I remember early last year when I began thinking about the upcoming election. I’m one of those kinds of people who, when it comes to news, politics, or anything pop culture, really likes to know what’s going on, understand what’s at stake, and know what all of the issues are. Admittedly, when it came to the political scene, I felt a little… out of it. I knew of the issues, but I didn’t fully understand the numerous ways to approach them. I knew of the positions, but didn’t know fully what it meant to support or oppose them. I knew where I stood on the ‘theological spectrum,’ but hadn’t yet completely deciphered what that looked like in the realm of faith and politics.
Right about then was when I heard that one of our keynoters at the 2009 Montreat College Conference would be Dr. Anthony (Tony) Campolo, professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University in Pennsylvania, founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE), and author of numerous books including the recently released Red Letter Christians: A Citizen’s Guide to Faith and Politics. I had heard a number of good things about him and his work from friends, students, and campus ministry colleagues, but I wanted to see (or read) for myself and draw my own conclusions.
I wasn’t disappointed.
Red Letter Christians discusses a number of hot button topics that are relevant well beyond the realm of politics. Campolo gets into controversial issues we might talk about around the dinner table, at a coffee shop, or with our friends from church. But Campolo approaches these issues from a particular perspective that we may not have considered before… one that is framed by the words of Jesus (words often highlighted by red letters… hence the book’s title).
I think we can assume that we may approach or interpret those ‘red letter’ words differently, so we may not fall in line with everything that is said. However, what makes Campolo (and his book) effective is his ability to evoke a sense that, when it comes to the matters of this world… especially the political matters… faith isn’t something we should leave out in the cold, completely separate from the decisions we make or the positions we assume on difficult topics. Rather, faith, informed by Jesus’ ‘red letters,’ should guide our steps.
I’m really excited to hear what Tony Campolo will have to say to us at the College Conference in Montreat. Knowing the challenges his book presents makes me believe that he will truly ‘bring it’ on Friday January 2nd.
Hope to see you there.
Happy Thanksgiving y’all.
James Goodlet
[Make sure to check out the study guide for Red Letter Christians by clicking here.]
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