I read it along with CS Lewis "Mere Christianity" and "Screwtape Letters" and it made me see things in a whole new way...
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.
sounds like that to me, too.....i love this line:
"That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge,"
I met a biker once, a rowdy, tattooed, foul-mouthed biker, who had the most powerful saved-by-grace testimony you've ever heard. Sometimes people get so distracted by the profanity that they can't hear the message. I think swearing must be like smoking -- when it's been a lifelong habit, it's hard to break.
"My former pastor put it this way: Who are we to tell God in what order He must fix the problems in someone else's life?" In my own life, God took away my near-murderous rage before He dealt with my own rather salty tongue. Come to think of it, He's *still* dealing with my salty tongue. Bottom line, though, is that His priorities are correct.
Good on you, Bono.
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. . . .
George W Bush: “Jesus is my favorite philosopher”
The Holy Spirit will work within the individual to alter..the after effects of their previous life ....before Christ.
It's not up to us to do this....
..Christians are called to gently guide a new believer, but not condemn....
..they can exhort, but in a loving, guiding way....
:o)
"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?"
The interviewer; Societies typical secular pinko biased PESSIMIST. tear down everything, debunk anything good and positive, condescending, pseudo intellect, negative monger, whiner, party pooper, problem maker, solution avoidance, anarchist, chaos advocate, antagonist. Basically the walking dead feeding off the living.
Correct. And I know several Christians who swear, including myself. ;)
There's hope yet for the world...Bono gets it right! Read it.
It's so refreshing to hear from others, isn't it?
Speaking from experience, I can tell you there's alot that doesn't go away unless your passion's been neutered.
I read it along with CS Lewis "Mere Christianity" and "Screwtape Letters" and it made me see things in a whole new way...
Yes indeed. I've known many lifelong Christians who could not have articulated their own beliefs/salvation any better.
Does anyone know how long Bono has been a Christian?
"Bono's obviously read CS Lewis's Mere Christianity. His defense of the divinity of Christ is almost word-for-word from the book."
More proof they're unable to have an original thought.
Should Christ be flattered by Bonehead? I'm sure Christ is looking for sincerity not useful idiots.
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