Progressivism's impact on evangelism: The confluence of ideas between Woodrow Wilson and John R. Mott, and Barack Obama and Jim Wallis

This dissertation argues that Woodrow Wilson, through his friendship with John R. Mott, inspired Mott to use religious Progressivism, especially the social gospel, and their subsequent cooperation and progressive vision is reflected in Barack Obama and Jim Wallis. Furthermore, Mottian Progressivism is expressed today in the positions of the World Council of Churches.;Chapter 1 introduces the thesis and the topics to be discussed throughout the dissertation.;Chapter 2 defines Progressivism as a paradigm of six core tenets built on the teachings of Darwinian evolutionary theory, and outlines the difference between secular and religious Progressivism.;Chapter 3 examines Wilsonian Progressivism in the context of the six progressive tenets as well his religious progressive beliefs. It then introduces the Wilson-Mott relationship.;Chapter 4 traces the development of Mott's friendship with Wilson, with special attention given to Wilson's desire for Mott to serve as United States Ambassador to China. It then examines how Mott's view of the gospel shifted from a more biblical understanding to the social gospel aspect of religious Progressivism, revealing three eras of Mottian evangelism.;Chapter 5 focuses on Progressivism-influenced evangelism as expressed in Wallis, Obama, and the World Council of Churches. It shows that while the Obama and Wallis relationship does not parallel that of Wilson and Mott in regards to influence, a historical convergence exists in that Wallis' and Obama's cooperation echoes the Wilson-Mott dynamic. Furthermore, it exposes how each advocates positions reflective of Wilsonian and Mottian Progressivism. The chapter then reveals how the World Council of Churches adopted the social gospel in Mottian form.;Chapter 6 offers a biblical understanding of the gospel and evangelism for the twenty-first century. It highlights elements of evangelism found in the book of Acts, and then addresses the relationship between social action and evangelism.;Chapter 7 summarizes the conclusions of the preceding five chapters, and suggests topics for further investigation.