TONY CAMPOLO QUOTES
Some christian leaders look up to Tony Campolo. What's even more scary is that some christian youth pastors look up to him and consider Campolo to be a mentor of theirs. I get nervous when I realize this. I know of one youth pastor in particular who has made this statement, that Tony Campolo was his mentor. I have heard this youth pastor reference Campolo on more than one occasion while addressing the youth. How is a parent to know how much of Campolo's teachings are trickling down through their youth pastors to the teenagers as these teenagers attempt to learn true biblical doctrine through a trusted youth pastor?
If you're a parent or a teenager whose youth pastor mentions his admiration for Tony Campolo please take a look at some of these quotes of his and you let me know if you're comfortable with anyone looking up to Tony Campolo as a mentor or as a christian leader:
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"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, which seem at odds with their own spiritual traditions but have much in common with each other."
-Tony Campolo
(Page 149, Speaking My Mind)
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"I am saying that there is no salvation apart from Jesus; that's my evangelical mindset. However, I am not convinced that Jesus only lives in Christians"
-Tony Campolo
(National Liberty Journal, 8/99)
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"...what can I say to an Islamic brother who has fed the hungry, and clothed the naked? You say, "But he hasn't a personal relationship with Christ." I would argue with that. And I would say from a Christian perspective, in as much as you did it to the least of these you did it unto Christ. You did have a personal relationship with Christ, you just didn't know it."
-Tony Campolo
EVANGELICALS AND INTERFAITH COOPERATION, An Interview by Shane Claiborne
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"We cannot allow our theologies to separate us" (speaking on the relations between Muslims and Christians)
-Tony Campolo
EVANGELICALS AND INTERFAITH COOPERATION, An Interview by Shane Claiborne
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"What can we learn about that kind of spirituality that can help us find common ground? No theological statements were made, no compromising beliefs, no attempts to come to a common denominator. And yet, a kind of spiritual oneness.
That's the place where we come together, in common need and common suffering, as we reach out to one another in love, leaving judgment in the hands of God, sharing out of our own faith. I mean the last thing we are asking in those times is—is your theology the same as mine?—and vice-versa. All of the sudden in the hour of suffering there is a commonality. And that's where we meet. It's in mystical spirituality and in communal mutuality that's where we come together."
-Tony Campolo
EVANGELICALS AND INTERFAITH COOPERATION, An Interview by Shane Claiborne
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"It seems to me that when we listen to the Muslim mystics as they talk about Jesus and their love for Jesus, I must say, it's a lot closer to New Testament Christianity than a lot of the Christians that I hear. In other words if we are looking for common ground, can we find it in mystical spirituality, even if we cannot theologically agree, Can we pray together in such a way that we connect with a God that transcends our theological differences?"
-Tony Campolo
EVANGELICALS AND INTERFAITH COOPERATION, An Interview by Shane Claiborne
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""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
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"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
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"...during times of reflection I sensed that believing in Jesus and living out His teachings just wasn't enough. There was a yearning for something more, and I found that I was increasingly spiritually gratified as I adopted older ways of praying--ways that have largely been ignored by those of us in the Protestant tradition. Counter-Reformation saints like Ignatius of Loyola have become important sources of help as I have begun to learn from them modes of contemplative prayer. I practice what is known as "centering prayer," in which a sacred word is repeated as a way to be in God's presence."
-Tony Campolo
"Mystical Encounters for Christians"
www.beliefnet.com
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"I've got to push everything out of mind save the name of Jesus. I say His name over and over again, for as long as fifteen minutes, until I find my soul suspended in what the ancient Celtic Christians called a "thin place"--a state where the boundary between heaven and earth, divine and human, dissolves. You could say that I use the name of Jesus as my koan."
-Tony Campolo
"Mystical Encounters for Christians"
www.beliefnet.com
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"Today, some of the most spiritual people I know claim to be without religion."
-Tony Campolo
"Mystical Encounters for Christians"
www.beliefnet.com
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"He saved us in order that He might begin to transform His world into the kind of world that He willed for it to be when He created it. … When Jesus saved us, He saved us to be agents of a great revolution, the end of which will come when the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our God”
-Tony Campolo
"It's Friday but Sundays Coming", page 106
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"Our call is to be God’s agents, to rescue not only the human race but the whole of creation.”
-Tony Campolo
TEAR TIMES, “Why care for creation?” 1992
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"...Isn’t God’s message to sinful humanity that He sees in each of us a divine nature of such worth that He sacrificed His own Son so that our divine potentialities might be realized? ... The hymn writer who taught us to sing “Amazing Grace” was all too ready to call himself a “wretch” ... Forgetting our divinity and over-identifying with our [Freudian] anal humanity... Erich Fromm, one of the most popular psychoanalysts of our time, recognized the diabolical social consequences that can come about when a person loses sight of his/her own divinity ...”
-Tony Campolo
"Partly Right" 1995
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“What I am trying to say is that Jesus who incarnated God 2,000 years ago is mystically present and waiting to be discovered in EVERY person you and I encounter”
-Tony Campolo
"A Reasonable Faith" 1983 page 171
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“I do not mean that others represent Jesus for us. I mean that Jesus actually is present in each other person."
-Tony Campolo
"A Reasonable Faith" 1983 page 192
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“That a new humanity will be brought forth from this Christ consciousness in each person."
