If you are following the issue of the Emergent Church here at Apprising Ministries you will see me talk about their reimagined social gospel. For example in talking about Brian McLaren’s understanding of 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. Since Rob Bell is very influenced by McLaren you will also see this in his Emergent theology as well. Study it closely and one will notice Jesus presented as essentially concerned with social causes as 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.