At the turn of the Twentieth Century, Bible translators began to use red print to highlight the words of Jesus in the New Testament. Although many of us have come to accept this differentiation between Jesus's words and the other words in the Bible as normative, it was a significant moment in the history of Bible translation.
To treat Jesus's words as unique, memorable, and set apart is very much a Christ-centered approach to understanding God's Word. Whether Jesus's words are red, highlighted in yellow, or underlined, followers of Jesus are supposed to treat Christ's words as authoritative.
Baptist pastor, writer, and college professor Tony Campolo believes Christians should champion Jesus's words and teachings above all else. Campolo, and his friend Shane Claiborne, call adherents to Jesus's words, 'Red Letter Christians.'
This moniker has rubbed some people the wrong way. Campolo reports:
"Christianity Today magazine published a full-page article critiquing our new name, saying, "You people act as though the red letters in the Bible are more important than the black letters." To that, we responded, "Exactly! Not only do we say that the red letters are superior to the black letters of the Bible, but Jesus said they were!"
In 2022, our church has focused on listening. We've sought to listen to God's Word in fresh ways. We have learned more about the tools—like the enneagram-- to better listen to ourselves. We've also become better aware that loving our neighbor means that we listen to them.
All this listening has made me question how we talk about discipleship. What haunts me is this: If we call ourselves disciples—followers of Jesus—shouldn't we be doing what Jesus says?
Taking Jesus seriously has consequences. More often than not, we high-five ourselves when we feel comfortable with Jesus's words and commandments and then conveniently forget them when Jesus's red letters are convicting and hard.
Theologian Soren Kierkehaard once said, "The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians…pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly."
Beginning Wednesday night, October 19, I will lead a Bible Study seminar for adults and youth in the Gathering Place Room at 6:00 PM. This four-week seminar will give us the chance to see how serious we are about taking Jesus at his word. Campolo and Claiborne's book—which itself is a collection of conversations between the two ministers--Red Letter Revolution: What If Jesus Really Meant What He Said? will inform our discussion together.
Admittedly, this seminar will not be for everyone. So be advised: you will likely not agree with everything we look at together. Because if you're honest with yourself about Jesus's red-letter statements, you will not agree with everything Jesus says.
However, if you're interested in having a challenging conversation about listening to Jesus and following him, please join us. We'll likely find out that Jesus can be equally offensive to all.