-Tony Campolo
"A Reasonable Faith" 1983 page 65
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“One of the most startling discoveries of my life was the realization that the Jesus that I love, the Jesus who died for me on Calvary, that Jesus, is waiting, mystically and wonderfully, in every person I meet. I find Jesus everywhere."
-Tony Campolo
an address at Prestatyn in the UK, 1988
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“There is a feminine side of God. I always knew this ... It is this feminine side of God I find in Jesus that makes me want to sing duets with Him ... Not only do I love the feminine is Jesus, but the more I know Jesus, the more I realize that Jesus loves the feminine in me. Until I accept the feminine in my humanness, there will be a part of me that cannot receive the Lord's love. ... There is that feminine side of me that must be recovered and strengthened if I am to be like Christ ... And until I feel the feminine in Jesus, there is a part of Him which I cannot identify.”
-Tony Campolo
"Carpe Diem: Seize the Day", 1994, pages 85-88
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"going to heaven is like going to Philadelphia....There are many ways....It doesn't make any difference how we go there. We all end up in the same place."
-Tony Campolo
"Carpe Diem: Seize the Day", 1994, pages 85-88
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"Anyone who resists the notion of women preachers is functioning as a tool of the devil."
-Tony Campolo
opening session of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's general assembly June 26, 2003
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"When in fact we live in a society that makes life hell for gays and lesbians, this community has got to stand up and say, 'We're on your side as you struggle for dignity,' and, 'Yes, we will defy anybody who says otherwise, even if we have to go to Disneyland to prove it.'"
-Tony Campolo
"Campolo: Opposition to women preachers evidence of demonic influence"
Jun 27, 2003, By Gregory Tomlin,Baptist Press
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"I have already made the point that we need to have to win people to Jesus Christ, but we must also preach the whole Gospel which not only calls people to love Jesus but to bring His justice into the political and economic arena in which we live."
-Tony Campolo
"Campolo: Opposition to women preachers evidence of demonic influence"
Jun 27, 2003, By Gregory Tomlin,Baptist Press
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"On the other hand, we are hard-pressed to find any biblical basis for condemning deep love commitments between homosexual Christians, as long as those commitments are not expressed in sexual intercourse."
-Tony Campolo
"20 Hot Potatoes Christians Are Afraid To Touch", page 117
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"One of the meanest arguments against public schools comes from alarmists who contend that public school students can be forced to study under homosexuals and might even be subjected to homosexual seduction. This contention makes me furious - not because I believe there are no homosexuals in the public school system, but because of the implication that homosexuals are some kind of special threat to children."
-Tony Campolo
"20 Hot Potatoes Christians Are Afraid To Touch", page 84
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"I'm not convinced that Jesus only lives in Christians."
-Tony Campolo
Charlie Rose show on January 24, 1997
----WOW! If you need more, I'm sure I can find more but I believe this ought to be plenty to convince any true christian to avoid Tony Campolo at all costs. How can a christian hold up Tony Campolo as a mentor with comments like these, especially someone who is involved in teaching the youth?
-KTO
posted by kennyo at 3:26 PM
47 Comments:
I'm sorry you feel this way. As a Christian pastor I'm not particularly a fan or a detractor of Campolo's (I've never read any of his books, or heard him speak). But reading those quotes he sounds to me to be entirely reasonable -- and not only that he sounds like that as a Christian. He sounds like someone who grapples with issues in ways that I think Jesus is proud of...But that's just my opinion.
Re:
“a theology of mysticism provides some hope for common ground between Christianity and Islam...”
-Tony Campolo (Page 149, Speaking My Mind)
“I am not convinced that Jesus only lives in Christians"
-Tony Campolo (National Liberty Journal, 8/99)
Question for Mike: Is Jesus proud of this way of ‘grappling with issues’? He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” John 14:6
I’ll just mention that last year Tony Campolo came to speak in my city at a Youth Ministry Conference. During that conference was a prayer session where the participants were encouraged to be silent and to recite Bible verses or meaningful words over and over. Sadly, not only is he promoting contemplative prayer, but he is also preaching a different gospel that denies the truth– that there is only ONE WAY.
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel” Gal. 1:6
I recommend this article, if I may, for further reading on Campolo:
http://letusreason.org/Popteac27.htm
Oh yes, I am sure (not as sure of you, obviously) that Jesus would be proud. We can proof text almost anything and I have no interest in getting in a proof texting fight about what the Bible says (I've read it from cover to cover each year for 32 years -- and looking forward to celebrating 50 in 18 more). I think that the heart of the scripture though makes it clear that what is at the heart of things is the love of God and the love of people. Campolo's grappling seems consisten with that...
Mike,
Okay, fine…so let one who grapples (wrestles) over the truth seek the Lord for wisdom that he may be taught. But should a 'grappler' be a teacher of the Word of God? Grapple can also mean to grip, to take and get hold of. You must have read many times in the Word of God how clearly we are taught that those who instruct must have a firm grip on doctrine. Isn't the teacher supposed guide those who are grappling? The biggest concern about Tony Campolo is that this ‘grappler’ is teaching youth leaders.
You probably have the following verses memorized already but I will repeat them for the sake of others who have not read the Bible 32 times:
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” James 3:1
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
Eph 4:11
“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
2 Tim. 2:2
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
2 Tim 4:3
“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.”
