Red Letter Christians
Red Letter Christianity: A new name for progressive Evangelicals by Tony Campolo
There have been many who have been critical of this new movement. Some have said that we hold the red letters of the Bible as being superior to the black letters, and that we have propagated the “simple lifestyle” as though it is biblically prescribed. Our response is, “You’ve got us right!”
Not only do we believe that the teachings of Jesus are superior to anything else in the Bible, but that Jesus Himself said that His words were superior to what we read in the black letters.
Statements like that make me so mad.
Mr. Campolo, what about 2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Is the definition of “All” here uncertain? Sounds familiar. “Depends on what the definition of ‘is’ is?”
Also, since Jesus’ words weren’t instantly transcribed, how did 1st Century Christians become Christians? Might they have looked to the OT, what you call the old law, to see Christ in it? (Credit to Thabiti Anyabwile for this idea)
The whole “Red Letter” phenomenon seems like a convenient way for liberal Christians to portray themselves as being more faithful to Scripture than “regular” Christians. “Look at us, we care the most about Jesus’ words”. How come the only words of Jesus they care about are those that oppose violence and promote caring for the poor? What about the words about hell and leaving all for Christ?
This really sounds like Jesusianity, which is not a good thing (Credit to Darrell Bock for this term). Everyone likes Jesus. The reason it’s called Christianity is because Christ, as a crucified Savior, is an offense and that is what sets us apart.