Comments on: Bono is TIME’s Person of the Year http://transformatum.com/2005/12/18/bono-is-times-person-of-the-year/ Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:51:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Scott http://transformatum.com/2005/12/18/bono-is-times-person-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1374 Scott Tue, 20 Dec 2005 21:09:36 +0000 http://www.transformatum.com/2005/12/18/bono-is-times-person-of-the-year/#comment-1374 I think I understand the sentiment that you describe. Certainly he is esteemed because of his talent as a musician. The fact that he's a Christian sometimes gets wrapped up into his fame in a way that he becomes some sort of über-Christian...a kind of idolization. I think that part of the fascination in the Christian community stems from a wrong view of rock music. It is that undertone that says rock music is evil, or that it may not be evil but you can only listen to inherently or blatantly <em>Christian</em> music. So when it becomes apparent that he's got faith, it gets brought to the forefront as a kind of justification for listening to U2. The reality is that I don't think U2 are concerned with making "Christian" music, but rather making good music that is consistent with their Christian world and life view. Not every song is about God or Jesus. Their songs may be about sex or addiction or poverty or whatever. But no matter the topic there is a fittingness to their music. The music addresses real topics--from beautiful to ugly--in a way that reflects a Christian worldview. I don't think we should celebrate his life in Christ any more than yours or mine, but isn't there some encouragement to be found in the way in which he takes his responsibility as a Christian seriously? Bono would probably be the first to admit that God's grace has nothing to do with what he does; and yet at the same time it has everything to do with what he does. I'm trying to get at that idea that we're saved by grace alone so that we can be a blessing to the nations through our works. The order of course is very important. For example, Bono doesn't just use his talents to make money and live a plush life (although I'm sure his standard of living is high). He also spends his time and energy campaigning for peace, AIDS relief and debt forgiveness. Rather than just bash Republicans or Democrats (like most celebs), he mediates and works with both parties to find common ground. And he doesn't seem to do it out of guilt, but out of thankfulness for God's grace and obedience to His commandments. In terms of grace it doesn't make him any better than you and me, but it's a way of living that I admire and respect. I think I understand the sentiment that you describe. Certainly he is esteemed because of his talent as a musician. The fact that he’s a Christian sometimes gets wrapped up into his fame in a way that he becomes some sort of über-Christian…a kind of idolization.

I think that part of the fascination in the Christian community stems from a wrong view of rock music. It is that undertone that says rock music is evil, or that it may not be evil but you can only listen to inherently or blatantly Christian music. So when it becomes apparent that he’s got faith, it gets brought to the forefront as a kind of justification for listening to U2.

The reality is that I don’t think U2 are concerned with making “Christian” music, but rather making good music that is consistent with their Christian world and life view. Not every song is about God or Jesus. Their songs may be about sex or addiction or poverty or whatever. But no matter the topic there is a fittingness to their music. The music addresses real topics–from beautiful to ugly–in a way that reflects a Christian worldview.

I don’t think we should celebrate his life in Christ any more than yours or mine, but isn’t there some encouragement to be found in the way in which he takes his responsibility as a Christian seriously? Bono would probably be the first to admit that God’s grace has nothing to do with what he does; and yet at the same time it has everything to do with what he does. I’m trying to get at that idea that we’re saved by grace alone so that we can be a blessing to the nations through our works. The order of course is very important.

For example, Bono doesn’t just use his talents to make money and live a plush life (although I’m sure his standard of living is high). He also spends his time and energy campaigning for peace, AIDS relief and debt forgiveness. Rather than just bash Republicans or Democrats (like most celebs), he mediates and works with both parties to find common ground. And he doesn’t seem to do it out of guilt, but out of thankfulness for God’s grace and obedience to His commandments.

In terms of grace it doesn’t make him any better than you and me, but it’s a way of living that I admire and respect.

]]> By: Bert http://transformatum.com/2005/12/18/bono-is-times-person-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1373 Bert Tue, 20 Dec 2005 15:19:12 +0000 http://www.transformatum.com/2005/12/18/bono-is-times-person-of-the-year/#comment-1373 What has always bothered me about Christians, not you but others, is that Bono has been elevated to some special plane of Christendom. Why should we celebrate his life in Christ more so then any regular Joe who professes the same faith? What has always bothered me about Christians, not you but others, is that Bono has been elevated to some special plane of Christendom. Why should we celebrate his life in Christ more so then any regular Joe who professes the same faith?

]]> By: Scott http://transformatum.com/2005/12/18/bono-is-times-person-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1372 Scott Tue, 20 Dec 2005 14:23:55 +0000 http://www.transformatum.com/2005/12/18/bono-is-times-person-of-the-year/#comment-1372 Yes, and there is a lot of writing out there that talks about the history of the band, how they came to Christ through a group called Shalom, their struggle between Christianity and being rock stars, etc. However, I understand why a lot of people would be skeptical, because it isn't something that Bono goes out and explicitly flaunts. In a sense I can respect that more than the typical CCM guy who may not be a very good musician, but uses his faith to promote his career...kind of like the used car dealership, Nice Cars, whose sign has an ichthus and the slogan, "Nice Cars for Good People." I'm not going to pretend that Bono is a reformed Five Point Calvinist who can quote back the Westminster Confession, but the man does claim faith in Jesus Christ. There was an interview he did with a French music journalist that was recently published as a book titled, <em>Bono</em>. Christianity Today has an excerpt from the book. http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/bono-0805.html Yes, and there is a lot of writing out there that talks about the history of the band, how they came to Christ through a group called Shalom, their struggle between Christianity and being rock stars, etc. However, I understand why a lot of people would be skeptical, because it isn’t something that Bono goes out and explicitly flaunts. In a sense I can respect that more than the typical CCM guy who may not be a very good musician, but uses his faith to promote his career…kind of like the used car dealership, Nice Cars, whose sign has an ichthus and the slogan, “Nice Cars for Good People.”

I’m not going to pretend that Bono is a reformed Five Point Calvinist who can quote back the Westminster Confession, but the man does claim faith in Jesus Christ. There was an interview he did with a French music journalist that was recently published as a book titled, Bono. Christianity Today has an excerpt from the book.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/bono-0805.html

]]> By: Bert http://transformatum.com/2005/12/18/bono-is-times-person-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1371 Bert Tue, 20 Dec 2005 08:29:30 +0000 http://www.transformatum.com/2005/12/18/bono-is-times-person-of-the-year/#comment-1371 Has Bono ever said what his faith is in? Has Bono ever said what his faith is in?

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