Carl Trueman on the Evangelical Elite—The Editor’s Desk

Walter Rauschenbusch's 'Christianity and the Social Gospel' articulates the core tenets of the Social Gospel movement, emphasizing the role of Christianity in addressing social injustices. Rauschenbusch critiques the individualistic focus of traditional theology, arguing for a collective responsibility to create a just society. The book explores themes of poverty, inequality, and systemic oppression, advocating for social reform inspired by Christian ethics. He calls for the church to actively engage in transforming social structures to reflect the Kingdom of God. This work remains a seminal text in the field of social ethics and continues to inspire efforts to integrate faith and social action.

In this book, Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay document the evolution of postmodern thought from its origins in French postmodernism to its current applications in activist academic fields such as postcolonial theory, queer theory, critical race theory, and intersectionality. They argue that the unchecked proliferation of these ideas, which often assert that knowledge is a social construct, science and reason are tools of oppression, and language is dangerous, presents a significant threat to liberal democracy and modernity. The authors warn that these beliefs, while intended to address social injustices, often do more harm than good, particularly to the marginalized communities they aim to support.

In this book, Machen presents a robust defense of Christian orthodoxy and a strong critique of theological liberalism. He argues that liberalism, grounded in naturalism, rejects the supernatural elements of Christianity and reinterprets traditional doctrinal beliefs in metaphorical categories. Machen examines key doctrines such as the Bible, Christ, salvation, and the church, highlighting the antithetical nature of liberalism to historic Christianity. He emphasizes that liberalism is not merely a different interpretation of Christianity but a distinct and non-Christian system of thought.