Preaching U2?
This morning I came across a book entitled Get Up Off Your Knees which is subtitled Preaching the U2 Catalog. It is a collection of sermons based on the songs of U2 that was compiled by authors Raewynne J. Whiteley and Beth Maynard. Eugene Peterson wrote the foreward. Here is a description of the book:
A thoughtful and provocative collection of sermons by a group of preachers from across the international church spectrum who have been moved to theological reflection on the art and work of U2. This book will appeal to fans of U2, students of homiletics, and everyone interested in the intersection of art, popular culture, and religion.
RAEWYNNE J. WHITELEY is vicar of Trinity Episcopal “Old Swedes” Church in Swedesboro, New Jersey. She is the author of many articles and published sermons.
BETH MAYNARD is rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Fairhaven, Massachusetts and past president of Gathering the NeXt Generation, the Episcopal Church’s network for postmodern ministry. Her publications include books, pamphlets, sermons, and several articles.
Does anyone else see a conflict with this? How can a pastor preach on this:
Jesus, Jesus help me
I’m alone in this world
And a f****d up world it is too
Tell me, tell me the story
The one about eternity
And the way it’s all gonna be
WAKE UP WAKE UP DEAD MAN
WAKE UP WAKE UP DEAD MAN
Jesus, I’m waiting here boss
I know you’re looking out for us
But maybe your hands aren’t free
Your Father, He made the world in seven
He’s in charge of Heaven
Will you put in a word for me
WAKE UP WAKE UP DEAD MAN
WAKE UP WAKE UP DEAD MAN
Listen to your words they’ll tell you what to do
Listen over the rhythm that’s confusing you
Listen to the reed in the saxophone
Listen over the hum in the radio
Listen over sounds of blades in rotation
Listen through the traffic and circulation
Listen as hope and peace try to rhyme
Listen over marching bands playing out their time
WAKE UP WAKE UP DEAD MAN
WAKE UP WAKE UP DEAD MAN
Jesus, were you just around the corner?
Did you think to try and warn her?
Or are you working on something new?
If there’s an order in all of this disorder
Is it like a tape recorder?
Can we rewind it just once more?
WAKE UP WAKE UP DEAD MAN
WAKE UP WAKE UP DEAD MAN
I have no idea if that particular song is covered in the collection. It is well-documented that the members of U2 have long had a pretty bad case of potty-mouth. Just recent Bono got in trouble for using the F-word during a live broadcast. Now I do not mean to be legalistic and suggest that people who swear cannot be Christians, but should be holding up such people as examples of great Christians? Should our pastors be basing their sermons on such songs? It seems to me there is a pretty serious conflict here.
I guess I just do not understand why so many Christians hold up U2 as being the poster boys of Christian music. It seems to me that they have done very little to prove that they have true, living faith. Now I realize that these are fighting words for many believers! I would love to be proven wrong, so if you have links to resources that would prove me wrong, please leave a comment with a link.
Comments (11) »
1. apreik
May 10, 2004
11:18 AM
“Haven’t seen you in quite a while I was down the hold just passing time Last time we met was a low-lit room We were as close together as a bride and groom We ate the food, we drank the wine Everybody having a good time Except you You were talking about the end of the world
I took the money I spiked your drink You miss too much these days if you stop to think You lead me on with those innocent eyes You know I love the element of surprise In the garden I was playing the tart I kissed your lips and broke your heart You You were acting like it was the end of the world
Love…
In my dream I was drowning my sorrows But my sorrows, they learned to swim Surrounding me Going down on me Spilling over the brim Waves of regret and waves of joy I reached out for the one I tried to destroy You You said you’d wait Till the end of the world”
Great song. People use secular things for sermon illustrations all the time. I haven’t read the book and don’t plan to, but I don’t really have a problem with it.
I am not sure if it is suggesting that U2 is a great source of religious truths so much as a source of an interesting tidbit here and there. I have always found U2’s politics to be misguided, if not sincere and their religion to be almost there… a lot of searching, but never really finding what they are looking for. (Actually no pun intended) Perhaps they’ll find it someday.
2. David
May 10, 2004
11:38 AM
Tim, Somehow I’ve completely missed the significance of U2 throughout my life. I think it has something to do with the fact that when they first came out I was in my Gothard days where all rock music was evil. By the time I got out of Gothardism I was so out of touch that I never really caught on to U2. However, this does concern me that books like this are being published. It looks to me like one more step away from a reliance on expository preaching in the interest of being trendy. David
3. Doug
May 10, 2004
11:47 AM
I remember using an article from “Campus Life” on U2 to convince my parents to allow me to buy “The Joshua Tree” with the premise that the artist’s were Christian. If memory serves, 3 of the 4 band members are confessed Christians.
Their lyrics speak of seeking inner peace and finding their way, so to speak. When “Rattle and Hum” came out, I was hoping for them to take the next step, but didn’t really see that. Then came “Achtung Baby” and I was disenchanted.
U2 may be talented musicians and they may be able to sing a tune or two about the uneasiness that one feels before they make their surrender to God, but I don’t feel they are appropriate credits to cite when writing a sermon.
