Tuesday
Sep202005
No Bono
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 12:19PM
Bono supposedly made an appearance at the Pearl Jam concert last night, meaning that he stayed in Toronto longer than anyone thought. That means U2 were in Toronto two Sundays and they didn't show up at Richview. I'm offended! This could have happened. (Good quote from the article, actually: "[Bono] told the congregation that he stopped asking God to bless his own work and started to do the work that God already has blessed.")
Reader Comments (10)
Rumor has it that Bono read on your blog that I was preaching this Sunday and is planning to show up then. Hey, is that "percentage of the offering" deal still on the table?
Brian, you are a major tease. lol.
Had a little read through that article Darryl. "As the lead singer of the group U2, Bono has long used Christian imagery in his songs. Additionally, he has also been candid about his fascination with Jesus and his simultaneous disillusionment with organized religion. " Interesting he says he is fascinated with Jesus. Doesn't say he knows Jesus, says he is fascinated with Jesus. He wants to challenge the church in regards to the Aids crisis in Africa. That's a good thing, the church needs to do more for sure. What I don't understand yet (but I'm open to listening) is the church's fascination with this guy. Is he a Christian? Does anyone ever ask him why he doesn't use his position as a rock and roll icon to profess Jesus Christ as the only hope for this world? That's the part I don't understand. If he is a Christian just think about all the opportunities he has to profess Christ and to call people to come to Him in repentance and faith to receive the free gift of salvation. I don't see him doing that so from where I sit I have to question his sincerity as a follower of Christ. To call people to help out in Africa, that's good, but anyone can do that. How is his particular message any different from say a guy like Stephen Lewis?
George: I'm not sure I can answer your questions. Christianity Today did a feature on Bono some time ago that goes a bit into his spirituality: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/003/2.38.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/003/2.38.html
As one who would love to have him at your church I thought maybe you would have some of those answers. Would you have a guy like that behind your pulpit if you don't know if he's a Christian?
George: This post was completely tongue in cheek. I am not big into celebrity speakers in any case because the attention is usually focused on the wrong person.
Amen to that Darryl. I know you're a big fan so I didn't take as tongue in cheek but I hear you now, thanks. Its interesting, I was visiting a popular Oakville church recently, which shall remain nameless, but its the one with all the satellite sites, and part of the service was the showing of a U2 video. It was a live concert and the video showed all the fans jumping up and down going nuts over Bono and when I saw that, it was exactly what I thought "the attention was focused on the wrong person" and what exactly is the church trying to say by playing the video. But I guess that's all a part of showing how "cool" certain churches want to be. I don't get it.
I really wouldn't expect Bono to show up at Richview, so I was being a bit silly. A story went around recently about Bono showing up at a church and confronting them about their lack of concern for the poor. It did get me thinking, "Wouldn't it be strange if he showed up?" but I don't know that it would really phase me. At one point it might have, but I've known enough celebrities to realize that they are just people after all. I was once intimidated by someone who came out. Later, he said that someone much more important than him was in attendance every week, and I should worry about that. I've never forgotten it.
George, I saw the same video clip of Bono in another satellite church linked to the one in Oakville and felt the same way. It was soo out of place to see Bono being lionized for singing a song that was so shallow and remotely religious.
What was the song?