Customer Reviews

Letters To A Young Evangelical (Art of Mentoring)

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I was drawn to order this book when I heard Campolo interviewed on NPR.
My own beliefs tend heavily toward the liberal side of the scale so I surprised how interested I was in what Campolo had to say during the interview. Clearly, what he was saying often was not what I expected to hear from an Evangelical. So I purchased the book to learn more about him and I recommend the book for others, like me, who aren't satisfied to just sit with their assumptions and are open to learning about the common ground we can share with folks whose beliefs we may not understand as well as we thought we did.

I purchased this book after I heard Dr. Campolo speak at a local university. This is the most influential book I've read since graduate school. Campolo does a superb job of pointing out how the world views evangelicals and all the baggage that comes with the term. He proposes to the reader to replace the term evangelical with the term "red-letter Christian" as a way to help Christians define themselves instead of being at the mercy of the media and the general consensus of the public. Campolo tackles hot-button issues with much precision and thoughtfulness. He is truly a prophetic voice in our world today. I've given away several copies already!

Excellent book hitting on many important points of Evangelicalism that are both changing and staying the same. It's good for a young Evangelical to hear these thoughts from a older, established and respected, Evangelical so we know that what is natural for us to question and rethink are areas that truly do need to be rethought and not gross deviations from the Truth.

I love how Campolo's somewhat liberal social leanings coexist with his belief in the Bible's truth. If you've ever wondered how this is possible or why it's important, this is the book for you.

Some of my favorite parts were a chapter on history/comparison/contrast of evangelicalism vs. fundamentalism., his discussion of the Just War theory (he's a pacifist) and the current Iraq situation, and his practical advice on choosing a job:
- Will it enable me to serve others as Christ would have me do?
- Will it enable me to use the talents & creativity God gave me?
- Will it provide me with emotional gratification, without which I will lack energy to love others?
- Is it environmentally responsible?
- Will it allow me to build community and will the workplace foster love and justice?

This is a must-read for any socially responsible person interested in Christianity but wondering if those beliefs can coexist, as well as any Christian looking to challenge his/her actions and be a better disciple. If you're a Fundamentalist Christian, expect a real challenge, but please use the brain that God gave you and think through what Campolo has to say.

There's HOPE! Once again, leave it to Dr. Campolo to lead the way to the rays we need to proceed toward. An incredibly level-headed, even-handed, sensitive, yet forthright literary treatment about navigating the seas of faith we find ourselves in. Here is a man who has dedicated his life to following Jesus and teaching, encouraging and leading others to do the same.

For many, Campolo outlines his hope for "a new way" for not simply following Jesus, but actually becoming His hands, heart and feet in a broken, hurting world. To "become" we are going to have top discard some of the baggage that has compartmentalized what it means to "be" a Christian today (particularly in the U.S.).

For some, the "changes" Campolo outlines will be too much to consider. Yet, Christ said the same thing, I'm afraid. The book is filled with "living life" examples of what it means (or can come to mean) when one identifies oneself as a Christian. Campolo's desire is that we need not speak...that our actions will demonstrate the love, mercy and grace of Jesus, by those who claim His Name.

The challenges laid out by Dr. Campolo are foreboding and real. Resonating from the pages of this book is a heartfelt desire for those who follow in this great Christian leader's footsteps, to become the one's who authentically reflect the characteristics of the One we claim as God...Jesus Christ. He doesn't stop there. Campolo is deeply compassionate for a more material impact on this globe for the opportunities that are apparent today, by virute of collaborative, sacrificial acts of love by we, His follower's.

An essential piece for your personal library...that should be consulted regularly. Like I said, an indispensible treasure.

Thank you Dr. Campolo.

Bill

Tony Campolo's writing is directed toward a fictional couple here,but is basically just a smoke screen for a diatribe against conservatives and people that don't think like he does.The division he creates by labeling and re-labeling believers into groups and subgroups becomes tiring over the course of this writing.The us against them mentality and Campolo's smugness is pervasive from the first page to the last and I had a hard time with much of Campolo's stereotyping of the labeled groups. Some of his criticism concerning doctrinal error of Fundamentalists and Evangelicals is well deserved and on the mark, but often it misses. Many of the points he makes are a stretch at best as he goes "around his elbow to get to his thumb" to try to get there-It shouldn't be that hard.In my opinion some of Campolo's scripture interpretation is loose and a product of controversy for controversies sake. I get the impression that Campolo is not one to shy away from a controversy, but actually relishes the idea of being a pot stirrer. My biggest problem with this product was the negativity, finger pointing and what not to believe thoughtlines and not enough scriptural and Godly instruction.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07)

Just as Paul wrote to his protégé Timothy to guide and educate him, Tony Campolo is motivated to write to Christians today. "Paul wanted to keep Timothy from being swept up in movements within the church that distorted the Gospel and justified destructive behavior."

