingdom of God. Rauschenbusch argues that all society must be brought “under the law of Christ” and that the church should be a significant social factor.

In this foundational work, Rauschenbusch explores how Christianity can meet the needs of his time. He opens with a history examining how the Old Testament prophets, Jesus, and the early church responded to social needs, before discussing how the church has failed to continue this focus. He describes current social issues and the church’s interest in responding to them. Finally, he considers what contributions the church should make and distinguishes between correct and incorrect methods for social change.

In this volume, Rauschenbusch provides a collection of prayers that give expression to the spiritual focus of the Social Gospel. He begins with an analysis of the Lord’s Prayer that shows how it speaks to social concerns. He then offers daily prayers, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for special social groups, prayers against evil, and prayers for the progress of humanity.

This volume, written for college study groups, gives an accessible introduction to Jesus’ social teaching and the principles that churches should follow. In each chapter, Rauschenbusch explores key passages, provides thoughtful study questions, and draws conclusions. After showing how Jesus’ teaching applies to our views of humanity, the family, leadership, private property, and more, he challenges readers to social action.

Continuing the discussion began in Christianity and the Social Crisis, Rauschenbusch describes the social awakening in the church. Re-emphasizing that social change should be the aim of the church, he provides an analysis of society and major issues. Finally, he discusses the necessary direction of moral evolution and suggests methods for the church to meet social challenges.

This volume examines the relationship between Christianity and labor. After chapters from other contributors on specific aspects of labor in the early twentieth century, Rauschenbusch’s closing chapter addresses the importance of social change being based on Christianity. He covers the history of labor and the specific challenges of modern conditions, describing both the church’s efforts to reach working people and needs for additional service.

Based on Jesus’ statement that what is done for others was done “unto me,” this book explores the Christian nature of social work. Love for God, says Rauschenbusch, also demands love for men and social work is “both the product and the cause of genuine religion.” Ultimately, following Christ’s example demands love for others and willingness to share in suffering.

The book that changed the American church, with new essays that “prove that one can be a dedicated Christian and a social reformer at the same time” (The New York Times Book Review). Published at the beginning of the twentieth century, Christianity and the Social Crisis is the epoch-making book that dramatically expanded the church’s vision of how it could transform the world. This 100th anniversary edition updates this classic with contemporary essays by leading preachers and theologians. “A book which left an indelible imprint on my thinking.” —Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Republication in this form is a forceful intervention in contemporary debates in American religion and politics.” —Commonweal “Many of the societal concerns and questions of 1907 . . . alarm over inner-city poverty, societal injustice, crime, and ineffectual government, are just as relevant today.” —Library Journal “Rightly viewed from the beginning as the greatest statement of the social gospel movement.”…

This short book, inspired by 1 Corinthians 13, applies Christian ideas of love to social relations, arguing that only an increase in love can lead to social progress. Rauschenbusch examines where love breaks down in modern society, and finally shows how ideas of love and freedom point to the Kingdom of God.