Red Letter Christians: A Christian's Guide to Faith and Politics, a Citizen's Guide to Faith and ...
From Red Letter Christians: Challenging the popular image of Evangelicals is one of the purposes of this book. I want it to be known that there... read full description
reviews
Jun 04, 2008
Emily
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A little bit disappointing. I saw the author on the Colbert Report and he was compelling enough for me to actually buy this book. While he was up front about his own political bias in the introduction of this book, I felt it really came through in the topics he discussed. I think this may serve to dilute some of his messages to non-left-leaning evangelicals. The presentation of viewpoints was somewhat simplistic, but I did enjoy the concept behind this book - that Jesus is neither Republican
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Jul 30, 2011
Worst book I have read in years. He starts by saying that "God is not a Republican OR a Democrat"...then he proceeds to explain how God is a Demorat on every issue except abortion and gays. And even on those issues, Republicans are so full of hate and discrimination, Jesus would be embarrassed to align himself with them. He says Republicans are hypocritical for being pro-life, pro-death penalty, and pro-war (whatever that is). Yet he fails to mention that following that logic, Dems
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Mar 20, 2011
Charlotte
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I look up to Tony Campolo less now than I did before I read this book. I appreciate the fact that he's trying to follow the red letters no matter what the world does, but he is woefully naive and, I believe, uninformed as to other sides of many issues. I don't believe his ideas are well thought out and, in several cases, are misapplications of the red letters. For example, he takes red letters that are meant for interpersonal relationships and applies them to geopolitical situations; they wer
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Dec 02, 2008
Thefiremun
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This is a VERY "think outside the box" book for someone who's grown up in the Bible-belt. I sincerely appreciate Mr. Campolo and his convictions. I don't necessarily agree 100% with everything he says, but this book has definitely challenged me to cling to what the Scripture says instead of the popular belief of the Southern Baptist Church. For example, I can claim to be pro-life and cause a huge stir and ruccus about abortion. However, why does a typical "pro-lifer" believe
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Jul 27, 2011
James
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1.5 stars.
I grant Tony Campolo 2 things done well: he calls for Christians to think for themselves issue by issue, and exhorts us to get more involved with caring for the poor, etc., which is put under the (often misleading) category of social justice.
His grasp of conservative positions is quite tenuous, however, as is his knowledge of the claims of science, history and political theory. There is very little here that survives the purifying fire of erudite analysis. More...
I grant Tony Campolo 2 things done well: he calls for Christians to think for themselves issue by issue, and exhorts us to get more involved with caring for the poor, etc., which is put under the (often misleading) category of social justice.
His grasp of conservative positions is quite tenuous, however, as is his knowledge of the claims of science, history and political theory. There is very little here that survives the purifying fire of erudite analysis. More...
Jul 09, 2008
Mollie
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first heard of this book from one of my best friends, who happens to be Jewish. She had seen Tony Campolo on some TV show and thought the book sounded like something I would be interested in reading. Especially regarding his views on homosexuality. So, I reserved it from the library and have been reading it for the last, oh two months. Yes, it took me awhile to finish because I have a hard time getting through non-fiction.
With the elections drawing ever closer the importance of choo More...
With the elections drawing ever closer the importance of choo More...
Nov 12, 2009
Philip
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Compelling and thoughtful book. Campolo has a fresh take on all of today's hot button issues, and his positions are biblical - and sometimes surprising. As the book suggests, he emphasizes the red letters in the Bible - the ones spoken by Jesus. Sort of a WWJD book! Even if you don't agree with him all the time, he makes a compelling case about why Evangelical Christians, in fact all Christians, should be the ultimate swing voters.
Jan 03, 2010
Maria
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Interesting combination of Mr. Campolo's personal convictions with Biblical and compassionate reasoning, some of which I agree with and some I do not, and a presentation of multiple positions for the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. Mr. Campolo is up front regarding his own bias, but his point remains-- think about the Red Letters of the Bible when examining the issues.
Dec 14, 2009
page 21-22. "By calling ourselves Red Letter Christians, we are alluding to those old versions of the Bible wherein the words of Jesus are printed in red...we are saying that we are committed to living out the things that Jesus taught." I will never live out Jesus' teachings perfectly, but thankfully He doesn't ask me to..this book is thought- provoking for sure... :)
Sep 14, 2009
Allison
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I agreed with this book in principle and was relieved to find my approach to politics supported. Unfortunately, I think the author relied a little to much on current events to frame his method. This made he book a bit lengthy as about a year later those current events aren't so current any more. I would have liked more scripture that we can reference when making our own decisions and maybe a quick summary of points at the end. That said I will probably buy this book to refer back to before t
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Jul 30, 2011
Heather
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Actually I didn't read this although I tried. After reading Ron Paul's Revolution, I couldn't. Tony ignores all the problems in government RP addresses and seems to think that government through the democratic party is the only way to act out Jesus' ideas of taking care of the poor, etc.
Apr 23, 2010
Katherine
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A very interesting look at what fundamentalist christians would be like if they were thoughtful, kind, and actually lived out Biblical principals. I can only hope that I can model my faith/walk as Tony Campolo has written about and be kind and thoughtful.
