Tony Campolo

[DJSayers92]

absolutely amazing at spring harvest 2010,

[Politicimo]

Wow...that was amazing.

[tinycrack]

What on earth am I doing??!! I have fallen for a trap of thinking I could convince a Brit that a liberal Christian is a bad thing. What was I thinking?? Christendom as a whole has thrown off the adherence to the original Word of God as it has thrown off the Holiness teachings of Wesley and others. Abandoned for a social Gospel. I'm sorry to have wasted your time.

[Krazar84]

I don't know what my being a Brit has to do with anything. And yes, I'm used to the out of context quotes about Tony. If they concern you I'd recommend you emailing him for his views. Yes, I agree with what Wesley said. That's why I became a Methodis. But I'm tired of hearing that Chrisitan duty to the poor doesn't extend to our ability to influence our rulers, especially on issues of trade justice, etc. We can lobby to display the 10 commandments in a court house but not to help the poor!

[rhuff1119]

Tiny: I'm sorry that you've never had the chance to speak with Tony in person. I've had the pleasure of knowing him for years and can say with great confidence that despite your theological differences, he would treat you with respect and kindness. He lives his faith and is very humble. That more Christians would follow his example..

[tinycrack]

Yes, many socialists are fine people. Bill Clinton and BHO (B Husein Obama) claim to be Christians too. They also seem like very humble people who light up the room w/their humility and friendly nature. They also treat others (upon meeting them face to face) with respect and kindness. He tried to preach politics to my church's youth...just kids...at our international youth convention as far back as 84. Regardless, I think he's a nice guy although a VERY liberal Christian (oxymoron).

[jasonrowlen]

Oxymoron my ass. Jesus was anything but conservative or capitalist.

[tinycrack]

Sad. Your language exposes you. Jesus would never have instituted government programs and put more importance on the government than the individual. We will pray for you.

[somniumconspirator]

@tinycrack Where does it say Jesus would have never instituted government programs? Jesus would have wanted both individuals and governments to help out the poor, destitute, the widows, and the children. Governments shouldn't be excused from the Word of God. All should help others out.

[tinycrack]

@somniumconspirator Where does it say Jesus WOULD have wanted both individuals and governments to help out the poor, destitute etc? Jesus continually focused on the individual and his/her heart. There is NOWHERE in the Word that shows Jesus saying government should do anything. Paul does not say anything. None of the other writings show it. I'll wait for your quotation of Jesus saying governments should get involved with our lives. The moment gov'mnt involves itself, life gets more complex.

[poitrenaud]

Well, the "Christian Right" has diluted both Christianity and conservatism and capitalism.

There is nothing wrong with capitalism nor conservatism; but not their brand. Just as they have no right to confer upon themselves the Self-Certified Claim to be "Christians-"

Says Who?

[tinycrack]

"Beyond these models of reconciliation a theology of mysticism provides some hope for common ground between Christianity and Islam. Both religions have within their histories examples of ecstatic union with God ... I do not know what to make of the Muslim mystics, especially those who have come to be known as the Sufis. What do they experience in their mystical experiences? Could they have encountered the same God we do in our Christian mysticism?"

-Tony Campolo

"Speaking My Mind", pages 149-150

[tinycrack]

He relies on the wisdom of a man who doesn't even believe in the Lordship of Jesus there. Here's another one: ""I am saying that there is no salvation apart from Jesus; that's my evangelical mindset. I am not convinced that Jesus only lives in Christians"

-Tony Campolo

(National Liberty Journal, 8/99)

"Jesus is the only Savior, but not everybody who is being saved by Him is aware that He is the one who is doing the saving"

-Tony Campolo

EP News Service, Oct. 4, 1985

Anthony Campollo: a new ager.

[SoChange]

We seek to treat everyone(Presidents, too) with fairness, dignity and respect, seeking unity and to draw all(Presidents, too) into faithful discipleship. We focus the separate perspectives of church & community, finance, philanthropy, and government (Presidents, too) on opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to meet community challenges. Pray with us. Only the transforming power of Christ can change communities into the places of hope God wants them to be.

[tinycrack]

The first time I heard/saw Tony was at the International Wesleyan Youth Convention. I thought he was great....until I listened again ten years later when I was not as blinded by youthfulness. I re-listened to his inspirational message and realized he used it as an opportunity to bash our then president. Later I found out he was good friends with one of the most immoral presidents of our history. Then I found out his theology involves lots of government involvement in our lives. my heart sank.

[tinycrack]

He's still a wordsmith and an awesome speaker. Definitely a salesman and a persuader. Gotta respect the man like you gotta respect Mr Bill Clinton. :)

[jsharp1701]

Scripture is filled with admonition that governments ensure fair treatment of all economic classes and provide for the poor. God hates governments that exploit the poor for the benefit of the rich. Too many Christians have been suckered into believing it's scriptural to make poor people fend for themselves and give breaks to the rich and powerful. They think being conservative on morality means you have to be conservative in economic matters, too. This is false.

[tinycrack]

I'd have to ask for at least ten references. I'd normally ask for one or three, but since you are saying that script is "filled" with references to dependence on government to do what the church should be doing (and is doing) I'm curious what these scriptures are. I've never heard any true followers of Yeshua say that unintentionally poor people should fend for themselves. I have seen many help them find their way to personal responsibility and independence.

