Comments on: U2 and the Unfashionable Cross http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/ Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:19:08 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Lisa http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13531 Lisa Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:08:50 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13531 If you know Jesus and love Him, social justice flows out. Because you actually care about the world. People are the heart of God. If it takes a rock star, a princess, or a nun to wake people up to the fact that as disciples of Christ we share the responsibility, so be it. Prophets come in all shapes and sizes, what we do with their messages is another thing. He who has ears, let him hear........... If you know Jesus and love Him, social justice flows out. Because you actually care about the world. People are the heart of God. If it takes a rock star, a princess, or a nun to wake people up to the fact that as disciples of Christ we share the responsibility, so be it. Prophets come in all shapes and sizes, what we do with their messages is another thing. He who has ears, let him hear………..

]]> By: greg http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13300 greg Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:44:37 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13300 sorry that i can't remember the source, but i once read an interview with Bono in which he was asked what would be his greater legacy--U2's music or his social justice efforts. Bono's response surprised me, because he said he hoped that U2's music would leave the greater legacy. my first instinct was that human life (and therefore social justice) should be more important than music. but i think now i understand what he must have meant. i am convinced that the entirety of U2's catalogue cries out to God--at times basking in His grace and blessings, and at other times lamenting the "not yet" of our current situation. still other times, U2 mocks man and his feeble attempts to fill the void left by his separation from God. if i were Bono, i think i would want those lyrics to be my legacy, too. Richard must be right--the words are just as important as the actions. i think Bono gets that concept, but i'm not sure i always do. sorry that i can’t remember the source, but i once read an interview with Bono in which he was asked what would be his greater legacy–U2’s music or his social justice efforts.

Bono’s response surprised me, because he said he hoped that U2’s music would leave the greater legacy. my first instinct was that human life (and therefore social justice) should be more important than music. but i think now i understand what he must have meant.

i am convinced that the entirety of U2’s catalogue cries out to God–at times basking in His grace and blessings, and at other times lamenting the “not yet” of our current situation. still other times, U2 mocks man and his feeble attempts to fill the void left by his separation from God.

if i were Bono, i think i would want those lyrics to be my legacy, too. Richard must be right–the words are just as important as the actions. i think Bono gets that concept, but i’m not sure i always do.

]]> By: Andrew http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13293 Andrew Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:58:33 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13293 U2 is the most boring band, generic, overrated band on the face of the planet. Other than that I agree with what you're saying about the gospel being more than social justice. But I do think Jesus was very concerned about this aspect, given the circumstances of the time of his life. His solution was a different kind of Bread. But he also multiplied loaves and fishes too. U2 is the most boring band, generic, overrated band on the face of the planet. Other than that I agree with what you’re saying about the gospel being more than social justice. But I do think Jesus was very concerned about this aspect, given the circumstances of the time of his life. His solution was a different kind of Bread. But he also multiplied loaves and fishes too.

]]> By: Matt http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13200 Matt Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:28:24 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13200 Just a little knit-picky, but in response to "they were into social justice long before it was even called that," social justice was called that as far back as the early 1800s, a term coined by Jesuits. Just a little knit-picky, but in response to “they were into social justice long before it was even called that,” social justice was called that as far back as the early 1800s, a term coined by Jesuits.

]]> By: Dave Reichley http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13139 Dave Reichley Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:46:36 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13139 I get your call to denial and bigger sacrifices, but i think you belittle small sacrifice. "We might, for example, consider ourselves exemplary Christians because we have joined the One Campaign, sponsor a child with World Vision, and skip lattes on Fridays, giving the money to economic development work in Africa instead." He then says these things have ...the "risk" of being cross-less. I think of the sheep and the goats. Jesus didn't say, "whatever you did for the least of these (AND what you told them about me)" The people in Christ's example didn't even realize they were doing it "in his name" I get your call to denial and bigger sacrifices, but i think you belittle small sacrifice. “We might, for example, consider ourselves exemplary Christians because we have joined the One Campaign, sponsor a child with World Vision, and skip lattes on Fridays, giving the money to economic development work in Africa instead.” He then says these things have …the “risk” of being cross-less. I think of the sheep and the goats. Jesus didn’t say, “whatever you did for the least of these (AND what you told them about me)” The people in Christ’s example didn’t even realize they were doing it “in his name”

]]> By: Fortuitous Bouncing « Man of Depravity http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13122 Fortuitous Bouncing « Man of Depravity Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:15:23 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13122 [...] “My concern resides in our age old tendency to reshape the gospel so that it matches our own personal ideals and passions, with the result that we create a mythical moral high ground to stand on, and thus stop growing” (read the full article here). [...] [...] “My concern resides in our age old tendency to reshape the gospel so that it matches our own personal ideals and passions, with the result that we create a mythical moral high ground to stand on, and thus stop growing” (read the full article here). [...]

