Dr Campolo, who is a Baptist minister, as well as former spiritual adviser to Bill Clinton and leader of the US 'Christian Evangelical Left', addressed Christians working in London's financial district, challenging their commitment to issues of trade and justice and encouraging them to support policies and practices that lead to a more just world.
He spoke about the different levels - micro, middle, and macro - of tackling injustice in today's world.
In this interview with Christian Today, he expands on the macro level.
CT: How has the general response been regarding your talks on
social and economical justice here in the UK?
TC: Well, this is not a typical seminar, because the group was slightly oriented my direction to start with. In the United States, I get a lot more static. In the United States, the evangelical community is much more politically conservative. I do run into great difficulty there but it varies from place to place. There is, however, a growing consciousness among the evangelicals. The solution to the problems in the world cannot be left alone and left in the hands of other people. But the church really must step forward. And the Christian people must in fact begin to address these issues- not only on a personal level.
I spoke to a lady earlier, and she said, "You mentioned compassion [during your talk], and that's great- except that somebody will support a child with compassion and think- 'I've done my part'." Instead of trying to say that this is the beginning. There are macro parts that have to be changed. And the Christians can in fact impact these macro structures. Corporations. Governments. We have to be involved in that level.
Do you think they will largely take action in the macro level?
