Pilgrim: A Theological Memoir, Tony Campolo, with Steve Rabey. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802884947) 2025.
Summary: A memoir of Tony Campolo, popular speaker. social activist, and college professor, tracing his theological development.
This is the second “theological memoir” I’ve read of late. In both cases, the authors have passed on by the time the books were published (in Tony Campolo’s case, he died November 19, 2024). The “pilgrim” in the title has finished his pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage traced in this book is indeed a theological pilgrimage from fundamentalist roots, growing up in New Berean Baptist Church and a youth group known as the Bible Buzzards. In addition to regular services, Tony attended weekly Bible studies and preached on street corners as a teen. The first challenge to his theology came from Jewish basketball teammates. He had to wrestle with whether they were going to hell. The next came when he worked for a devout astronomer, Edwin F. Bailey and he was forced to reconcile young earth views with a cosmos billions of years old.
It wasn’t until college at Eastern Baptist College that he learned to think theologically, connecting the bits and pieces of Bible learning into a more coherent whole. It was here that he came to understand the idea of the kingdom of God, and through H. Richard Niebuhr, the idea that God wanted to transform society, and not just individuals. Also, he wrestled with calling, eventually deciding to pursue pastoral ministry. During this time, he met and married Peggy, who would have a major influence on his thinking in many areas. Soon, he was the father of Lisa and Bart. That pastoral journey ended when he confronted racism in his church, resigning when the church refused to accept a Black student into membership.
That led him into the professoriate. Eastern hired him to teach sociology and afforded him opportunities for graduate studies in both theology and sociology, a kind of double vision that enlarged his prospective. Succeeding chapters explore how this helped him address the Sixties search for self, issues of sexuality and abortion, and war. All this led to the launch of the Campolo Center for Ministry, to equip Christian leaders for wholistic ministry.
This, then, resulted in an increasing ministry as a public theologian, including a failed run for Congress. He traces the growth of his speaking and writing ministries. It also led to the first challenge from fellow evangelicals over remarks that some construed to be universalist in character, culminating in a kind of heresy trial at a Chicago O’Hare airport hotel. He became even more suspect as a Clinton confidante, and as part of a pastoral team working with the President and First lady to heal the marriage.
The later part of the book traces further developments, some would say, away from an evangelical faith, which Campolo denied. In his own family, he talks of the pain of children who walked away from faith, and his pride in the integrity of their lives. He addresses the “Red Letter Christian” controversy. Finally, he devotes a chapter to his changing views on homosexuality. He describes the presentations he and his wife gave for many years where they differed, the pain within their marriage this caused, and the reasons that finally led him to joining his wife affirming gay marriage.
The concluding portion of the book discusses his retirement years, following a major stroke. He describes his ministry with other seniors and finishes by summing up his life:
“My earthly pilgrimage has been an amazing journey, and when my life ends, I will be ready to abandon this worn-out body and overtaxed mind and rest in the presence of God for all eternity.”
I heard Campolo speak on one occasion. His impact was electrifying. He never ceased to be an evangelist. This helped me understand his ability to call a generation to give their lives in service to God and humanity. The book reveals an underlying courage through all the development of his thought. He faced challenges on street corners, from racists, and heresy hunters. He also had the courage to change his mind, even when such changes cost him support. Whatever one thinks of Campolo’s views, one must respect the courage that refused to waffle, or kow-tow to financial backers. What is most telling is the voice of this narrative, which seems matter-of-fact, about his times, his ideas, and himself, especially in the account of his children. All this makes for a highly readable and fascinating narrative.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.