RS Interview with Bono

On the flight into LA this morning, I read the cover story/interview of the latest Rolling Stone magazine, featuring U2's frontman. (I think this is Bono's 12th appearance on the RS cover.) RS writers and editors seem to have varying degrees of openness and sensitivity to spiritual matters, but for the most part, they seem pretty hostile to evangelical Christianity (which I can sometimes relate with) and to faith in general. Unfortunately, I don't think their readers share the same general hostility to spiritual things. I personally get the sense that, though many people in American culture have a revulsion to elements of American evangelicalism, they’re not necessarily ready to reject the true God. I think Glen Galaxy (frontman for the band Soul Junk) was wise to tell one concert crowd, “Consider the possibility tonight that what you've rejected is not God, it's man's attempt to play God.”

Anyway, in this RS discussion with Bono, the interviewer asks very direct questions about the Christian faith that he is increasingly open to talking about. Bono seems to respond with some tentativeness when he says this:

“If I could put it simply, I would say that I believe there’s a force of love and logic . . . behind the universe. . . the story of Christ makes sense to me. As an artist, I see the poetry of it. It’s so brilliant. That this scale of creation, and the unfathomable universe, should describe itself in such vulnerability, as a child. That is mind-blowing to me. I guess that would make me a Christian. Although I don’t use the label, because it is so very hard to live up to. I feel like I’m the worst example of it, so I just kinda keep my mouth shut.”

Wow. I wonder if we can use Bono’s example to replace the Evangelical “how-to” evangelism formulas. Set aside your “Four Spiritual Laws.” Set aside your hotel-issued Gideon Bible. Set aside your “seeker-sensitive” church services. And in their place, just share your heart of wonder for the poetry of God’s story. (Please note: I’m NOT saying that those other things are all bad.)

Notice his reticence to call himself a “Christian,” not necessarily out of shame, but because of a humble recognition of what it means. Bono has seemingly counted the cost of what it means to call himself a Christ-follower. But here’s a man who has gotten the attention of world leaders and the wealthiest of businessmen to act on behalf of the most marginalized, victimized people in the world – echoing the example of Jesus. And he calls himself the worst example of a Christian.

Later, Bono says this: “I also have enormous respect or my friends who are atheists, most of whom are, and the courage it takes not to believe.” If you’re a Christ-follower, just think to yourself for a moment. Are your brothers and sisters in Christ generally known in society for the respect that they have for atheists (or agnostics or the everyday, run-of-the-mill non-Evangelical Christian, for that matter?)

There are plenty more jewels in the interview, but I’ll just end with a couple more quotes.

Speaking of his relationship with the other band members:
“They make me a better singer [and writer]. The idea of being in a room surrounded by people who agree with you is terrifying, ‘cause I’m not sure I’m consistent enough in my own judgment.” (Oh, man. Could this be an example of an appropriate attitude for Christians in the context of biblical community? What about theologians who see their own doctrinal opinions as black and white truth?)

Speaking of the evangelical movement in the U.S.:
“I’m wary of faith outside of actions. I’m wary of religiosity that ignores the wider world. In 2001, only seven percent of evangelicals polled felt it incumbent upon themselves to respond to the AIDS emergency. This appalled me . . . Amazingly, they did respond. I’ve started to see this community as a real resource in America.”

I haven’t actually picked it up myself, but there’s a book that came out last spring that’s essentially one big interview with Bono. I’m sure it contains some more insightful nuggets about the enigmatic rock icon.