Tony Campolo was a pastor, sociologist, author, and spiritual advisor who penned dozens of books, was a popular television-show guest, and co-founded the Red-Letter Christian movement.
- Died: November 19, 2024 (Who else died on November 19?)
- Details of death: Died in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania at the age of 89.
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Tony Campolo’s legacy
Campolo’s six decades as a pastor, professor, and author resulted in a message that left him feeling that “evangelical” was an umbrella he did not fit under, so he coined the term “red-letter Christian” to describe his ministry. The idea, he said, was to re-focus on Jesus’ Biblical teachings regarding poverty, community, and helping others. “Red-letter” refers to New Testament verses sometimes printed in red ink to indicate words attributed to Jesus Christ without the use of quotation marks.
Born in Philadelphia, Campolo studied at Eastern College and was ordained a Baptist pastor in 1957, then continued his studies at Palmer Theological Seminary and Temple University, where he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees. By the ‘60s, he was teaching at Eastern and the University of Pennsylvania, and he was a pastor at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in West Philly.
He began publishing books in 1980, starting with “The Success Fantasy,” and soon found himself clashing with more conservative Christians. Campolo’s 1983 book, “A Reasonable Faith,” drew controversy for his assertion that “Jesus is actually present in each other person,” whether or not they are Christian. Some pastors accused him of heresy for the statement.
In more than three dozen books, Campolo focused on Christ’s teachings about uplifting those in poverty, anti-war views, protection of those who are suffering, and lessons on wealth inequality. This often drew the ire of major evangelical figures. In 2007, he and Shane Claiborne co-founded Red-Letter Christians, a movement with a focus on Jesus’ stated views regarding social justice. By 2020, the organization had 120 partner churches and organizations on three continents.
In 2012, Campolo was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Youth Worker’s Convention. He led the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education for over 40 years after founding it, plus was professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University. In 1998, he served as spiritual advisor to President Bill Clinton.
On his support for gay marriage:
“For me, marriage is entering into a relationship with a partner who nurtured me as a Christian, who corrected and encouraged me, who prayed for me and with me. And when I realized what an enriching relationship I had in marriage, I had to ask myself: How can I deny that kind of relationship to my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters?” – interview with High Profiles, 2016
Tributes to Tony Campolo
Full obituary: The Christian Post
