The Transformative Power of a Nonpartisan Christian Movement

Days before spearheading an unprecedented strike targeting the Big Three automakers, Shawn Fain, the president of United Auto Workers, took an extraordinary step. Fain, a middle-aged man sporting glasses who could easily be mistaken for a high school science teacher, issued a stark warning to auto workers, highlighting the likelihood of a strike. He emphasized the resistance from automaker CEOs, accusing their highly profitable companies of repeatedly exploiting and undermining the union members' rights for their own financial gain.

Fain proceeded to delve into his deep-rooted Christian beliefs, backing them up with biblical verses. Drawing upon Matthew 17:20-21, where Jesus imparted to his followers that even the tiniest measure of faith could grant them the power to conquer insurmountable challenges, he emphasized that "nothing will be beyond your reach." According to him, for UAW members, the process of orchestrating and asserting audacious demands from automakers was akin to "placing complete trust in one another."

Fain's faith managed to move three corporate mountains. Following a six-week campaign of strikes, the UAW achieved a historic agreement with General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler-owner Stellantis, resulting in the largest pay raise for workers in decades. This victory, which still requires ratification by UAW members, not only revitalized the empowered labor movement in the US, but also signaled the resurgence of the Social Gospel movement in America.

Fain's sermonette stood out due to the uncommon practice of labor leaders extensively referencing the Bible to validate a strike, which was once a common occurrence. Fain's choice to combine sacred scripture with a strike aligns perfectly with the principles of the Social Gospel playbook.

Members of the Writers Guild of America join UPS Teamsters during a rally ahead of a possible UPS strike on July 19, 2023, in Los Angeles.

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The Social Gospel was a Christian movement that arose in late 19th-century America in response to the extreme inequality caused by rapid industrialization. Its followers actively fought against the exploitation of workers and unethical business practices, exemplified by figures like oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller. When asked how much money he needed to finally be satisfied, Rockefeller supposedly replied, "Just a bit more."

The Social Gospel transformed religion into a tool for economic and political reform. Its overarching message was that rescuing people from poverty-stricken slums was just as vital as saving their souls from damnation. During its heyday, the movement's leaders advocated for significant changes such as eight-hour workdays, the dismantling of corporate monopolies, and the eradication of child labor. They delivered passionate sermons, lectured nationwide, and authored best-selling books.

The wearing of WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets, for instance, did not originate as a form of Christian merchandise. Instead, it originated as the slogan of a well-known novel published in 1897 called "In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do," authored by Reverend Charles Sheldon, a prominent leader in the Social Gospel movement.

Fain's sermonette highlights an unnoticed resurgence of the Social Gospel movement, with some asserting that it never truly disappeared.

When discussing religion, the media tends to focus on stories of White Christian nationalism. However, there is another form of Christianity that is significantly influencing our politics, unrelated to race or nationalism. Notable American intellectual and religious figures, such as UAW's Fain, Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, independent presidential candidate Cornel West, the Rev. William Barber II, the Rev. Liz Theoharis, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond, are leading this movement. One prominent advocate of the Social Gospel was the late Rev. Martin Luther King, who was tragically assassinated while supporting a labor strike by sanitation workers.

All the aforementioned leaders continue to champion the principles of the Social Gospel in their own unique manner. They rely on the Bible, much like the Social Gospel leaders of the past, to present diverse arguments asserting the significance of Christian actions over doctrines. Moreover, they maintain that unrestrained capitalism "flourishes due to self-centered tendencies that conflict with Christian teachings."

Reverend William Barber speaks during an anti-poverty demonstration at the US Supreme Court in Washington on November 15, 2021.

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The resurgent form of the Social Gospel is significantly impacting our politics by reshaping the perspectives of many Americans.

In light of this influence, an increasing number of Americans view Big Tech monopolies as a burgeoning threat to prosperity. Moreover, there is a growing support for a substantial raise in the federal minimum wage. Additionally, more individuals believe in the role of government in assisting those who are least capable of helping themselves, whether it pertains to young people burdened by overwhelming student loans or providing direct financial aid to families and small businesses affected by the Covid pandemic. These shifts in attitudes and policies are a result, in part, of the Social Gospel's sway.

Would Jesus go on strike?

The change in mindset is clearly evident in Fain's actions. Throughout the UAW strike, he consistently utilized a form of rhetoric that was described by one commentator as remarkably reflective of Christian values, drawing heavily from the principles of the Social Gospel movement.

According to Christopher H. Evans, a professor of the history of Christianity at Boston University and author of "The Social Gospel in American Religion: A History," he heard the Social Gospel in Fains UAW speeches. Evans commented that the speeches emphasized the idea that Jesus is supportive of the workers and stands in solidarity with them. He stated that this consistent message can be traced back to the late 19th century and is a significant aspect of the Social Gospel tradition.

In the late 1800s in Kingston, Pennsylvania, mining companies employed child workers known as "breaker boys" who were responsible for breaking large coal lumps into smaller fragments and eliminating impurities.

In a recent essay, Heath W. Carter, author of "Union Made: Working People and the Rise of Social Christianity in Chicago," revealed the presence of a prominent pro-labor stream within Christianity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This phenomenon served as a driving force for the formidable working-class movements of that era.

