Him2?
Even if their music is not your particular cup of tea, there is no doubt that the vast majority of us have at least heard of the rock band U2 and/or their front man Bono(who is now as well known for his humanitarian efforts as he is for his music). Ever since the early 80's when their first album came out, the band's lyrics have contained obvious religious content. Coming from a mixed Catholic-Protestant Irish families, the religious views of the band's lead singer have long been debated. However, the displayed behavior of the band has not been, shall we say, "exemplary" of a Christian lifestyle. This placed them, and Bono in particualr, in a peculiar position: dubbed "Christian" by many secular critics because of his lyrics, tagged "secular" by many Christian critics. In other words, there has always been a big "huh?" factor surrounding his spiritual condition. I was pointed to this article that seems to shed some light on the subject. I found it bold, intelligent, honest, enlightening, and encouraging. It made me grin.
posted by Ian @ 8:35 AM
17 comments
17 Comments:
OK, I am not thouroughly convinced, he can talk the talk, but when it comes to the walk where is he? He has had a great career and continues to, and could use it so effectivly. But he chooses to be "on the line" constantly and what is that showing to people? Again, he knows it all... but is he really living it?
thank goodness its not up to us to decide whether people are saved. of course bono has dressed like the devil in past tours and done stupid stuff. it sounded like he's read part of Mere Christianity. I don't feel like i'm in a position to decide whether his works are true or not, though. but we know that no Christians can ever be liberal or democratic since God is a republican.
as far as the band goes, i think they should be called 'Used2', as in used to be good and relevant. i've hated their newer albums. it was all down hill with Discotheque.
I'm not judging him, or defending him, I'm simply taking him at his word. Look at what he said:
"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."
I would say the same thing. He admits his sin, understands its consequences, and professes Christ as His Savior. Don't the scriptures tell us to regard him as a brother? Isn't this occasion of him sharing and defending his faith "walking the walk"? Haven't we all done stupid things? His are just more public. Again, not defending him, just some points to think on.
Also, U2's latest, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb", is their best album since "The Unforgettable Fire" back in the 80's. The last track "YAHWEH" is phenominal.
He does much better defending the faith than Haley Joel Ostein (or whatever his name is) did with Larry King over on Tim's site
As a long time U2 fan, who has suffered the "doubts" about where Bono stood, this is great. I think we tend to forget that Christian "celebrities"- be they musicians or even a pastor or author we look up to- are still human: they learn and grow, they fall and get back up again. As Ian said, Bono's "stupidity" has been very public- I'm glad that most of my stupidty hasn't had as wide an audience.
Besides, it's about time "we" came up with someone cooler than Kurt Cameron;)
- Matt, grinning ear to ear as I listen to "Under a Blood Red Sky"
I detect definite shades of "Evidence That Demands a Verdict". He's been reading. He gave a great presentation. I find myself most interested in the interviewer. His response is kind of heart wrenching. (And I'm absolutely NOT qualified to comment on the music. ;) Matt's got a good point about being at different stages in one's walk. How long has he believed? [I was a horrid witness for the first two years I was saved, though I loved the Lord, trusted Him, wanted to know the Bible and loved the brethren. But that was it. Scott Button as a new believer made me look pitiful!]
Soso Vox........HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!!!!
Crack me up..... =P
...just beginning my walk and I find hope in Bono's words.
RJ
Hey Ian,
Looks like you've got a new friend! How can they spam blogs? Seems like a lot of work to me.
Deb-
Don't be so cynical! RJ is actually a good friend of Ian's (as well as an accomplished photographer, as you can see from his site).
Besides- would it be so suprising that someone who didn't know Ian would want to comment;)
-Matt
Hey Matt,
Ian's blog was spammed by someone and Ian has since deleted it. That was the unwelcome friend Deb was talking about, not RJ.
Dad
Matt,
Yea, someone commented with some plain-ol' spam that had nothing to do with any kind of conversation going on here, or on anyone else's blog. I promptly deleted it as I figured no one was interested in reading about the latest and greatest business opportunity to hit the professional realm.
On another note, I will be updating my blog sometime this week, so be on the look out for new stuff to chew on!
They had an interview with Bono in World magazine. I was very impressed. A friend and I were talking about him last week, and agreed that it is easy for Christians to discount other Christians based on somone's sin instead of looking at fruit as well. I think we tend to think of people with no big external sins and little-to-no fruit as being Christians. You definately have to look at both, and evaluate your own walk as well.
RJ - I was actually encouraged by your blog. I didn't think about what my comment would look like after Ian deleted the ad. Oops..
And, Matt, I'm glad you add your name at the bottom. All your blog comment names MUST be explained to me some day. ;) [Blogspot probably thinks they have twice as many people participating thanks to you!]
Hey Ian, you were spammed too? Was it about the timber industrey? I was spammed last week. At first I thought that it was some one who knew Phil and was putting something useful on... I read on onlt to realize that I was spammed! UGH...
Um, U2 Love them!
But,I was a little cynical when I read it at first then, I thought about people who look at all of us as Christians. Are they always seeing us at our best at our most "Godly" times or are they seeing us at out worst? kinda makes you think a little!
Good thoughts!
Deb-
Sorry- I missed the whole SPAM thing, and there wasn't any "comment deleted" in the string to clue me in.
Just sticking up for my homey, RJ!
As for the names, in this post at least, they are all U2 references from way back. Even if Ian is the only one who gets them, I'll be happy.
Beth- good comments. Let he who is without sin cast the first invective.
-Matt
hey, who is this rj person? someone that is known to any of you really or just a random person? I love the pictures but, that is all I can see? am I out of the loop as usual? :)
RJ is a very dear friend of mine. He and his family lived in the other side of the duplex that we lived in in Derry all those years ago. The pictures are his, you know, he took them. He does free lance photography for the off-road industry which he has been involved with in various degrees over the years.
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