Keep on the sunnyside of life.
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.
Bono could teach all those fraudulent money preachers on TBN a thing or two about the Gospel. Come to think of it, he could teach the latest fad preachers Joel Osteen and Rick Warren a thing or two as well.
Yes, I remember the donkey. Maybe the Lord is going to use you to witness to liberals. Oh no, what am I saying, that is the donkey isn't it? LOL!
Keep on the sunnyside of life.
Hey, Rastus. That line struck me as odd too, but I have come to understand it. Yes, it is a repudiation of God, but I understand the sentiment, I've been there. I think every person of faith struggles and has moments or ordeals when we feel like God has let us down, or we're angry at God for some reason. You know, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?"
The beauty of the song acknowledges those feelings of struggle, but then brings you back to him standing on the hill of the Son. Grace prevails in the end despite OUR weakness and fear.
Does that help?
Yep. My reply, #182.
I didn't even know he was a Christian!
Nothing says a Christian MUST be right on EVERY single issue, in order to be a genuine saved by grace believer.
Always felt that rock singers should just do that - sing.
However, I can't fault Bono for what he has said here.
BTW...while I may no longer be a big U2 fan, I've never lost my zeal for Larry Mullen! He was HOT when I was 13, and he's STILL HOT, now that I'm 33! Phwaorrrr!
I think for a swear word to be really bad is when it's said with a tone that's malicious.
Jorge,
I agree with you. Just curious, what do YOU think most people's ideas of "the Gospel of Jesus Christ" is? I think Bono has an incredibly clear knowledge of the Gospel. I simply want your idea of what most people think the Gospel is. Thanks.
Saul of Tarsus became Paul the Apostle. Whether Hitler or Mengele received salvation seems doubtful but not impossible from my perspective.
And the winner is: exnavychick
An excellent post. As a conservative I care about the poor but when liberals care about anything is is to make themselves feel better.
Truth is pouring into the zeitgeist right now...
I agree with Bono. Too many millineum and too many people who believe and just keep on believing.
He is not my favorite cup of tea, but as long as he has something good to say, it's just fine with me.
"The Case for Christ" Bump
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