Campolo Center

A diverse, Christ-centered community of students seeking to grow in faith and be used by God in the world.

A fellowship for learning, friendship, spiritual formation and social engagement at the intersection of faith & justice.

06/19/2026

Our first Summer Book Group gathering is MONDAY, June 22, 8-9 pm. We will discuss the Preface, Introduction, and Part 1 of Partly Right by Tony Campolo. All are welcome.

Here are a few questions to guide our conversation:

As we gather in the Zoom room, it would be great to hear a brief high and/or low from your summer.

What is one statement from the reading that particularly stands out to you? (Please be prepared to share.) Why is it significant to you?

In the Introduction, Dr. Campolo gives an overview of some of the "attacks" on Bourgeois/American middle-class Christianity "from below and above." What is something you learned from this introduction to the book? What piqued your curiosity? Are there places where you agree or disagree with his perspective?

Chapter 1 addresses different interpretations of sin and salvation, from personal to social/systemic. According to Dr. Campolo, why is this of critical importance?

Chapter 2 details Hegel's philosophy, the rise of N**i Germany, and the threats of nationalistic religion. What did you notice? In what ways is his writing (from 1985!) outdated and/or prophetic for our current day?

What questions does Part 1 raise for you? How is this reading impacting you?

Looking forward to being together for this conversation. Email [email protected] if you need the Zoom link!

05/21/2026

Campolo Fellows Summer Book Group! Feel free to join us for all, some, or one of the gatherings. This will be a casual, guided time for fellowship and conversation via Zoom.

Monday, June 22, 8-9 pm Preface and Part 1

Wednesday July 8, 8-9 pm Part 2

Tuesday, August 11, 8-9 pm Part 3 and Conclusion

We will post a reminder/invitation and some reflection questions a few days before each gathering. (And, you can always use our typical questions as your reading prompts: What do you notice? What do you wonder?)

Here is a brief description of Partly Right from Amazon: Learning From the Critics of Christianity from Amazon: Marx…Kierkegaard…Nietzsche…Freud…If we do not learn from them, it may be at our own peril. In Partly Right, Dr. Campolo explores the background and claims of the major critics of bourgeois Christianity from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Stepping into the roles of these intellectuals, he argues their points, their views, and their complaints about the middle-class societies spawned by Protestantism. Campolo clearly and rationally shows both pros and cons of the critic's theories. As Christians, we should be aware not only of their misconceptions, but also of their truths. Campolo says, "Middle-class Christianity shows no signs of dying. This book is designed to analyze the criticisms of its enemies, test their validity, and explain why bourgeois religion has survived them." A Tony Campolo Classic!

We're excited to explore this "Tony Campolo Classic" with you! And to have a way to be in touch over the summer! Let us know if you have any questions. And, again, you are all invited and welcome, and this is totally optional.

(If you are not a Campolo Fellow, but you would like to join the conversation, email [email protected].)

05/16/2026

We celebrate Matthias and Jy'Aire as they receive Philadelphia's Men Making A Difference Award for their excellence in academics, justice work, leadership, moral courage, integrity, cultural awareness, self-discipline, resilience, and commitment to continual learning and growth. We are so proud of who you are and what you do!

05/16/2026

Celebrating Campolo Fellow and 2023 Campolo Center Alumni of Year, Pastor Ally Bartlett Ruch as she serves at Hopewell United Methodist Church--and beyond!

05/16/2026

A Time to Rise! Love seeing Campolo Fellows doing their thing!

05/15/2026

Celebrating Dr. Jonathan Hobbs: Ministry Leadership Professor and Campolo Fellow/Faculty Liaison! Congratulations on your Doctor of Ministry! We celebrate you and your entire cohort, including beloved Professor Rev. Dr. David Smith! Many thanks to the PTSC Commencement Speaker, Rev. Dr. Chaz Howard, UPenn Chaplain and VP of Social Equity and Community—and all the PTSC Campolo Fellows who made tonight such a great celebration. Wage Peace, Palmer People!