Tony Campolo, a once-prominent evangelical leader who became a divisive figure in Christian circles due to his progressive views that departed from orthodox Biblical Christian teachings, passed away at the age of 89. Known for his outspoken advocacy for those who identify as “LGBTQ+” and social justice, Campolo’s death marks the end of an era for one of the most controversial figures in modern evangelicalism.
Born in 1935 in Pennsylvania, Campolo rose to prominence in the 1960s as a charismatic preacher and professor at Eastern University in Pennsylvania. His early work within the evangelical community focused on issues of poverty, race, and the environment. However, as the years went on, Campolo’s views began to diverge from the traditional evangelical stance on many issues, making him a lightning rod for criticism.
One of the most contentious stances Campolo took was his support for same-sex marriage. In the early 2000s, he publicly declared his belief that the church should embrace and affirm so-called LGBTQ+ relationships, including the right to “marry.” This declaration enraged many of his conservative evangelical peers, who viewed his views as a betrayal of Biblical teachings on marriage.
Despite the backlash, Campolo continued to speak out in support of those living in homosexual lifestyles who identify as Christians. In 2015, he went so far as to endorse same-sex marriage in the church, calling on evangelical Christians to reconsider their stance on homosexuality. “We need to love our LGBTQ brothers and sisters,” he said during an interview at the time.
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