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.
In fact, she still is.
Though, her ardor might have declined with age.
Theirs, not hers.
;)
Interesting tidbit of information. ;-)
In the middle of one of their performances their once vibrant, youthful lead singer enthusiastically mounted an object adjacent to the stage-a table, I believe-but was forced to rely on a team of well-paid handlers in order to get down.
It reminded me of the Rolling Stones during the '80s.
Something tells me that Mick Jagger et. al. are going to need walkers in order to perform "Start Me Up," among other numbers, during their next world tour.
:0)
LOL!!! How old is Mick? I dare say he's as old as my dad, good grief.
Red
"yes....but to atone for what they had committed...then after that the road to reformation..but we have eternity to work it out. "
I don't agree about Hitler and Mengele. Terms like Heaven and hell, burn in hell, go to hell, eternal hell, fire and damnation(damn nation = hell) would not exist.
On a lighter note:
"Heaven is where the police are British, the cooks are French, the mechanics German, the lovers Italian and it's all organized by the Swiss.
Hell is where the chefs are British, the mechanics French, the lover's Swiss, the police German and it's all organized by the Italians."
Christ's death and resurrection for our sins =
Grace=
God's Riches at Christ's Expense=
the gift of salvation I never could have paid for myself.
Thank you Jesus!
wow, you must lead a lot of hell bound sinners into the light with that attitude.
(not just the one post, all of 'em)
when i'm with friends and the subject of Christianity comes up it is the stereotypical condescending, holier-than-thou attitude like the one i've been reading here that keeps us away.
Never have been a fan of U2 from a musical standpoint but I like this latest album moreso than others. But on this Bono has hit the nail on the end. Grace, not Karma, I like that
wow, you must lead a lot of hell bound sinners into the light with that attitude.
(not just the one post, all of 'em)
when i'm with friends and the subject of Christianity comes up it is the stereotypical condescending, holier-than-thou attitude like the one i've been reading here that keeps us away.
I always give books to my frinds for Christmas.
This year, they are going to get Mere Christianity.
Red
I felt compelled to answer. But, no need. You did it better than I could have.
and Tolkien, who saved Lewis :-)
I believe yes.
And God bless you.
Sounds like he's got the right theology. Let's pray he sees the truth about politics, although I can't say Jesus would be a card carying member of either major political party today. It sure seems that the GOP is a lot closer with their pro-life stance and that's where I'll hang my hat.
No one is perfect. Trying to aim for it is hopeless, but perhaps admirable. Trying to pretend to be is ... Well you make up your own mind.
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