2 Peter 2:1
Good comments Carla and great "proof texting." We are to test and prove everything according to Scripture. Scary thought that this man claims to be a "Chritian pastor" and that Tony Campolo claims to be a "Christian evangelist." Anyone who can deny the true message of the gospel and not care what scripture really has to say about something and yet claim to be a Christian is someone to avoid completely. These two men clearly don't care what scripture has to say and only care about what their itching ears want to hear. (2Tim.4:1-4) For those who do care about the truth and want to clearly recognize false teachers and prophets there are many scriptures that tell us how. I will list a few. (Mt.7:15-23; Mt12:30-37; Lk.6:43-45) Also see (1John 2:22) "Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is THE Christ." -CT
Thanks for taking the time to post all those quotes. I knew Campolo has said some odd things, but had not idea how rampant and consistent his bad theology was. I'll definitely save a link to this page.
Gosh...I guess you're welcome to call all the names you want (scary, or non-biblical, or whatever you wish) -- but at the heart of it I still believe that the quotes you have from Tony Campolo (though again...having never read him or heard him speak) sound like the quotes of a devout, sincere, good Christian man. I certainly could be wrong. I only hope that people won't be so quick to urge people not to pay attention to anyone they disagree with -- especially as we are sisters and brothers as Christ and we ought to be able to say whatever we want to one another. I certainly have no desire to continue something that is upsetting to so many of you...so thanks for the conversation...Adios.
Carla you have a good blog here, I will revisit soon.
This whole 'contemplative prayer' and emergent, 'kingdom now' rhetoric just really scares me. I was saved out of that, now it seems the church wants to be part of it.
Sad but true, remember we were told that this would happen in scripture.
2Ti 4:3 For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own lusts, they will heap up to themselves teachers tickling the ear;
Mike,
Someone can be sincere...and sincerely wrong.
Vee,
Thanks. So do you.
Kennyo,
I really like your blog, it is very imformative, and I think that we need to be ever more diligent in searching the scriptures to see if these things are so.
I have taken some of the Campolo quotes that I found on your site. I have done a trackback to you.
Thanks for your site.
V
It's too bad that this guy Campolo, who is oh so eager to speak up for the poor, picked on sodomites, doesn't try using his platform to speak out for the most picked on in our society...the millions of babies facing a future of ABORTION.
Or maybe he should try speaking out against his good buddy Bill Clinton, who when in office within the first two days, by executive order lifted any restrictions on abortion and swung the doors open to freedom of homosexuality in the military and in governmental agencies.
Well said !!!
"Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
It's amazing how things can be twisted when spoken in half truths and taken out of context. I advise the readers of this blog to take a step back and research the context in which things were being said. I believe that if the church were to spend her energy on spreading the message of the gospel and followings the commands of Jesus... spending less time on trying to pick each other apart and "converting" each other, the world would look a lot different.
How many of those reading this blog have given their life to working with the poor in third world countries... DEMONSTRATING the love of Jesus ? As readers, are we stepping up in our own communities and neighborhoods and fighting for the less fortunate ? Please, take a step back folks.
It's amazing how things can be misconstrued when spoke in half truths and taken out of context. I recommend that readers here should take a step back and do some research of their own.
How many readers here have spent significant portions of their life on the poor in third world countries ? How many readers here care enough to love the lost in their own communities and neighborhoods... oh, and are actually doing something about it ?
Come on, don't you think Jesus meant what he said when he commanded us to care for the poor ? Love the outcasts ? Hmm... nowhere does he mention pointing an accusing finger at our brothers and sisters.
I wonder what the world would look like if the church stopped picking herself apart and actually worked together in making a difference in a terribly broken and fallen world. Come to think of it, I wonder what the church would look like, probably a whole lot more like Jesus.
I'm not trying to convert Campolo. I am exposing him as a false teacher and warn fellow believers. He may be in the process of feeding the poor in third world countries which will help them temporarily but he is confusing people with his false teachings assuring they will be lost for eternity.
It wasn't Campolo that said "what you do for the least of these..." .
I've always wondered why we (the church) feel the need to help Jesus out by determining which command was more important than the other. "Greatest of these..." kind of spells it out for us.
Sadly, I think that some of your Campolo quotes are terribly taken out of context.
Example:
"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
Addressing a believer's lack of understanding of the Grace of God.
It's a very typical struggle of Christian's to realize that salvation is a gift. Although many Christians struggle with this, it certainly doesn't negate their place in the Kingdom... just their walk and the freedom in which they walk.
You use it as an example of some heretical comment that was made.
Anonymous,
You ought to continue to explain Campolo's quotes since he is confusing a lot of young people into thinking they can enter into heaven without actually knowing who Jesus is and equating protecting the environment and societies with the gospel message of eternal life through faith in Christ.
You would think a person like Campolo was capable of explaining himself clearly since he is such a prolific author and has an enormous amount of experience speaking in public.
He is as consistent as he has ever been since the first time I heard him speak in 1985. I believe he knows exactly what he is saying. It just happens to disagree with God's truth as revealed in scripture.He is teaching another gospel. Unfortunately a lot of people are OK with Campolo's views.
