“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – The The Fall of Man 2

“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – Introduction
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – The Challenge of the Social Gospel to Theology 1
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – The Challenge of the Social Gospel to Theology 2
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – The Difficulties of Theological Readjustment 1
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – Neither Alien Nor Novel
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – Neither Alien Nor Novel 2
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – Neither Alien Nor Novel 3
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – The Consciousnesses of Sin 1
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – The Consciousnesses of Sin 2
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – The The Fall of Man 1
“A Theology for the Social Gospel”: Blogging Through Rauschenbusch – The The Fall of Man 2

As we introduced in the previous post, Walter Rauschenbusch rejects the classic doctrine of the Fall and original sin relegating it to that of myth. He traces the origin of Original Sin to Paul where the Genesis 3 myth “conveyed far more than it actually contained.” (41) Yet his argument here is rather weak.

First, he suggests we should be shocked to discover that the biblical writers never interpreted the serpent as Satan. However the Apostle John does precisely that in Revelation 12:9 and Revelation 20:2. Jesus hints at this when he describes Satan as a liar.

Secondly, Rauschenbusch suggests “we find so few traces of any belief in Satan in Hebrew thought before the Exile that it seems doubtful if contemporary readers would have understood him to be meant unless further indications made the reference clear.” (41) What about the Book of Job? Unless, of course, it is conveniently relegated as a post-exilic book. It is simply untrue that Satan (or the devil), though not a common character, is unheard of in the Old Testament.

At the same time, none of this ultimately matters. Theology submits to the authority of Scripture. One verse is enough to shape our theology. Paul, then, is sufficient to shape our interpretation of Genesis 3. By drawing us to question Paul, Rauschenbusch is demanding us to question the authority and inspiration of Scripture.

 

For more:
“A Simple Way to Pray”: Blogging Through Luther
“Baptists Through the Centuries”: Blogging Through Bebbington – Complete Series
“Seeking the City”: Blogging Through Brand and Pratt – Entire Series
We Are All Descendants of Cain: A Theology of Beowulf –  Conclusion
“Collected Writings on Scripture”: Blogging Through Carson – Complete Series
“Whosoever Will”: Blogging Through Allen and Lemke – Concluding Thoughts
“The Deity of Christ”: Blogging Through Morgan and Peterson – The Deity of Jesus for Missions and Pluralism