Who Switched the Price Tags?

by Tony Campolo

How did we get so far off base? Do you ever get the feeling that somebody has gone through our world and switched the price tags on everything? Things that ought to be treated as precious-like family, friends and faith-are inconsequential, and things like a new BMW, membership in the country club and the climb up the corporate ladder are all too often considered of great importance. Author Tony Campolo believes we are forcing ourselves to do things we think are important in order to "keep up" with the rest of the world. "God wants us to have fun-yet we don't know how", Campolo says. Who Switched The Price Tags? challenges us to take a serious look at the important areas of our lives and put the right price tags back on the right items in order to experience the true fulfillment God has planned for us.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Spirituality

202 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 1986

About the author

Anthony Campolo was an American sociologist, Baptist pastor, author, public speaker, and spiritual advisor to U.S. President Bill Clinton. Campolo was known as one of the most influential leaders in the evangelical left and was a major proponent of progressive thought and reform within the evangelical community. He also became a leader of the Red-Letter Christian movement, which aims to put emphasis on the teachings of Jesus. Campolo was a popular commentator on religious, political, and social issues, and had been a guest on programs such as The Colbert Report, The Charlie Rose Show, Larry King Live, Nightline, Crossfire, Politically Incorrect and The Hour.

Reviews

[Steve]

While a bit dated (1986), Compolo is in fine form. He's very quick and easy to read; exceptionally funny at points. Yet he makes his point with both passion and clarity: being a Christian is about having fun.

However, he also notes many people don't define fun in the same way. For the more secular minded, fun is equated with thrill rides and hedonistic excess. Yet people of faith, while enjoying thrill rides and pleasures, delight in relationships. He asserts the love of God allows us to see others as treasured souls and so, in relationship with them, we have fun. Fun is in servanthood; fun is in laughter; fun is in knowing one is loved by others and the Divine Presence. He rants against those who make religion serious as a heart attack. In his theology, God designed life to be filled with joy.

Having heard him on several occasions, I know many of the stories he used. If you are familiar with Compolo, you'll be on a well worn path. Likewise, many of his points germane to a 1980s reader are clearly dated. That said, the truth remains: life is a delight when one experiences unconditional love, even if there is pain amid living.

I bought this book decades ago and am just now getting to it. I'm glad I did.

[Danielle Ma]

flipped through, quick skim
picking out random, obscure looking books from fraserview mb's old old library collection
took a couple nuggets away from the books, actually!
-60s culture being a stark reflection of today whereas the book says it's a culture basically non-existence 'today' (the 80s)
-having 'fun' in church, life, relationships, work; (very piperian, magnifying your joy)
-temptation to control/exercise power over the relationship because of the lack of love for the other. almost like a taunt. the other feels powerless to your hard-heartedness that is set to manipulate

[Ronald Vaughan]

Campolo's content and illustrations are, as usual, excellent. The organizing structure of this book is a bit confusing. At one level, it's a book about values and the fulfilling life that comes from living by Christian values. At another level, he talks about having fun in various areas of life. I know living consistently with Christian values produces a joyful life, but I wish he'd picked one thematic vehicle or the other. Still, Campolo always stretches my mind and my heart.

[Carol]

Tony presents a different way of looking at Christianity, by asking "why are we so miserable". His answer is we don't know how to have fun. We are told through out the Bible to "eat, drink and be merry", not weep, starve. and avoid happiness. Reach out, party, and spread joy through out the world. Understand what makes God happy, and join in. have fun.

[Tracy Mahoro]

Really IT

[Sue]

The author's premises are that many of us value the wrong things in life, and that God intends us to have fun. The book covers the importance of time to reflect, of spending time with family and friends, and that work is supposed to fulfil us not merely make money.

There are some interesting points made. I didn't agree with everything, but there is much to think about in this book. Tony Campolo is a powerful speaker for the Evangelical Left in the United States. As such far more likely to appeal to Brits than the better-known Evangelical Right.

Recommended.

[Chas Bayfield]

Read this a while ago - loved the idea that work should make you energised and capable of loving. True dat.

[G.R. Hinkle]

Tony does a great job of asking questions that the reader can answer to himself. Then, reread later with a fresh appreciation of the question.