He needs to stop preaching his social gospel, his inclusivistic, broad-way gospel, and stop distoring the true gospel which so many martyrs have died and suffered for.
I would recommend listening to someone who makes his views very clear without any ambiguity at all. His name is Ian Paisley. Start with the sermon "Fundamentalism vs. Apostasy"
This shows his true colours:
"I am saying that there is no salvation apart from Jesus; that's my evangelical mindset. However, I am not convinced that Jesus only lives in Christians"
Catholocism at the core: Remember it was what people add on after the but or in this case the HOWEVER.
Mike Mather and KennyO,
First, Kenny, thank you for the Campolo quotes. Very exposing.
Mike, you cannot be in the middle. Jesus said that we are either for Him or against Him. Why did Jesus ask, "Who do YOU say I am?" If knowing who Chirst is is not essential, it was a silly question.
The real problem you are having is that you are not rooted in the word and objectivity. You look for experience or what you "feel." There is a good article posted Saturday, April 22, 2006 and called A Theology of Truth, Information, and the Love of Knowledge. It is at dontadddontsubtract.blogspot.com.
I wrote it, but it gets to the crux of the problem: Namely, many Evangelicals prefer subjectivism in worship and the search for truth.
As an example, you keep saying things like "it seems to me," "he seems to me," "I'm sorry you feel that way," etc., etc. Jesus said things like "it is written." Do you see the difference? Jesus went to the prophetic word from the mouth of God, not a subjective judgment. Thus His pronouncements were rooted in truth, not speculation.
Tony's quotes brought to light by our bro, Kenny, are all just speculation.
Remember what Jer. 17:9 says about how we feel as a guide to truth? It says our hearts are not to be trusted. Read Proverbs 30:1-6. The author says he is stupid, but reassures us that we can always rest in the sure truth of Scripture: Every word of God is tested. He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will reprove you and you will be proved a liar.--Proverbs 30:5-6.
I pray that you will repent and begin to rest in Scripture, not mystical experience or what you "think" or "feel." Until you do, you should step out of the pulpit. Paul said to reject anyone that does not bring us the same gospel--even if it was Paul himself.
Phil Perkins.
well said Phil, I completely agree
-Kenny
As a conservative Christian and a huge fan of Campolo I suggest you go to tonycampolo.com and listen to some of his speeches, they are excellent. I feel very comfortable saying that he has undoubtedly brought more people to Christ than the combined efforts of all of us on this blog. Some of his deepest thoughts on theology are a bit extreme but I don't consider someone going around the world caring for the poor and asking them to trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior as a false teacher.
Mike M
As a conservative Christian and a huge fan of Campolo I suggest you go to tonycampolo.com and listen to some of his speeches, they are excellent. I feel very comfortable saying that he has undoubtedly brought more people to Christ than the combined efforts of all of us on this blog. Some of his deepest thoughts on theology are a bit extreme but I don't consider someone going around the world caring for the poor and asking them to trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior as a false teacher.
Mike M
meme,
I've heard Tony Campolo speak, I've read a few of his books he seems to say a lot of stuff just to shock people. I admire his work with people in poverty but I think he stirs up controversy and causes confusion. I have to remind myself with any author I read that there are bias's, they give opinions, they may be intelligent but they do not precede the word of God although some authors may help to bring some understanding to the word of God. A deep reverence of Gods word is better to seek than anyone's opinion of it.
In order to properly evaluate the statements that Campolo has been quoted as saying, you really need to look at the context in which they were said. Would most bible verses make sense out of context?
“Jesus came into the world not to condemn the world, but to save the world. When we come with condemnation, we are not coming with good news about Jesus but laying the bad news on people.”
Tony Campolo also said this.
Tony Campolo is an amazing Christian example and an inspiration. To criticise him in this way is narrow minded and wrong. I have no doubt that Christ delights greatly in him. He is in no way suggesting that Muslims are saved, rather that Christ can work in their lives to draw them to Him, as He can in anyone's life. I would think many see Campolo as a mentor, and with good reason. His love for Christ and for the poor is both an admirable and beautiful thing. To criticise him in this way is wrong. Why not use the time better to share Christ, rather than accusing your Christian brother.
Anonymous wrote this...
'It's too bad that this guy Campolo, who is oh so eager to speak up for the poor, picked on sodomites, doesn't try using his platform to speak out for the most picked on in our society...the millions of babies facing a future of ABORTION.'
Campolo DOES deal with abortion, many times. For example, he said:
'In short, I'm not sure that the abortion problem can be solved by legislation. I think it can only be solved through moral persuasion.'
Why are you making such a strong point when you are not basing in on anything? Also, what is your name? You option does not count for much when you do not even have the courage to say who you are. This criticism of Campolo is really pathetic. How about using your time well to do something Christ like with your time instead?
I will not comment on if I agree or disagree with any of your assessments or Dr. Campolo's remarks. What I will say is that unless there is unity within the church it will never thrive on earth. We need to all find something more productive to do with our time than rip on each other for our differing views of theology. The chances that any of our theology is 100% accurate is 1 in a million, so I say as followers of Christ we all realize that. We all take into consideration that we got here the same way and that is through the grace of God. We can never show the Love to the world if all we do is bash each other.
Hi Everyone:
I am a 23 year old college student who lives in Toledo, OH. I have been reading all of your comments regarding Tony Campolo.
