by Greg Clarke
We Christians are not to worship idols, and that means rock stars, too. But it doesn't mean we can't listen to them, enjoy them, and sometimes even admire them " especially when they deserve it. U2's Bono is that rare celebrity who seems to have become more, rather than less, admirable over time. Sure, there are probably hushed up incidents, a few sins and indiscretions, some words rashly spoken. But Bono's faith in and love for Jesus has survived, and intensified, where most Christian people who are sucked into the stardom vortex end up ruined by the experience.
Reading the interview-based biography, Bono on Bono: Conversations with Michka Assayas (Riverhead, 2005) is a task only the fans will undertake. It's full of (to us, at least) great Bono sound bites, snapshots of his incredible global life (things like forgetting to tell his wife that Gorbachev was dropping in for dinner) and background information on U2's songs. But, even if you're not a fan, I recommend dipping into the book to get a feel for what drives this Irish musical preacher/social reformer and how he might be helping in the task of communicating the gospel.
Although their recent Australian tour has been postponed due to illness, we are bound to see them here soon and they will be in the news for at least a week or two around that time. There have already been front page news stories featuring Bono and his mate, Sir Bob Geldof, and how they plan to "renew their friendship" with our Prime Minister in order to talk about Australia's commitment to foreign aid.
The music aside, Bono is worth listening to for his focus on injustice, on the thoughtless indulgences of the West, on political freedom, and his ideas for a fairer free market. He has set himself the task of economic education, schooled by UN adviser Jeffrey Sachs, and he makes a lot of sense " even Bill Gates is paying attention.
But, more than that, Bono is an evangelist at heart, whether it is for a social cause, an album, or for Jesus himself. Throughout Bono on Bono, he gradually and quite brilliantly works his irreligious interviewer around to considering Christ. In a long conversation, he models the "God talk' we aspire to, explaining how the world runs on "karma' (an eye for an eye), but we need grace:
Bono: " I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge" 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" It should keep us humbled" It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.
Rock stars will answer to God for the lives they live and the words they speak, just like the rest of us. Just now, there's a lot to admire about how Bono is living and speaking, and it provides us with a great moment of opportunity. If the people we would like to see alongside us in church are listening to U2, we are already a long way towards inviting them into the grace that escapes the karma whereby the world is run. Make the most of it.
Other resources:
Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalogue (Eds. R.J. Whitely & B. Maynard), Cowley publications, 2003. A divergent collection of sermons and addresses based on U2 songs.
Walk on: The spiritual journey of U2 (Steve Stockman), Relevant Media, 2003. A fan's take on the band's faith.
Dr Greg Clarke is Director of CASE, the Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education at New College, the University of New South Wales.
