Posted on 07/29/2005 5:11:57 AM PDT by rhema
Is Bono, the lead singer and songwriter for the rock group U2, a Christian? He says he is and writes about Christianity in his lyrics. Yet many people question whether Bono is "really" a Christian, due to his notoriously bad language, liberal politics, and rock star antics (though he has been faithfully married for 23 years). But in a new book of interviews, Bono in Conversation by Michka Assayas, Bono, though using some salty language, makes an explicit confession of faith.
The interviewer, Mr. Assayas, begins by asking Bono, Doesn't he think "appalling things" happen when people become religious? Bono counters, "It's a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the Universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma."
The interviewer asks, What's that? "At the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one," explains Bono. "And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that. . . . Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff."
The interviewer asks, Like what? "That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge," says Bono. "It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."
Then the interviewer marvels, "The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that."
"The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death," replies Bono. "It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of Heaven."
The interviewer marvels some more: "That's a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it's close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has His rank among the world's great thinkers. But Son of God, isn't that farfetched?"
Bono comes back, "Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: He was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn't allow you that. He doesn't let you off that hook. Christ says, No. I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: 'I'm the Messiah.' I'm saying: 'I am God incarnate.' . . . So what you're left with is either Christ was who He said He was—the Messiah—or a complete nutcase. . . . The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me that's farfetched."
What is most interesting in this exchange is the reaction of the interviewer, to whom Bono is, in effect, witnessing. This hip rock journalist starts by scorning what he thinks is Christianity. But it is as if he had never heard of grace, the atonement, the deity of Christ, the gospel. And he probably hadn't. But when he hears what Christianity is actually all about, he is amazed.
Apparently, Bono been reading C.S. Lewis, and probably G.K. Chesterton as well,
I've been known to mock Bono every now and then (who could resist) but as a U2 fan since high school in the early 80's, I've always enjoyed the occasional references in their songs (well, the first three CDs at least and the last one).
Bono rocks!
"Can a Christian be a political-liberal?"
No doubt about it. Especially with dealing with the poor.
Bono, Edge, and Larry are all big time Christians, while Adam is the only "wild child" in the band.
The three believers spent their first US tour sitting in the back of the tour bus reading their Bibles, while Adam wanted to go out to nightclubs and party. It nearly split up the band, and furthermore, Bono, Edge, and Larry actually had conversations during the 80s over whether or not being in a rock band was in line with their Christian principles.
I for one am happy that they used their fame to bring a spiritual message to people through their music to people who would have otherwise not heard that message (especially in the 80s with albums like The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, and War).
I also don't agree with Bono on everything but he makes his faith very clear here and it is a message that all Christians can agree on. I also admire his work in getting debt reduced around the globe, his plans could use a little work, but otherwise, a noble cause.
Semper Respectful
Ok what about the other political liberal issues:
such as Homosexuality,Abortion,Government is the savior of the people,The ACLU etc?
Interesting!
I'm also surprised. I guess I spoke too soon. The thread has been pleasantly free (for the most part) of some of the usual "Christian" vitriol that often accompanies subjects like this.
Ah well, "just a sinner saved by Grace", thank God.
ping
That just sounds... bizarre! I don't doubt it but... it sounds so weird when you read it out loud! lol
(disclaimer:) Of course, we had Jessica Lange testifying about what it's like to be a farmer too. Or whatever/whoever it was.
I wonder if he has cleaned up his language?
Only God knows if Bono's sincere. I'm certainly not going to guess at the man's heart. But his words tell me he's at least been searching in good places.
I believe Bono tries to do a lot of good in the world. I disagree with a lot of his methods, but (I hope) there are very few who would disagree with trying to end poverty as an ultimate goal.:/
Here's my philosophy: I golf, therefore, I swear.
Oh, I knew Bono was an Anglican after I saw him come out to entertain at the Superbowl a few years back and the first thing he sang was "Oh Lord Open Thou Our Lips, And Our Mouths Shall Shew Forth Thy Praise!" (Opening of the Preces and Responses of the Anglican service of Evensong)
I do think he's respectible, I just wish he's stop doing the Jesse Jackson thing of running around thinking he knows better than everybody else, and stepping in the middle of everyone else's play. Especially with feel-good well-intentioned liberal play-at-action actions that don't really accomplish anything but cause prolonged misery because people think it does.
NNnoooo... Jesus was luuuvvvvv....
(He talked about hell more than he talked about Heaven!)
I think that character flaws like swearing help not hurt evangelization because who's attracted to someone who's perfect? They say, if I can't be perfect like Terabitten, what's the point. But if they can say, it even works for a foul-mouthed old barstad like Terabitten, maybe there's a chance for me, then God's got someone He can work with. He knows what He's doing.
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