Tony Campolo (1935–2024,) born Anthony Campolo Jr., was an American sociologist, Baptist pastor, author, and public speaker, widely recognized as a leader of the evangelical left. He combined academic rigor with pastoral ministry and social activism, becoming a prominent voice for progressive Christianity and serving as spiritual advisor to U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Campolo studied sociology at Eastern College, earning his B.A. in 1956, and pursued theology at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, completing a Bachelor of Divinity (1960) and Master of Divinity (1961.) He later earned a PhD in sociology from Temple University in 1968. His early career included teaching sociology at Eastern University and the University of Pennsylvania, while also serving as a Baptist pastor. In 1969, he founded the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE,) which established schools and programs for at-risk youth in the U.S. and abroad.
Campolo’s works often addressed poverty, social justice, and the role of the church in public life. Over his career he wrote some 35 books, blending humor, sociology, and theology. Notable titles include A Reasonable Faith (1983,) which sparked debate for its assertion of Christ’s presence in others; Who Switched the Price Tags? (1986,) a critique of misplaced values; The Kingdom of God Is a Party (1990,) emphasizing joy in Christian life; and Red Letter Christians (2008,) which inspired a movement focused on living out Jesus’ words.
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Your past is important, but it is not nearly as important to your present as the way you see your future.
—Tony Campolo
Topics: The Past, Future, Past
When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this: When you die, will YOU be happy when everybody else is crying?
—Tony Campolo
Topics: Excitement, Joy
Don’t be satisfied with just pumping blood.
—Tony Campolo
Topics: Satisfaction
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