Letters to a Young Evangelical

by Tony Campolo

Book Overview

Named by Christianity Today as one of the twenty-five most influential preachers of the last fifty years, best-selling author Tony Campolo has spent decades calling on readers and audiences around the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465008313
• ISBN13: 9780465008315
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Basic Books (AZ)
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Breath of fresh air

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.

Campolo is right on!

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!

Hot topic facing young evangelicals today

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

An Indispensible Treasure

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

Not an Evangelical? This book may be for you anyway....

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.