According to Carter, an associate professor of American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary, traditional faith and labor militancy have always been closely intertwined in the history of American workers. Since the early days of labor movements, workers have emphasized that their organization is rooted in biblical teachings.

Newspapers that supported unions often included passages from scripture. The Gospel of Luke was particularly popular, with verses like "Woe unto you that are rich! For ye have received your consolation" (6:24) and "the laborer is worthy of his hire" (10:7).

The modern-day Social Gospel prophets

Other current leaders carrying the Social Gospel torch have helped shape debates around everything from health care and minimum wage to attitudes toward the poor.

Senator Warnock, for instance, uses Matthew 25 as a basis for advocating the expansion of Medicaid to resistant states, emphasizing that individuals will be evaluated based on their actions towards "the least of these." In doing so, he aligns himself with the theological principles of the Social Gospel.

Reverend Barber, the esteemed founder of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School, connects his Christian faith to pressing matters such as climate change, immigration, and voter suppression, thereby drawing inspiration from the Social Gospel.

In his books, Desmond contends that poverty does not stem from individuals' moral shortcomings, but rather from a system that benefits many by keeping some citizens poor. He further asserts that the US government possesses the necessary resources to eradicate poverty.

Amir Levy/The New York Times/Redux

It comes as no surprise that Desmond is the offspring of a pastor. His literature and interviews overflow with biblical allusions reminiscent of a Social Gospel sermon from the late 19th century.

In a recent interview, Desmond expressed that the moral indignation evident in his work stems from his faith. He believes that the scenes of God's intense anger in the Scriptures are fueled by the mistreatment of marginalized communities. Drawing inspiration from Isaiah 61:8, where God proclaims his hatred towards robbery and injustice, Desmond strives to channel this righteous anger into his own work.

How the Social Gospel differs from White Christian nationalism

Why does the Social Gospel, a powerful and significant movement, remain relatively obscure in present times? Furthermore, how does it contrast with White Christian nationalism, the extensively examined variant of Christianity prevalent in modern America?

The second question is quite tricky, as it is inaccurate to suggest that White evangelical Christians lack a history of social reform. During the 19th century, numerous White evangelical Christians actively fought for the abolition of slavery and advocated for women's rights. However, where they significantly differ from Social Gospel followers is primarily in their perspectives on poverty.

In the 19th century, a considerable number of White evangelical Christians embraced the concept of trickle-down spirituality, which posits that if individuals are saved, they will subsequently contribute to helping the poor and creating societal transformation. According to Evans, a professor at Boston University, this belief seemed insufficient due to the shocking spike in poverty within the cities of the Northeast United States during the late 19th century.

During the late 1800s, proponents of the Social Gospel movement raised their voices against the unjust economic disparities that contributed to the development of densely populated urban slums. This particular image captures the impoverished conditions prevalent in the Five Points neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, New York City, around 1885.

Evans stated that when confronted with tenements teeming with children suffering from contagious diseases and widespread poverty, the leaders of the Social Gospel emphasized that capitalism was responsible for these problems. They believed that wealth was held by an elite few and not being redistributed to aid the underprivileged. Furthermore, they argued that there was a lack of social safety nets and insufficient regulation of factories and sweatshops.

Perhaps the most succinct distinction between a Social Gospel approach and a White evangelical approach can be understood through the humorous remark made by Dom Helder Camara, a theologian from Brazil. He famously stated, "If I provide nourishment to the impoverished, they hail me as a saint. However, if I question why the destitute are devoid of sustenance, they label me a communist."

The future of the Social Gospel

The Social Gospel had gradually declined by the mid-20th century due to various reasons. The optimism displayed by its leaders seemed out of place after the devastating events of World War I. White evangelical culture gained more significance, while the mainline Protestant churches that upheld and continue to preach the Social Gospel started losing both members and influence.

However, the presence of individuals like Fain, along with other leaders who continue to carry on the Social Gospel tradition, demonstrates its ongoing relevance. These figures also represent a future in which individuals outside of traditional religious organizations, such as labor leaders, scholars, nontraditional pastors, and other spiritual leaders, embody the message of the Social Gospel.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain speaks during a rally in support of striking UAW members in Detroit on September 15, 2023.

Evans predicts that there will likely be additional movements similar to the United Auto Workers, where Christianity is used to address concerns regarding labor, wealth, and capital. Although these movements may not possess the same level of institutional power as the Social Gospel movement in the past, they still have the potential to attract supporters and make themselves heard.

The climate in contemporary America appears to be favorable for the Social Gospel message. After a period of decline, prominent unions such as the Teamsters, the Writers Guild of America, and the Screen Actors Guild are gaining strength. Support for unions reached its highest level since 1965 last year. Inequality has reached record highs, and a Pew survey conducted last year discovered that a majority of Americans aged 18 to 29 had a negative perception of capitalism.

Expecting the Social Gospel to regain its previous level of prominence might be too ambitious. The exuberant optimism of past Social Gospel reformers may now appear as outdated as flickering black-and-white silent films.

However, what is disturbing is that numerous problems that early Social Gospel leaders fought against are once again afflicting America after a century. There is an alarming accumulation of wealth among the elite, labor rights are being suppressed by courts and corporations, and the disgraceful practice of exploitative child labor, which was once considered a thing of the past, has resurfaced in certain parts of the US.

While Fains UAWs sermonette may have had a significant impact, there are still countless other challenges that need to be addressed.