What Do You Know About Tony Campolo?

I used to watch some show with both Campolo and Steve Brown, debating from the liberal vs. conservative views (respectively). It was very interesting. I can't say I agreed with everything Campolo said, but I don't recall him being unscriptural.

I have no idea what his Baptist affiliation may be. I think Steve Brown is Presbyterian.

 

Campolo is American Baptist. I rather suspect, however, that the church of which he is a member is Progressive National Baptist or one of the other historically African-American groups, as he often refers to his being a member of a black church.

I have heard Campolo several times and have some of his writings on my shelves. He is passionate, articulate, challenging, and funny all at the same time. He will puncture our pious pretensions in a heartbeat!

 

If I recallcorrectly, Tony Campolo has made clear his belief in the openness of God as has Clark Pinnock , that God does not know the future, and that God is reacting to our actions, and not in control. Of what I remember about him is he is way to the left, but a great speaker.

Below is what Al Mohler has to say about him. I use Al because I have it in my mind that you that you and Al would agree on most theology. If I wrong, please for give me, I'm not real high on Brother Al.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=259

 

I used to watch these "debates" also, but TC was way too liberal for my SBC background.

Yes, he is a great speaker, BUT, I did not find him as scripturely based as you did, in general, but specifically once when discussing homos.

He & Steve were discussing the "Christian treatment" of same, & Tony was so far left as to espouse virtual total/unconditional acceptance of them - totally contrary to what Scripture says. The logic was nothing more than a twisting of God's word to declare that "God says it's wrong, BUT what God really means---". No different than you hear today.

Just one more instance of the old come-on, "DID GOD REALLY SAY---"!

 

Yeah, he's much too liberal for me, too. I don't really recall him saying anything unscriptural in those debates, but maybe I just have a short memory. I didn't realize he denies the omnipotence of God, which should shock me, but it really does sound like something he would say.

I always enjoyed Steve Brown, though. I used to listen to his radio show.

 

Open Theism does not teach that God is not in control, although to a Calvinist it probably seems that way. But that's more of a reflection of the Calvinist "all or nothing" approach to sovereignty than anything.

 

Aw...but he is such a good speaker, charismatic personality, and he CARES!!!

 

What is the source of this quote?

I'm not concerned about who is quoted, I'm concerned about what is promoted. It is a good thing to pay attention to people we don't agree with. We generally learn something, even if we don't agree with their conclusions.

Makes me think that someone is mistaken regarding what Campolo actually believes. For years, I've heard people misreport Tony Campolo's position on homosexuality... apparently not realizing that advocating compassion toward homosexuals is not the same thing as endorsing homosexual relations.

I disagree with Campolo regarding a number of things, but I also know that he is routinely misquoted, slandered, and misunderstood. To understand Campolo, you need to read his books and essays instead of trying to piece together his theology based on the accusations from his critics.

 

What do you believe is the "logical end" to Open Theism?

 

Okay, there was a link off of Mohler's blog to the article.

FYI, I disagree with Campolo's response. I don't think Campolo is asking the right questions, so he's getting the wrong answers.



EDITED to fix formatting.

 

We can't fix or control a lot of things. That doesn't mean that God is not sovereign.

Absolutely yes. But I think an Open Theist would say that God has most important priorities than making us healthy, comfortable and happy on earth through His direct action. Instead, God wants His people to act in a selfless way to comfort and redeem those who suffer and, in the process, transform their own character and lives through service.

All of us are terminal cases (from a physical perspective) and our bodies are wasting away. God (including the "God of Open Theism") has promised that He will one day make all things new.

Yep.

Certainly. In the Open Theist view of things, many to most of the calamities of this world are caused by the sinful actions of humankind over the years. Sometimes it is the direct result of the sins of the one who is suffering, but more often it is the result of the sins that other people commit that unleash destruction on large groups of people. Free will has tremendous consequences, yet God is still working in the world to bring about his ultimate will. And God still intervenes from time to time eliminating possible choices to ensure that history will run along the general course He intends.

The answer is that God is working with us (or against us) for ultimate good and will certainly bring about redemption for those who will turn their lives over to Him.

 

I appreciate Tony Campolo's insight, heart, honesty, and humor.

I heartily disagree with the Open Theist position, but don't see it as heresy. My personal journey growing up in a fairly rigid, slightly fundamentalist SBC church never got me close to Tony Campolo's teachings. I can say I have, since, used his research, stats, and some illustrations.

For what it is worth, I remember Dr. Jerry Falwell cornering Campolo on CNN (Larry King or something) and asked him to answer "yes" or "no" to a question. Here is the question: Is Jesus Christ the only way to heaven?

Campolo couldn't answer. That has certainly affect my view of him.