Chuck Colson - RIP

Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Ministry Fellowships & a principal writer of the Manhattan Declaration passed away Saturday from complications resulting from a brain hemorrhage. For people of my generation he will be most remembered for his part in the Nixon administration as a hatchetman involved in the Watergate coverup as well as the break-in to the Ellsberg's psychiatrist office. He was also responsible for the Nixon's Enemies List. As he was facing arrest, his close friend, Raytheon Company chairman of the board Thomas L. Phillips, gave Colson a copy of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. After reading it, Colson  became an evangelical Christian. Colson then joined a prayer group led by Douglas Coe. 1 of the members was former Iowa governor & then Democratic US Senator Harold Hughes. Colson eventually pled guilty to obstruction of justice. He later shared the story of his conversion & experience in prison in his book Born Again. The book was later made into a movie with Dean Jones playing Colson & Gov. Hughes playing himself.

In the 90s he was co-writer of Evangelicals and Catholics Together, with Fr. Richard John Neuhaus.  In recent years he helped lead the charge in battling the "culture of death" through his involvement in the Manhatten Declaration as well.

I had the privledge of meeting Chuck Colson in the late 70s when he spoke here in Iowa. Yes, I did get my paperback copy of Born Again autographed by both him & Governor Hughes. While many were still doubting the sincerity of his conversion back then, it was clear to me that he had changed. I say that because I was definitely NOT a fan of Nixon or what he & his staff had done. Gov. Hughes' support of him was also a huge factor in my willingness to give Colson the benefit of the doubt.

His leadership in the efforts to defend the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage & religious freedom will be sorely missed.

See also: Pro-Life Leaders Remember Christian Activist Chuck Colson
Chuck Colson, evangelical giant against ‘culture of death,’ dies at 80