This is part 2 of my 1997 paper on Dr. Tony Campolo and his teachings. In 2008, it is evident that these same tactics are being used, not only by Campolo, but by the much younger emerging church leaders and authors who are promoting what we now call New Spirituality. (The term New Age was far more common back when this was written.)
Selling New Age Theology: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
By Ingrid Schlueter, copyright 1997, 2008
Tony Campolo engages in a writing style that appears schizophrenic. This duality is evident in all his books, but is very clearly seen in his 1992 book, How to Rescue the Earth Without Worshiping Nature. The “Without Worshiping Nature” portion of the title is designed to reassure readers that he is yet within evangelical boundaries. He continually engages in a “now you see it, now you don’t” style of writing. When he makes a convincing statement that assures his evangelical readers that he is biblical, he frequently follows with a “but” or “however” and a statement that in many cases seems to contradict completely his first statement. This pattern appears repeatedly throughout his writings and speaking.
To understand this technique, bear in mind that for the first 172 pages of How to Rescue the Earth, he presents a political action program that is merely a baptized version of what Greenpeace and Worldwatch Institute have promoted for years. This program involves dramatic change in the economic infrastructure of the West and a total overhaul of our way of life, with government serving as the great enforcer of environmentally correct behavior. In addition, throughout the book, Dr. Campolo calls for a new spirituality that embraces the “sacramental” character of nature.1 He elaborates on this in How To Rescue the Earth. To make his case that evangelical theology needs help, Tony favorably cites the teachings of a man named Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He writes that Teilhard represents more “modern Christian thinking,”2 and that we can gain inspiration from Teilhard.3 He refers to Teilhard’s “genius” on page 83 and on the same page insists that even “those who have sought to refute his theories could not help but admire his genius.”4
He does not warn readers that anything is amiss in the teachings of Teilhard.
Who is this man that Dr. Campolo chooses to favorably cite over several pages? (Campolo also cites Teilhard favorably at length in his book, A Reasonable Faith: Responding to Secularism, pgs. 62- 65.) Read the rest of this entry »
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There is a communication concept called "qualifiers" which means that someone makes a statement and then puts conditions and parameters around it. Here is an example of a qualifier: "Jimmy hates going to movies, but can occasionally tolerate it." If the last part of that statement weren't there, we would be misled about Jimmy's tendencies. Theology can communicated in the same way. Many theological truths are "yes, but" statements with qualifiers because theology can be principles just as much as they can be formulas. This may frustrate you because this isn't concrete enough. So what? Can't we have a little ambiguity? Not everything is always straightforward. It can be sometimes, BUT not always. I dont know Tony literature, but i am just taking a guess as to how he communicates theology and ideas. -Dan Smith Click here to reply to this post
Conditional Statements
Posted On: 04/10/08 04:06:59 PM
Age 61, MO
The Bible is full of conditional statements, and even some statements which appear to be contradictory, but are not. These Biblical statements all lead to a singular doctrinal pre eminence of Christ Jesus, Lord of Lords, and only Savior for mankind. The Compolo statements are not conditional. They are just plain doublespeak, designed to confuse the singular doctrine of Jesus Christ, Alpha and Omega. Compolo wants to get people involved in a completely different agenda. George Cancilla Click here to reply to this post
Doublespeak
Posted On: 04/09/08 06:59:44 AM
Age 61, MO
Doublespeak is a tool of satan placed in the hands of speakers and writers to confuse people. It was around in Isaiah's time: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter." (Isaiah 5:20). In George Orwell's famous book, "1984," Doublespeak was employed by Big Brother to always keep the people in doubt, and in control. The concept presented by Compolo and other New Spirituality leaders, that of an evolving human species, leaves no consideration for those who have died in Christ Jesus before us. George Cancilla Click here to reply to this post
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