Alas, someday they may be mentioned in a sermon about the danger of avoiding God’s call in your life. If they have been called to be the poster boys of Christian music, they need to be something more than a group that seeks out a fan base in that genre. If they consider their own music to be Godly, than it is frightfully lukewarm.
Perhaps they should take some time off to discover what it is they are truly looking for before they release any more music.
4. Tim
May 10, 2004
11:52 AM
Doug - my impression is similar. There is no doubt that they have some spiritual music and even music that could quality as having Christian lyrics (“In The Name of Love” and a bunch of others), but I really see no real reason to believe they are more than just spiritual.
5. John
May 10, 2004
6:20 PM
I find U2 fits with the old C.S. Lewis quote about not needing more authors writing little books about Christianity, but more authors writing little books about any subject, with their Christianity latent. If you are familiar with their catalog as a whole, you know that there are countless lyrical instances that reflect Bono’s “Christian worldview” as well as references to specific scriptures, Biblical stories, and Biblical principles.
In the case of “Wake Up Dead Man,” we have a song that is reminiscent of David’s psalms that challenge and question God. It has even been suggested the chorus may be inspired by the time between the crucifixion and resurrection.
Moving completely away from his lyrics, here is a great newspaper column recently published about Bono: We Know Bono’s Christian By His Love. Check it out.
6.
May 10, 2004
10:58 PM
The problem I see with U2 representing the Christian Rock scene for the cause of Christ is the same problem I see with most of the Christian leaders today. They both seem to adopt the Dominion/Restoration/Kingdom Now theology and that it is the christian duty (mainly through high profile christian leaders) to influence/infiltrate/intimidate polictics, education,youth groups, environmental groups and so on to take dominion and make this world a better place before Christ returns. I am sure all there intentions are good and our faith must be evident in good deeds, but the Bible tells me that times are going to get darker, not brighter and rather than try to repair a sinking doomed ship, would it not be better to pull them out through the Gospel of Christ before they become entrapped by our secular soceity. If U2 can public declare to the world that they are ‘born-again’ and that Christ is the centre of their lives and they are willing to take up their cross daily and repent from their sins, I am sure that this would have more of a impact than meeting with the Pope! Having said that, I do not mind their music for relaxation and I guess pleasure, but give me the sound that rings so beautifully in my ear when I hear the infallable and living Word of God anytime!
7. Paul
May 11, 2004
11:56 AM
I read the article John references, and it seemed to be advocating an alarming disregard for sin. To suggest that some sins don’t matter as long as we’re doing good is not a Biblical attitude.
Surely every curse uttered by a child of God is a sin that the Lord Jesus had to bear. Every sin matters. In Bono’s case, I understand that he also pays scant regard to the 4th Commandment, and lives a lifestyle characterised by worldliness not holiness. But I don’t particularly want to get into bashing Bono - the main point is that every true Christian should demonstrate the reality of their faith through holiness of life. Holiness, I would say, is the summation of God’s character, and we are repeatedly called to be holy on account of the holiness of God. Holiness is surely the fullest expression of Christlikeness. In fact without holiness no-one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14).
We all sin, but the believer repents, and by God’s grace strives against sin. The man who revels in sin has cause to examine himself to see if he is really in the faith.
8. Tim
May 11, 2004
12:23 PM
Great post, Paul. Thanks for that.
9. John
May 13, 2004
6:44 PM
Upon further thought and reflection on the lyrics, I don’t see how anyone but a believer could have penned them. This isn’t some agnst-filled rant against another man’s god; the song is full of underlying confessions in the Truth:
He looks to Jesus for help. He acknowledges and laments the fallen state of our world. He wants to hear reassurance of how God will make everything right. He confesses Jesus as the Son of God. He acknowledges the power of God in creation and in heaven. He asks Jesus to be his advocate with the Father.
And it is in this context that he asks “Where are you, God?” As I said, this is not the rant of a nonbeliever, but of a believer who, like David, cried out for God to act.
10. Jerry
December 12, 2006
4:58 PM
I won’t sit and bicker over any of this with anyone. U2 uses their music to help bring people who don’t know Jesus towards the Christian message. This is the true obligation of the Christian people. Without the influence of U2 some of my friends would not be Christians. U2 is the most influencial band ever to walk the earth. If anyone needs some convincing, listen to the music. I don’t mean sit down and play their music, I mean truly listen to the music and you will find U2’s real purpose in this world. If that’s not enough look into what they believe in. Helping those with AIDS in Africa and speaking against injustices, is that not an example to follow? There is no doubt in my mind that U2 is on this earth for a reason beyond anyone’s understanding. Only God can know that. All I know is that this group is one of the few popular musical groups that I truly respect.
11. Steve
December 12, 2006
6:12 PM
I have found inspiration for my writing and lessons that I have taught, from some of the oddest places imagineable. I suppose I would have to see the sermons in question, but basing them on the ideas that might be drawn from the lyrics of U2 isn’t too far out there.
I suppose if I were to do something like this, I would probably not note the source of my inspiration. Of course I am not a U2 fan, so…perhaps I am limited in my understanding of them.