Tony Campolo is a consummate speaker, capable of tackling many subjects. However, one issue lies at the core of his heart, and he seems never to finish a message without raising it – the issue of poverty. During the question-and-answer session at the recent NECF-MYFC seminar, the tough-talking speaker challenged the participants, seated comfortably in the plush Wisma Eagles sanctuary, to do more for the poor. And the participants appeared persuaded by his clarion call. Following are some of the questions raised during the session.
How has the Church of America dealt with Third World debt? How strongly has it challenged the government on this issue?
In the US, evangelical churches have become self-centred. Evangelical Christians are unconcerned about Third World debt and they need to do a lot of repentance because they could be decisive in the cancellation of debt. Of the 55 million American evangelicals, about 80 percent vote (President George) Bush (Jr). They are in a position to use their political power to demand the President and Congress to make the change. Jesus said over and over again to respond to the needs of the poor. When you deal with the poor, you’re preaching the Bible.
American Christians are big on calling people to repent of their sexual sins but not on materialistic sins.
What are rich Malaysian Christians doing (about their wealth)?
Campolo (right) keeps his audience riveted with his witty but thought-provoking replies.
With him is NECF Secretary-General Rev Wong.
Some Christians start with a house and a BMW. When God has blessed them, they buy a bigger house and two BMWs. They get sucked into a lifestyle of higher and higher spending. Early on, we must decide what’s a reasonable standard of living and stay at that level. Malaysian Christians who are now prospering must practise the kind of stewardship that Jesus expects by sacrificially giving to the poor. And you must challenge our evangelical brethren in other countries to do the same.
How do you balance evangelism and social work? Should evangelism take primacy over social engagement?
We must re-define evangelism. It isn’t getting people saved for heaven. It’s declaring that the Kingdom of God is at hand as Jesus said. The Kingdom of God is about transforming people and society. There’s no evangelism gospel or social gospel. Evangelism is recruiting people for a movement of God in this world. Jesus wants to cleanse, transform, fill you so that you can use your gifts to transform this world. There’s currently a re-birth of evangelism with Christians moving away from the wholistic gospel. More and more fundamentalist Christians are saying, ‘Concentrate on getting people saved.’ Rich Christians are taking over churches. They want a gospel that will tell them how to be successful. When Jesus called followers, He didn’t say ‘Get rich’, but ‘Pick up your cross’.
What is your view on the recons-tructionist theology?
This theology says Christians should take control of state powers and impose the concept of righteousness on the rest of the state. We are not to impose what we believe on other people. We are to persuade them and convince them to do what’s right.
Jesus had the power to force the whole world to righteousness. He has infinite power. (But) He changed the world through communication of love, not force. His lordship is not built on armies but on the cross. He did not use power but authority. With power, you can force people to do your will; with authority, you don’t have to force. They’ll do what you ask because they believe in the rightness of your cause. People get authority by sacrificially living for someone else. The Church of Jesus Christ earns the right to be heard, to speak with authority, by living sacrificially for the community.
What can the Church of Asia do to help bridge the conflicts between the US and Third World countries as a result of the doubts and uncertainties caused by US foreign policies?
We have had very prominent American evangelical leaders made very irresponsible statements about Islam, who have antagonised the Muslim community. Their assumption was that all Muslims are terrorists and you know this is not true.
It’s therefore important for Christians in countries like Malaysia, which are pre-dominantly Muslims, to politely tell American Christians, “Shut up! You are ruining our testimony. Don’t pick out verses from the Koran and say, ‘See they’re (Muslims) violent. They call for the death of infidels.’ ” I can easily point to passages in the Bible, in Judges where God said to go and kill every person in sight. I won’t want them (Muslims) to do that to us.
You must tell them (American Christians), “You have made Christianity into an American religion when it is a universal religion. You have failed to interpret Scripture with any kind of consistency in the interpretation of justice.” |
