Untitled

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE FORGOTTEN HISTORY OF EVANGELICALS AND LABOR

Introduction

  • Author: Cushman Wood, Darren

  • Date: 2004

  • Source: Blue Collar Jesus: How Christianity Supports Workers' Rights

  • Context: The chapter begins with a personal anecdote about the author's experience at a church youth group retreat. It sets the stage for a discussion about Evangelicals and their complicated relationship with labor movements.

Early Experiences with Evangelicalism

  • Personal Anecdote:

    • The author attended an outdoor passion play in Arkansas as part of a church youth retreat.

    • The event featured vendors selling various merchandise aimed at the attendees.

    • The author sought a piece of merchandise, specifically a belt buckle that read "BORN AGAIN" to reflect his faith after a revival experience.

  • Conversion Experience:

    • The author describes multiple occasions of getting "saved" during revival meetings, where individuals were invited to commit their lives to Christ.

    • This includes a sense of urgency driven by fear stemming from the teachings about the Second Coming of Christ, particularly influenced by the film "A Thief in the Night."

Understanding Evangelicalism

  • Definition:

    • Evangelicalism is presented as both a theological tradition and a social phenomenon with specific values and language.

    • It encompasses a broad category of Protestants bound by a belief in personal commitment to Jesus Christ, often experienced as a "conversion" or "born again" moment.

  • Core Beliefs:

    • Evangelicals believe in the Bible as the ultimate authority, viewing it as "the Word of God" rather than merely a historical document.

  • Social Aspects:

    • Evangelicals form a religious subculture characterized by unique terminology, perspectives, and a resistance to mainstream societal trends, such as the acceptance of evolution.

  • Historical Influence:

    • The Second Great Awakening significantly shaped American Evangelicalism, aligning it with social reforms such as the abolition of slavery and the women’s suffrage movement.

    • Despite this, larger revivals became financially entangled with business interests, leading to a decline in Evangelical support for labor movements.

The Decline of Social Engagement among Evangelicals

  • The Great Reversal:

    • The chapter introduces Daniel Moberg's term—"Great Reversal," where working class Evangelicals lost interest in social reforms, focusing instead on personal salvation.

  • Societal Changes (1880-1920):

    1. Shift to a new industrial economy that conflicted with the rural roots of many religious leaders.

    2. The rise of mass media diminished workers' ability to express their ideas.

    3. The labor movement narrowed its aims to "business unionism," sidelining broader social transformations.

    4. Changes in the Republican Party marginalized the labor movement.

  • Internal Dynamics within Evangelicalism:

    1. Pentecostalism emerged, aligning religious values with consumerism and neglecting labor organizing.

    2. The belief in Premillennialism fostered fatalism, suggesting social activism was futile because Christ would eventually restore justice.

    3. Fundamentalism arose, promoting the infallibility of the Bible while rejecting the liberal and social gospel movements that aimed to address social justice.

Fundamentalism's Reaction to Social Justice

  • Populism and Its Shift:

    • Populism within Evangelicalism shifted blame from big business to big government by the 1960s, enabling alliances with conservative politicians.

  • Changing Definitions of Evangelicalism:

    • By the late 20th century, Evangelicalism became associated more with anti-labor sentiments, making it seem uniformly opposed to labor unions.

Staunch Opponents of Labor Unions

  • Seventh-day Adventists' Position:

    • In 1972, the church adopted a resolution prohibiting members from joining or supporting labor unions, citing allegiance to Christ above social organization involvement.

    • Premillennial Understanding:

    • They believed engagement with secular organizations compromised Christian authority.

Once Opposed, Now Tolerant

  • Changes in Evangelical Denominations:

    • Free Methodists and Church of God (Cleveland, TN):

    • Historical opposition due to views on secret societies and social reforms.

    • Adjusted stances post-1951, allowing union membership without secret oaths.

    • Methodist Shift:

    • Went from strict opposition to eventual tolerance and participation in labor movements.

Ambivalence of Denominations

  • Southern Baptist Convention:

    • Historically timid in addressing labor issues, framing solutions around spiritual individuality rather than structural changes during labor conflicts.

    • Their first affirmations towards workers' rights emerged in response to labor disputes but quickly reverted to spiritual solutions.

  • Salvation Army:

    • While they voiced support for some labor issues, their focus on charity limited their engagement with broader social justice movements.

Advocates for Labor

  • Supportive Evangelicals:

    • Some Evangelicals and denominations supported labor movements, providing leadership in workers’ struggles.

  • Black Pastors and Union Activities:

    • The chapter discusses how black clergy have historically been allies to labor, including Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and prominent evangelical leaders advocating for stronger labor rights and integration within the labor movement.

  • The Church of God of the Union Assembly:

    • A denomination strongly pro-labor, integrating labor activism into their ministry.

Rev. Claude Williams: A Pro-Labor Evangelical Leader

  • Background:

    • Williams transitioned from an evangelistic ministry to active labor organizing during the Great Depression, influenced by Vanderbilt coursework.

  • Advocacy for Labor Rights:

    • Established the People’s Institute of Applied Religion to train and support workers, emphasizing the importance of collective freedom and rights as a democratic necessity reflecting God's Kingdom on Earth.

  • Legacy:

    • Helped bridge the gap between Evangelicalism and labor rights through practical engagement and theology.

Conclusion

  • Diversity within Evangelicalism:

    • The chapter emphasizes that Evangelicals' responses to labor movements are not monolithic, showcasing a range from staunch opposition to fervent support.

  • Broader Implications:

    • Understanding this history highlights the complexities of faith-based social movements and their evolving dynamics in the context of labor and workers' rights.