I am saddened when I see so many people on this blog who are afraid or unwilling to think critically and ask questions about their faith. One of the things I admire about Campolo is that he is not afraid to deal with issues that many of us find uncomfortable to ponder and therefore don't think about them at all. My guess is that most of the people posting on this blog have never even read anything by Campolo. If we truly searched the scriptures and researched the ancient culture in which they were written, I think we would be shocked to see that some of the passages that we have always interpreted in a certain way mean something totally different. My suggestion to any all of you: read any books by Brian Mclaren, Tony Campolo, Shane Claiborne, or Mike Yaconelli to really stimulate some good thinking on these issues.
My prediction is that the North American Church as we know it (notice i say "as we know it") today will not exist in 30 years because we are not addressing the questions that our culture is asking (esp. the 25 and under crowd which includes me). My e-mail address is Jpj1918@gmail.com if any of you want to talk further. Especially the author of this post!
Everyone on this page will find, when they die, that some portion of their theology was wrong. Every person will answer to God for every word, every action, and every opportunity. Tony will have to answer to God, and so will I. Here is a question to ask yourself:
Am I avoiding what the Holy Spirit is trying to say to me about MY walk with Jesus, by criticising other Christians for their errors? Am I addressing the undeniable truth in what Campolo says, instead of picking at the differences in theology (what he is wrong about-in your opinion). Take what he is saying about the poor opressed, and hurting, and obey the words of Jesus. Throw out what is false and what you absolutely don't agree with. But THINK first. Ask yourself questions, pray, and look at the Biblical evidence for what Tony (or anyone else) is saying. Whatever Tony Campolo has wrong, he has a whole lot right.
1) Jesus is the only way to heaven (read/listen carefully, you'll see)
2)We need to live as Jesus lived, and DO what He said to DO
3) Theology is important, but not more important than the GREATEST commandments (Love God, Love People)
4)Many evangelicals DON'T GET THIS
Here is a thought: Why does everyone feel the need to assert that there is only one right way of being and only their religion offers it? Has ANYONE who posts on this blog taken the time to learn about the other religions and ideas they condemn? Honestly, this kind of fundamental Christianity makes me ashamed to call myself a Christian. I mean, do you really think this kind of narrow-mindedness is what Jesus would have wanted? Also, Bible quotes should NEVER be isolated and freely interpreted as proof of some fundamental truth. That's just dangerous. Really people, get some sort of an education! And by education I mean a real one where you have to question your beliefs and who you are. All I'm saying is PLEASE take the time to actually KNOW something before you speak. Have your own beliefs but respect others and their intelligence in making their own. Ghandi, an amazing man (but not a Christian so I'm sure you think he's a horrible person who is going to hell), said "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." I think he had a point.
I'm very young, so I can't really compete with all the things you guys have to say. I don't even know how old this blog is, so the chances of anyone actually reading what I'm writing here is probably pretty low, but anyway, I'll just give it a shot. As I said, I'm very young, and definitely do not read the bible as much as I would like to. But what personally convinced me to become a christian, is that what Christ said. That there are infact two commandments from which all others stem from "Love your neighbour as yourself, and love your God above everything else". I think, if we have the holy spirit within in us, that can give us wisdom to know this. That in all circumstances we find ourselves we should always follow those two commandments, regardless of whome you are talking to, be they homosexuals or prostitutes, whatever! They deserve love. at least thats what jesus said...and I really don't want to sound pushy or anything, but I was just wondering if you thought about this. When Jesus came down to earth, he was loving to a prostitute and the only people that we actually know of the he screamed to, were people that should have known better, the pharisees.
As said, I'm young, might be wrong. But hey, its some food for though.
God Bless You All! And guys, you are all christians here. We are called to love one another. Can I ask you something? Are you guys, what you are all doing, loving one another?
Anyway, may the lord guide you guys in all you do!
I love these quotes. They are very refreshing when it comes to Christianity, and I think Tony Campolo is an awesome person!
Whomever made this post only strengthened my belief that Tony Campolo is a great man! Thanks!
Some of you better check your name tags and make sure they don't say "Pharisee."
Tony Campolo is not only an inspirational speaker but he lives an inspirational life helping thr poor and the marginalised. O K so his theological t's may not be crossed or his i's dotted , but I have no doubt that his heart is for Jesus and the gospel !
Pulling quotes out of context is downright disrespectful. Do yourselves a favor and read his books and hear him speak. Grabbing twenty sentences out of a man's entire lifetime is rediculous. Reread scripture with little biasedness as possible too.
I have not read any of Tony Campolo's books...I don't understand why you disagree with his quotes about Islam and other religions. We can't just be like "oh you're a muslim...you're religion sucks and you are all going to hell."
There are similarities between the two religions that there is no denying. There is nothing wrong with discussing the similarities...why not talk about the similarities and the differences? That is what America tends to do when thinking about Islam. We tend to lable people with their particular religion instead of seeing them as human beings and loving them just as God does.
