LE3 .A278 2003

2003

Williams, Roy

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Theology

Acadia Divinity College

Ronald J. Sider reminds the Christian community that salvation is not simply for the individual. Although, one cannot deny the fact that salvation is directed at the individual, one must also be aware of the fact that salvation is social and corporate in nature. There must be a balance. He believes that social responsibility flows out of this understanding of salvation. Christ himself provided the means for salvation and modeled social responsibility for the church. Sider calls the church to come to understand that we need to care for those around us on both a spiritual and physical level. This idea is based in scripture, is the mandate for every Christian and is consistent with evangelical thought. In the 18th and 19th centuries evangelicals were actively involved in social action and this had a significant impact on the lives of people living in both Britain and North America. Unfortunately, evangelicals later rejected their involvement with social action. This has come to be known as the "great reversal". In the last 50 years, evangelical leaders have been trying to "reverse the great reversal." They seek to remind the church that social action is part of Christian lifestyle, it is a responsibility. This is the focus of Sider's career and agenda. Sider uses the Bible as his foundation as he outlines passages and concepts that support his position. He uses an evangelical theological method and approach to ethics and ultimately develops a theological perspective that is consistent with evangelical thinking. It is from this position that he seeks to teach and to motivate the church.

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