Anxiety's sig

[Buccaneer]

An old quote but I just noticed Anxiety's signature

"I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."

-Tony Campolo, American Baptist Evangelist

I knew Campolo from way back and had read/listened to a lot of his stuff in the late 80s and early 90s. He had always been a straight-shooter and this quote is typical Campolo. He's not some fringe evangelist, he really is very, very well known (esp. as the leader of the Evangelical Left) and I had always loved that he makes the insular believers and the Pharisees squirm. Well done, Anx.

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

An old quote but I just noticed Anxiety's signature



I knew Campolo from way back and had read/listened to a lot of his stuff in the late 80s and early 90s. He had always been a straight-shooter and this quote is typical Campolo. He's not some fringe evangelist, he really is very, very well known (esp. as the leader of the Evangelical Left) and I had always loved that he makes the insular believers and the Pharisees squirm. Well done, Anx.

Thanks!!! He's an American Baptist, not a Southern Baptist or anything (I'm an American Baptist as well, FYI). He's an Evangelical but not conservative or exreme. I have a lot of respect for him and his ideas.

-Anxiety

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Anxiety

Thanks!!! He's an American Baptist, not a Southern Baptist or anything (I'm an American Baptist as well, FYI). He's an Evangelical but not conservative or exreme. I have a lot of respect for him and his ideas.

-Anxiety

I do too. For example, he has spoken out against the politicized "evangelical right" (as had Chuck Colson) but speaks scripturally on issues such as abortion and homosexuality (i.e., the sin is in the act not the orientation). It is amazing to me to see so many fellow believers acting just like the Pharisees that our Lord railed against time and time again. The fact that I believe in living life as a believer in Christ, which transcends man's governments and laws, is one of the basis for my core beliefs in libertarianism.

[st.cronin]

I think any preacher who isn't infuriating at least 75% of his audience isn't really doing his job. But, I'm an eccentric. I hadn't heard of this guy but that's a good quote.

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

I think any preacher who isn't infuriating at least 75% of his audience isn't really doing his job. But, I'm an eccentric. I hadn't heard of this guy but that's a good quote.

My dad (another American Baptist Minister) tells the following story:

A pastor was recently hired by a medium sized church, and on the first Sunday, he preached against the dangers of alcohol, and becoming drunk, thus losing control of one's body. After the service, the head of the deacons took the new pastor aside and said, "Good sermon, Reverend, but a lot of the congregation work at a local distillery. Why don't you find something else to preach against next week?"

The following week, the new pastor got up and spoke a sermon about proper stewardship of money including the possible dangers and addictions of gambling. Once again, after the message, the head of the deacons took the new pastor over to a corner and talked to him. "Another good message Reverend, but a few of the church folk work at a local casino, why don't you find something else to preach against next week."

The third week in his tenure as pastor, the new pastor decided to use the New Testament as inspiration and spoke out against violence, and how Christians should turn the other cheek. Afterwards, the head of the deacons came once more to the pastor's side and said, "Once again, a great sermon, Reverend. However, one of the Trustees runs a boxing gym and manages a few boxers. Several people who work for him also attend the church. Why don't you find something else to preach against."

Fully exasperated, the new pastor exclaims, "If you don't want me to preach against drunkeness, gambling, or violence, what do you want me to preach against?"

The head of the deacons paused for a few seconds, thought a bit, then said, "Preach against pagan witchdoctors, because there probably isn't one of those around for a hundred miles."


Of course, my dad tells that to be a joke, and its not very funny. It is, however, very insightful into the psyche of many Christians.

-Anxiety

[Glengoyne]

Campolo spoke at a camp I attended in High School. He was quite a remarkable speaker. I didn't realize he was a Baptist, let alone American Baptist. The distinction only matters to me because my church is an American Baptist church, and I've recently been exposed to some of the politics regarding the denomination's position on hot button issues.

Campolo is as irreverant as ever. I'm glad to see that.

[Drake]

You can listen to podcasts of some of Campolo's classic messages at his website. I first encountered him at the Creation music festival in 1991 or 1992. He's an outstanding speaker, and all of his "sermons" are worth a listen.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Anxiety

My dad (another American Baptist Minister) tells the following story:

A pastor was recently hired by a medium sized church, and on the first Sunday, he preached against the dangers of alcohol, and becoming drunk, thus losing control of one's body. After the service, the head of the deacons took the new pastor aside and said, "Good sermon, Reverend, but a lot of the congregation work at a local distillery. Why don't you find something else to preach against next week?"

The following week, the new pastor got up and spoke a sermon about proper stewardship of money including the possible dangers and addictions of gambling. Once again, after the message, the head of the deacons took the new pastor over to a corner and talked to him. "Another good message Reverend, but a few of the church folk work at a local casino, why don't you find something else to preach against next week."

The third week in his tenure as pastor, the new pastor decided to use the New Testament as inspiration and spoke out against violence, and how Christians should turn the other cheek. Afterwards, the head of the deacons came once more to the pastor's side and said, "Once again, a great sermon, Reverend. However, one of the Trustees runs a boxing gym and manages a few boxers. Several people who work for him also attend the church. Why don't you find something else to preach against."

Fully exasperated, the new pastor exclaims, "If you don't want me to preach against drunkeness, gambling, or violence, what do you want me to preach against?"

The head of the deacons paused for a few seconds, thought a bit, then said, "Preach against pagan witchdoctors, because there probably isn't one of those around for a hundred miles."


Of course, my dad tells that to be a joke, and its not very funny. It is, however, very insightful into the psyche of many Christians.

-Anxiety

Sounds about right.