Description

This lecture is confined to the evangelical-social movement since Wiehern, and chiefly consists of: - 1. An indication of some of the theological and ecclesiastical factors that made the Christian-social movement possible. 2. An examination of the fundamental elements of the "Christian-social" idea, in particular in the work of J. H. Wiehern. 3. The synthetic "Christian-social" concept is questioned on a critical theological basis (e. g. in relation to Friedrich Naumann). 4. An enquiry into the original inheritance and the intentions of the move- ment, in relation to its importance for present-day ehureh and society. In this examination the historical weaknesses and inhibitions of the move- ment and its watchword are made evident, sueh as for example the movement's political conservatism and its dependance on anti-revolutionary roman- ticism. Further examples, among others, are: - the movement's lack of under- standing for the impulses of socialism and new economic developments, the vagueness of the "social" concept, and a lack of any theological and socio- logical analysis of contemporary society. On the other hand, the greatness and the important historical fecundity of the Christian-social conception are also shown.