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.
Ah, I see. No, that's not it.
It makes no never mind to me that he's a millionaire and could donate more money to worthy causes than I will make in my lifetime. He does what he can with what he's got.
The question is: am I doing what I can with what I've got? Nope, not even close, and I know it, too. Which is shameful for someone like me who considers themselves to be a Christian. Things like that make me fear I'm not a very good one. :) I don't have to think he's better than me to feel that I am not doing my part.
So, are you going to answer my question? What makes you believe that Bono's faith is insincere? Is it because he makes a ton of money? (It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle...)
I didn't even know he was a Christian. I'm very impressed that he is able to work in the music industry and still is able to maintain a relationship with Jesus! Now, it makes sense to me that he does charity concerts to benefit people in Africa and other poverty stricken countries. God Bless him for his service to the Lord.
"What makes you believe that Bono's faith is insincere? Is it because he makes a ton of money"
I never said or accused Bono of being sincere or insincere. I ony attempted to point out that many of us don't follow Bonoisms or celeb idols like his fan (idle minds) base does. Now back to your bible(fan magazines).
And this, in a nutshell, is the Gospel!
The 'Good News'!
Perhaps you didn't explicitly say so, but it was certainly implied with the comment about never having an original thought.
Be that as it may, since you appear to enjoy insulting me, I think it best not to post to you again, and vice versa.
Respectfully, may I just say that that is the only thing I disagree with you on. Excellent post.
While I am VERY comfortable calling sin by name and working against it, I am not comfortable being harder on others than I am on myself. I am completely unworthy of salvation period.
The ONLY way I am saved is because Christ loved me enough to take on the natural consequences of my sin, by choice. Amazing Grace.
I will honor that gift in everyway I possibly can.
"Be that as it may, since you appear to enjoy insulting me, I think it best not to post to you again, and vice versa."
Your false accusations that I insulted you smell like a touchy feely liberal who twists words around. C-ya
That's actually very well stated.
Same thing the Pharisees thought
John 8:50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.
51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.
52At this the Jews exclaimed,Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. 53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
**I like the "Grace vs Karma"**
How about Christ's death and resurrection for our sins vs. karma?
I was never comfortable with the lines "I have cursed Thy rod and staff/they no longer comfort me." It sounds like repudiation of Christ to me. Since U2 made a complete change right after that album, I figured it was.
Almost.........
WE need to get rid of the baser things. Not by 'prayer' (though it helps), but with a dedicated and mature approach to controlling ourselves.
NIV Galatians 5:22-23
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23. gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
NIV Ephesians 4:22-32
22. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23. to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24. and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26. "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27. and do not give the devil a foothold.
28. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.NIV Colossians 3:5-8
5. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:8
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.NIV 2 Timothy 2:19
19. Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
NIV 1 Timothy 3:2-3
2. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3. not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
NIV Titus 1:8
Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.NIV Titus 2:1-6
1. You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
2. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
4. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,
5. to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
NIV Titus 2:11-12
11. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
12. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
NIV 1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
NIV 1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
NIV 1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
NIV 2 Peter 1:5-7
5. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
6. and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-controlled, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
7. and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
Maybe there's more to Bono than meets the eye.
I didn't say anywhere that CS Lewis is "the Bible," nor did I ever make any comparison that could even remotely hint of that possibility.
and a time and a place for saying "God loves you".
You've got a great point about self-control, Elsie. I would submit to you that self control, though, isn't necessarily the same for everyone.
When I became a Christian, I was an extremely angry young man. For me, learning self-control meant not lashing out violently against those around me. God delivered me from the rage in my heart. For someone else, who didn't have the anger issues I did, self control may manifest itself in not cussing, etc.
Either way, we're all travelers on the path, put on the road by the grace of God and walking it in His power.
And the Interview is right out of "The Screwtape Letters".
Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
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