Apr 14, 2010
Greg
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Campolo, as he often does, discusses the hot issues of the day and how Christians should respond to them. As indicated by the title, he looks at the issues through the lens of the words of Jesus (and not the so-called “religious right” or conservative point of view so prevalent among evangelicals.) Includes chapters on the environment, war, AIDS, gay rights, immigration, and various other government, economic and social issues. A pretty good read, but not really anything new here (at least for m
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Aug 23, 2010
Started this but got bored pretty quickly because I know all the ideas and arguments, and happen to already agree with most of it. Had other, more challenging, things on my 'to read'....
Apr 28, 2010
Linda
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Politics through the eyes of someone wishing to follow the teachings of Jesus through His words in the New Testament.
Oct 29, 2011
John
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This book was recommended by President Bill Clinton & I had to read a liberal Christians understanding.
The book exposes the rant of the political left. Rarely did I agree with Campolo's view. Ironically when Campolo rebuked the defense spending and the stealing which happens there, he commends the development of the huge healthcare government sector, but he is naive enough to not admit or think of it overspending & stealing. That's the liberal mind justifying irrationality.
The book exposes the rant of the political left. Rarely did I agree with Campolo's view. Ironically when Campolo rebuked the defense spending and the stealing which happens there, he commends the development of the huge healthcare government sector, but he is naive enough to not admit or think of it overspending & stealing. That's the liberal mind justifying irrationality.
Feb 01, 2010
Rick
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I really like tony Campolo books, and this was no exception. He tackles tough issues, and gives a sensible Christian viewpoint that is NOT mainstream conservative. It's so good to have a progressive Christian writer.
Jun 23, 2010
Red Letter Christians: A Citizen's Guide to Faith and Politics by Tony Campolo (2008)
Jan 09, 2008
Aphd
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This wasn't anything unexpected, and it was a quick read. But it did provide good reminder that Christians should look at all issues and all political candidates through the lens of their beliefs, rather than give blind loyalty to a single party. The author covered alot of ground, in terms of issues, and was able to be thoughtful and honest without making hardly any claims about how one ought to vote. It was more about how one ought to think politically in a biblical way.
Aug 16, 2009
Kay
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This was an interesting book. I really like Tony Campolo, he is an excellent human being, but I didn't agree with everything he said. He tackles many of the most controversial issues that we face today that are also very divisive among people who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.
Feb 07, 2008
David
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I loved this book when it was 20 Hot Potatoes Christians Are Afraid To Touch, Was Jesus A Republican Or A Democrat, and How To Follow Jesus Without Embarassing God. Tony hasn't written anything worthile in a long time. He keeps coming back to the same old ideas over and over again. I couldn't even finish this book. I am appreciative of the information he provided, but it has not helped convince me to become a "Red Letter Christian".
Jul 26, 2008
Tiana
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This book is absolutely fantastic. Tony Campolo is one of my champions of the faith - a political liberal who shows the love of Jesus like no one else I've ever seen. He's an inspiration to me, and this book lays out his political beliefs very clearly and beautifully. His life and this book remind me that I really can be a political liberal and still love Jesus (despite what the surrounding Christian sub-culture tries to tell me)!
Jun 07, 2011
Meghann
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I really give it a 3.5.
This was good for what it is. I already share most of his views and definitely share the overall opinion that Christians should consider ALL issues in light of the Bible and not just vote on one issue or try to legislate Christian values. So, I enjoyed it and can think of several people who should read it :) (It is a little dated at this point).
This was good for what it is. I already share most of his views and definitely share the overall opinion that Christians should consider ALL issues in light of the Bible and not just vote on one issue or try to legislate Christian values. So, I enjoyed it and can think of several people who should read it :) (It is a little dated at this point).
Mar 03, 2008
Darla
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If you are hoping for a book that is a non-partisan treatment of looking at the words of Jesus for help in voting decisions, this fails on both accounts. It is neither non-partisan nor does it look at the words of Jesus as a springboard for discussion. It is mainly a book of Campolo's political views. The words of Jesus are few and far between.
Jan 24, 2008
Adam
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I loved this book, but it might be because I really like Tony Campolo to begin with. I just kept finding myself agreeing with him on every page and I was really thankful that someone put these similar political views into a concise book. It is very similar to "God's Politics" by Jim Wallis.
Mar 10, 2009
Nathan
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Given to me by aaron on B-day!!1 Thanks Aaron. I like it. Tony has an excellent way of speaking truth on hot issues with out being too radical or offencsive. I feel like he has put into words many things I have had difficulty putting into words myself.
Mar 17, 2008
Devon
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very brief overview of some hotbed political issues and what a possible Christian stance might be. honestly I agree with Tony on most of these, but I think there are better books out there on the "red letters" that motivate me to vote the way I do.
May 16, 2010
Rachel
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This is the next selection in my Presbyterian Bible Study book group. I was not looking forward to it, but now it does look like it will be a good read. Starting as soon as I finish a couple of others I am currently reading.
Nov 02, 2008
Gloria
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It was a good book to read this year--I learned some stuff that will factor in to my voting decision.
Sep 19, 2008
Brian
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Great book. Everyone who claims to be a Christian should read this before they go and vote!
