Evangelical Leader Chuck Colson Dead at 80
Colson was also known for his efforts in getting those from different backgrounds to collaborate. His personal life almost seemed to embody an evangelical-Catholic alliance. He was Southern Baptist with an admiration for John Calvin, Abraham Kuyper, and Francis Schaeffer, while his wife, Patty, is Catholic. He collaborated with Richard John Neuhaus to launch Evangelicals and Catholics Together, which produced a 1994 statement that alienated Colson from some leaders over evangelical/Catholic differences.
"Chuck and Richard helped wave caricatures aside. Catholics saw in Chuck Colson somebody who was a serious, intellectual, thoughtful guy, not some hick or hillbilly," said Robert George, a professor at Princeton University. "We're certainly in much better shape than we were even 20 years ago."
In 2009, Robert George, Timothy George, and Colson collaborated together to form the Manhattan Declaration, asking Christians to stick to their convictions, even if it means civil disobedience.
"He was willing to sacrifice influence and standing if he thought that what he was doing meant taking up his cross," Robert George said. "It's hard to envision a world without Chuck."
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Related Elsewhere:
Jonathan Aitken's "Remembering Charles Colson, a Man Transformed" also appears on our site today, as does an interview with Karl Rove, George W. Bush deputy chief of staff.
Christianity Today published a lengthy profile of Charles Colson in 2001.
Colson wrote a regular column for Christianity Today:
Flaming Truth: Recalling Francis Schaeffer's Challenge | With laser-like precision, Schaeffer hit on the fundamental issue of our day. (February 15, 2012)
Education Is in Our DNA | We should support every effort to upgrade our failing schools. (December 13, 2011)
The 'Big Love' Strategy | What are Americans learning from pop culture portrayals of polygamy? (October 18, 2011)
Star Trek Into Darkness
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Comments
Steve Skeete
Chuck Colson was exhibit 'A' of the grace of God. An admitted sinner, he literally went from 'Prison to praise'. Notoriously arrogant prior to conversion, he had humility 'thrust upon him', and through Prison Fellowship went on to establish one of the most significant Christian ministries to be found anywhere in the world. His commitment to Christian unity was total, his desire to see Christians walking in integrity paramount. He believed that the conscience of the individual had to be changed before he/she could attempt to change the conscience of the nation. So, he thought deeply and hard about many of the social ills plaguing his country before attempting to articulate solution. His Centurion initiative was his salutary contribution to evangelicals, a group much maligned for lack of thought and scholarship. Chuck Colson embodied thoughtfulness and contemplation - the world of the mind, as evidenced in his many writings, and speeches. Evangelicals and Catholics will both miss him.
BJ
Well done, Chuck Colson! Enter into His rest and joy. My prayers and gratitude are for the Colson family.
Jamie McDonald
Well done, good and faithful servant. Our loss is heaven's gain. Thank you Mr. Colson for your tireless commitment to living and defending the Faith. Our prayers are with the Colson family.