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.
And this is a very good point. Many Christians have a habit of trying to compartmentalize different aspects of their faith. I agree.
I believe Christians cannot separate their core beliefs and their vote.
They should not, but many do. But I don't think many of these issues are as clear cut as you think they are.
There is not a bit of gray area in right and wrong or in the Bible.
Right is right and wrong is Left ;^) see Ecc. 10:2
but seriously on abortion and Homosexuality they are clear cut and they are wrong and a Christian CANNOT vote for one that supports those things and be the Christian that Christ wants them to be.
"I'm going to climb every mountain and sing, shout, speak...."
Methinks you are a tad off. But that's ok, it takes all kinds.
"Methinks you are a tad off. But that's ok, it takes all kinds."
I think you obviously can't get enough of this.
Co-Dependant much?
Agreed.
So therefore a Christain cannot be a political liberal.
Allow me to clarify;
I agree that pro-abortion and pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage(for example)are contrary to Biblical teachings.
Therefore a Christian SHOULD not support these things.
But a Christian CAN support them and simply be wrong on these issues.
All the warnings in the New Testament to Christians against sin and false teachings tell us that REAL Christians are capable of self-deceit and sin.
Secondly I would disagree with you that all political liberal positions are opposed to Biblical teachings and vice-versa for conservative positions. That is far too simplistic a view.
We'll disagree
I would say that a person claiming to be a Christain but supports those or any other type of those issues needs to seek Fathers heart.
And I'll leave it at that
God Bless
RB<><
Dear Keats5:
Karma is just another name for "works righteousness." Karma says you receive the good that you deserve; grace says you receive the good you do not deserve and did not earn by your own merits. I think I'd rather have grace.
Right. Me too.
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