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The Story Behind the Red Letters
By Jeremy | March 14, 2007
Sojourners and other progressive Christian leaders have begun calling evangelical social justice types "Red Letter Christians," in tribute to the recorded words of Jesus which are commonly printed in red. So you can imagine my surprise when Mike O'Neil -- executive director of Hope for New York and former director of Kids with a Promise -- shared with me the story behind the red letters during lunch yesterday.
Dr. Louis Klopsch, former publisher of Christian Herald magazine, was inspired to publish the first red letter Bible in 1899. While writing an editorial, his eyes fixated on Luke 22:20: "This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." Reasoning that all blood was red, he wondered, "Why not a red letter Bible with the red words to be those of our Lord?" Dr. T. Dewitt Talmadge, pastor of the Brooklyn Temple where Louis and his father worshipped, encouraged him: "It could do no harm, and it most certainly could do much good." The first printing of Dr. Klopsch's red letter Bible in 1901 -- 60,000 copies -- sold out quickly, and drew raves from around the world including political figures such as President Theodore Roosevelt and the King of Sweden.
When Dr. Klopsch died in 1910, the New York Tribune eulogized him in words that would make any modern-day red letter Christian proud:
"He will not be easily replaced. He lived and died by his own motto: Do All the Good You Can for All the People You Can. This he truly did."One other interesting piece of evangelical social justice history: Christian Herald, whose flagship ministry is the venerable Bowery Mission in New York City, owes its spiritual legacy to none other than the great theologian Dr. Charles Spurgeon, who commissioned his cousin to leave England as a missionary to America in 1878. Interestingly, Christian Herald's manner of funding its various ministry initiatives -- including the Mission, orphanages throught the US and China, and programs for immigrant children -- was first to establish a profitable publishing company. Rudy, did someone say something about protesting and investing?300 ringtonenokia 6230 ringtonefree ringtones absolutyringtones absoultly freefree absulutly ringtonesair ringtones supplyno free cost ringtone 100verizon phone lg 20 free ringtone Map
Topics: compassion, evangelical, justice | No Comments »
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