[Krazar84]

Hi tinycrack, would you be prepared to agree that there are somethings that only government can do and that churches can't? I live in the UK and have a slightly different perspective but in the 1990's many Christians were campaigning as part of Jubilee 2000 asking governments to drop unfair debts owed to them by very poor nations. It was partially successful and prepared for later campaigns like Make Poverty History. Churches don't write trade agreements so only the government can do this for us

[tinycrack]

With all due respect, I now understand why your perspective is different than mine. While there ARE liberals in the USA who have the illusion that a government is the most efficient manager of their funds to help widows and orphans, the great many Christians who believe that way often also believe that twisting scriptures and ignoring certain parts of them is also fine .... I don't believe it's a coincidence.

[tinycrack]

To continue, although I doubt this ISN'T true in many other countries, I can only speak for America. One would have to stretch the US constitution to prove that it makes a mandate for over half of the programs it now has. Government is the LEAST efficient use of charitable funds in nearly any country, but most certainly in the USA. (300.00 dollar hammers, etc). No, I'm not prepared to say there are some things mandated by the Bible that only the gov can do. I have no evidence to prove it.

[Krazar84]

Hi, from what I've seen and read of Tony his theology is about helping the poor according to the commands our Lord not about the government. He says himself that Jesus is neither Republican or Democrat. However he says that he himself is partisan because he feels that government aid ought to be part of that helping the poor. So there's a difference between theology/what you believe to be a command from God and your political beliefs about how best to follow that commandment.

[tinycrack]

His theology is flawed then. Here is what another user said over a year ago: "...too bad that the teacher didn't take the time to teach & preach the gospel message to Teddy (Bible says all of heaven rejoices over a repentant sinner). We are commanded to be a witness of Christ's redemptive work. Sure it's important to fulfill the needs of those around us, but never should this replace the preaching of the Gospel to the lost, which has ETERNAL consequences.

[Krazar84]

Hi, I've never heard Tony say that bringing people to Christ wasn't important. But he's also trying to prod the church into taking its responsability for the poor more seriously. Both Peter and John say in their letters that a true display of Gods love will include good works, care for the poor, etc. Now if I live in a democratic country that forces unfair trade deals on the poor then it would make sense to petition the government for trade justice as part of my care for the poor.

[tinycrack]

Likely you have not followed his ministry as closely as you say you do. BOTH should be done, preaching of the Gospel must have primary importance. I've seen hundreds of quotes and heard Campollo say a NUMBER of things that are completely aberrant from sound theology. Here are some examples: "Perhaps we would do well to listen to the likes of Rabbi Harold Kushner, who contends that God is not really as powerful as we have claimed. Nowhere in the Hebrew Scriptures does it say God is omnipotent."

[XxXxtipsy1344xXxX]

i love this.

I am just now letting God into my life.

[ihaveaverybadcold]

check out my vids...i encourage you to listen to some paul washer sermons

[HURLOCKS]

This has been in my "Favorites" list for a long time. I just haven't watched it for a long time. These are amazingly inspiring and challenging stories. Thanks so much for sharing.

[SoChange]

Thank you for your kind words. We honor the life-work of Dr. Tony Campolo by equipping Christian agents of change — compassionate professionals and activist scholars — to use their professions and their lives to transform communities around the world. We begin incarnationally, encouraging students to become community insiders and partners who turn communities in outposts of the Kingdom of God. May you be encouraged to build outposts on earth (as it is in heaven).

[slmdirect]

This is the first video I stumbled upon and it made me cry. My life has taken a tumble and this video did so much to help me move forward again, another positive step...one step at a time.

[SoChange]

All God's blessing and comfort to you, slmdirect.

[kankoraovich]

thank you

[akevangel1]

GO CAMPOLO GO

[jbstuff]

Proclaiming Christ's Kingdom to the widow, orphan and the disenfranchised IS preaching the Gospel--read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

[hetgow]

Ummm... too bad that the teacher didn't take the time to teach & preach the gospel message to Teddy (bible says all of heaven rejoices over a repentant sinner). We are commanded to be a witness of Christ's redemptive work. Sure its important to fulfill the needs of those around us, but never should this replace the preaching of the gospel to the lost, which has eternal consequences. Heaven & earth will pass away, but those that love Jesus obey His commands.

[SoChange]

Our highest calling remains Eastern's commitment to "The Whole Gospel for the Whole World." Pray with us; only through the transforming power of Christ can communities and schools become the places of hope God called them to be.

Our students study incarnationally, becoming community partners who see the city as a legitimate place to live and work. The School's academic programs emphasize a faith-centered, holistic approach to community transformation. See also Palmer Seminary.

[tinycrack]

Amen! Well put. What you say is one of my beefs about Tony. So many of his sermons are anecdotes and jokes, with scripture thrown in to validate his personal opinion. The GOSPEL is the highest priority. He makes it second. He would have agreed with Judas who cried out when the Mary emptied the flask full of expensive oil on Jesus' feet, thinking it would be better used to feed the poor.

[ctgrad]

Great inspiration for teachers!