Tony Campolo on what Jesus taught

[250ford350]

TomOzzy@ Tony C. seems to suggest @2.50 min.

"Don't worry to much about sin creeping into your Churches in the form of homosexuality or feminism. Our main focus should be carrying for the poor."

This is waaaaaay of.

And at the end: We are NOT meant to be agents of social change. We are agents to change peoples eternal destiny.

I listened to this video now several times and gets more creepy every time.

[250ford350]

TomOzzy@ The total of 31.000 verses in the bible convey the core message of Christ, it is the gospel: Man has fallen in sin and is therefor living under condemnation. Christ came to seek and save the lost and He calls every man to repent and live livess that glorify our father in haven. This was His main focus and worth for Him to die for. Reborn people, by their new nature, will be compassionate and feed the poor. Their main focus will always be: Go into the world and proclaim the gospel.....

[ToBeSaltnLight]

For a "Red Letter Christian" I don't know how he forgot what Jesus said before he mentioned the kingdom of God. Jesus said REPENT. Also notice that he didn't mention the babies who are murdered through abortion. Only infants.

[archiecat707]

Very much like the themes explores in Bruxy Cavey's book, The End of Religion. Organized christianity has spend centuries trying to ingore or explain away the actual teaching of Jesus as presented in the gospels. There is a better way and it's about our relationships with God, others and ourselves, not creeds, dogma and rituals.

[ClareTwin2]

I think this video is awesome, but where can I find it with Spanish subtitles?? Xxx

[TheLionessjudah]

Christ said My Kingdom is not of this world. This world is the place where satan has his throne. I just came from John MacArthur and his sermon on Islam the 7 year tribulation, I would recommend this video for anyone who thinks that this man has some contributions. He has a confusion about Christ and is attempting to fit God/Christ into his world. Please listen to this video mentioned, because MacArthur exposes this point about Campolo' s misleading understanding of Christ.

[250ford350]

The poor were His primary concern?? Jesus did not come to establish social or economic justice. We do not have any record of Him feeding the poor or giving money to the needy?? I am sure He did but was not considered the core of His ministry. He Himself said: "I have come to seek and save the lost" Luke 19, 10. He came to preach the gospel and to die for us so we could be saved.

[DTelevision1]

@250ford350 ..in Social context what was preaching in the time of Yeshua?

[TomOzzy123]

@250ford350 There are 2 thousand verses of scripture that discuss the poor and helping them. Feeding the poor and clothing the naked was very much part of the central theme of Jesus's message. Doing those acts and works help strengthen the gospel to the unsaved and the lost. You can't expect the gospel to stick with someone if they are cold and hungry.

[kwonbbl]

Hi, Tony,

God's kingdom (as you remember from the synoptic Gospels] refers to one other than Yeshua (aka Jesus) Himself. It ain't the world with your vision fulfilled as such ('social justice' 'health to ripe old age', etc.)

[shizzleman8]

@CenkKaptanoglu I've been dead twice before, so what? If there is no hope of resurrection we of all men are most miserable. I'm the Admiral now, even with 100% of the vote and revolution, I'm not going to be hurt. You aren't even aware of what you don't know, like what happens after the human body dies. You like to make suppostions and hypothesize, I don't. I have the money to replace every organ in my body and my skin 10 fold, you'll be cold long before me, so to speak.

[shizzleman8]

I've witnessed elephants burying their dead and dolphins protect swimmers from sharks so we're probably not on the top. There's been a lot of help given to Haiti over the years and all the help sure doesn't seem to be helping. What leaves people in poverty doesn't appear to be a monetary system. I got a job while friends stayed on unemployement all around me, why give up a good thing? I'll provide the best answers I can, it will have to be later this evening. Shalom

[DarrylWThomas]

@shizzleman8 " What leaves people in poverty doesn't appear to be a monetary system." Really? Have you ever been to Skid Row or South Africa (where I've been where there are over 28 MILLION people without a way to earn the money to secure their survival). They are locked out of the system so you can wax philosophic on the internet about NOTHING. Their destruction is their poverty. Their poverty is your Heaven. How DARE you speak of things with no understanding?

[shizzleman8]

Thanks, you've talked me into giving a lot less and taking advantage of every loophole previously not. I'm the only one who takes in the poor, that I kknow of, they don't need to knock, I find and bring them in, I just got done writing about it. Never agian, no appreciation, no benefit, no fecking thank you, but this, Thanks!

[DarrylWThomas]

@shizzleman8 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."

Matthew 6.2

Sound familiar?

