In my inbox this morning was the following article via Relevant’s 850 Words Newsletter It is written by Steve Stockman, author of Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2. The revised edition of the book is in stores today. Enjoy this great article.
As the author of Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2 and a pastor who has studied and preached from the U2 canon for more than 20 years, I’m often asked to speak about the band.
I have noticed that after my most recent talks on U2 here in North America, there are less questions about whether the band members really are Christians. That suggests to me that people are beginning to listen and discern instead of getting hung up on whether the music is “Christian.” However, there is still something suspicious in the evangelical psyche that is still not quite sure of how to view the world’s biggest rock band. One of the most frequently asked questions from these recent talks has been, “But how much do you think U2 has changed things?”
It is an interesting question and one that needs to be asked on a wider scale. In a world dominated by the arts in general and music in particular, how much impact does it all have? Can music really transform things? Do the arts have a function other than simply to dress or decorate the culture? The traditional approach within the Church has been to minimize any positive contribution that the arts can make but, in a bizarre contradiction, publish books about the bad influence rock music has on our youth. For many years, the cinema was an anathema, and many people grew up without televisions. The obvious reason was that these things could transform for the worse, but no one ever looked at their power for the better.
Marshall McLuhan, the great Canadian expert on the media, once said, “Anyone who thinks there is a difference between education and entertainment doesn’t know the first thing about either.” Another common phrase that people share with me at the end of a lecture is, “I have been listening to U2 for years and had no idea that there was anything Christian about them.” My immediate concern is not so much that they have missed what U2 has been all about but what other stuff has been sneaking into their brains unawares. Entertainment is packed full of education—not all of it good—and without discerning minds we could be falling for all kinds of poisonous lies conforming us to the pattern of this world.
In the same way, we need to begin to recognize that education that is bland, no matter how sharp it is on truth, will be blunted without an entertaining aspect to its presentation. Immediately there are those who will question my belief in the truth and the power of God’s Word to accomplish all that God intends for it. So let us ask ourselves about God’s truth and about how He communicated the Word to His people. Even a casual look at the Scriptures will show that God has always had similar views to McLuhan when it comes to education, entertainment and art.
The range of art forms used by God to share His truth is all encompassing. From the artwork of creation through stories, poetry, songs, literature, parables as well as dramas lived out and recorded—all topping the twists, turns and emotional involvement of any Hollywood blockbuster—God used the arts. Indeed, how closely related the education and entertainment are in the Scriptures might lead us to McLuhan’s most famous phrase, “The medium is the message.” In terms of Scripture, both are certainly intrinsically linked.
The use of the arts thus becomes a biblical model and mandate. Whether it was David playing music to soothe the soul of Saul or the prophets using poetry or drama to rage at the people of God or Jesus using parables to bring in the radical thinking of a new kingdom, these art forms made their impact and transformed things. For the last few hundred years, modernism has made the means of communication more objective and left the need for the arts outside the place of learning. Something has happened in the last 20 years to bring the subjective back with a vengeance. This is not some new heresy but simply the end of the systematic blip. The arts are back—more important than they have been for some time and as important as they should always be.
So does U2 change things? That’s a silly question. All entertainment does. None of it is neutral. Bono himself said recently, “Music can change the world. It can change the world inside your head; it changed my little bedroom when I was a kid. And it can change the world.” The U2 frontman is a believer. He has belief in many things. In the current Vertigo tour, Bono has been speaking of his belief that the people at the concerts can make a difference. He has been encouraging them to join the ONE campaign, wear their MAKING POVERTY HISTORY wristband and phone presidents and prime ministers and anyone in political power. Bono even exerts a belief in these shady politicians, never doubting that they want to do what is best in making poverty history but need public swell of opinion to help them achieve it. And, of course, his belief in God has fired his prophetic rage to be involved in these issues and also leads him to believe that miracles can make the seemingly impossible, possible.
This quote from Bono is a confession of his belief in the power of music and art in this process. Anyone who has been at a Vertigo concert will readily confess to the inspirational energizing spirit for good that wells inside your heart, soul and mind during and after the concert. Here are guys who entertain but are very much aware of the need to educate. Have they changed things? Profoundly in this one life of mine, but in the next year we might find that the entire world saw poverty become history. Don’t underestimate their contribution.
As U2 adds Live 8 to its European tour dates, hoping to squeeze London into the afternoon of their Vienna gig, can we believe that music and art have any power to change things? I think the answer is a resounding “yes.”
What an amzing thought. Not that U2 can make a difference but that anyone can. Sure, Bono uses his stage (literally) to speak about important issues that are close to his heart but, what about your stage? Your office? Your coworkers? What is burning a hole in your heart? Do those around you know you deepest longings? Make a difference. If 4 friends from Dublin matter, so do you!
Note: Don’t forget that Friday is “White Band” day in honor of the ONE Campaign. If you don’t have a white wrist band pull a Chris Martin and write on your hand or use tape around your wrist.