I totally agree. Didn't Jesus come to "do away with sin" by the sacrifice of Himself so that we could be restored from our broken relationship with God and become His very own children? Isn't the gospel that those who are spiritually dead, and have no way to enter heaven, can receive NEW BIRTH? But we've turned the gospel into social programs and made Jesus the poster child for them. We've turned the gospel into political action and made Jesus a Republican! It baffles me why so much of the content on Christian radio is social, political, financial, familial... anything but ETERNAL!

I think once Jesus gets involved needs can be fufilled so i agree

The big issue of the world is not poverty, wars, greed, abortions, recession, AIDS, homelessness–but rather that the human soul, which was made for the Glory of God, has cast it aside for other things. All these other issues are symptomatic parables of deeper heart issues. Therefore, all efforts to help people apart from the Gospel seem powerless, because they can’t get at the root problem. Mere social justice seems disillusioned because it doesn’t understand the true nature of the human condition. The mending of the soul, the finding of purpose and meaning in life, the only way to really love anyone with any significant eternal effect, is to plead and proclaim and display God’s glory for them to see.

This certainly happens in the proclamation of the Gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit in the declaration of the Word, but not only there. So while I agree, I don't think line of thinking is complete, and I think we should be leery that half-truths can be false.

Agreed...I love how you pointed out at Unleash the idea that if people are clothed, fed, and have shelter yet do not accept the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ, they're on a comfortable ride to hell. I don't boast in this by any means, but I do believe that any social justice action must be met with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I totally agree with this statement. I don't believe that social work can be substituted for evangelism, but neither do I believe that it calls for only one or the other. Certainly, we are commanded to proclaim the Gospel (thus meeting their spiritual needs) but we are also called to perform acts of kindness out of our love for Christ and our fellow man (thus meeting their physical needs as well). By not applying a balanced approach to physical and spiritual needs, we become hypocritical by giving them cold water when they need Living Water, or by giving them the Bread of Life but not enough bread to sustain their earthly life. I pray that we can be the kind of disciples who give them both.

AGREE!

this question seems to get so much traction yet it seems to accentuate the false dichotomy between spiritual and physical (known back in the day as heresy called "gnosticism").

everything is spiritual. you can't make a decision that isn't spiritual. Everything effects your sould. The food you eat can determine your moods. The music you listen to. The time and amount of give to those in "need" effects your soul. Jesus came to save us with his act on the cross, but I'm pretty convinced that his teachings save us too. I'm pretty sure that partnering and staying connected with those in need evangelizes.

you read through acts 2:42-47 and it seems to me that evangelism is a bi-product of "devoting themselves to the apostles teachings" and "they gave to anyone as he had need."

so yeah, there is no substitute for telling the story of Christ, but there is no substitute for living it out.

I AGREE.
With out a spirtual walk WE are always hungry, WE are always naked and WE WILL ALWAYS BE A PRISONER!! We need to be warriors protecting and teaching those who do not have the salvation armour that GOD has given us. So that they too may be reached and there lives/hearts changed by our heavenly father!

Evangelism + voice of truth = SALVATION

agree

agree and disagree. yes, the chief need is spiritual, but most people don't realize that. so in order to even begin "evangelism" we need to take care of physical needs, show we care about the person and then they might be more willing to experience soul care.

I agree. Relieving temporary circumstances won't usually bring eternal benefit. I think we should meet those needs in addition to the spiritual needs. If we're not going deeper than social work, then we're just putting band aids on cancer.

Agree. Social work is not a "substitute" for evangelism - but it can be a great MEANS of evangelism. Obviously it is important to Jesus (Luke 4, Matthew 25, etc.) As Bob notes below, people with pressing physical needs may be less receptive to attempts to address their spiritual needs alone.

If I didnt in some manner FEED you CLOTHE you or VISIT YOU . HOW SPIRITUAL WOULD YOU FEEL. "GOD." You need them all but on your last breath your Spiritual tank should should be the last to go."Rick."

true, but if people aren't fed, clothed or comforted, they will not be easily be receptive of any evangelism.

"The Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost." When we look to Jesus, like Ryan said, he came to save. If he is in the father and the father is in him, then Christ too "defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." But to say social work is a substitute for the Gospel just doesn't work.

Ah. gree. I mean, if following Christ was simply doing social work, I think He would have been satisfied just going around healing and helping people. But He didn't. He was there (and here) to save people from their spiritual brokenness. There is a bigger picture to be a part of than just giving a helping hand.

As long as we understand that we are to: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the prisoner, agree.

can i go ahead and say that i strongly agree? i mean on a scale of 1 to unreal agreement, i weigh on the side of ginormous unreal agreement.