[shizzleman8]

@CenkKaptanoglu You'll be knocking on the door of the World's greatest Loan Collector, The Admirals favorite son, and someone who outranks what you'll never be by 25 ranks. I publish my address. I represent the greatest Military Officer of the most powerful military force that's ever existed. I've worked as a bounty hunter and a skip tracer, I work alone. I just served 4 summons and complaints last weekend. Those who can do, those who think they can try and teach others. I've died twice, so

[shizzleman8]

@CenkKaptanoglu My Jewish ancestors invented banking in midevial England 700 years ago. My Dad alone owned 27 finance Co.'s. We've been bankers twice as long as the Rothschilds. How do you think I was able to acid wash pool surrounds at my own expense and time? I work for the former President of the board doing legal work in my spare time, I have to go file two actions at the court right now! I'm a lot higher than the top 3%, it's a number you probably couldn't grasp the true meaning of. :-D

[shizzleman8]

@CenkKaptanoglu Poverbs 10:4 The hand of the diligent makes rich, but the hand of the slothful man will bring him poverty. Not bad from memory. :-D Who was it that said "You shall be lenders and not borrowers"? There are 2 fellows on our crew who complain about 1 guy who makes 7 or 8 $ an hour more. This guy has mad skills, a big truck we use, he climbs ladders and installs outdoor lights on poles. He aslo resembles the Rhino of Scott Alexander's Rhinoceros Success books. Diligence.

[MartijndeGraaf1001]

this is what indicates our equality: we all need air, water, food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care, means of communication, means of transportation. We haven't taken care of this for all of us yet. We have the resource, we have the technology, so why don't we? Because we were raised and educated to become selfish interested beings in spite of what Jesus told us. So we have to change our nature. Join the ITD course and the SRA course @ Desteni

[shizzleman8]

@MartijndeGraaf1001 I took into my home 2 homeless men living in a Regional Park next to my condo's. One chap threatened to have me killed because I wasn't helping him enough, and the other kept taking money and spending it on cystal methamphetime and failed his drug test and is back in prison now. The latter was only being tested by his parole officer once every 2 months!  Methedrine leaves the system every few days. What this INDICATES is I provided all that and got fecked in the arse, see?

[MartijndeGraaf1001]

@shizzleman8 welcome to humanity, the highest form of life on the planet, the top of evolution, the only species that can think for themselves. That's how we like to think of ourselves isn't it. Now look here, it sems you are a better person than these two men. How ever, we have a monetary system that leaves a lot of people in poverty and starvation so it's a criminal organization. And you and me we participate by using the system, so what are we? Exactly!

[shizzleman8]

@MartijndeGraaf1001 A study of major world economies revealed a correlation between income inequality and problems such as homicide, infant mortality, obesity, teenage pregnancies, emotional depression and prison population. World politics isn't my specialty, but communism lost the cold war, freedom and property rights seem to have caused America to flourish the last 234 years. I wouldn't trade the Declration of Independence and the US Constitution on a bet. Who's been providing all the help?

[NuruAndeku1]

How can we have any beneficial effect from religions like Christianity when the predominant system/religion is based on capitalism -- as competition? No authentic teachings of Jesus will be considered until after an Equal Money System is established in this world. Vote for world equality -- Join the Equal Life party (Google it)

[ViktorHansEmanuel]

Give as you would like to recieve is the principle that if lived will stop all suffering in the world - such simple common sense.

Investigate equal money,

[NeumannBastian]

The deception about "Jesus" is overwhelming. Not only that people have abused his words in order to justify their own greediness and exploitation of the world, but they also legitimize the current system of inequality by making themselves believe they were somehow "special" or "better believers" than others, just because they were born into a part of the system where all the money is unrightfully hoarded. You don't even have to know Jesus to realize that. Noone is special, especially not those.

[shizzleman8]

@NeumannBastian I worked as an unrequited volunteer for my HOA last summer. I started trimming overgrown shrubs then kicked it into high gear acid washing pool surrounds bringing back the original lustre of the pool areas from 30 years ago. The Board assoc. hired me to clean the laundries. I got a job during this recession! After receiving 50 compliments the Board unanimously hired me full time with the gardners and gave me a $2 an hour raise retroactively. Nothing equals hard work.

[NeumannBastian]

@shizzleman8 congrats! You've been pimped! 

[SpamAnn]

Heaven on earth can only exist when we create it. people often use religion to wait, no one lives the message of jezus for real. Not even charities do because charity is a band aid. We have to change this system, all people standing together, not because of belief , but because we are all equals and no one deserves to suffer.

[shizzleman8]

The Prosperity Gospel people are who taught me G-d's Word. I was trained by the same Teachers who taught Benny Hinn and I'm proud of it. Kathryn Kuhlman had all the respect in the world for people like my Dad (Navy) who fought in Korea & WWII.

“There exists also in the human heart a depraved taste for equality which impels the weak to attempt to lower the powerful to their own level, and reduces men to prefer equality in slavery to inequality with freedom.”

- Alexis de Tocqueville

.

[MartijndeGraaf1001]

@shizzleman8 this doesn't discredit the principle of equality, equality can well be lived in freedom. Join us to create the Equal Money System to end the fear of having no money to survive.

[shizzleman8]

@MartijndeGraaf1001 Earnings are commensurate with one's intelligence, education, abilities, and willingness to work. These people are already carrying the burden for everybody else, if we keep taking from them and giving equal shares to everyone it zaps motivation, capitalism and a free society. In essence we become communist. This is what every foreign war the USA has ever fought was about, stopping the spread of communism! We won the cold war.  Capitalism WORKS for everybody!

