Re: J. P. Holding compared with moderate evangelicals

Janice,

On the issue of whom Christ dwells in, Tony Campolo (bless his heart) is right up there with the ancient Fathers of the Church. Many of them, like Clement of Alexandria, understood that the Word of God (i.e., the Son) dwells in every human being, even those unaware of it (John 1:( "...the true Light, which enlightens everyone..."). Tertullian spoke of pagans who had souls that were "naturaliter christiana" (naturally Christian). Since Vatican II, and in the writings of Christian leaders like John Paul II, one finds the view that God's Word and Spirit may dwell in those who are not Christian, leading them in some mysterious way, into the Paschal Mystery.

As for Marx, I don't agree with his view of human nature, but much of what he writes about the nature of capitalism is dead right. And in his view of private property, he was very much in the tradition of his Hebrew forebears (read the prophets). He was also very much in the tradition of those same fathers of the church; they railed against private property with a passion Marx might well have applauded. And if you wish to get a good sense of the primative communism of the early Church, read Acts 2:44-45; 4:14-15. Marx summed up this spirit and practice perfectly in his summation of communism: "From each according to his ability to each according to his need."

Bob
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Pim van Meurs
  To: asa@calvin.edu
  Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 12:36 PM
  Subject: Re: J. P. Holding compared with moderate evangelicals

  Janice Matchett <janmatch@earthlink.net> wrote:
    At 10:19 PM 6/1/2006, Edward Babinski wrote:

      Janice,
      You could also read a bit more widely than Holding and study what some moderate Evangelicals have to say about the Bible, science, or even homosexuality. Have
      you read Tony Campolo...

    @ The Tony Campolo that tells people they should thank God for Karl Marx? This is a "moderate"???

    Oh, yes, I know all about Tony - he's a member of the radical religious left. Here's a link to one of the items I posted about him in 2004. Click link and scroll down to October 11th.

    ...

    "I'm not convinced that Jesus only lives in Christians." -Tony Campolo Charlie Rose show on January 24, 1997

    In actuality, it's the voice of a hard-core follower of Herbert Marcuse. He's a Marcusian Marxist - pure and simple.

  In other words a Christian who cares about peace, equality, poverty, health, environment etc. No wonder some consider him to be a radical.

  Tony seems to have done quite a lot for the inner city youth. Those darn radicals, what are they doing with our youth...

  http://www.tonycampolo.org/

  And then this interview with Tony... http://www.beliefnet.com/story/150/story_15052_1.html

  'Evangelical Christianity Has Been Hijacked': An Interview with Tony Campolo
  Speaking out on gays, women and more, a progressive evangelical says 'We ought to get out of the judging business.'

  On divisiveness

  <quote>
  When did it become anti-feminist? When did evangelical Christianity become anti-gay? When did it become supportive of capital punishment? Pro-war? When did it become so negative towards other religious groups
  </quote>

  On focus on poverty

  <quote>We also raise some very serious questions about the support of policies that have been detrimental to the poor. When I read the voter guide of a group like the Christian Coalition, I find that they are allied with the National Rifle Association and are very anxious to protect the rights of people to buy even assault weapons. But they donâ?Tt seem to be very supportive of concerns for the poor, concerns for trade relations, for canceling Third World debts.</quote>

  No wonder people are 'scared' of Tony and are quick to label him a Marxist. Makes life much easier when we label people :-)
Received on Fri Jun 2 15:33:34 2006