High Praise for new Campolo/Claiborne Book about Jesus

Being at Eastern University, you tend to get familiar with the names Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo very quickly (the Eastern motto is “faith.reason.justice.”). Claiborne and Campolo have a new book coming out in October called Red Letter Revolution: What if Jesus Really Meant What He Said? (Amazon is selling this for $13.64).

The authors focus on the words of Jesus in the New Testament and how his voice comes to bear on issues like violence, community, Islam, hell, sexuality, civil disobedience, and dozens of other topcis “for people of faith and conscience today.” Ultimately, Campolo and Claiborne are concerned that there is a kind of Christian culture in America that ignores or domesticates the radical social vision of Jesus.
I am interested in this book, and I might even have my students read it next semester, but what really caught my attention were the endorsements. Who has had a book endorsed by the likes of Jimmy Carter (yes the president), Desmond Tutu, Phyllis Tickle, Eugene Peterson, and Brian McLaren??? And a rabbi!

“This book, by a young and an elderly Christian, will help you decide how we Christians could change the world if we took the ‘red letter’ words of Jesus literally and seriously.” —President Jimmy Carter
“In Red Letter Revolution the uncompromised truth of Jesus’ teachings are given voice by two modern-day Christian leaders who do more than preach this Good News. They walk the talk and lead the way.” —Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“I started reading this book and couldn’t stop. . . . Thank you, Tony and Shane. Thank you for this book. May the movement spread around the world.” —Abuna Elias Chacour,
Melkite Catholic Archbishop of Galilee
“Red Letter Revolution is an adrenaline-producing conversation with prophetic bite.” —Eugene H. Peterson, author of The Message Bible
“I cannot over-emphasize or exaggerate the richness of this book.” —Phyllis Tickle, author of Emergence Christianity
“In this courageous and well crafted book, we have a return to the core message of the Gospel from two Christians who first tried to live it themselves—and only then spoke.” —Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation
“Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo are two of the most significant prophetic voices in the Christian world.” —Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun Magazine (tikkun.org)
“This is a must-read book for anyone who is seeking to take Jesus’ call on their lives seriously.” —Jim Wallis, founder and editor of Sojourners magazine
“If you ever wished you could eavesdrop on a conversation with two of the world’s most interesting and inspiring Christians, just turn to page one.” —Brian D. McLaren, author/speaker (brianmclaren.net)