So the u2 show last night was… pretty amazing. There’s a reason they are one of the best bands of our time, and their excellence shone through in every aspect. However, I was a little troubled by Bono’s rhetoric during the show which seemed to imply that Christianity, Judaism, and Islam were all valid ways to God.
He never actually said that. He was speaking against war, and taken in their proper context, his words were simply a plea for Christians, Jews, and Muslims to “coexist” in peace (his words). However, for an audience already immersed in pluralism by the popular media and the culture around them, his words had the effect of blurring the lines. I was disappointed.
He redeemed himself by ending the show with “Yahweh” and “40.” At the end of “40”, Bono took off his cross necklace, hung it on the microphone stand, and left a solitary spotlight shining on it as he walked off the stage. It was a clear attempt to leave the show’s focus on Christ. Unfortunately, his earlier words had the effect (to an audience without a proper worldview) of making Jesus one of many instead of the unique Savior of the world.
Here’s the set list they played:
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
Still Haven’t Found
Beautiful Day
Original of the Species
Sometimes you Can’t Make it On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride in the Name of Love
Where the Streets have no Name
One
First Encore:
Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Second Encore:
Stuck in a Moment
Crumbs From Your Table
Yahweh
40
Bob, after giving this topic further thought, I decided that I am sort of with ya and sort of not. I think Bono is a good guy and loves Christ which is sweet. And I can also see where you would be concerned that he is trying to preach a pluralistic message. But I don’t think thats what he was trying to do. I feel it was more a message of tolerance on an racial/ethnic level. He also said that we were all sons of Abraham, not sons of God. He wasn’t even encouraging us to cooperate and compromise on ideals or theology. He simply said coexist. All that means is let each other be. But I can honestly see why one would get pluralism out of that.
On a more personal side note, it was good to see you and all the Coram Deo folks today. Let me know how your senders can keep praying for you all.
Yeah, I’m with ya P-Diddy. I wasn’t saying that Bono was intentionally delivering a pluralistic message; I was only saying that what he DID say, when seen through an unbelieving grid, could be taken that way. Worldview is everything.
ahhh… gotcha.
U2 sucks