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What's a 'Red-Letter Christian'?

Discussion in 'Free-For-All Archives' started by SuperBaptist, Mar 17, 2006.

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  1. SuperBaptist

    SuperBaptist New Member

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    What is a "red letter" Christian?

    Many here have attacked those who focus on the RED LETTERS of Christ. This is a place for those who misunderstand, to see that RED LETTER Christians don't ignore the rest of the Bible, the Word through the Holy Spirit (John 1:1) or even the old testement; but rather they try to take the bible in its context of time and specific intent, yes, as the inspired Word of God.

    The concept of a Living Bible comes from John 1:1 to suggest that the WORD pre-existed the written word, as did God himself.

    Can a Baptist focus on the Words of Christ while taking the rest in proper context? Absolutely. This is a safe thread for those who don't thump the Bible against the heads of the unsaved, but rather, share the Word, and leave the rest to the burdening of the Holy Spirit.

    The above link is by Tony Campolo, a NY Baptist who believes Jesus was NOT a Republican. Enjoy the read and subsequent links from this loving Brother of Ours.
     
    #1 SuperBaptist, Mar 17, 2006
  2. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    Tony Campolo has some very weird beliefs.

    </font>
    • Tony does not believe in the deity</font>
    • Tony is Oneness and does not adhere to the doctrine of the Trinity</font>
    • Tony believes that mysticism will unite christians and Islamic people and it will be for the good. Very new age. Very dangerous</font>
    All this and other heresies Tony Campolo teaches can be found in his book, 'Speaking My Mind.'
     
    #2 standingfirminChrist, Mar 17, 2006
  3. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    A red letter Christian is not a Baptist. He is a highly ecumenical so-called Christian that doesn't care much about doctrine as long as he is conservative in his political stance. Baptist, Emergent Church, Catholic? What do these groups have in common doctrinally? Or better yet what doctrines do each group have to give up to cooperate with each other. One cannot conscientiously be a Catholic (believing what a Catholic believes) and be a Bible-believing Christian at the same time. Both theological systems of doctrine are at different ends of the spectrum. One is saved by works and the other by the grace of God. You can't have both.
    This group has nothing to do with the red letters of the Bible. It is political in nature.
    DHK
     
    #3 DHK, Mar 17, 2006
  4. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I cound never understand the need to refer to one self as a "red letter Christian". I personally can't stand the term.
     
    #4 Johnv, Mar 17, 2006
  5. SuperBaptist

    SuperBaptist New Member

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    Oh really. I thought he specifically opposed the mixture of church and religion. As he regularly attacks those that claim, "Jesus is a Republican."

    I guess he wouldn't be welcome here either.
     
    #5 SuperBaptist, Mar 17, 2006
  6. SuperBaptist

    SuperBaptist New Member

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    Dr. Anthony Campolo is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, and founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE). The author of 32 books, his most recent titles are "Speaking My Mind," "Which Jesus?," and "Let Me Tell You a Story: Life Lessons From Unexpected Places." Dr. Campolo is an ordained minister, has served American Baptist Churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and is presently recognized as an associate pastor of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in West Philadelphia.
     
    #6 SuperBaptist, Mar 17, 2006
  7. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    And your point is??
     
    #7 DHK, Mar 17, 2006
  8. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    Wow! I'm Impressed... NOT!!!

    The man teaches so many heretical doctrines that are contrary to the scripture that it is pitiful he even calls himself a follower of Christ.
     
    #8 standingfirminChrist, Mar 17, 2006
  9. NateT

    NateT Member

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    Problem I have with the term "Red-Letter Christian" is this:
    That is, the same Spirit that existed before the written word is the same Spirit that inspired the written word of God -- ALL of it. The words recorded in red are no more inspired or accurate than the words in black.

    And while I agree with Campolo that the words of Christ were/are radical -- I don't stop there. The words of Paul inspired by the Spirit are also radical, as are the words of Moses, Amos, John, et al

    Just my observation.
     
    #9 NateT, Mar 17, 2006
  10. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    SB, how about "ranking" scripture for me.