[MartijndeGraaf1001]

@shizzleman8 the Equal Money System is not taking away money. It creates money out of thin air, just like it's done today. It distributes the money to all that care to partake. Everyone receives an equal amount for the basic needs. The reality of the physical will point out what needs to be done. For this there will be a four year contribution of labor from every person that's like 20 years old, based on the principle: give and you will receive.

[DarrylWThomas]

@shizzleman8 Tocqeville? please. There is nothing of the message of Jesus in anything Tocqeville ever wrote. The Divine Right of Kings was transformed in the Enlightenment as the Divine Right of Might, There is no "freedom" until all are free from domination and exploitation of beings. The term Freedom needs to be purified from its polluted form that has been handed down to us to include everyone, not just those who can afford it. "Do unto others as you would have be done to you," IS equality.

[shizzleman8]

@DarrylWThomas O.K. I'll buy most of that! Economic freedom from dominant beings (I guess you mean the wealthy) is best accomplished by handing money out to everyone who asks for it? Why don't we "set the captives free" at the same time. The middle class becomes the poor and exploited when they give all their money away, the money they have left over after taxes that is. My new brilliant friend, the poor are much greedier and exploitive than the rich, I never got a job from a bum.

[DarrylWThomas]

@shizzleman8 I mean changing the way money is allocated into an egalitarian system where humans come into this world not having to BUY THEIR OWN SURVIVAL from others. Why shall we remain in a barbaric system when we have the capacity to make this physical existence as pleasant as possible for all? What do you have against people having enough to live? The middle class has been used by the elites as a buffer from the poor. You are not as smart as you think if you've never realized that, 'shiz."

[joshua504079]

"Social change" is political, not scriptural. Does anyone else not see the dangers of a man like this who presumes to know the will of God? He presumes that God's will is for every person to be healthy and prosperous, which is not true. If that were true, it would be so. Christ points out the value of lessons we learn through "suffering", not the lessons we learn when times are good. This man uses religion to promote a political agenda, aka...heresy.

[Chunsol70]

Social Change is political *and* scriptural. "Kingdom of God" is not just about Heaven: What would happen if God was in control and the ruling kings, dictators, presidents, politicians and corporations--the "powers and principalities" of our age--were not?

Freeing slaves from bondage is political. So is a desire to return from imposed exile. Saying Jesus is Lord, and really living that reality, is both a personal and political act. If Tony's dangerous so is Moses, the Prophets, and Jesus.

[Chunsol70]

The lessons learned thru suffering are empathy and servant leadership. Thru my pain, I can understand the pain of others & better serve them. In fact, I'm not really serving others. Jesus says I am serving Christ Himself! Tony is aligned with Mattthew 25 & Hebrews 6. Lessons of Suffering are not excuses to allow suffering to continue. If suffering were the means and measure of spirituality and salvation, the most oppressed and poor will have it before me and you.

[Chunsol70]

Don't confuse Tony's theology with the so called Prosperity Gospel. The PG makes health and prosperity into an entitlement: Everyone who's Christian is entitled to a BMW, a big house, promotions, and a life free of pain. But Isiah 2 & 65 says the Kingdom of God is a place free from war & where there is enough to eat. When basic needs are met, we'll be better able to learn God's ways and walk his paths. Simple psychology: u can't clearly hearGod's calling when your hungry, sick, or oppressed.

[shizzleman8]

@Chunsol70 The poor will always be with you. If we have no hope of the Resurrection than we of all people would be the most miserable. It's always the people who didn't earn the money telling us who did how best to waste it. Know this, the top 3% in America pay your 97% share. That same 3% are resposbile for the Lion's share of benevolent donations that total 2 1/2 times ALL the entitlement programs COMBINED. Throw in your 2 mites but sell "Crazy" somewhere else, we're all stocked up here!

[Chunsol70]

@shizzleman8 First of all, where is your valid evidence about the "top 3% paying 97% of the share" that you claim? Show us all where you get this information (a reliable source please?). Your percentages don't add up. Second, I assume you are part of that 3%? Thirdly, I didn't know Ayn Rand had a gospel in the New Testament, but you make it sound as if it were so. Also, Ressurrection is not an excuse for indifference. Why resort to name calling if you are really Christian? Matt 5:21-26

[shizzleman8]

@Chunsol70 ntu.org tax-basics who-pays-income-taxes 5% pays 60% 2005 to 2008 substantiates my point.. William Buckley Jr. re: 2 1/2 times entitlement programs. The hand of the diligent makes rich and it's us who are taking care of the hungry, sick and oppressed! Equating holiness to poverty and Greed to prosperity is every Christians' mistake. I wasn't referring to you, a precious Child of God, but your ideas as "Crazy". Try a course in economics or business before attacking prosperous people.

[Chunsol70]

@shizzleman8 ntu.org is an advocacy group, what about government statistics? Secondly, I reread my posts. I wasn't equating holiness to poverty & greed to prosperity. I stated my own experiences as I've lived them on 2 continents, called to serve others. I did take economics. The prof said the market is amoral (not immoral) because it only concerns itself with the bottom line 1st day of class. maybe that's why Jesus says one cannot serve God & Mammon.

