Red-Letter Christians: A Citizen's Guide to Faith & Politics
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Red Letter Christians
In Red Letter Christians: A Citizen's Guide to Faith & Politics, Tony Campolo introduces what it is to be a "Red Letter Christian." Red Letter Christians guides Christians who want to see their faith influence their politics, while challenging the Christians as Republican stereotype. Campolo argues that Jesus does not fit into a particular political ideology and that attempting to make him do so creates division. Instead, Christians should vote about social issues based on their best judgement of what God's will is. Addressing social need requires political action, rather than only relying on the good work of volunteers. Simply put, it is sinful to pretend that there is no need for legislative responses to oppression and poverty.
Campolo begins his book by explaining who Red Letter Christians are and how to make the red letters of the Bible (the words of Jesus) a guide for political life. He concludes by providing "ground rules" for Red Letter Christians as they approach politics. In the middle, Campolo addresses specific issues, divided into the categories: The Global Issues, The Hot-Button Issues, The Economic Issues, and The Government Issues. This review, and my question "What does this book teach me about social justice," will focus on the beginning and ending portions of the book. Campolo is writing from an American perspective about an American system. While the middle parts of the book do have some universal value, part one, part five, and the final chapter of part four are most applicable to me as a Canadian trying to approach social justice in the Canadian system.
PS I got this book for free from booksneeze for an honest review
March 3, 2013
Excellant Guide
This is the most Excellant Guide for Christians when voting in the USA. It takes the main issues from 2008 (Which are still pertinent today), and examines them from a Chistian/Biblical perspective and helps you make informed decisions.
It is amazing when you read about current events in 2008 and how they have played out as Tony Campolo expected if we didn't make the appropriate changes. This is a guide I wish more Americans and especially Christians used, rather than VERY Biased "News".
April 25, 2012
definitely misleading
Compolo misses the boat often in this one. Huge drawback is having a broad quotation on the front jacket that turned me off immediately. Would not have ordered this book if it had been better shown online. Read a few chapters and just could not read anymore. Had planned to give these books (ordered two) to fathers for their day, but will instead send them back for refund.
June 8, 2011
Very Disappointing. Very skewed. Little Scriptural reference. When scripture was cited it was obviously not to give both sides but to augment the authors opinion. Readers of this book should easily be able to read between the lines and see the political proclivities of Campolo.
February 1, 2011