A local church’s latest sermon series/emphasis is on the “Red Letter Teachings of Jesus.” Author Tony Campolo and other evangelicals who distance themselves from the evangelical right consider themselves Red Letter Christians.
Both refer, of course, to the Bible versions that highlight the New Testament words of Jesus in red. As I understand it, the argument goes something like this: Since Jesus said it, these words have greater weight for our faith and practice.
Some biblical scholars, such as those who are part of the Jesus Seminar, criticize these “Red Letter Bibles,” arguing and debating which sayings of Jesus are more authentic than others. They essentially argue, then, that there are fewer “real” Red Letter Sayings of Jesus.
The Church, however, has always pushed in the opposite direction. That is, the problem with the Red Letter Bibles is not that there are too many words or sayings of Jesus in red but that there are too few. For if Jesus is the divine Word spoken by the Father from eternity, then the whole Bible is a word about Christ. We find “red letter” sayings of Jesus even in the Old Testament, for it too is a word about Christ. As St. Irenaeus says, all the pieces of Scripture, when assembled properly, form a beautiful mosaic of the Handsome King who is Christ (cf. Psalm 45).
So with all due respect to the Church on Strayer, Tony Campolo and all who claim to be “Red Letter Christians,” I think the subtitle of a children’s Bible I saw a year ago says it best: Every story whispers his name.