DashHouse.com

thanks for posting this Darryl (or is it Dr. Dash?). I saw some recent interaction between you and another Toronto pastor about Tony C and see the video as giving a fuller view of Tony's position on how Christ-followers should live in the kingdom NOW.

You said: "Tony's sometimes accused of neglecting evangelism in favor of social action. That accusation doesn't seem to hold up, at least in this video."

I don't see how you can make this statement. He made a passing comment to Evangelical's who call men to repentance; he implied that it was part of a "holistic gospel." Can you point me to any sources where he ACTUALLY preaches or tells his audience that? Where he implores them to turn from their sin and to turn faith in Jesus Christ? Theory is one thing; practically doing it is quite another. That video was almost 4 minutes long and it barely made a mention of it.

Darrin:

I can't point you to any Campolo resources where he says anything, unfortunately. I've only heard him preach a few times.

I was encouraged to hear him talk in the video about ending the dichotomy. I don't really understand how it developed in the first place. I think it's fair to ask if he actually combines both in his ministry, but honestly I don't know his ministry well enough to judge that.

Dr. Darryl -
I wonder if what many of us feel in regards to Campolo has to do with what he does not say. I know that can be a rotten way to make your point... but in this case I think it is necessary. What Darrin wrote above has also been my observation.
I have never heard Campolo plead with a sinner to repent and believe on Jesus Christ alone. That is the essence of the Gospel or at least of coming to faith in Christ.
I have watched several videos, read some of his books and observed written reports of his ministry. They all seem to omit the Gospel. In fact, almost everything I have read, heard or seen by him seems to mock those who preach the Gospel or at least elevate social justice and such over the Gospel.
So, although I am observing what the man does not say, I think it is a massive... and telling... omission.
I don't think his somewhat off-handed remark about "delivering people from personal sin" is any replacement for "preaching Jesus" - the very thing that defined the early church.

I really don't know Tony's ministry well enough to comment either way. I just looked up the table of contents from one of his books (It's Friday but Sunday's Coming) and noticed that he talks a lot about Jesus in relation to our need for love, purpose, hope, etc. So it certainly appears that at one time he focused on one's need for Christ.

Given that he is not pastor of a local congregation, it could be that his preaching these days is fairly focused. When I invite a speaker in from a particular ministry, I expect that they will do this. I don't expect that they will cover all the important themes of Scripture, like I would a pastor of a congregation.

I take his word for it that if you preach only a social gospel, you're only half right. He may or may not be living up to that - I don't know. But I think he's right on this point.

One of the best guys I've seen do this is Tim Keller. His book Ministries of Mercy is on my reading list. I've appreciated him as someone who does this quite well. There's also another guy by the name of Ken Davis.

Gee, thanks Darryl.

I bet you haven't read any of my books or heard me on CD/DVD either, right? And I notice that none of them are on your reading list either.