U2 came on the scene in the late 70's, however it was the 80s before anyone knew who they were. I knew of them, especially in the mid-80s when they became the spokesmen for the progressive Christian youth culture. When I was a student at S.F.A., my peers at the Baptist Student Union revered U2. Boy, October, and War were essential albums for the well-listened, well-rounded BSUer. At the time, I was disinterested, focusing instead on music of a less noble virtue. 
Later in life, I discovered U2. The Joshua Tree was a breakthrough album for U2, in my opinion. It retained that U2 sound, but was better, or so was my opinion. Sure, it was arrogant, as U2 was wont to be. Even then, they were known for assuming a morally superior position.
The Joshua Tree was a breakthrough album for U2 in a real sense, too. It brought them into the light as true superstars. Over the years, they've experimented here and there, yet have only experienced real success when staying true to the formula. As the adage says, "You should dance with the one that brung you."
I find it interesting how people still claim it as a badge of honor to have been fans in the pre-Joshua Tree period, yea, even the pre-Unforgettable Fire period. Never mind that their loyalty has waned and that they probably don't own more than one or two U2 CDs now; they were there in the old days before U2 was big! Such is true for most folks. They like to think they "discovered" someone. In fact, I like to recall that I knew who Rush was before Moving Pictures.
I've read four U2 biographies and many other articles. I've gleaned a picture of the group which is fairly accurate, or at least as accurate as such a picture can be. Surprisingly, the pictures in each of these books/articles is consistent with the others. U2 has nothing to hide. They're not false.
According to most accounts, Bono, Larry and Edge are Christians of the real, "born-again" variety. Adam's 
spiritual state is somewhat more nebulous, though Bono alluded to this having changed in Conversations. These fellows have evidenced their conversion consistently through human rights issues and other bleeding heart activities. Most Christians don't have a lot of use for this type of behavior. We believe in the Truth, and though we call others to that standard, we don't think that necessarily requires that we show a lot of love. Also, we feel that showing a lot of love sacrifices our ability to be truthful. Those for whom love is of prime importance see truthfulness as getting in the way of showing compassion.
Grace and truth can be graphically demonstrated in a Cartesian coordinate system along X and Y axes. This creates four regions. Non-believers can be found in Sectors A and C, for you can show compassion and love without the truth behind it. Christians can be found in Sectors B and D. I say this because being a believer presumes a certain portion of Truth, that being the absolute truth as revealed in Scripture. It is also safe to assume that there are practically no believers in Sector D, as belief will always evidence itself with a certain degree of love (I John 3:14 - "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death."). So, theoretically, we should all exist in Sector B. The question is this: where are you in this Sector?
The bleeding hearts exist along the Grace axis. The Bible-thumpers exist along the Truth axis. We look at each other across the distance with self-righteous scorn, wondering why they aren't like us, wondering how they can claim to be believers and still be way over there.
John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (emphasis mine)
"...Full of grace and truth." If we were, as Christ was, full of grace and truth, this divide wouldn't exist. We would all love God's word and we would all love our fellow man, be he sheep or goat. These are not mutually exclusive existences.
There is a line that divides us. It points to where we should be.
U2 has inspired me to think this way. It's not because I think they are the example of where we should be. Actually, I often see myself looking across the divide at them. As I grow older, and hopefully wiser, I begin to see that I'm not where I should be. I also see that they aren't where I should be.
Jesus Christ, our perfect example, showed compassion to those in need. He called Pharisees to account for their legalism. He also showered down a world of hurt on the money changers in the temple on two different occasions. We also see the future in Revelation 19 when he comes with a sword and the cuddly Jesus is now the Warrior Jesus who steps forward to dispense justice. This is the same Jesus. He hasn't changed.
Compassion is not something that governments or NGOs are qualified to administer. Us B-Sector people should be doing it. The bleeding hearts need to realize that you help someone then you tell them why you helped them. Give credit where it is due. The Bible-thumpers should realize that without love, they are abiding in death.
Compassion without truth is hollow. Truth without compassion is incomplete.
No comments:
Post a Comment