This socio-historical monograph compares the two theologians Walter Rauschenbusch (1861–1918) and Martin Rade (1857–1940) in a transatlantic juxtaposition, with a particular focus on the political and social dimensions of their thought and work. Both theologians belonged to the liberal spectrum of their respective churches and countries, and both emphasized the political-social dimension of the Christian gospel and the responsibility of their churches for society arising from it.

Contents

Walter Rauschenbusch and Martin Rade lived during the time of industrialization, whose social upheavals demanded solutions. There was controversy over how the state and the church should respond. Rauschenbusch became the spokesperson of the so-called Social Gospel movement, while Rade, the long-time editor of Die Christliche Welt, was especially active in the Evangelical Social Congress. This study provides historical contextualizations and explores the biographies and intellectual legacies of both theologians. It examines in depth the social hardships of industrial workers as well as women’s and minority rights; the issue of war is also addressed. Finally, the current situation is analyzed, and modern capitalism is critically examined. The book outlines ways to address social inequalities today.

Target Audience

Students and those interested in theology, especially in the fields of systematic theology, social ethics, and church history.

The Author

Kurt Bangert is a theologian, scholar of comparative religion, and expert in development cooperation and poverty. He served as Director and Research Advisor at the World Vision Institute for Research and Innovation in Friedrichsdorf, Germany. He is the author of numerous articles and books in the fields of poverty alleviation, Islamic studies, and systematic theology, and is also the editor of the theological journal Freies Christentum.

The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence. A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content.