Remembering Tony Campolo

“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.” (James 5:1–6)

On November 19th, Tony Campolo, a Christian sociologist, pastor, and prolific speaker and writer, passed away at the age of 89. He held a unique position in the Christian world as an eloquent but controversial figure who was passionate about justice issues and not afraid to make people uncomfortable.

The first time I heard the name Tony Campolo was in my early days as a youth pastor in 1999. I was planning to attend the Youth Specialties convention, a gathering of youth pastors and volunteers in Cincinnati. I was told by someone that Tony Campolo would be speaking, and that I had to hear him because of what a passionate and inspiring speaker he was. They also told me not to sit in the front row because of his tendency to spray saliva as he spoke. They relayed to me a story about the time Campolo spoke at the chapel of a very conservative Christian college, to an audience of disinterested college students. Campolo could tell that he wasn’t getting through to them, so he said:

“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 *$&#. What’s worse is that I bet most of you are more upset with the fact that I said *$&# than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.”

Needless to say, Campolo was never asked back to speak at that college again. But his point that day, and his broader message on God’s heart for justice and mercy, has also never been forgotten. And when I sat with a crowd of youth pastors in 1999 and heard him preach a convicting message on James 5:1-6 (listed above), it was unforgettable.

There are some churches who focus almost exclusively on evangelism, sharing the gospel and getting people into heaven. There are other churches who focus almost exclusively on justice issues, trying to alleviate poverty and care for those in need or those who are oppressed. But the Bible has always been both/and, not either/or when it comes to evangelism and justice. In Matthew 28, Jesus tells his disciples Matthew 28:19–20 to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” And in Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells the listening crowd that whenever they feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick, and visit the prisoner, they are doing it unto Him.

We all need voices reminding us of the gospel of salvation by grace, and encouraging us to share that good news with others. And we also need voices like Tony Campolo’s, reminding us that following Jesus involves seeking justice and showing mercy to those in need. To see Campolo at his best, I encourage you to take 8 minutes to watch him tell an unforgettable story in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWlMV-UmueM.