Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
Before I was born, Charles Colson was President Richard Nixon’s special counsel and a fairly ruthless political operative. Due to his involvement with Watergate, he spent seven months in prison.
His story in evangelical circles is similar to St. Paul's. He became a born-again Christian and devoted his life to ministering to prison inmates. We're talking about 40 years of laboring in love to inmates.
All this would make for a wonderful media story except for the fact that Colson is conservative. Like, a real conservative. So in the mind of many media elite, he's still not redeemed.
Colson is near death as I write this. Here's how the Washington Post is remembering him:
Charles Colson, Watergate figure who proposed firebombing Brookings, said near death
Please keep Colson and his family and friends in your prayers. You may want to offer one up for the folks at the Washington Post, too.
- Comment (24)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (3)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
Chuck Colson speaking at a Billy Graham Crusade. The title says "1983," but it has to be more like 1993, since he mentions the 20th Anniversary of Watergate. (about 7 and 1/2 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0DL3MmIP08
May '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
As far the the Post goes, I take Rush's view: I hope they fail.
Dec '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness (by the Washington Post), for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." -- Mt. 5:10
Remember us to Jesus, Mr. Colson.
May '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
And they want to know why we don't trust them anymore...
Apr '11
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
I grew up knowing little of Chuck Colson, as his was a name of more interest to those within the bubble of politics than anything else. I became familiar with him through his work, "How Now Shall We Live?" which I found a powerful book as it explored our culture and how we have turned away from God.
I am always amazed at how Jesus can change a life. I am also always amazed at how the World will never forgive a slight.
Nov '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
Western Chauvinist: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness (by the Washington Post),for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." -- Mt. 5:10
Remember us to Jesus, Mr. Colson. · 17 minutes ago
Amen.
Jun '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
Washington Post on the future near-passing of Bill Ayers:
Feb '11
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
I first encountered Chuck Colson in the pages of First Things. There was no proposal to firebomb anything there. (Was that really almost 20 years ago? I can't believe it...)
I might wish the msm would have as long memories about progressive radicals as they do about conservative ones.
Aug '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
I remember reading a comic book about him.
It was in the library at my church.
Apr '11
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
After coming to faith I have often been challenged to prove God exists and has the ability to redeem lives like my own, Mr Colson and countless others who have made that claim. My fall back argument is one that is unprovable but very evident to me and sometimes to others and that is I know He is real and works miracles in people's hearts because in coming to faith, God not only changed what I did and do, but daily, moment by moment changes what I wanted and want to do.
No power on earth can perform that miracle continually and after reading Mr Colson's biography I knew that he also believed the truth of God's redemption through Jesus Christ and lived it and poured himself out to others because of it on a daily basis. Soon he will lay his crown and all the burdens of this life down at the feet of the One who many years ago offered redemption to a sinner who came in true repentance and will utter the words Chuck has labored long to hear; Well done my good and faithful servant
Well done brother Colson, well done!
Apr '11
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
C. U. Douglas: I grew up knowing little of Chuck Colson, as his was a name of more interest to those within the bubble of politics than anything else. I became familiar with him through his work, "How Now Shall We Live?" which I found a powerful book as it explored our culture and how we have turned away from God.
I am always amazed at how Jesus can change a life. I am also always amazed at how the World will never forgive a slight. · 28 minutes ago
Nice words and so very true. C.U.
"For the people loved darkness more than light."
The "beam and speck" parable offers great insight into how we all view others "speck" and fail to see our own "beams".
Jul '11
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
AllenMcDuffee, the Post writer says:
"You may realize that think tanks are the focus of this blog. Therefore, nobody should be surprised that the headline explains how Colson is relevant to the think tank world.
"I would suspect that the same be true of a religious publication covering Colson's condition--that the headline and article would focus on his religious commitment and not mention the Brookings element at all. And I don't see a problem with them doing so."
___________________________________________
That's pretty lame. Did a slow news day in the think tank world make it necessary to trash Colson?
Aug '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
By amazing coincidence, Contact was on AMC last night.
I've seen it oodles of times, but whenever it's on tv I still can't help but watch it all the way through. The exploration of scientific reason vs. faith is so respectful and nuanced (for a Hollywood movie, anyways).
I always love the scene where, after Jodie Foster's character says she cannot believe in God without proof, Matthew McConaughey replies, "Did you love your father? ... Prove it."
I've never read the novel, but I should. I'm told it's even more nuanced in its exploration of the issues. I find that antitheists love to cite Carl Sagan as one of their own, but he was really very respectful towards faith. Carl Sagan was no Richard Dawkins.
Plus, Contact has some of the best-designed CGI of any big Hollywood movie. Very subtle, like inserting buildings and objects into the background. 1997 was a good year for nuanced CGI.
Edited on April 19, 2012 at 7:30pmNov '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
Colson struck me as being beyond conservatism in the sense that he embodied the pure tradition of liberal democracy and love of what the U.S. constitution embraces. He seems also beyond Americanism, speaking directly to the hearts of those around the world. The scope of his writing was fearsome. I was introduced to his work through his Kingdoms in Conflict, and his command of both the public and not-so-well-known stories of many pivotal 20th century events was breathtaking. But his writing did not bely any hard-nosed partisanship; he commented on all aspects of the issues, often hitting on issues of the left as evenly as issues of the right. He was an advocate for all that was good in the West. I will miss his writing.
May '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
I read his book, Born Again, probably 25 years ago. I've been an admirer ever since. I predict that the leftist/Democrat/media complex is in for a big surprise when he dies and the tributes start pouring in. It'll be like the Reagan funeral all over again, with the more honest commentators asking openly, "How did we miss this?"
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
jpark: AllenMcDuffee, the Post writer says:
"You may realize that think tanks are the focus of this blog. Therefore, nobody should be surprised that the headline explains how Colson is relevant to the think tank world.
"I would suspect that the same be true of a religious publication covering Colson's condition--that the headline and article would focus on his religious commitment and not mention the Brookings element at all. And I don't see a problem with them doing so."
___________________________________________
That's pretty lame. Did a slow news day in the think tank world make it necessary to trash Colson? · 58 minutes ago
They do not call it Pravda-on-the-Potomac for nothing.
Nov '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
jpark: AllenMcDuffee, the Post writer says:
"You may realize that think tanks are the focus of this blog. Therefore, nobody should be surprised that the headline explains how Colson is relevant to the think tank world.
"I would suspect that the same be true of a religious publication covering Colson's condition--that the headline and article would focus on his religious commitment and not mention the Brookings element at all. And I don't see a problem with them doing so."
___________________________________________
That's pretty lame. Did a slow news day in the think tank world make it necessary to trash Colson?
And his work in the prisons had no relevance for think tanks? Whereas things that happened in the 1970s are of immediate importance to most modern think tanks?
Apr '12
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
Our church back home participated in Prison Fellowship, and many years ago my husband was among several men who went in to witness to and teach the inmates. Some became our friends and would visit us in our home upon their release. It was a wonderful lesson in the redemption of the individual.
God bless and keep you, Mr. Colson.
Dec '11
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
In a Reagan voice,
Well, there they go again.
I am sure at the near death of the Washington Post, Chuck Colson would have more kindness. As Larry Koler pointed out there is a double standard in the media that borders on cluelessness.
Newsweek sold for a dollar a while back. Any idea how much the Post will sell for?
Jun '10
Re: Reflecting On The Life's Work Of Charles Colson
I believe Chuck Colson is a symbol of the dual nature of man. But, unlike others, he got the two aspects of his nature (the bad and the good) in the right order.
God bless him and his family.