“I am not asking that Christian people gloss over biblical teachings or ignore their conviction that homosexual acts are sin. I am not asking that we make a case to justify homosexual behavior. I am simply reminding Christian people that we are supposed to love people–even those who offend us. I am calling on Christians to reach out and show kindness and affection toward their homosexual neighbors…If we Christians cannot love these neighbors as we love ourselves, then we are violating the command of Jesus (Matt. 19:19) and ought to cease calling ourselves His followers. Loving people is a commitment to treating people as Jesus would treat them if He were in our places.”1 He repeats these words on page 67 of his 1994 book Carpe Diem.

Few Christians would argue with the need to treat our neighbors as Christ would. But few would find a Scriptural basis for “gay covenants” or the legalization of same-sex marriages. Tony believes in both. Tony Campolo and his wife Peggy gave the keynote address at the first ever convention of the Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (disfellowshipped American Baptist Churches). The following is a quote from the Voice of the Turtle Newsletter, Fall, 1996 edition. (Voice of the Turtle is the publication of the American Baptists Concerned for Sexual Minorities.)

“The Friday night gathering was highlighted by Peggy and Tony Campolo. The Campolos are longtime American Baptists who are involved in social ministry, and who hold divergent opinions on the question of homosexuality and faith in one area. They agree that homosexuality is not a choice; that homosexuals should not be excluded from churches, and that the lies perpetuated against the gay community make both of them angry. Where they differ is in their understanding of Romans 1: 24-32. Tony staunchly holds the position that the same gender marriages are against God’s order. On the other hand, he believes that since same gender marriages are becoming more and more a reality, then they should be legalized by the state.”2 (emphasis added)

In 20 Hot Potatoes, Campolo elaborates on his views on the subject of homosexuality.

“Actually, Jesus never alludes to homosexuality in his teachings. The fact that homosexuality has become such an overriding concern for many contemporary preachers may be more a reflection of homophobia in the church than it is the result of the emphasis of Scripture.”3

He continues by giving his apparent endorsement of “homosexual covenants” which he believes are an option for “evangelicals.”

“Recently two homosexual men who live in Chicago solved their problem of loneliness by establishing a covenant wherein they promised to live with each other ’til death do them part’ even though they simultaneously pledged to remain celibate. They chose to live together as lifelong partners ‘in all love and tenderness’ but without any sexual intercourse going on between them. These two men claimed to be enjoying the humanizing benefits of a genuine love relationship that has provided them with mutual blessings but did not violate biblical admonitions to refrain from homosexual intercourse. Over the past year I have learned of a number of other homosexual couples who are evangelicals and have adopted a similar arrangement.

“I chose to call this a homosexual ‘covenant’ rather than a homosexual ‘marriage’ because I refrain from using the word marriage because I think that implies a sexually consummated relationship. On the other hand, the word covenant connotes a lifelong commitment of mutual obligation which does not necessitate sexual intercourse.

“There are Christians who will disapprove of this arrangement claiming that the Bible implies a condemnation of even romantic feelings between members of the same sex. However, these critics are hard-pressed to build a biblical case for their complaints.”4

In the summer of 1993, the pro-homosexual group “Evangelicals Concerned” reported in their newsletter that Peggy Campolo had recently reduced her involvement in her husband’s office at Eastern College in order to be more active in the cause for social justice for lesbians and gay men. (Note: Peggy and Tony Campolo are mentioned favorably four times in three of the quarterly newsletters published that year. Evangelicals Concerned is headed by homosexual Ralph Blair.) Peggy has been involved with Evangelicals Concerned, speaking at home Bible studies for the group as well as being keynote speaker at their summer Connection ‘93 convention.

In an article in the appropriately named magazine, The Other Side, Peggy attempts to clarify the differences between her husband and herself on the issue of homosexuality.

“We believe that homosexual orientations are not chosen any more than heterosexual orientations are chosen. We agree that the ‘homosexual life-style’ is a misnomer–there are many homosexual life-styles as there are heterosexual life-styles…We differ on the issue of monogamous, loving relationships between people of the same sex. While we both believe such relationships should be legally permissible in a pluralistic society, I enthusiastically affirm such relationships for Christians. Tony does not.

