Tony Campolo (February 25, 1935 – November 19, 2024) was an American Baptist pastor, sociologist, author, and public speaker known for his advocacy of social justice and his role as a spiritual advisor to President Bill Clinton. He was a professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University and founded the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE), which supported at-risk youth and helped establish schools in North America and developing countries. A prominent figure in the evangelical left, Campolo co-founded the Red-Letter Christian movement in 2007 with Shane Claiborne, emphasizing the teachings of Jesus, particularly on issues like poverty, racism, and refugee rights. He was known for his charismatic preaching, media appearances on shows like The Colbert Report and Larry King Live, and his evolving views on social issues, including his public support for full acceptance of gay Christian couples in 2015. Campolo suffered a stroke in 2020 and died at age 89 from heart failure at his home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Tony Campolo is a sociologist, pastor, speaker, and author often associated with Progressive Christianity. He has been influential in evangelical circles for many years, but his theology and public stances have evolved, leading him to adopt positions that differ significantly from traditional, confessional Christianity. Campolo is known for his emphasis on social justice, inclusion, and reinterpretation of traditional doctrines.
Key Beliefs and How They Differ from Confessional Christianity
1. Beliefs about Jesus:
- Tony Campolo’s View: Campolo affirms the importance of Jesus and identifies as a follower of Christ, but his emphasis is often on Jesus as a model for social justice, compassion, and inclusivity rather than primarily focusing on Jesus as the divine Savior who atones for sin. In his ministry, Campolo frequently highlights Jesus’ concern for the marginalized and oppressed, which leads him to advocate for progressive social causes.
- Confessional Christianity: While confessional Christianity also acknowledges Jesus’ care for the marginalized, it fundamentally teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity, who came to save sinners through His atoning death and resurrection (John 1:1, 14; 1 Timothy 1:15). Reformed theology emphasizes the necessity of faith in Christ’s sacrificial work for salvation.
2. View on the Authority of Scripture:
- Tony Campolo’s View: Campolo holds a more progressive view of Scripture, suggesting that while the Bible is inspired, it should be interpreted in light of contemporary culture, reason, and experience. He has argued that some biblical teachings are culturally conditioned and should be reconsidered in light of modern understandings, especially on issues like LGBTQ+ inclusion and women in ministry.
- Confessional Christianity: Reformed theology maintains that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It teaches that Scripture is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice and should be interpreted according to its historical-grammatical context. Confessional Christianity asserts that while culture may change, the truths of Scripture remain timeless and unchanging.
3. Beliefs about Salvation and Inclusivity:
- Tony Campolo’s View: Campolo has expressed a more inclusive view of salvation, suggesting that God’s grace might extend beyond explicit faith in Christ. He has indicated openness to the idea that people of other faiths might also be recipients of God’s saving grace. Additionally, Campolo is known for his advocacy of LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Christian faith, publicly supporting same-sex marriage and affirming LGBTQ+ Christians.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity teaches that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). It holds that personal faith in Jesus Christ is essential for salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). The Westminster Confession of Faith emphasizes that salvation is found exclusively in Christ, and the call to repentance and faith is universal but only effective for those who trust in Jesus.
4. Social Justice and Politics:
- Tony Campolo’s View: Campolo strongly emphasizes social justice, poverty alleviation, and political activism as central aspects of living out the Christian faith. He believes that Christians are called to engage with social and political issues to bring about change and often advocates for progressive policies related to economic justice, environmental stewardship, and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Confessional Christianity: While confessional Christianity acknowledges the importance of social justice and caring for the poor (James 1:27; Micah 6:8), it places primary emphasis on the proclamation of the gospel as the central mission of the church (Matthew 28:18-20). The focus is on the spiritual transformation that leads to ethical living, rather than primarily engaging in political activism as an expression of the faith.
5. View of the Afterlife:
- Tony Campolo’s View: Campolo has expressed views that suggest uncertainty about traditional teachings on hell. He has at times hinted at a more hopeful, universalist perspective, emphasizing God’s love and questioning whether a loving God would condemn people to eternal punishment.