    Obviously, you hold the words of Jesus in higher regards than other parts of scripture.

    Tell me...what is the "least important" scripture to you. Is it the law? Proverbs? Revelation? First and Second Hesitations? I'm just trying to understand your approach. Humor me, if you don't mind.

    And, no, Jesus was not a Republican. But it is possible to not assign a political party to the Almighty, and yet retain a high view of scripture. I do.
     
    #10 rbell, Mar 17, 2006
  11. SuperBaptist

    SuperBaptist New Member

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    ok, Red Letters first, Disciples Second... the prophets... Paul... Old Testement... maybe all about the same. And if they happen to lose the paper Bible, I guess we will have to depend on our preaching skills and the oral tradition as the Holy Spirit speaks through us.

    Sins, on the other hand, all equally condemining, although I see an aweful lot of finger pointing and emphasis from some here.
     
    #11 SuperBaptist, Mar 17, 2006
  12. SuperBaptist

    SuperBaptist New Member

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    Hey, they even have a question on the profile... What's your favorite verse? Mine is John 1:1.
     
    #12 SuperBaptist, Mar 17, 2006
  13. PastorSBC1303

    PastorSBC1303 Active Member

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    That is, the same Spirit that existed before the written word is the same Spirit that inspired the written word of God -- ALL of it. The words recorded in red are no more inspired or accurate than the words in black.

    And while I agree with Campolo that the words of Christ were/are radical -- I don't stop there. The words of Paul inspired by the Spirit are also radical, as are the words of Moses, Amos, John, et al     </font>[/QUOTE]Agreed.
     
    #13 PastorSBC1303, Mar 17, 2006
  14. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    The same people who gave us the "Words of Jesus Christ" [I assume that is what you are calling "red letter"] also gave us the rest of the Bible. If we can't believe anything but the "red letters" what makes you think the"red letters" are trustworthy. Liars are not very discriminating!
     
    #14 OldRegular, Mar 17, 2006
  15. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    Amen, OR. It is funny, they hold the words of Jesus in the Bible to be true, but all other writing false.
     
    #15 standingfirminChrist, Mar 17, 2006
  16. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

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    A Red Letter Christian is a liberal theologian who focuses on the words of Christ in the Bible above and to the exclusion of the rest of the rest of the Bible.

    Joseph Botwinick
     
    #16 Joseph_Botwinick, Mar 17, 2006
  17. mcdirector

    mcdirector Active Member

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    good definition Joseph!
     
    #17 mcdirector, Mar 18, 2006
  18. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

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    That is, the same Spirit that existed before the written word is the same Spirit that inspired the written word of God -- ALL of it. The words recorded in red are no more inspired or accurate than the words in black.

    And while I agree with Campolo that the words of Christ were/are radical -- I don't stop there. The words of Paul inspired by the Spirit are also radical, as are the words of Moses, Amos, John, et al

    Just my observation.     </font>[/QUOTE]Here is my problem with the idea behind "Red-Lettered Christian":

    It starts with the heresy of denying the diety of Christ and ends up with the denial of the inerrancy of Scripture. They are related in this case. The point is, if you accept the diety of Christ, then you accept the whole of Scripture as the words of Christ. If you don't accept that doctrinal truth, then you end up pitting Scripture and other Scripture, and Jesus against God.

    Joseph Botwinick
     
    #18 Joseph_Botwinick, Mar 18, 2006
  19. mcdirector

    mcdirector Active Member

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    My problem with chosing to only believe part of the Bible: which part and how do I know I've chosen the right part? What makes the red words inspired and the words where God spoke uninspired?

    I'm pretty simple minded. For me, it's easier to believe all the Bible is the inspired Word and I'm going to take it all from the beginning to the end as God's Word.
     
    #19 mcdirector, Mar 18, 2006
  20. NateT

    NateT Member

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    Let's not forget that the manuscripts didn't use red ink for Christ's words (heck, they didn't even use spaces and punctuation.)
     
    #20 NateT, Mar 18, 2006
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