Salty dogma: Bono gives an explicit confession of being saved by Grace, not Karma

WORLD ^ | August 6, 2005 | Gene Edward Veith

[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.

[Sabatier]

Very well-expressed!

[New Perspective]

Bono's politics have placed him at times with the "left", but he is a Christian. We may not see eye to eye on every issue, but on the big ones he is pretty socially conservative.

Good thought, I agree. Being on the "left" does not make him any less of a child of God, but he does put his money where his mouth is. He travels the world working for others. I am happy to see his conviction regarding his faith, and his backbone to actually say it to a reporter.

[jammer]

Bono seems to have done his homework.

Yes. Straight out of C.S. Lewis. Good for him and Lewis.

[catonsville]

Bonos Christian beliefs may be his karma.

[Bear_Slayer]

A long time ago, long before they made it famous, I had the opportunity to see U2 in So. Cal. They were opened by a Christian band. The audience was mostly Christians.

I dislike Bono's politics and I wonder if he actually knows Jesus or just knows about Jesus. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and I hope to see him in Heaven.

40

Lyrics by U2

I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song

He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and fear

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song

[Bear_Slayer]

If they did, (and I doubt it) it was because they truly repented of their sins and receive the free gift that Christ provided at the cross.

One sin is all that is required to go to hell. Does anyone deserve heaven? No there is none righteous - no not one.

[LtKerst]

Amazing Grace! how can it be? that thou My God didst die for Me!

[jwalsh07]

Bono has a lot on the ball. And the fact that he and I are sinners says nothing about our Christianity or God's grace.

[ccmay]

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.

I'm not so sure. When he says, "The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world," that's right out of the Agnus Dei and John 1:29.

I would bet he spent some time in church as a kid, but rejected the message.

-ccm

[ccmay]

Being on the "left" does not make him any less of a child of God, but he does put his money where his mouth is. He travels the world working for others.

Yes. There are many conspicuously professing "Christians" on our side of the political aisle who could benefit from his example.

-ccm

[GatorGirl]

Bono is the product of a mixed Irish Catholic and Irish Protestant marriage, which you can imagine, is highly unusual. His mother died when he was relatively young, and it seems as if he didn't exactly follow either religion but he is definitely Christian. He doesn't appear to be affiliated with one particular church, however.

He has been known to genuflect and make the Sign of the Cross at concerts and on other occasions, which might be more of a cultural thing being raised in Ireland.

Larry Mullins, the drummer for U2, is the only true Irish Catholic in the group. The Edge and Adam Clayton are both English.

Way more than you wanted to know from a huge U2 fan! GG

[silverleaf]

"One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important." C.S. Lewis

yep- sounds like Bono has read "Mere Christianity"

[Zack Nguyen]

"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."

Amen.

[Marysecretary]

It's VERY hard to break. I know that from personal experience. I still struggle with it sometimes.

[Marysecretary]

they sure did--in HELL.

[evets]

"I am the way and the truth and and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." John 14:6
(Thanks for posting this. I agree with Bono for once.)

[Zack Nguyen]

To many of us in the Christian faith community, this is not new news about Bono.

The fascinating thing is that their Christian walk has been lived out in front of us, in their music, spattered with the sweat, blood and tears of spiritual struggle, for 25 years. As one of their fans that means a great deal to me.

[Porterville]

Is Grace a hotty?

[Marysecretary]

He certainly feeds the poor, as Christ commands. Many here can criticize him for his politics, but God sees what he's doing and I'm sure He's pleased that Bono is following His command to feed the poor. I wonder how many of us even send a few bucks to help the poor. It's a command!

[eureka!]

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