If you are following the issue of the Emergent Church here at Apprising Ministries you will see me talk about their reimagined version of the old social gospel. For example in talking about the wrong teachings by Brian McLaren concerning the Gospel of our Lord Dr. John MacArthur has said, “Throughout the rest of The Secret Message of Jesus, McLaren proceeds to present Jesus’ Kingdom message in a way that most closely aligns with the non-eschatological, social activism of twentieth century liberalism.” (Online source)

And this was often referred to as the social gospel as evidenced in the fantasies of Walter Rauschenbusch. Since Emerging Church icon Rob Bell is very influenced by McLaren you will also see this in his own  version of a corrupt Christianity as well. Study his theology closely and one will notice that Jesus is largely presented as being concerned with social causes and a kind of champion for the poor and oppressed people.

In Velvet Elvis Bell says, “famine, debt, oppression, loneliness, despair, death, slaughter–they are all hell on earth. Jesus’ desire for his followers is that they live in such a way that they bring heaven to earth” (148). For a more complete understanding of the Emergent Church and their repainted social gospel, as well as why emerging church theology shows such tolerance in embracing apostate Roman Catholicism this piece from Answers.com on liberation theology will prove helpful.