- Confessional Christianity: The Westminster Confession of Faith and Reformed theology affirm the reality of heaven and hell as eternal destinations for the saved and the unsaved, respectively (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15). Confessional Christianity teaches that eternal life is the reward for those who have faith in Christ, while eternal separation from God awaits those who reject Him.
Summary of Differences
Why Tony Campolo should be regarded as a false teacher and why his teachings should be avoided:
1. Affirming Same-Sex Relationships in Contradiction to Scripture
Tony Campolo has openly affirmed same-sex relationships, advocating that they can be compatible with Christian faith. This stance is in direct contradiction to the Bible’s teaching on human sexuality. Scripture clearly defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). Furthermore, the Bible explicitly condemns homosexual behavior as sin (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). By affirming what God’s Word clearly calls sinful, Campolo is distorting the truth and leading others astray. The Bible warns against those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20) and commands Christians to turn away from teachings that contradict sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:10).
2. Undermining the Authority of Scripture
Campolo often emphasizes personal experience, feelings, and societal trends over the clear teaching of the Bible. He has been known to suggest that Christians need to reinterpret Scripture in light of contemporary cultural understandings, especially regarding issues like sexuality and social justice. However, the Bible teaches that God’s Word is unchanging and authoritative, regardless of cultural shifts (Psalm 119:89, Isaiah 40:8). The Westminster Confession of Faith affirms that Scripture is “the rule of faith and life,” which is to be the ultimate standard by which all beliefs and practices are judged. Campolo’s approach undermines the sufficiency and finality of Scripture, leading people to place their trust in human wisdom rather than God’s revealed truth.
3. Promoting a False Gospel of Social Justice without the Centrality of the Cross
While the Bible calls Christians to care for the poor, oppressed, and marginalized (James 1:27, Micah 6:8), Tony Campolo often emphasizes social justice in a way that sidelines the central message of the Gospel: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The ultimate problem humanity faces is sin, and the ultimate solution is reconciliation with God through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Campolo’s emphasis on social activism often overshadows the core message of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible warns against anyone who preaches “another gospel,” stating that such a person is to be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). Social justice is a fruit of the Gospel, but it is not the Gospel itself, and Campolo’s distortion of this truth leads people away from the primary mission of the church.
4. Compromising on Essential Doctrines and Promoting Interfaith Dialogue
Campolo has engaged in interfaith dialogue that often blurs the lines between Christianity and other religions, suggesting that people of different faiths might be saved even if they don’t explicitly believe in Jesus. This contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture that salvation is found only in Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). The Bible warns that there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. By compromising on this essential doctrine, Campolo undermines the exclusive claims of the Gospel and opens the door to dangerous false teachings that suggest multiple paths to God.
5. Misleading Believers with a Focus on Humanistic Solutions Rather Than Spiritual Transformation
Tony Campolo often emphasizes the power of human potential and efforts to bring about positive change, which can lead to a focus on humanistic solutions rather than the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture teaches that true transformation comes through the renewal of the mind by God’s Word (Romans 12:2) and that apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Campolo’s emphasis on human effort rather than dependence on God’s power can mislead believers into trusting in themselves rather than in the finished work of Christ.
Conclusion from Scripture
The Bible consistently warns against false teachers who distort or dilute the Gospel message (2 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 7:15). The apostle Paul exhorts believers to “test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Tony Campolo’s teachings conflict with the clear teachings of Scripture on matters of sexuality, the authority of God’s Word, the centrality of the Gospel, and the exclusivity of salvation in Christ alone.
Therefore, based on the authority of Scripture, Campolo’s teachings should be avoided. Christians are called to remain faithful to the truth of God’s Word, which is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12), and to avoid teachings that lead others away from the truth. As Paul urged Timothy, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Timothy 4:2-3).
Tony Campolo’s teachings fall into this category of “itching ears” theology, where culture, personal experience, and human wisdom are prioritized over the clear and authoritative Word of God. As such, believers should reject his teachings and remain firmly rooted in the unchanging truth of Scripture.