Wow. I used a search engine to find some quotes by Tony Campolo and came upon the epitome of the American church. It breaks my heart to see people spending so much time slandering a leader in ministry and not living the fleshed-out version of Jesus like we should be. Jesus is love, and God is the Judge. Who are we to think we are high and mighty enough to uncover deception in a minister, when the same God said in Jeremiah, "Therefore, this is what the LORD says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, 'No sword or famine will touch this land.' Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine." God is just and has infinite wisdom and is able to take out false prophets and those sowing discord alike, without the help of us finite human beings.
"There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." -Proverbs 6:16-19
"Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" -James 4:11-12
"LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman" -Psalm 15:1-3
It almost feels humorous and appropriate to quote Rich Mullins here, when he sarcastically replied in a sermon, "But I guess that’s why God invented hilighters so we can highlight the parts we like and ignore the rest."
Now, I read earlier when someone explained one of the Campolo quotes that maybe they should be explained so there is no discretion or confusion. In regards to the quotes by Campolo, it is just like reading the scriptures. You must read everything in context and with an open mind to the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you happen upon a quote or a Bible verse or anything with a preconceived notion about the quote or quoter, it is difficult to hear what it is actually trying to convey. That's why the Pharisees had such a hard time understanding Jesus...their preconceived notions and closed minds didn't understand this new way of the gospel.
The quote about common ground between Christianity and Islam:
Does it say anything before or after the quote in the book about why he is mentioning this? Because my initial reaction is that it is a great thing to try and find commonality between the two religions, because there is so much discord and layers of insulation between us that I wonder how we will ever reach the Islamic nations with the Gospel of Jesus? When our government is bombing their countries in the name of God, and they are doing the same to us, how are we to ever explain to them that we serve a Jesus of love and peace if they shut out any dialogue about Christianity? Maybe it could be by approaching the situation in such a way that you slip in Jesus by explaining the commonalities that we as Christians have with Muslims.
The quote about Jesus not only living in Christians:
Once again, if you are a believer that is chained by the religiosity of theology, I understand why it is so difficult to see the truth in this quote. I used to be bound to religion myself. But Mr. Campolo has done much work with the poor and homeless and "the least of these"...and while he is specifically speaking truth in that there is no salvation apart from Jesus, maybe he is also saying in a roundabout way that Jesus wasn't white with blue eyes and blonde hair and lived in the suburbs. Maybe Jesus is found where He says He pours out His blessings: in the poor in spirit, in those who mourn, the meek, those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted because of righteousness. I know many who are not believers, but who mourn, who are meek, are merciful, pure in heart (children), and peacemakers. Maybe he is showing us a different way to see Jesus than on Sunday mornings.
The quote about having a personal relationship with Christ but not knowing it:
This quote makes perfect sense to me. First of all, he is basically slicing the religious spirit in people who want to point out that Muslims don't have Christ in their hearts, but won't even do what their own Word says while the Muslim does. He quotes the scripture about doing unto the least of these was done unto Christ, which means that these Muslims were embodying Christ without even knowing it..while the hypocritical "Christians" sit by and judge the Muslims. Have you ever seen the movie "End of the Spear" or the documentary on the true story "Beyond the Gates of Splendor"? It is based on missionaries to the Wandabi tribe in South America in the 50's. They were notoriously the most violent tribe in history and believed that they had to prove they were strong by spearing other tribes in order to jump the Great Boa at the end of their lives to reach Waegongi (God), lest they be weak and turn into termites. They passed down these beliefs through carvings in the trees. Well, the missionary wives used their religion/beliefs to explain the gospel, by saying that Waegongi had a son and he was speared in the side, but he teaches us not to spear, and that we know this because of the carvings (bible) he left us. I don't see anything wrong with this way of presenting the gospel, because they embodied the verse that says to "become all things to all people" so that some may be saved. Just because these tribesmen didn't go to a formal Sunday church and sing hymns and pray the "sinner's prayer" doesn't mean that they didn't find Jesus. In the same way, these Muslims who are doing the work of Christ may as well know Jesus better than evangelicals.
"We cannot allow our theologies to separate us":
That is so true. If we allow our beliefs to separate us, how will they ever come to know Christ?!
Quote about mystical spirituality and common mutuality:
Here, he is basically giving us an in when we talk to Muslims. Many who are past the theological boundaries and want to communicate the love of Christ to Muslims may wonder of a way to do that. This is the way. Not by theological statements, compromising beliefs, or attempts at a common denominator, but common need, common suffering, reaching out in love, leaving judgement to God, and sharing out of our own faith/experiences - just like in Revelation 12:11: "They overcame him [the enemy] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..."
Quote about Muslim mystics and praying together:
Again, Mr. Campolo is slicing into the American church, saying that these Muslims are doing a better job at embodying Jesus than we are. And he's only presenting the idea that God is bigger and more powerful than the walls of theology, and maybe if we try a different approach of reaching Muslims, by embracing them rather than judging and shunning them, that God will do something miraculous and supernatural and connect to both the Christian AND the Muslim. After all, aren't we to be creative in sharing the gospel, and to reach the lost at ALL costs, even if it costs us our dignity, our popularity, our theological and doctrinal prisons, and our finite logic? (Was Jesus EVER logical or sensible in the things that He did? He spit in the mud and put it on a blind guy's eyes to heal him, for pete's sake!)
Quote about Sufis and mysticism:
He's explaining his curiosity about the mystics and whether they encountered the same God as us, and again explaining that this could be the way we reach the Muslims for Jesus.
