What is Red Letter Christians?

what does the bible say?

Red Letter Christians is a movement that emphasizes following Jesus’ words, especially from the Sermon on the Mount, and links them to political causes while claiming to be apolitical. While their focus on Jesus’ teachings is commendable, the Bible calls Christians to value all Scripture equally, understanding both Old and New Testaments in context, and recognizing that Jesus’ instructions were primarily for personal and spiritual life, not government policy. Jesus Himself stated that His kingdom “was not of this world” (John 18:36). The movement’s approach highlights the risk of isolating parts of Scripture. While Christians should endeavor to live out Jesus’ teaching in all areas of life, we must handle God’s Word honestly and in its entirety.

from the old testament

• While Red Letter Christians focus on Jesus’ words, the entirety of Scripture is important to knowing who God is and His will for our lives. As the Psalmist writes, “LORD, your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven…The entirety of your word is truth” (Psalm 119:89 and 160, CSB). May we reflect that same love for God’s entire Word.

from the new testament

• One issue with the Red Letter Christians movement is the primary importance they place on Jesus’ words. Concentrating on just certain parts of the Bible and taking passages out of context of the Bible as a whole is imbalanced and leads to incomplete understanding of God’s truth. Second Timothy 3:16-17 teaches that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (emphasis added). If we intend to do good works and live in righteousness, we should be devoting ourselves to the entire Word of God and understanding each passage of Scripture in the context of the Bible as a whole.
• Jesus describes Himself as the fulfillment of Old Testament law (Matthew 5:17), which makes understanding the Old Testament just as important as reading the New Testament.
• As all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), Paul’s words are equally relevant to the Christian life as Jesus’. Focusing only on Jesus’ words doesn’t present the clearest view of Scripture.
• Despite Red Letter Christians’ claim of being apolitical, the group focuses on political policies based on their interpretation of how Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (and other “red letter” passages) should apply to government policies. But their interpretation of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5—7) is problematic. Jesus’ instructions related to His followers’ personal lives, not to government officials to be enacted into national policy. In fact, Jesus clearly separated Himself from all political movements when He said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). To apply this particular sermon to government policy is to misunderst and Jesus’ intention in preaching it.

implications for today

The organization Red Letter Christians describes itself as “a movement of believers who live out Jesus’ counter-cultural teachings.” It began in 2007 as a reaction against what its founders, Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne, perceived as the term “Evangelical” becoming associated with a voting bloc. The name Red Letter Christians points to their primary commitment to following the words of Christ, which many Bibles print in red. Today, the organization runs a blog, sends daily devotional emails, distributes a bimonthly newsletter email, hosts a radio show and podcast, and organizes an annual meeting for its network of speakers and authors. But the Bible reveals principles that contrast with the organization’s approach. Red Letter Christians’ organizational mission is centered around Jesus’ words, especially His Sermon on the Mount, but Jesus quoted Old Testament Scriptures. He indicated that He was the fulfillment of the Old Testament law. So clearly Jesus agreed with Paul’s words to Timothy about “all Scripture” being “God breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16-17; emphasis added). As we speak with others about Christ, it’s common practice to recommend that Bible neophytes start with, say, the Gospel of John. But “start” is the key word. We should always impress upon others that the entire Bible is worthy of study. And we should live that truth by studying the whole Bible, not just the New Testament. God’s wisdom is at our fingertips—whether in black ink or red.

Recap

understand

• Red Letter Christians focuses on Jesus’ words, especially the Sermon on the Mount.
• The movement connects Sermon on the Mount teachings to political causes though they claim to be apolitical.
• Red Letter Christians emphasizing parts of Scripture over the whole creates an imbalanced understanding of the Bible.

reflect

• How do you ensure that your understanding of Jesus’ teachings is shaped by the entirety of Scripture, not just select passages?
• Where might you be tempted to emphasize certain biblical themes while overlooking others that challenge you?
• What helps you respond to those who overemphasize or misinterpret parts of Scripture?

engage

• How can Christians faithfully hold together Jesus’ words and the rest of Scripture without creating imbalance?
• How can God’s Word be misused when passages are isolated from their broader biblical context, and why is this a serious issue?
• How should believers thoughtfully engage cultural and political issues while standing firm in the full counsel of God’s Word?