WWJD

Fair comments. I do not think the WWJD approach is designed to belittle the things that are already happening that honor the character of Christ. I really think that people take this phrase in a simplistic way to remind themselves to continue and join in new and existing initiatives towards the ends that you mention. As for the point that those who are not overtly Christian, in terms of institutional involvement, but who still experience and are agents of love and grace – I think Tony would agree with this statement and I too would agree. Jesus can be found anywhere. This said, I think Tony’s point was more to the effect of Jesus being the motivating factor for people to demonstrate such qualities and that while people may not need Jesus to be moral or ethical in this way, it has the potential to help greatly.

PRO LIFE AND THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE

I can see where you are coming from here, but I am not sure that Tony painted it in black and white terms. I think he acknowledged the complexity of the issue, clearly disagreeing with abortion. However, in light of this position, he challenged us to think about what we can do to alleviate the number of abortions taking place, suggesting that we look to the economic challenges that single mothers face. In this sense he painted a black/white picture in that people cannot just say that abortion is bad and then condemn it. Campolo would agree with you that we need to face these issues head on (through dialogue), and we need to take affirmative action to reflect the light, love, and grace of Christ to help mothers with unwanted pregnancies.

SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT

Your comments about the trap of institutionalization is potentially true (like any organization), and I would concur that this is a separate, yet potentially related, thing that we are slaves to. I (and Campolo) would agree with your call for missional involvement and I think that Tony accounts for this in his writings, which obviously could not be fully addressed with the limited time that we had on Monday evening.

Thanks for your comments Erik. Perhaps you have read some of Campolo’s material, but I think his latest three books (Red Letter Christians, The God of Intimacy and Action, and Letters to a Young Evangelical) go into greater detail than his Monday evening responses, and may contribute to your own thought process as you think about these pertinent issues.

Regards,

Joel Thiessen
Assistant Professor of Sociology

Have you ever watched City Slickers? It is kind of like Curly’s boney finger sticking up as he says “Life’s happiness comes from just this one thing.” The one thing being expressed in infinity of ways depending on who you are. Or maybe it is like ‘WELL-E’s Directive.

Jesus had this way of always answering the disciple’s questions with a responding question. While walking to Caesarea Philippi he asks Peter “Who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15) The answer which Peter can only give is personal, intimate, and is pivotal to the growth and movement of the relationship which he has with Jesus. In the same sense (skipping the principles of Koine Greeks Perfect Indicatives) Jesus seems to be still asking each one of us that same question; “Who do you say that I am?”

What answer will you give him through the span of your life time? What is your “one thing”?

Wow, even though I land with my feet in both camps, for I can appreciate our planning surrendered to God, I was impacted by the challenge to do less planning and praying God’s seal of approval, and more praying for God’s planning in my areas of ministry and relationship.