[shizzleman8]

@Chunsol70 New York Times Business Page Saturday November 27, 2010 Top 1% paid more in Federal Income Taxes Than Bottom 95%. Jesus had a parable about those who bury their talents and only return what was lent. Jesus, if anything, is a Jew. One under the tyranny of Roman occupation, those were the folks who crucified him for claiming he was King of the Jews. They were the ones with the money then, see? My Dad owned 27 finance company's and was an Admiral/Chaplain, who was your professor?

[HeteroBoy]

"I think that Christianity has two emphases. One is a social emphasis to impart the values of the kingdom of God in society - to relieve the sufferings of the poor, to stand up for the oppressed, to be a voice for those who have no voice. The other emphasis is to bring people into a personal, transforming relationship with Christ, where they feel the joy and the love of God in their lives. That they manifest what the fifth chapter of Galatians calls 'the fruit of the Spirit'.

[HeteroBoy]

Fundamentalism has emphasized the latter, mainline churches have emphasized the former. We cannot neglect one for the other."

[Strefanash]

CAmpolo does not distinguish between law and grace. as NO ONE obeys the Law, our efforts do not constitute obedience to it, so it makes no sense to talk of God's kingdom being done in politics.

The biggest abuse of the Kingdom of God as a concept is the theocracy of the Religious Right.

The Kingdom does not arise by human effort, and never will.

To me the central reality of the Gospel is not so much words, as His Divinity

[paulsjcho]

The central theme in Jesus' proclaiming Kingdom of God is repentance.

[IDH77]

But all this will only happen in the Millennial Kingdom after Jesus returns.

[daveme7]

Well, when Jesus said deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me. So my question is why are your views the absolute of what is correct when you preach against absolutism because this causes people to deny the blood of Christ for salvation. On the other hand, when Jesus fed the poor, the second time they came for food-he would not feed them as because they were not interested in the gospel conviniently ignored

[DJSayers92]

Brilliant speaker at Spring Harvest this year!

[YThursday]

@DJSayers92 yeah i was at skegness week 1 he was really interesting

[schnappa7]

"The Kingdom of God is at hand" to me that means the Kingdom of God IS! here its not coming! We are Kingdom builders! every day, we have opportunity to build the Kingdom of God on this earth.

[GoodBinGood]

Jesus is not God U Bald brain hairless at the middle nut head creature. Read a little but talk too much..!!

[OrlasGcn]

mmm... I'm not agree at all. I belive that God's will is to have His kingdom in this earth, but in the hearth of everyone of us. (and because of that, we can live showing and testifying what the love of God means) But it doesn't mean that there's no kingdom before we die. It's not possible to have the perfect Knigdom of God on earth, because the sin and death, because we're still in flesh. So we are waiting for the real Kingdom of God.

[nmreich]

Right on. Jesus said: "My Kingdom is NOT OF THIS WORLD" (John 18:36)

[nmreich]

The CENTRAL theme of Jesus is that we are SINNERS and NEED his SHED BLOOD obtained through our REPENTANCE of our sins.

THAT is the CENTRAL theme!

Campolo is a mystic who worships the god of this earth - the LIGHT (also known as Lucifer). He wants to bring Lucifer's kingdom to earth.

Jesus said: "My Kingdom is NOT OF THIS WORLD" (John 18:36)

[kingdomtheology]

your wrong. stop believing what has been preached from your pulpit and actually read the bible for yourself. our attonement is apart of apart of what jesus did but we arent the point. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son.

[nmreich]

> our attonement is apart of apart of what jesus did but we arent the point.

Say what?

Also, you should use a capital "J" when typing the name "Jesus". Show some respect.

[kingdomtheology]

the point was ushering the kingdom of God, the beginning or redeeming all of Creation. Im pretty sure jesus can handle not having a capital, he was nailed to a cross, hes tough.

[nmreich]

Christian mysticism is an oxymoron.

And you should check your foul language because it's obvious who is in control of your mind, and it isn't Jesus.

The mouth speaks what is in the heart.

[nmreich]

MassLiberal1,

Contemplative prayer - where you sit in silence, then pick a word or phrase and repeat it over and over for about 20 minutes combined with deep breathing with the purpose of experiencing God through a trance-like state IS EVIL.

Ignatius Loyola encouraged many EVIL practices including self-flagellation. Even Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II whipped themselves.

People like Robert Schuller and Billy Graham teach that WIDE is the way that leads to God....

[nmreich]

...Robert Schuller teaches that when we look in the mirror we need to say to ourselves about ourselves: "I AM, I AM, I AM, I AM, I AM".

In other words "I AM GOD".

And THAT is not only EVIL but BLASPHEMOUS. We humans are NOT God, and we are not gods. God indwells Believers through the Holy Spirit, but WE are not the Holy Spirit, WE are not our own saviours, WE are not equal with Jesus.

...