Quote about people not knowing it's Jesus doing the saving:
reference the story about the Wandabi tribe
Quotes about "centering prayer" and repeating the name of Jesus:
Why not try different modes of communication and intimacy with the Lord? 87% of said believers and evangelical Christians don't even pray more than 5 minutes a day. Why not try sitting in your prayer closet and repeating the name of Jesus over and over until the Lord reveals something deep and intimate about Himself to you? First, it would center your mind on the Lord, because He is Jesus, and help push out all the things of the world. Then you may begin to contemplate who Jesus is, which would lead to introspect of what Jesus means in your life, then the Lord might just blow your mind with some revelatory word about himself! David said to meditate on the Word day and night...I don't think 5 minutes a day constitutes for "day and night". Maybe this is a new/old way of practicing intimacy and meditation on the Lord.
"Today, some of the most spiritual people I know claim to be without religion.":
I agree. There is such a thing as the spirit of religion which I have referenced many times in this comment. It is the spirit of religion that choked the Pharisees and religious leaders that Jesus called "a brood of vipers" and "hypocrites". I still struggle, myself, with religiosity, but hope to one day be able to present myself as one who has an intimate relationship with Jesus, not just a religion.
Quote about kingdoms of the world becoming the kingdom of God:
I don't see what is wrong with this quote. Jesus saved us so we could become the way it was meant to be in the beginning. The Great Commission is the great revolution. And God's will is that every tribe, tongue, and nation come to know the saving power of Jesus and become a part of the Kingdom of God.
"Our call is to be God’s agents, to rescue not only the human race but the whole of creation.”:
Again, what is wrong with this? We are called to be good stewards of what God has given us, and God placed man above creation..therefore we are to take care of creation as well as man.
Quote about psychoanalysm:
If this quote is taken wrong, it can be taken VERY wrong. I think, simply put, the divinity in us he is speaking of is the fact that we were created in the image of God. He sent us Jesus so that we may be reconciled to Him and once again be reminded that we were made in His image, a spirit with a temporary bodily shell, and that we have a more eternal purpose than what we experience on earth.
Quotes about God is present in every person:
God IS present in every person, as He is in nature, because we were all created by Him, and are all His children. If we allowed our very human, sinful barriers to be lowered, we would see people through God's eyes, and see God in John Wayne Gacy and Timothy McVeigh just like we see Him in Mother Theresa and Billy Graham. No one is beyond the grace of God. It's because of this legalism and religiosity that causes these barriers to see some as evil and some as good that the church looks no different than the world, and the love and peace of Jesus is lost in the commotion.
Quote about Christ Consciousness:
Common sense says that if we realize that we are created by God and for God, and that our purpose in life is eternal and not finite, we would see a different humanity spring forth...one that God intended in the first place.
Quote about femininity of Jesus:
Man was made in the image of God, and woman was created by God because man was incomplete without her. If we were both created in the image of God, then why wouldn't God/Jesus have a feminine side?
Quote about going to Philadelphia:
If by what he means in this is that there are many ways to present the gospel that are very different from one another, but they all lead to the same heaven, (and I do think this is what he means, because several times he stated that Jesus is the only way) then I agree with him.
Quote about woman preachers:
Ha! The age old theological debate. All I have to say is anyone who has the guts to stand face to face with a woman pastor and argue that God did not call her to do that should have the guts to stand at the Great White Throne Judgement and explain why their human brain thought it knew better than the call of God. There are some that are going to be reached better by a woman than by a man, and God calls people to different things.
Quote about gays:
Ah! The other evangelical debate. It's sad how estranged the church is from the gospel of love and how embracing they are of judgement. To me, this is a new way (a Christ-like way) of showing Christ's love to the homosexual community. He never says that he doesn't later explain to them that their actions aren't pleasing to the Lord. He's doing something that would utterly shock the homosexual community that a "Christian" was standing with them in their injustice just to show them the love of the true Jesus, much like the way Jesus shocked the Pharisees who were about to stone an adulteress and said "Let any one of you who has no sin cast the first stone."
Quote about bringing God's justice:
I see nothing wrong with this quote. We are to bring God's love as well as His justice to the oppressed. If someone disagrees with this statement, I question their solidarity in the Word.
Quote about deep-love commitments:
It's true. Jesus and John the Beloved had a deep love relationship, one where John would lay his head on Jesus' breast for hours at a time, but they never had sexual intercourse. Does that mean that we condemn their deep love relationship? The Lord only names the act of fornication and lust for the same sex an abomination, not their love for one another. And if the problem is with the term "homosexual Christian", someone needs to get off their high horse and realize that some transformed followers of Christ keep that title in order to reach the lost. (becoming all things to all people)
Quote about homosexuals a threat:
I AGREE! It makes me furious as well that someone would single out a homosexual teacher and say they are any more apt to seduce a student than a slutty or perverted heterosexual teacher that is addicted to heterosexual pornography! No sin is greater than another in the eyes of the Lord.
Well, that took longer than I thought it would, but I said my part, and you can take it as you will. But regardless of the explanations of the quote, if you take nothing else from this comment, take the scriptures at the beginning and realize how disdainful it is to be slandering this leader when you can't even interpret what he's saying correctly.
