U2: faith in the ear of the hearer
A handful of my readers will appreciate the Baylor connection in this article.
American religion has adopted the rock band U2.
Its lyrics can be heard coming from pulpits. Its music ringing out in sanctuaries. Its videos show up in Sunday school classes.
Rabbi Steve Lebow of Kol Emeth in Marietta, said, “I taught a class on rock and roll and spirituality. When you do a search of which band has the most biblical allusions and spiritual themes, U2 comes up as number one.”
Jake Hill started teaching a class at Atlanta’s Saint James United Methodist Church in September called the theology of U2. It attracts about 15 people on Wednesday nights.
“Most of their songs have a message of unity, we are all in this together to make this work,” Hill said.
He was inspired to teach the class after one of Saint James’ pastors showed him a book titled “We Get to Carry Each Other: the Gospel According to U2” (Westminster John Knox Press, $16.95).
He has long known about the band’s spiritual leanings, looked for references to faith in their music, and the book helped pull that together, he said.
Greg Garrett, the author, teaches English at Baylor University and writing at an Episcopal seminary. He was writing for a music magazine and interviewed the band in their early years.
Thats stupid, stick to Gods words. Not the lyrics of a goofy band.
The point isn't in replacing the Bible with U2. The point is that Bono identifies as a man of faith who leans on grace (he doesn't like labels). Many songs have a Christian overtone.
Paul
Where in the bible does it say to add this kind of worship?
Not every worship song is quote for quote from scripture. I really don't see the difference between a song like Magnificent and many modern worship songs.
U2 Sucks. Bono is a dirt bag.