For most secular Americans, the word “evangelical” brings a certain image to mind: a Christian who is anti-gay, anti-feminist, anti-environmentalist, anti-gun control, pro-war, and, above all, a registered Republican. In recent years, a growing number of evangelicals have become fed up with this characterization, resenting both the myopic emphasis on abortion and gay rights, to the exclusion of all other issues, by the Religious Right and the tactics the group uses to accomplish their political objectives. In his new book, RED LETTER CHRISTIANS, author Tony Campolo presents a different political roadmap for the evangelical community, one he says is based directly on the radical vision contained in the words of Christ, traditionally denoted in red letters in several previous versions of the Bible.

Campolo is a prolific author, ordained Baptist minister, and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University in St. David’s, Pennsylvania. He is a regular media commentator on religious, social, and political matters, having appeared on television programs like "The Colbert Report", "Nightline", "Crossfire", "Politically Incorrect", "The Charlie Rose Show", "Larry King Live", "CNN Dayside", "CNN News", and "MSNBC News". For the past several decades, he has become famous (and, in some circles, infamous) for exposing the American church’s failure to pursue justice for suffering people --- both in this country and around the world.

“Some leading evangelical spokespersons focus almost all their attention on preventing gay marriages and overturning past Supreme Court rulings on abortion. While these are biblically important issues, there are more than 2,000 verses of Scripture that call us to express love and justice for those who are poor and oppressed,” Campolo states. RED LETTER CHRISTIANS, while recognizing the great importance of the “hot-button issues,” embrace a broad range of social concerns, giving special attention to legislation that alleviates poverty and injustice and provides hope for the oppressed. We promote legislation that turns biblical imperatives into social policy.”

In RED LETTER CHRISTIANS, readers will discover:

• Why Jesus is neither a Republican nor a Democrat
• A Red Letter Christian’s voting guide
• Why Christians should avoid being tied to a political party
• The problem of partisan politics
• The importance of being politically active

Proponents of the Red Letter Movement comprise a denominationally and racially diverse group. Campolo collaborated with other noted progressive evangelicals, like Brian McClaren, a leader in the emerging church movement; Richard Rohr, the well-known Catholic writer and speaker; Cheryl Sanders, a prominent African-American pastor; Noel Castellanos, a strong voice in the Latino community; and Jim Wallis and Duane Shank, two key leaders of the Sojourners Community and the Call to Renewal Movement, to offer a viable biblical alternative to the prevailing “Jesus as Republican” philosophy held by the Religious Right.

RED LETTER CHRISTIANS offers a progressive Christian perspective on a list of topics ranging from abortion and gay rights to Palestine, immigration, the environment, gun control, and the national debt. Any reader, Christian or otherwise, would stand to gain from considering Campolo’s innovative, controversial suggestions. The book’s release is sure to promote some long-overdue debates in the evangelical community concerning these important issues before the 2008 elections. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, RED LETTER CHRISTIANS will make you think and pray and act.

RED LETTER CHRISTIANS: A Citizen's Guide to Faith and Politics © Copyright 2011 by Dr. Tony Campolo. Reprinted with permission by Regal Books. All rights reserved.