2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. 4 My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
is this the only possible thing you could be doing right now, there isnt anything else that could further the kingdom, because is so, then continue, if you live in the same world as me where "while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition." then youve got your work cut out for you and you ought to move on, fcous on love not riddicule, good luck.
I did not read one quote you posted above that made me nervous or offended me. Why? Because I know what Tony Campolo is about and it's the heart knowledge of what God is doing in the world, not the intellectual head knowledge of God that is often the very thing that keeps us from Him.
I will admit that a couple of the quotes made me raise an eyebrow, but i will have to do my own research to see the context in which they were said.
However, most of these quotes were some of the most inspirational and God filled quotes i've read in a long time.
I don't question your heart or your motives. I believe you have the purest intentions, however i think you might need to take a long look at your mindset. A lot of what he was saying here is purely biblical and cannot be refuted.
However, i admit again that i couple of these statements rose a flag in my mind, but if you don't mind i will do my own research to make sure that the lack of context isn't skewing the intended meaning of these statements.
anyone can pull quotes out of context and make them sound bad, seriously i am sick of blogs like this one that seek to bring down good christians by proof texting and misquoting out of context, i have read many of campolo's books and you misrepresent him with this list of quotes...i could go through all of your posts on your blog and pull out words and sentances to make them say something you never intended. It is bad ournalism, bad exegesis and a bad christian attitude you have.
Read the entire articles. Don't just pick out (and re-word in several cases) bits and pieces.
here is one:
http://www.crosscurrents.org/CompoloSpring2005.htm
Now stop talking and start doing - (Faith without works is dead) think of all the things we could be doing for God and His Kingdom instead of bickering over whether Tony Campolo is a false teacher or not. Those of you who are worried about your kids looking up to Tony Campolo, track down some of his books, listen to some of his sermons, and then make an educated decision. The most common trend I see with people who attack Campolo are Christians who simply find him too challenging. But the man preaches the biblical gospel... unwatered down. Get some context, please.
I think what is more detrimental to Christian American youth (than Tony Campolo lovin' youth pastors) are teachers/parents/pators of these youth who don't teach their children how to think for themselves and to believe everything they hear. American Chritianity in my opinion is missing the mark these days. Mr. Campolo makes me think and God bless him for that. He makes me question if I am really behaving like Jesus...serving the poor, loving the outcast, ect. At least he isn't preaching a prosperity doctrine.
Carla, to insinuate that a teacher of the Word has to have it all 100% accurate is impossible. Even the most excellent and Christ-like of tachers are bound to get it wrong from time to time. That's why we should be teaching youth to think for themselves. Shelve it all and take it to the Word of God to see if it can hold up. God gave us a glorious mind to use. Take the good, leave the rest.
-Ashley J
anyone else who says they agree with this heretic is denying that JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY!! WHAT BIBLE ARE YOU PEOPLE READING?!!!?
I fail to see how everyone is suggesting that he is saying there is another way to be saved. "I am saying that there is no salvation apart from Jesus" Honestly, many of you are taking things so out of context, not only what he is saying but bible that it concerns me. The one that concerns me the most is the person that has quoted over and over again that if he is "grapling" with ideas that he shouldn't teach. Are you suggesting that someone has to know everything in order to teach? That a person can learn everything there is to learn about the Lord? Then are you suggesting that we do not grow as a society with the Bible? The truth is the people above are taking small piece of his arguement and blowing it out of proportion, most of which aren't even his topic.
Always, unity in the Lord
Reading all the comments in this blog, I am convinced that we need to be careful about how we view our salvation. We must guard against the little things that take our eyes off Jesus. The culture seems to be an excuse to change our view on sin. Sin is sin, regarldess of what it is. When we sin, we need to ask for forgivness. When we sin habitually, that is where we justify it through a cultural perspective and the sin now becomes acceptable because everyone is doing it. Living together(outside of marriage), lying, cheating, or gosipping are all sin. I believe teaching false doctrine falls into a category of its own. Tony Campolo says things I could never accept as a person who follows Christ. We need to, as Christians, discern what is truth, not relative truth, but absolute truth. For me, I was convicted in my spirit to not attend a conference at our church with Tony because of the confusion he leaves behind, as we see in this blog. If he is a god-send to the world, why the confusion? I would say to those who follow Tony, why does most of the world like(love) Tony? Jesus was hated for what he taught.
Our churches are telling an unoffensive gospel. Jesus did not come to pussy-foot around. He brought the truth and offened the majority. Churches today are afraid to offend with the truth. Tony's gospel seems to offend people who are trying to maintain the integrity of what Gods Word says. That concerns me because the culture Tony appeals to, wants the good vibrations he offers. The danger is, and I will quote from the song "My Eyes Adored You" by Frankie Valli. So close, so close, but yet so far".
Tony Campolo obviously does good work around the world, he may even be able to lead you to Heavens door, but you better ask yourself, does his doctrine allow you to go through the door.
Nothing will delight Satan more than to see you standing at Heavens door and you not having the true relationship to get in.
Also, it would be smart for you to look into who allah was/is. Do a history lesson on the islamic god.
I do not see how a Christian can share a spiritual experience with a muslim who worships the moon god(allah). Blows my mind to think a Christian could even consider that a good thing, or even an OK experience. Wake-Up church, and especially you pastors who would condone such practice, or the people promoting it.
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