Tulsa World: Well-known evangelical will speak at First Baptist

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Well-known evangelical will speak at First Baptist
Campolo counseled President Clinton after his encounter with Monica Lewinsky.

MINISTER
Tony Campolo: He identifies with the Red Letter Christian movement.

By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
Published: 11/8/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 11/8/2009 5:37 AM

Tony Campolo, a left-leaning evangelical, will speak at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Nov. 15 at First Baptist Church downtown.

Campolo is an ordained Baptist minister who counseled President Bill Clinton after his sexual encounter with intern Monica Lewinsky.

He is a professor emeritus at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pa., and founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, which develops schools and social programs in Third World countries and U.S. inner cities.

He speaks widely, and has appeared on "Nightline," "Crossfire," CNN, MSNBC and other news media.

He has written 35 books, including "Letters to a Young Evangelical" and "Red Letter Christians, A Citizen's Guide to Faith and Politics," his latest book.

He identifies with the Red Letter Christian movement, which emphasizes the words of Jesus, which in many versions of the Bible are printed in red ink.

Campolo has written that as a Red Letter Christian, he stands with other evangelicals on the essentials of the historic faith, including a high view of Scripture and salvation through Christ.

But he is critical of evangelicals who he says are focusing on preventing gay marriage and overturning abortion rulings while ignoring compelling social issues like world hunger, lack of universal medical coverage and global warming.

In his latest book, he writes that Christians are called to "embrace a broad range of social concerns, giving special attention to legislation that provides

help for the poor and hope for the oppressed."

Bill Sherman 581-8398
bill.sherman@tulsaworld.com By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer

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	Report Comment Basil, Tulsa (11/10/2009 2:21:18 PM) I enjoyed hearing him speak years ago. He seems to be a man with personal integrity. I forget what he spoke about, but one error often taught in evangelical churches is that we are saved by saying a "sinners prayer." A prayer of repentance is a great place to start, but it's misleading to suggest that salvation is completely fulfilled by saying a single prayer. This is an over simplification of the scriptures, based on a few verses pulled out of context context, like John 3:16, or the "Roman's road" versus. God desires our complete conversion, which begins with repentance and baptism into His Church, but then begins the process of healing, some call it sanctification or theosis, through which God begins to heal our distorted nature, back into His image, which we all were orginally created to bear upon us. He desires that we begin to be perfected in Christ, to be like Him. This is undoing or reversing the effects of the fall. Salvation is a process, not a destination we reach through a single prayer offered with faith. Salvation is a gift, but we must reach toward God to receive it, cooperating with Him to be healed.
	Report Comment Tony G, Tulsa (11/8/2009 7:23:01 AM) Pastors like this man, and Jim Wallis have restored some of my faith in Christians.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/8/2009 10:00:41 AM) Sort of a left leaning nerdy looking chap.
	Report Comment out here in the middle, Sand Springs (11/12/2009 10:15:15 AM) I once heard him speak, and he was talking about giving one's all, to make a difference for the poor and needy. I remember he said, "what do you want, for me to become Mother Teresa or something?" Then he paused and said, "not a bad idea." Good guy.
	Report Comment 007, London (11/12/2009 11:31:19 AM) This guy is one baptist I can stomach. He's funny, and a thorn in the side of the religious right.
	Report Comment fld11, (11/12/2009 6:29:36 PM) Good man. He actually stands up for what's right. I wish area soul savers would do the same.
	Report Comment Mrs.O, (11/12/2009 7:21:44 PM) Welcome to Tulsa! I hope I will be able to attend the service, having car trouble and the bus service here is non functional. May God Bless the service.
	Report Comment Stratolifter, (11/12/2009 4:19:58 PM) as opposed to hanging right?

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