The teachings of Jesus are more relevant now than they have ever been, according to a leading US evangelical and speaker at next year's Baptist Assembly.

Author and social activist the Revd Dr Tony Campolo is speaking at Beyond 400 in London next year.

In an exclusive interview with Assembly promoters, he argued that the intensification of international conflict meant we could not ignore Jesus' 'counter-cultural' message.

'In this time when international conflict has become more and more intense, we have to remember that Jesus called upon us to love our enemies,' he said. 'That probably means we shouldn't bomb them.

'Jesus said "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy". We no longer believe in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, because Jesus said we should no longer believe in that.

'We should do good to those who hurt us. We must overcome evil with good.

'I think there is nothing more relevant to an age and a time, when the future of the planet is in danger, than to go back to the teachings of Jesus and say, "These are the teachings according to the way we must live in the here and now."'

Dr Campolo also had strong words for evangelicals in the US, who had become 'married' to one political party and ideology.

'We feel that the word evangelical in the United States has become allied with anti-women, anti-environment, pro-war, anti-gay. 'We really feel that this kind of mentality is not honouring of God.'

The interview can be heard at

http://soundcloud.com/baptistassemblyuk/tony-campolo-baptist-assembly