[nmreich]

...

WE are wretched sinners, deserving death. If you have not come to the point where you agree with that, then you can not be Born of God because being Born of God [Born Again] means that WE recognize and accept our wretched sinful selves and REPENT of our sins, and TURN from our sins, and FOLLOW Jesus.

I've never read John Calvin, but if you think it a heresy perhaps I should read it.

[MassLiberal1]

Wow, you're crazy! Mother Teresa, Ignatius of Loyola, Pope JP II, Billy Graham, Schuller, Campolo all evil to you?! I'd tell you to go thell hell except that you're already living in a hell of your own creation. May you one day find peace.

P.S.- Ignore my Calvin quote, I thought you were a Calvinist. Even Calvin would say you're a fool.

[nmreich]

You in a state of denial. Go to Google News and type in: "pope whip himself" "Pope 'whipped himself as penitence'" "Pope John Paul II 'used to whip himself over sins'" "Pope John Paul made rod for his own back" "Book: John Paul II Whipped Himself, Weighed Retiring" "Modern Pope John Paul Used Ancient Ritual of Self-Flagellation" "The Vatican: Book Says John Paul Flagellated Himself" Research the same topic but for Mother Theresa. Same goes for Ignatius of Loyola. Do you have a whip?

[MassLiberal1]

I know the Pope whipped himself. That doesn't make him evil. And it has nothing to do w/ mysticism. I seriously doubt Campolo is doing the same. BTW, I'm not Catholic so I'm not going to defend the Catholic Church b/c I'm emotionally invested into it. Rather I'll defend it against what I percieve to be anti-Catholic bigotry.

Do I have a whip? No, I'm a pacifist like this guy named Jesus that you claim to follow.

[nmreich]

Jesus a pacifist? Do you read your Bible much?

Matthew 10:34-35

Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law

Luke 12:49-53

I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!...

[nmreich]

...From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

[MassLiberal1]

Do you know how to read in context? The writer of that passage was saying that faith in Christ would divide families. You don't take Jesus literally when he says you should hate your family and follow him do you?

[GoodBinGood]

he should crucified himself and sie for us all....

[redletterchurch]

Robert H. Schuller is worth paying close attention to (especially in the 60's, 70's, and 80's)...but the Divinity Within Humanity should trump individual delusions of self-importance. This is a subtle...but hugely important distinction. 'Move Ahead With Possibility Thinking' is Schuller's first and best book IMHO. Tony Rocks!!!

[nmreich]

> P.S.- I apoligize for the language. I just get mad easily. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is visible in those who are Born Again is the following: - love - joy - peace - longsuffering - gentleness - goodness - faith - meekness - temperance

[RastafariPoet]

People neglect God giving us free-will. Yet they're allowed to not believe in God. & Reality shows us many are choosing not to believe in God. But then they blaim God for all the bad things happening. Am I missing something?.. Shouldnt you blaim man doing bad things to man?

[TheEndtymsnatzal]

YOUR OUT TO LUNCH TONY......... Jesus knew people like you would miss the point on this prayer. G-d's will will never be don't. It's been a struggle for this earth all along, Jesus Claims" Satan is the Prince of this world." The New Eath and Heaven in the Never Future are what Jesus was talking about, His KINGDOM will COME at the end of the AGE... SOON.

[karinps08]

It's dangerous to claim that Tony Campolo (or anyone) missed the point of the prayer Jesus taught us. And God's will will be done. God's will is being done, you just have to know what to look for. Also, the beginning part of Matthew 5 lays out clearly who this earth, and the Kingdom of Heaven belong to. And Jesus doesn't say the Kingdom of heaven is in the near future, he says it's at hand.

[nmreich]

Having studied Luciferianism I can tell you, karinps08, that Campolo is preaching the central theme of the angel of light and his worldly kingdom of light. Campolo is a mystic and has left the TRUE light and gone to "strange fire" which he is saying is the light when it is actually a false light, and it is utter darkness.

Jesus said: "My Kingdom is NOT OF THIS WORLD" (John 18:36)

[joseph82069]

yes 1000's die everyday in the slaughter factory abortion centers.

No the salvation of lost, dead, wretched sinners was His main concern

[joseph82069]

No dude you have missed the boat

[FunnessOfOneness]

I agree with him till the end. He says we will have the kingdom when the poor are no longer suffering. I think it more the other way around. If we have the kingdom the poor will no longer be suffering.

[realrevelation007]

Luke 19:10

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Luke 5:32

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

[torresut]

Is the Kingdom of God a man thing or divine thing? Campolo leaves the impression that the Kingdom of God is something we humans should bring about. If that is the case, why god at all. Obviously, Jesus has been a total failure for over 2000 years now. Isn't he supposed to be among us extending the kingdom. What a crappy job this Jesus is doing. If, on the other hand, the Kingdom of God is something that god does, we should be the results already. As the facts point, there is no signs of god.

