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Tony Campolo, ‘Red Letter Christian’ Leader and Author, Dies at 89

  • Michael Foust Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
  • Updated Nov 20, 2024
Tony Campolo, ‘Red Letter Christian’ Leader and Author, Dies at 89

Tony Campolo, the speaker, author, and university professor who was a prominent voice within progressive Christianity and co-founded the Red Letter Christian movement, died Nov. 19. He was 89. Campolo taught at the University of Pennsylvania but spent most of his academic career at Eastern University, where he taught sociology and led the Campolo Center for Ministry. He authored more than 35 books, including It's Friday, But Sunday's Coming, A Reasonable Faith, The Kingdom of God is a Party, and Red Letter Christians: A Citizen's Guide to Faith and Politics.

"Throughout his life, Tony was a shining example of kindness, exuberance, authenticity, and commitment, and he leaves behind a wonderful legacy of evangelical scholarship, inspirational communication, and missionary impact," an obituary on Eastern University's website said. "Both his message and his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him best and in the countless lives he touched through his work."

In 2017, he helped launch Red Letter Christians, a movement that taught "Jesus is the lens through which we interpret the Bible" and that took liberal stances on hot-button social issues, including gay marriage and transgenderism. Campolo himself announced his support for gay marriage in 2015. His views on abortion were more nuanced, calling himself pro-life but saying evangelicals must address the economic issues that lead women to have an abortion. 

To his supporters, Campolo was best known as an advocate for social justice, love, and reconciliation.

Occasionally, he challenged Christian audiences by cursing. 

"While you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Most of you don't give a s---," he would say. "What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said s--- than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."

Campolo also emphasized the importance of civil dialogue among Christians. In the 1990s, he co-hosted a series with Bill Turpie titled Hashing It Out, where they engaged in thoughtful discussions on controversial issues over a cup of coffee in a diner.

Christian leaders said his impact was monumental.

"When I was at New Man magazine, I wrote an open letter to him, challenging him on some point of theology," author Drew Dyck wrote. "Not only did he reply with a lengthy letter, he met with me when he came through town. He was extremely gracious, seemingly unfazed by the temerity of a combative young man who probably had no business calling him out publicly. RIP, Tony. Thank you for your life, ministry, and for your kindness."

"I'm sad to hear that Tony Campolo passed away today at the age of 89," wrote JR Woodward, national director of the V3 Movement. "He inspired me to be more like Jesus, to care for the poor, for the immigrant, for the oppressed, for the hungry."

A celebration of life service will be held at Eastern University in early 2025. 

He is survived by his wife, Peggy.

Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Tony Campolo

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.