Letters To A Young Evangelical (Art of Mentoring) |
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Author:
Tony Campolo
By Basic Books
Average Customer Rating:  
List Price: $23.00
Our Price: $1.50
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Product Description
A best-selling minister and social activist offers an uplifting vision of what it means to be an evangelical and offers loving guidance to all of those who wish to lead a genuinely Christian life in a confusing world Named by Christianity Today as one of the twentyfive most influential preachers of the last fifty years, best-selling author Tony Campolo has spent decades calling on readers and audiences around the world to live their faith through committed activism. A tireless crusader for human rights and the eradication of world poverty, Campolo is a "Red Letter" Christian--he reminds us that when Jesus spoke, he spoke of social justice. But the Religious Right and social conservatives have hijacked His message in the name of Republican politics. They have corrupted the faith by ignoring the true message of Christ and focusing instead on narrow "wedge" issues to win political campaigns. In Letters to a Young Evangelical, Campolo calls on evangelicals of all ages to reject the false pieties of the Religious Right. With his trademark candor and wit, he offers sage advice to seekers who are trying to live their faith in a modern world that is politically polarized and predominantly secular. He is unafraid to touch on the hot-button topics that divide believers in America and around the world: abortion, gay rights, war, capital punishment, feminism, and the environment. An activist, a visionary, and a man of deep faith, Tony Campolo offers guidance not only for young evangelicals, but for seekers of all ages and faiths.
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Grumpy old man, 2008-09-09
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.
Should be read by old Evangelicals too!, 2008-02-24
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.
Too negative, 2008-01-26
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.
Breath of fresh air, 2007-11-08
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!, 2007-10-25
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!
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 248.4
EAN: 9780465008315
ISBN: 0465008313
Label: Basic Books
Manufacturer: Basic Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 288
Publication Date: 2006-11-27
Publisher: Basic Books
Studio: Basic Books |