[adio1213]

Then why do we do anything? Why do we not sit at home all day and not worry about those suffering and dying if God will take care of it himself? God does take care of things to a point. After that point, God entrusts us to pick up the slack and do the right things that are in our power to do. We should be the ones housing the homeless and feeding the hungry. It is not that we bring about the Kingdom of God, but that we should bring about the society that God intended.

[cheshirelizzy]

Your point about if "Kingdom of God is something we humans should bring about. If that is the case, why god at all?" is an excellent remark and 100% accurate.

The only thing is that this video doesn't represent a Biblical teaching. Jesus has not been a failure as you might seem because he was God. The problem is our natural tendency toward sin. 

But, it is most logical to completely reject the message of Jesus Christ, if you don't believe was God. I'll give a thumb up to you, in any case.

[torresut]

Cheshirelizzy, I was a Christian for about 30 years, 15 of those in the ministry, and about 17 years of studies, including 4 years of postgraduate work before I reached the conclusion that the bible is essentially a book of fiction and that the god of the bible cannot be true. I notice that you're a seeker to truth, not to be confused with dogma. Dogma is the "truth" of the church imposed by force. In your case, I see the seeds of trying to figure out what the reality of reality is. Regards.

[11914386]

Sorry torresut, you were never a Christian if you never Repented and placed your Faith in the Cross of Christ. A person that is redeemed cannot be unredeemed. We have all sinned and have the wrath of God abiding on us. Jesus came into the world to be a sacrifice for sin and when we confess to God our sins and believe Jesus has died in our place, then and only then are we saved. Come to Jesus before it is to late.

[torresut]

Thanks for your comment. It seems to me that you take Christianity as history and not fiction. There are so many ridiculous things in the main teachings of Christianity. This Jesus dying for you, for example, is basically god sacrificing his son to pay a debt to himself to be at peace with himself. First, god condemns child sacrifice in the OT, gosh, in the NT he is practicing child sacrifice himself. If you want to engage in a longer chat, send me a message instead of a comment. Peace

[cheshirelizzy]

Hi there, Torresut.

Thank you for the comment. I find your views interesting.

Yes, I am a seeker of Truth, and I believe that it is revealed in The Bible. I know that the definition you gave about dogma is the accepted view of it, but I think one could stretch it to be "truth" in general, couldn't it?

I am sorry that your searching has turned out to be vain for you -- I mean in the sense that it ended up empty.

Are you an atheist now, then?

[riznatts]

Sorry to hear of YOUR conclusion. Did you study on your own? Lean not on your understanding....I think its good that you are no longer in ministry when you speak. Which side are you on? sounds like a sheep in wolf's clothing.....

[jeremys212121]

It's not: the Kingdom of God will be here when the poor are no longer suffering - it's: when the Kingdom of God is here, the poor will no longer suffer.

[ads5023]

Amen. I "seek to escape this world". In the end this world is destroyed. It's cursed. I look forward to no more suffering just like anyone else. But the idea that sinful man can bring this about is arrogance. Well put Jeremy.

[cwmoss4242]

2 peter 2:1 KJV Danger of Fales Teachers But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

and many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: ...........

[boomac62]

Thank God for Tony Canpolo and his ministry.

[usernameofnobody]

Amen.

[TTODD245]

AMEN!

[Fugsy07]

The fact this is posted by a website that is trying to bring all religions together under one banner says a lot about Tony Campolo and the stuff coming out of his mouth here.

[boomac62]

5 thumbs down says a lot about you and your closed (and NOT BIBLICAL world view) mind. Please read the scriptures with a christian mind....please don't be a pharasee. Peace!!!

[rhyfelwrDuw]

WISH he would read His Bible...

[rhyfelwrDuw]

Schools and society used to be much more godly than they are now! Things are getting worse NOT better! There are rewards in heaven - which this guy would read his Bible...

[boomac62]

I'm not sure you got the point. Some things are better today than in the past and some things are not and that has been true forever, the point is that the Kingdom is at hand and we must now get out and get busy doing His will. peace

[cliffordchesney]

if all lived as jesus taught, we would experience the kingdom...do your part. bear fruit...love all.

[rhyfelwrDuw]

SINNERS concerned Jesus! Jesus came to seek and to save those which were lost! The world is full of sinners - and Christ came to live the life we never could and die the death we deserve! Christ all through His ministry spoke of His death and resurrection! He died that we might live!

[ads5023]

The basic theme of Jesus was "I have come to seek and save the lost". He came to save sinners.

[inquirethetruth]

Christ's basic theme, and ours as believers should also be, is to glorify God. Nothing else. Seeking and saving the lost, philanthropy, missions, praying...all of these are means to that end.

[boomac62]

Jesus seemed far more interested in what you were doing than what you believed, the pharisees believed all the right things but didn't live right, as we learn in the parable of the sheep and goats...the difference between the two was what they DID or DIDN'T do. Peace in Christ!

[dekester42]

Tony says a few good things. Yes, we need to reach out to the poor and outcast, if we desire to show we are disciples of Christ. Unfortunately Tony seems to make reaching out to the poor and needy an end in itself rather than flowing from a grateful heart which has been forgiven in Christ. Jesus also said alot about both hell and heaven in all the gospels. He came to offer us eternal life in and thru Himself (John 3:16). The 'social gospel' is merely one out working of that change.