Much of the successful growth of Evangelicalism over the last half-century was in part determined by the preaching crusades of Bill Graham. "His message was a rather simple explanation of what a person must believe and do in order to be `born again.'" Billy Graham showed the world that the best of the Evangelical movement is one of intensive zeal for winning people to Christ. "The zeal and urgency Graham brought to the Evangelical movement transformed the movement from within."

"Evangelicals are distinct from other Christians in several important ways. To be Evangelical is to believe in the Apostles' Creed. The Apostles' Creed is a statement of beliefs that has been recited in churches for many years." Evangelicals believe the scriptures are divinely inspired. They also believe in a personal, intimate and transforming relationship with the living Christ.

"There are 3 essential means by which an Evangelical will develop into a mature Christian," Prayer, Scripture, a Support Group. Prayer is more than a wish list for God. Prayer is spending time with God without the distractions that surround us. We should meditate on the scriptures, read and contemplate the words. We need a support group that will hold us accountable." Without these three essential keys you will not be able to grow spiritually.

It is essential that we be witnesses and shares the Good News of Jesus Christ. However, it takes more than just being a living witness. We should use every opportunity presented to us to testify. But we do not want to alienate ourselves from others either. We must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in witnessing.

Many young Evangelicals are "leery of the church as an institution." We need to recognize the importance of ritual and remember where we first learned about Jesus Christ. Usually Sunday School is the first place where we are taught about the life of Jesus and how he was resurrected.

Tony Campolo shines light on issues that are facing young Evangelicals today. Abortion, Gay Marriage, the War in Iraq, and women in the pulpit are some of the topics he addresses.

Tony Campolo is a seasoned author that once again serves Jesus Christ the living Lord, by presenting readers with a book where the guidance and education is laid before them in terms that are easy to understand and that inspire. His views recognize the equality of all people in Jesus Christ. I enjoyed reading this book and found myself pondering the hot topics. Writing letters to young Evangelicals is a very effective style of sharing. Mr. Campolo offers hope. His words are even-tempered and comforting. It is with great honor that I highly recommend "Letters to a Young Evangelical"to all readers.

Received book free of charge.

Having followed Campolo's career since the early 80s (I attended Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary; which is now Parker), I have to say that initially, he struck me as someone who was a dynamic speaker and fairly conservative. As time progressed, and I became more intimately acquainted with Campolo's views, I was awestruck. I was awestruck because I found his rhetoric dangerously heretical, yet what he espoused was generally taken to be biblically sound by many.

The truth of the matter is that for Campolo, if Jesus didn't actually say it, then it's not all that important. Since Christ felt no compunction to speak up about homosexuality (as Paul did, for instance), then it appears obvious to Campolo that there is nothing inherently wrong with it. Campolo, in this book, tries his hand at feigning the office of apostleship. He writes in the style of Paul, he pretends to come to the recipients of his letters, as though he was actually an apostle, and if you were to ask Campolo, he would likely tell you that he is an apostle.

The problem of course, is that much of what he teaches goes against the grain of what Paul taught, as well as other apostles, whom God used to compose part of the New Testament. Because he goes against what Paul teaches on numerous subjects, and because Campolo sits in the chair, so to speak, of an apostle himself, we are to believe that he has somehow come to this position biblically. Yet, the two requirements for being an apostles were that 1) Christ specifically hand-picked the individual, and 2) the apostle must have actually seen the Lord, literally. This eliminates the possibility of anyone being an apostle today, yet we have them, so they say.

Campolo is interesting and entertaining, to say the least, however his "all people are divine, because Jesus lives in all people," type of rhertoric has really gotten completely old. In fact, in many respects, Campolo is a johnny-come-lately, because the New Age movement has been entoning this type of nonsense for decades. Of course, they simply say that "god" or "the Christ" is in all people, etc., etc., ad nauseum. The truth of the matter must be more than that, or Christ's life, death and resurrection serves no purpose and therefore, means nothing.

The more I read books by these types of individuals - whether Campolo, McLaren, James or someone else altogether - the more I hear the same thing over and over and over. In reality, these guys could be the main speakers at a New Age convention and not have to change one word of their presentation, so watered down have they made the gospel. They have literally exchanged the truth for a lie and those who like the sound of those lies, cannot get enough.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me the Son," (John 14). In one swell swoop, He knocked everyone else off the table and expressed the exclusivity of Christianity and His gospel. People like Campolo, not only have absolutely no respect for the truth which sprang from Christ's life, words and deeds, but have made Him to be something that He is not.

Jesus Christ is either the only real Savior that the world gets, or there are many others. No matter how it is sliced by Campolo, Christ is merely the "way" in which ALL people already HAVE God. That's not what the Scriptures says. If Campolo is wrong, then he is leading multitudes astray, and that is cause for concern.