]]> By: Jamie Wright http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13113 Jamie Wright Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:10:56 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13113 Interesting article. IMO, it begs the question "Who are we following?" I think we are witnessing an amazing and effective movement in social justice in Africa right now. And it's being accomplished by the disciples of Bono, some Christian and some not. They are emulating the one they are following, and in this case, that's a rock star. Should we really be surprised, or even disappointed, that they are equally as (or more) concerned with where they left their $200 sunglasses, or when the new Mac will be released, as they are with vaccines for babies in Rwanda, or clean water for Kenyans? Bono is obviously invested in music, fashion, art, and pop-culture, as well as Africa, and the One campaign... Why would his followers not do the same? I think the same arguments for sacrifice and self-denial made against the hipster who satisfies his "giving and serving" quota by sponsoring a kid through World Vision, can be made against the Granny who does the same by rocking babies in the church nursery once a month. While her expression of the Gospel certainly isn't fashionable, is it any less distorted? The marginalization of Jesus doesn't seem to me to be anything new, and certainly wasn't introduced into the church by U2. I would venture to say that the cross IS the central message for those who are followers/disciples of Jesus, and merely admirers of Bono (or anyone else for that matter). Thanks for sharing your perspective, Richard. Interesting article.

IMO, it begs the question “Who are we following?”

I think we are witnessing an amazing and effective movement in social justice in Africa right now. And it’s being accomplished by the disciples of Bono, some Christian and some not. They are emulating the one they are following, and in this case, that’s a rock star. Should we really be surprised, or even disappointed, that they are equally as (or more) concerned with where they left their $200 sunglasses, or when the new Mac will be released, as they are with vaccines for babies in Rwanda, or clean water for Kenyans? Bono is obviously invested in music, fashion, art, and pop-culture, as well as Africa, and the One campaign… Why would his followers not do the same?

I think the same arguments for sacrifice and self-denial made against the hipster who satisfies his “giving and serving” quota by sponsoring a kid through World Vision, can be made against the Granny who does the same by rocking babies in the church nursery once a month. While her expression of the Gospel certainly isn’t fashionable, is it any less distorted? The marginalization of Jesus doesn’t seem to me to be anything new, and certainly wasn’t introduced into the church by U2.

I would venture to say that the cross IS the central message for those who are followers/disciples of Jesus, and merely admirers of Bono (or anyone else for that matter).

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Richard.

]]> By: John http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13103 John Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:07:12 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13103 Good thoughts, Richard. I'm probably fuzzy on the U2 facet, but it does seem like social justice is and has been the next thang. I see Micah 6.8 as a crossbeam of sorts - the extended arms are 'do justice' and 'walk humbly', but the center, the heart is 'love mercy.' If the heart's not there, then all our activity will be much ado about something, but it may not be cruciform. Hard to know...hard to know. Good thoughts, Richard. I’m probably fuzzy on the U2 facet, but it does seem like social justice is and has been the next thang. I see Micah 6.8 as a crossbeam of sorts – the extended arms are ‘do justice’ and ‘walk humbly’, but the center, the heart is ‘love mercy.’ If the heart’s not there, then all our activity will be much ado about something, but it may not be cruciform. Hard to know…hard to know.

]]> By: Richard Dahlstrom http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13100 Richard Dahlstrom Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:40:33 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13100 yes, Annie, I think you captured the intend of 'the writer' accurately. I'm simply saying that, in our rejoicing over any and all efforts to feed the hungry and care for sick, we need to remain perpetually open to the shaping hand of Christ, who will no doubt change our reference point from what we've determined to be righteousness, to what he determines. That's what he did with the rich young ruler. That's what he did with his disciples. That's what he's doing with the sermon on the mount. If I get addicted to my culturally conditioned reference points of righteousness, I'll run the risk of closing my heart to God's higher calling, all the while feeling good about what I've done which, however laudable it might be, might have conveniently bypassed the cross in my own experience. yes, Annie, I think you captured the intend of ‘the writer’ accurately. I’m simply saying that, in our rejoicing over any and all efforts to feed the hungry and care for sick, we need to remain perpetually open to the shaping hand of Christ, who will no doubt change our reference point from what we’ve determined to be righteousness, to what he determines. That’s what he did with the rich young ruler. That’s what he did with his disciples. That’s what he’s doing with the sermon on the mount. If I get addicted to my culturally conditioned reference points of righteousness, I’ll run the risk of closing my heart to God’s higher calling, all the while feeling good about what I’ve done which, however laudable it might be, might have conveniently bypassed the cross in my own experience.

]]> By: Annie http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/10/30/u2-and-the-unfashionable-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-13098 Annie Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:26:58 +0000 http://burnsidewriters.com/?p=7605#comment-13098 I heard someone say recently that "giving isn't supernatural unless its sacrificial." I would say that is giving of any kind, i.e. your time, money, etc. I am hospitable by nature, it is a genuine part of my personality. However, I have been challenged recently by this statement. Am I only hospitable to people that I like? or I enjoy spending time with? Is it ever sacrificial? Im still working that out! I think the writer is saying we may be trying to be more socially aware, and maybe it is a fad (even if its out of good intention), but are we only willing to give when it is comfortable for us? I heard someone say recently that “giving isn’t supernatural unless its sacrificial.” I would say that is giving of any kind, i.e. your time, money, etc. I am hospitable by nature, it is a genuine part of my personality. However, I have been challenged recently by this statement. Am I only hospitable to people that I like? or I enjoy spending time with? Is it ever sacrificial? Im still working that out!

I think the writer is saying we may be trying to be more socially aware, and maybe it is a fad (even if its out of good intention), but are we only willing to give when it is comfortable for us?

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