[happyinnanaimo]

Reaching out to the poor and outcast is about the only good thing I can see in religion.

[dekester42]

I would agree 100% if you are talking religion in general. If Christianity, in particular, then I see the primary 'good' as right or 'clear' relating w/ God and others. Reaching out to the poor and outcast is a working out of that relationship and a way to put love and freeness of that relationship into action with others w/o pretense. May you have and find peace, happyinnanaimo.

[Twoblindmen2009]

this is so true to me at 0:51 he is a great man, have we created heaven on earth no ,love thy brothers and pray to god:peace

[JBC1214]

I haven't heard any Gospel yet.

[wadovich]

I heard the gospel all through Tony's talk. Religious folks in Jesus' time didn't hear Jesus either. What you don't hear is that which has supplanted Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus; that is, the gospel of moralistic therapeutic deism. Christianity has not been practiced by the majority of those who claim to be Christian. It the majority would practice it, then you would see a different world.

[GiltEdgeMedia]

Brother Campolo makes some very good points and theer are some truisms. One thing that we are always taught as scholars of scripture is to look at scriptures in harmony not just one isolated passge. Everything in the Bible from old to new Testement should reinforce one another.

[Super69Mario]

Paul said that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He did not come to reform the social system. If you like Tony and think he's got it right, I would challenge you to read the Bible, not from his perspective (ie. Bono and social service as a way to salvation), But read it through the perspective of a holy creator God. Once you understand the characteristics and qualities of God, ie. Mercy, Justice, Wrath - and see yourself as standing in oposition to Him, unrighteous, salvation is understood.

[forensicked]

The point is that because we are changed by the Holy Spirit, then we should have some positive affect on the world around us... not getting to heaven by good works. Whatever walk we have in the world we should be making a difference where we work, play and live.

[holydovepraise]

Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God and what is is right standing with him,he said that the kingdom of God is with in you,ourbody is the temple of the holy spirit,so we must seek this first to be filled with his spirit.

[masterowa]

Oh, and saving the lost was his main concern. He did many other things that reflected his nature but bringing us to the Father (entering the Kingdom). If we just spent so much time thinking about salvation, repentance, cross and resurrection as we do for all the 'spiritual' things the Kingdom of God would truly grow in us...

[masterowa]

Nevertheless, I agree that we are not to live out the time we have as some king of vacations before we go to heaven. Like it was this 80 years for waiting and doing nothing. We are to glorify God, we are to worship God, and we are to tell about his wonderful Gospel to others, his will must be done fully in us because we carry the kingdom so we desire to reflect Jesus.

But the Kingdom itself is not a 'theme' for the Bible. Jesus is and he brings Kingdom. But it is still all about him.

[masterowa]

'kongdom of God is at hand' is not the only verse about the Kingdom and maybe he should get to the parts about 'kingdom of God is within you' and 'if you are not born of water and Spirit you cannot enter the Kingdom'. Jesus never even attempt to bring Kingdom into politics or schools as such. We carry kingdom in us and we want to expand it but the master of this world is evil and he holds kingdoms of the earth in his hands. And it starts with repentance and the cross.

[boomac62]

Tony campolo is one of the greatest prophets of this era. I now hardened haearts will reject and fight against this teaching but thats not new...hardened hearts have always fought the prophets.

peace to all!

[SolideoGloriafella]

Id like to see these 2,000 verses....

---Campolo. No organization cares more for the poor than the Christian Church. Look at the statistics!

No other religion or organization gives more to the poor than Christians.

[SolideoGloriafella]

Campolo is trying to get you to ignore the periphery and details of Jesus' teaching.

[boomac62]

you missed the whole point....the kingdom of God is at hand my brother...I know you don't want to have to deal with injustice,poverty and war but thats not an option for a believer.

peace and wisdom to you

[2crucial3]

Indeed, Jesus' first words were "The Kingdom of God is at hand". However, it is the classical move by false teachers to either take verses out of context or leave out important words. Truly, the first word that Jesus spoke was REPENT..for the kingdom of God is at hand.

Jesus is the Son of God. He came to reconcile us to a Holy God despite our sinful, rebellious nature.

His central message is REPENT, turn to Him in order to avoid the wrath of God.

"I am THE way THE truth and THE life"

-Jesus

[trentman]

wow, you folks bicker a lot.

[GPLeague]

Yea, you gotta problem with that!!! Jk ;) Bickering is no good; but contending for the Gospel is very important to Christians. In fact, it's all that matters.

[jtaylorbaritone]

Actually, the Repent came from John the Baptist

[newsong40]

Praise God for Tony!

[WorshipVideo]

"The poor were His primary concern."

Certainly the financially poor. I doubt His primary concern was to make people rich in money.

Rather, it would seem His primary concern was with those who are lost.

[eilidha]

maybe the poor he referred to were the spiritually poor the people that could only believe in material things what they could see and hear. Read the Beattitudes it shows where his focus was.I nactual fact the financially rich are really in the worst position of all as "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

[WorshipVideo]

Well what he said was nothing like that.