For all of his rhetoric (along with vitriol he routinely expresses toward those who are the real conservatives when it comes to Scriptural hermeneutics), Campolo adds nothing to the conversation. In fact, he detracts from it. It's good that in America (in spite of how often he denigrates it), Campolo has had the opportunity to publish books that allow him to "speak his mind." But now that he's said what he's said, maybe he can take the time to just shut off for a while, contemplate his own error, and look to Christ for the solution.

In May of this year I decided to pick up a copy of one of Campolo's books to see if in context he was as bad as he sounds out of context. The book was Letters to a Young Evangelical.

I can't believe what I read. Maybe my expectations were way off base. I was expecting to read a man writing in a very polite, considerate, grandfatherly manner. What I found was what appeared to be a bitter man.

I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt so I'm only made notes on what I perceived to be some of his most obnoxious comments.

Regarding women as leaders in the church, on pages 2-3 he writes: "It always amazes me to see the lengths to which some of my Evangelical brothers and sisters are willing to go in concealing the fact that women held prominent leadership roles in the early church. They even seem ready to change the Bible...When certain Evangelicals produced their own translation of Scriptures (NIV)...I think it was an attempt to restructure the Bible to legitimate their own chauvinist ideas about who should be eligible to lead the church."

Writing on page 4 about the differences between Evangelicals on the right and left of the political spectrum he states "Those on the right tend to put their trust in the private sector...whereas those on the left believe that the government must play a major role in solving social problems."

Notice the right put(s) their trust in the private sector but the left does NOT put their trust in the government.

On page 21 he contrasts "extreme Calvinists" with "Wesleyan Arminianism."

Addressing inerrancy of scripture he writes on page 23 "Personally, I think the question of the inerrancy of the original manuscripts is irrelevant because the originals are not available to us."

And on and on it went. It sure was an eye opener. I certainly don't look at him as a nice old grandpa with some liberal tendencies. He may not be a bitter old man but he certainly isn't charitable towards those with whom he disagrees.

Social Justice" oh that word....for those who are rational and well educated, it is a universal codeword for marxism, rooted in atheism. For gullible leftists and Christians who are not well informed, it sounds like heaven on earth. It is time America to expose the term "social justice" for what it is: a thin veil for secular, atheistic marxism wrapped up in a beautiful delicate layer of chocolate that looks oh so sweet on the outside, but inside it is rotten flesh. Campolo is caught up in Marxist philosophy. He falsey equates forced redistribution of wealth to something that Jesus teaches. He is wrong.

First of all, lets state that Campolo is a democrat activist- a deep contributor to democrats and Huffington Post contributor (a hate site). Campolo is trying to lead Christians astray to abandon conservative principles and adopt marxist based philosophy in the name of "Christian love"

Where Campolo grievously errs is that social justice propogates atheism, and is antithesis to God (read the story of the Tower of Babel, a world full of social justice destroyed by God). Go here to see the countries with the worlds highest atheist populations- note that nearly all of them are full of Campolo's "social justice"- the exact kind Obama wants for us. (...) Second, countries with higher tax burdens (ie. with more "social justice") are notorious for being uncharitable. Countries like Canada, Sweeden, Denmark are absolutely awful in giving and donating to charity. Rare...oh how rare it is...for a starving child in Africa to ever get a single penny from someone living in Denmark. Anyone reading this review, go look and see statistics for people living in Europe and Canada how much they donate to charity. That is the "fruit" of "social justice". People in socialist countries just do not give. The govt does it for them....and their own hearts become hardened to charity because they live in a fully secularized government. And those that aren't hardened still dont give because they are taxed so highly. This is not the mark of a "Godly society" where government steals and takes. This is a society that says "we do not need God". And indeed! Canada, and Europe have at their very cores in their laws the idea that God is not needed...they are all very secular, and all have many more atheists (atheism is bred by 'social justice') There are nearly 3 times as many atheists in Great Britain than in the US. And GB has a lot more "social justice". The # of atheists holds true for Canada, France, Germany, Sweeden...all over Europe. This is a fact: wherever you find a society full of 'social justice' you will find a higher percentage of atheists, and a lower percentage of Christians to the US. But if Campolo has his way here in the US, that won't last much longer. If everything Campolo wants was put into effect, atheism in America would rise, Christianity would fall, and charitable giving would fall. No, Tony, that is not a "Godly Society".

Third, Campolo falesly equates charitable giving with forced government redistribution. Jesus specifically mentions that giving is meaningless unless it comes from the heart. Show me where Jesus commanded that one who individually chooses to give from the heart (i.e. the widow's mites) is the same as the IRS taking your money by foce, without your choice, and then government workers deciding who gets is. Jesus is not needed.

When the State tells you how to live, when the State redistributes your wealth to help the poor, make no mistake about it, there is nothing Christlike happening. What matters to God is when an individual Christian CHOOSES to sacrifice time, money, wealth to help the poor, rather than forced redistribution by the Government.

Dont let Campolo's perversion of the Gospel trick you into thinking social justice is Biblical. He is trying to twist and manipulate the Biblical principles of individual charity with marxism, which is rooted strongly in atheism