The Gospel According to Jim

 

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A Biblical Rebuttal to Jim Wallis and the Social Gospel Movement

In today’s climate of moral confusion and political agitation, voices like Jim Wallis have gained traction, not by proclaiming the timeless message of the Gospel, but by repackaging it through the lens of political ideology. Wallis’s recent book, The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy, purports to rescue Christianity from what he labels as “white supremacy” and “autocracy.” But his message—cloaked in biblical language—is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is "another gospel" entirely.

The Apostle Paul had strong words for those who would pervert the simplicity and power of the true Gospel. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). In this article, we will examine Wallis’s central themes, contrast them with the Word of God, and expose how the so-called "social gospel" aligns more with Marxist class warfare than with the message of Christ crucified.

One Message Then, One Message Now

Jesus gave the Church one central message in Matthew 28:19–20:

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

This was not a call to establish earthly governments or refound democracy. It was a divine commission to preach His death, burial, and resurrection—the only means by which men are saved. As Paul declared with unwavering clarity:
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

The early Church did not grow because it championed social reform, advocated economic equity, or restructured politics. It grew because it preached Christ—“whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood” (Romans 3:25). To exchange that message for one of civic activism is to trade gold for gravel.

The Social Gospel: A Political Trojan Horse

Jim Wallis’s narrative is not new. The so-called “social gospel” emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attempting to marry Christianity with socialist ideas of economic and class equity. But behind the noble language of justice and love lies a troubling reality—it seeks to use Christianity as a vehicle for political revolution.

Wallis argues that “White Christian Nationalism” must be dismantled. But in doing so, he creates a straw man. The true Gospel never exalted nationalism, nor did it call for political purity tests. Instead, it calls for regeneration, the inner transformation of the heart.

By reframing Christianity as a struggle between oppressed and oppressor classes, Wallis echoes the Marxist playbook. Marxism depends on class conflict to justify revolution; likewise, the social gospel stokes division under the guise of compassion. It aims to separate society into classes; the new birth unites all into the Body of Christ...the true Church!

 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."(Galatians 3:28).

A Faith for All, But A Gospel for Few

In his own words, Wallis claims this book is “not only for Christians but for all faith traditions, and even those with no faith at all.” But Jesus was not so inclusive. He declares that he is the only way to God! All faith traditions with not have a seat in the Kingdom of God! Read these verses from the Word of God that refute the idea of "all faith traditions, and even those with no faith at all” being in Heaven.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." (Revelation 22:14-15)

Wallis promotes what he calls “a politics of neighbor love,” yet neglects the ultimate act of love: Christ’s sacrificial death. The Gospel is not about civic virtue; it is about divine redemption. The Church is not called to be an agent of democracy but an ambassador of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20).

His reinterpretation of “love” exchanges the cross for consensus, repentance for reform, and truth for tolerance. This is not the love of Scripture, which says,

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” (Romans 12:9).

The Weaponization of Scripture

Wallis appeals to “six iconic texts” in Scripture but refuses to anchor them in the context of Christ’s redemptive work. He uses Scripture not as a mirror to reveal sin, but as a hammer to smash political opponents. He quotes Jesus’ words, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32), but rips them from their foundation. The full context reveals this truth is not civic virtue—it is Christ Himself.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Freedom in Christ is not political liberation; it is freedom from the penalty of sin. To preach otherwise is to preach another Jesus, another spirit, another gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4).

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)

Reclaiming True Faith: Christ Alone

True faith does not need to be reclaimed from political nationalism—it needs to be reclaimed from false teachers like Jim Wallis. The Church must return to its foundation:

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

This is the only message that saves. This is the only Gospel the Church was commissioned to preach. This Gospel transcends race, politics, culture, and class. It does not need to be repackaged for relevance or leveraged for legislative reform. It stands eternal.

Conclusion: Beware of the Gospel of Jim Wallis

Jim Wallis’s The False White Gospel claims to confront a false gospel—but in doing so, it creates its own. His call to “refound democracy” in the name of Jesus is not biblical, but political. His message is not the Gospel of grace, but a social agenda cloaked in Scripture.

Margaret Atwood may say, “Everyone who claims to be Christian needs to read this book,” but I say, everyone who claims to be Christian needs to read the Bible. Because only the true Gospel can save. And that Gospel is not democracy, not social justice, and not neighbor politics. It is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Let the Church stand where it has always stood: on the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary!

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart. Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen 

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