"The poor were His primary concern... in social reality, that's where He focussed..... food, housing, etc....."

He said nothing of the spiritually poor, only the materially poor.

[mowriter]

funny how we try spiritualizing the physicalness of the scripture...so we think we don't have to go do something about the physical poverty.

Maybe Song of Solomons is a spiritual book, too. Spiritual breasts and other body parts. Sheesh.

[GPLeague]

"Those who have made religion into a great reward that you get in the next life...have missed the central theme of Jesus."

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth...But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:19-21

I guess Jesus missed his own message too...

[Oct31st1517]

Amen brother. great response as well.

[GPLeague]

Thanks. Dr. MacArthur is a great defender of the true gospel.

[SolideoGloriafella]

I think Jesus missed Capolos message.

[GPLeague]

Well put.

[mmason23]

Nice job taking Scripture to defeat a point Campolo wasn't making.

[nilsaxolote]

hello, i am agustin campolo, so i think i am a tony campolo's relative.

i wish i was him

[jimroletter]

The fundamental problem we have today in accomplishing this "central theme of jesus" as you put it, is trying to accomplish these goals through politics as opposed to voluntary church and individual acts.

Jesus would have advocated giving a dollar to the poor. However, he wouldn't condone today's political "robin hood" approach, in my opnion.

[ads5023]

Agreed. I respect Mr. Campolo and appreciate his work. However, he makes christianity appealing by compromising and injecting culture into faith. The purpose of Jesus is that he came to seek the LOST! Feed the poor, cloth the needy, YES. Preach the message of salvation, MOST IMPORTANT. Christ did not come to solve the problems of this world. He fed people with fish and bread, but never fed them again. He came to save Lost Souls. Let that be the central theme upon which we work to help the needy.

[clay2208]

James 1:27

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

you cant argue with that.

[vanessaevelyn]

you begin with what 'YOU BELIEVE" BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? 1 JOHN 2:3-6, John 8:31, and I am not talking religion but following Christ. You dont know your Bible, you just have opionions based on the particuliar scriptures you like, Galatians 5: 22-25, I will throw the ball back at you, READ THE CHAPTER.

[MesFavoris]

Are you directing those comments towards Tony Campolo? Your scriptures support what he's preaching rather than contradict. So I'm confused who you're charging when you write: "You don't know your Bible..." Please explain.

[vanessaevelyn]

I am glad you read the scriptures, but you may want to read it again as you seem to have missed what they say, those scriiptures are in no way inlined with Tony, the go much broader, go back and read, and Galatians 5 has nothing to do with feeding the poor, neither does 1 John 2:3, or John 8:31, so perhaps you read something else, good night to you.

[MesFavoris]

Well, for some reason, the more I read the very passages you mention, the more it aligns with Tony Campolo. It's about living out our salvation. (John 3:16-19, don't stop after 16!) Not to mention the other "2,000 scriptures" (by his count admittedly) which command us to take care of the poor. I'm not looking to pick a fight, but if I have to choose which one of you KNOWS the bible, I have to pick Tony. Sorry. Good night to you too. ...And shalom.

[rmw5991]

well you say it goes broader but we are called to go deeper in the word.

[2crucial3]

It is so sad how we have lost our ability to discern between truth a lies.

This is a social gospel that focuses on Jesus' humanity and neglects His divinity.

[jbstuff]

Anyone who knows anything about Tony knows he confesses the same creedal faith as Christians over the world. Jesus is God and man in hypostatic union. When we begin to talk about a "social gospel" that fails to really grasp the depth of Christ's Gospel. The Gospel is the good news, and as Desmond Tutu said, "The good news to a hungry person is bread." To preach the Cross must mean feeding the hungry and giving to the poor, otherwise we are offering an imitation gospel, which is no gospel at all.

[stcrzyaatyrs]

Hey, I think your teaching false doctrine!

[Satrianidream]

How about this: Bono has been listening to Tony!

[GabrielsNob]

Tony's been listening to Bono methinks

[StephanAOTTO]

This guy has it!!!

JC said to never seperate onesself from the world, but, instead, be a good influence on it and hlep it flourish.

Conservatives' twisting of scripture made me go back & reread what JC taught.

Turns out that JC's teachings and LIBERAL ideal ARE ONE IN THE SAME!!!

[stcrzyaatyrs]

Jesus said, "the father and I are one" but then "father why have thou forsaken me"

God said, "For I am a Jealous God"

We teach out children that being jealous, wrathful, is a very bad way to be, but we go to church and see God is all the things we are trying not to be. Jealouy causes thousands of murders, coveting, selfrightousness and war. This is not good teaching.

[gospelmaestro]

Awesome. I Love TC!

[redletterchurch]

The teachings of Christ have been at the back of the Christian bus for 2,000 years! They are still there! Why?! The words of Jesus need to be born-again and resurrected! Thank-you Tony!

[CANDYPERFUMEGIRL31]

very good message.