“I support Tony’s right to his beliefs, even as I am very grateful that he has, at considerable personal cost supported my right to mine. I have been with him in places where his views on homosexuality put him so far to the left that he is viewed as an enemy by many in the church. He has received letters of condemnation in the church. He has received letters of condemnation and phone calls from evangelical leaders pressuring him to change his stance. I am proud that he has stood up for his convictions on the subject of homosexuality in places where it is far more difficult for him than it is for me to share my words here in The Other Side.”1

After telling of her conversion to supporting open homosexuality and describing the vacations she and her husband take each year to the resort community of Provincetown, Massachusetts, she talks about the “holy presence of acceptance” she felt in the town which is known for its homosexual “culture”. The following are quotes from Peggy Campolo:

“I remember saying to Tony, ‘what I feel here is something of what I have always imagined I would feel in heaven.’ “2

“But I fell in love with Provincetown–not in spite of the gay and lesbian culture there, but because of it. And I have been going back for twenty years.”3

“I would most like to see a welcoming and affirming Christian ministry start up that would tell people about the real Jesus, who identifies with and loves oppressed people, not the one portrayed on television who despises those who are different. When I got to know Provincetown, I realized how narrow my straight life had been. I did not know any openly homosexual people and suddenly yearned to know that community.”4

“Though I believe then, as I do now, that homosexuals are entitled to the same rights and privileges I claim for myself, including being able to marry legally and in the sight of the church, I wasn’t standing up for anybody or to anybody. I wasn’t able to do that until I began my own journey, my own coming-out-of-the-closet experience. Homosexuals aren’t the only ones in closets.”5 (emphasis added)

Their stated differences on the subject of homosexuality have not kept Tony from sharing the podium with Peggy at speaking functions, nor has it kept her from being, according to Tony, first editor of his books.

Dr. Campolo writes:

“And then there is the real partner in this mission–Peggy, my wife. People always ask, ‘Do you really write all of those books?’ The answer is, ‘No, she does!’ At least she sees to it that they get written right.”6

“But most of all there is my best friend for the last thirty-five years- my wife, Peggy. She not only does a lot of encouraging, she also has been the first editor on most of what I write. By the time she finishes with a manuscript, I almost come across as literate!”7

“When it comes to writing books, I have come to depend on two people….The other is my wife, Peggy, who is a brilliant editor and a superb critic.”8

“But most of all I have to get down on my knees and offer homage to my wife. She is the one who really made this book happen. She corrected the spelling and the grammar, critiqued the ideas, and kept me honest enough to say what I really believe.”9 (emphasis added)

Far from viewing his wife’s beliefs on homosexuality as a grave moral concern, Tony Campolo seems delighted by the transformation wrought by her insights on the matter. In 1994’s Carpe Diem he writes the following:

“Peggy’s Christian commitment is what has motivated her to reach out to the needs of homosexuals. She has come to know many gays and lesbians. She has gained empathy with them as they suffer. Their hurts have become her hurts. The change in her has been remarkable. She is into the Scriptures daily. Whereas once I couldn’t get her into any regular pattern of Bible reading and prayer, I now find that she loves these spiritual disciplines. She enjoys getting up early in the morning so she can have plenty of quality time to spend one-on-one with God. She is reading books on theology, sociology, psychology and biology in an effort to gain a better understanding of what homosexuality is all about. The wonder of all this can only be glimpsed in contrast to her almost anti intellectual attitude prior to becoming committed to her cause. Peggy is more alive, interesting, intense, joyful, purposeful, and spiritual now than at any time during her life. With her, there is no question as to whether or not she has a calling from God. Any evidence of mid-life depression and anxieties in her have all but disappeared. She’s on a high and she knows it. Biblically prescribed visions and dreams do that to people.”10

What “biblically prescribed vision” is Tony Campolo referring to? These are Peggy Campolo’s words: