Tony Campolo, Advocate for “Red Letter Christianity,” Passes Away at 89
Renowned Christian speaker and activist Tony Campolo, celebrated for advancing the “Red Letter Christianity” movement, has died at the age of 89. Campolo’s passing was announced via his Facebook page on Tuesday evening, noting that he died peacefully at his home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, surrounded by family and loved ones.
“His life was a testament to faith, love, and the transformative power of relationships, and his influence will be felt for generations to come,” the Facebook announcement declared.
For more than 60 years, Campolo was a beacon of hope and an advocate for social justice, reconciliation, and love as a pastor, professor, speaker, and prolific author. Shane Claiborne, a fellow activist and author, expressed his condolences on X, praising Campolo as “a dear friend and brother” and reflecting on their two-decade partnership in ministry with the Red Letter Christians.
“I will miss him something fierce, but I know there’s a party on the other side,” Claiborne shared in his tribute. “Thanks for all the love and condolences being poured out from around the world. Grateful for all the lives he touched over the years.”
Born in Philadelphia on February 25, 1935, Campolo was well-known for his dynamic preaching and commitment to helping those in need. He founded the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, an organization aimed at aiding communities in need, leading it for nearly four decades until his retirement in 2014.
In 2007, he co-founded Red Letter Christians, a movement emphasizing the teachings of Jesus, highlighted in red letters in some editions of the Bible. The movement aimed to change the Christian narrative by amplifying voices dedicated to the moral teachings of Jesus.
The approach of Red Letter Christians faced criticism from some quarters, including Mark Tooley from the Institute on Religion & Democracy. Tooley voiced concerns that the movement undermined the reliability of Scripture and allowed modern reinterpretation of historical Christian teachings.
“So a few words from Jesus supposedly mandate unlimited welfare state, opposition to military, gun abolition, etc.,” Tooley stated in an interview with The Christian Post in 2016.
Campolo defended his perspective, asserting that Jesus’ moral standards surpass those of the law and the prophets. “The early Church didn’t have a New Testament, but what they were able to do under the influence of the Holy Spirit is to find the message and the story of Jesus written all through the law and the prophets of the Old Testament,” he explained.
Throughout his life, Campolo was also known for his controversial stances, including his support for the full acceptance of same-sex relationships within churches. Despite distancing himself from the Evangelical label due to its politicization, he maintained a traditional view of salvation.
“I believe that when Jesus died on the cross that He took upon Himself the sins of people who will repent and trust in Him for their salvation,” Campolo clarified. He reiterated his belief in the atonement doctrine while expressing concerns over the politicization of the term “Evangelical.”
A distinguished academic, Campolo served as a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and was a professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University. He authored over 30 books during his lifetime.
Campolo is survived by his wife, Peggy, with whom he shared over 65 years of marriage, their two children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
