Dear Friends,
Some
of you might know of Tony Campolo, who recently passed away on November 19th at
age 89. His writing and speaking had a significant impact on me personally and
professionally. Although his theology changed over time, as he moved from a
more conservative evangelical persuasion to a more liberal and social activist
position, I was always grateful for the impact he had on my life. I always
admired and respected his heart for the poor and oppressed and the
often-forgotten people of our world.
Ryan
Burge, a former American Baptist pastor and an associate professor of political
science at Eastern Illinois University said “Tony forwarded the legacy of the
social gospel, and that he was one of the most talented and sought-after
preachers in the United States for several decades…… He was able to speak to
audiences from all corners of American Christianity reminding them of the
radical grace and forgiveness that is found in the Gospel.”
Tony
spent six decades as a pastor, author and professor at Eastern
University while pastoring the Mount Carmel Baptist Church, a
predominately black church in the inner city of Philadelphia.
During
the later years of his life, his conservative theology became more liberal, and
consequently this change alienated some of his former followers.
He
acknowledged later in life the feeling of being an evangelical was
not an umbrella he fit under, and so he coined the term
"red-letter Christian" to describe his ministry. The idea, he said,
was to re-focus his teaching on Jesus's biblical teachings regarding the
poor and oppressed segments of our society. The "red-letter"
refers to the New Testament verses sometimes printed in red in the bible to
indicate words attributed to Jesus Christ.
In
many of the more than three dozen books he wrote, he focused on Christ's
teachings about uplifting the poor, while also challenging the church to become
more engaged in ministering to the needs of the suffering and oppressed people
of our world.
While
Tony was at odds with some mainstream conservative theology, few could doubt
his passion and the sincerity of his faith that motivated his efforts to serve
the oppressed and forgotten segments of our world.
Several
times Tony visited a church I pastored in New Jersey, and I and our people were
always blessed and challenged by his messages.
Tony
was the most powerful and persuasive speaker I have ever known, and while I
disagreed with some of his more liberal theological views, I embraced and
respected him for his faithful proclamation of the gospel, and for the positive
differences he was making in people’s lives.
The
first time I heard Tony speak was at a Creation Summer Festival in a large
open field somewhere in the middle of Pennsylvania. I don’t remember much of
what he said, but I do remember how he made me feel. His message was on radical
discipleship and when he finished, I was ready to give away everything I had
and move to Haiti where he was helping to build a Christian school and
hospital.
Tony’s
enthusiasm was contagious, and in my mind, he was unmatched when it came to
challenging his hearers to get up and get going and get doing something to
serve Jesus.
Was
his theology conservative like mine? No. Was he without controversy, certainly
not, but whenever and wherever he preached, he moved his hearers to
respond to Jesus’ call for commitment and kingdom service.
I
know I can learn from those who don’t always think or believe exactly as I do,
and I have learned much from my friend, and I am grateful for him and his
ministry and for the indelible mark he has left upon my life.
I
encourage you to take a listen to the message below that will leave you both
laughing and crying as Tony shares the seven-minute story about the night he
planned a three-a.m. birthday party for a prostitute in a Honolulu bar.
I
hope you’ll take a few moments to listen to an old friend. I think you will be
glad you did.
Yours
in faith and friendship,
Tom
No comments:
Post a Comment