Red Letter Revolution

Book Review.

Claiborne, Shane.  Campolo, Tony.  Red Letter Revolution.  What if Jesus really meant what He said?  Thomas Nelson.

Comment.  Henry.

In recent history we have been introduced to religious designations such as ‘fundamentalists’ and ‘evangelicals’.  Shane and Tony are suggesting a new designation for those who consider the words of Christ in the New Testament as exclusively important.  They should go by the name “Red Letter Christians”.  This book consists of dialogues that Tony and Shane have on specific contemporary topics and how they feel Christ may have and did express Himself.  I found this a thought-provoking read.

The historical significance of fundamentalism and evangelicalism are discussed.  There is a great need for the church to return to the focus on community that characterized the early church.  In spite of the imperfections of the local church, as Christians we do not have the option of abandoning it.  We do well to review the contributions of the Saints.  The ‘dialogues’ on Islam and economics contain material for much thought.

The text that is used to discuss family is Mark 3: 31-35.  To Christ, family went way beyond biological family.  To be pro-life regarding abortion and euthanasia but supportive of the death penalty and war is an inconsistent position for a Christian.  Environmentalism is seen as a pro-life issue.  To differentiate gifting (including leadership) between men and women is unbiblical.  Our culture’s image of women is totally wrong.  “Racism- a system of advantage based on race- is wrong.” (120)   There needs to be a demonstration of love when sexual orientation is being discussed.  Hating the sin and loving the sinner seems to leave the discussion without resolution.  A case is made, with Scriptural support (of course) for civil disobedience.  Giving, in North American churches, is disproportionate because of the huge cost of maintaining the institution. 

America is showing strong signs of being a modern Babylon.  Politics must be practiced with compassion not just economics.  A distinction is made between “non-violent resistance to evil and pacifism”. (193)  There is a cost to peace-making.  Some serious objections are raised about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with reference to Israel’s policies and how they impact Palestinian citizens, especially some Christians.  The exhortation for unity implies a need for serious reconciliation between groups within the church that are ‘worlds apart’.  Too much of what has been done in the name of missions has in fact focused on “dis-empowering” (242) those to whom the gospel has been preached.  There is not enough emphasis on indigenous leadership and culture.  The resurrected life is really life in a new earth with a new heaven.  It is hoped that the “Red Letter Christian movement will continue to be a positive irritant in the church”. (258)

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