I am enjoying U2's new album as much as ANY U2 has ever made! Blogging on it has been a blast! If you’ve read my blog, you know I’ve reviewed the album from a spiritual perspective. Some Christian folk, however, get a little nervous when a preacher publically goes on record with the spiritual thoughts of a rock star. I wonder why? I think I understand…It seems some Christ-followers fear that I’ll get embarrassed if Bono and the boys do something stupid or “un-Christian.” They are afraid that “Humpty Dumpty will have a great fall.”
Lemme see…uh, did Abraham ever do anything stupid?...like lie and ask his wife to lie? Uh, did David ever do anything stupid?...like commit adultery and have a good friend murdered? How about Solomon…the most prolific writer of proverbs and philosophy in the ancient world? Did he ever do anything stupid…like have a ga-zillion wives and concubines?! Let alone Peter (the Denier) or Thomas (the Doubter). Need I say more?
There isn’t ANYONE out there who is without sin. If there are believers being drawn to Gospel Truth through U2’s music…that shouldn’t change if Bono slips up. Bono isn’t the savior; Jesus is. Bono isn’t without sin; Jesus was. Are Christians called to a Christ-like life? Of course. But do any of us attain that? Nope.
The fact is, people are able to communicate spiritual truth whether or not they even believe the Gospel. One of my favorite movies is the Matrix. The Wachowski brothers don’t make any claim of being Christ-followers…yet the truth of the Gospel is all through that film. The truth of the Gospel is not made false if people who write about it, film about it, sing about it…preach on it…stumble and fall. Make no mistake…it is sad and tragic when Christ-followers experience spiritual failure, especially in a very public way. It hurts the witness of Grace. But Truth is Truth.
So, Bono, keep singing what you were born to sing, and for Whom you were born to sing! Keep making a “joyful noise.” Oh…and I’ll keep blogging on the spiritual themes I find in U2’s music. And Church…”get out from under your beds!”…try to enjoy the music!
6 comments:
I remember listening to music when I was a kid and finding Christian truths in rock music. I remember sharing my thoughts with my youth pastor about this particular song that was most likely not Christian at all by the artist and I got blasted for it. I remember that it changed everything. Before he blasted me when I heard that song I felt like I was worshiping and the words I sang along with were to Christ. Then after he told me that the artist was probably talking about something different, I felt stupid and I never listened to it the same again. I am older now and I am glad to hear your view on this topic and I am out from under the bed and loving this album. I have all of U2’s music and I am getting so more out of it by reading your blog song analysis. I understand you didn’t write the music and you don’t know Bono’s intent in the lyrics but I am worshiping all the same. Thanks Bob.
We are all so ugly inside. We just cover it differently. Kids don't yet know how to cover it, so we are easily able to see their selfishness, pride and laziness. We just craft ways to look holy while being all of those things!
Thanks for blogging.
great comments, Larry...how many young believers have been wounded by well-meaning, yet wrong, "church" people...
and MLS, you are so right...we ALL have our armor in place..but we'll never be changed until we are honest with ourselves about our need for Christ.
Great thoughts and great music taste as well! I enjoyed reading your post and good points for dialogue.s
I am just thankful that my pastor's identity is in Christ, not U2 or what some criticizing believer thinks it ought to be. Yeah for Bob! (Great now you'll get an inflated ego) I'm also enjoying that my sweetie pie (larry) is worshiping through this blog and U2's music. It makes for happiness all around.
Michael is preaching from Luke this Sunday and using a Johnny Cash Song...hold on to your hats.
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