U2's Bono A Christian? Not My Kind.

For years I've heard that Bono, of the rock band U2, was an authentic believer in Christ. The folks at Christianity Today have obviously bought into the idea that he is the real deal:

...Bono turned the conversation to Christianity, expressing his preference for God's grace over "karma," offering an articulate apologetic for the deity of Christ, and giving a clear presentation of the gospel message. (1)

Don't miss that last phrase offered by CT: ...giving a clear presentation of the gospel message.

Here's another quote from CT:

Bono is similarly self-effacing about his faith. He doesn't even like to call himself a Christian, although it is apparent to anyone who has spent any time with him—or even just listened to his lyrics—that his faith is rooted in the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. (2)

The whole article reads like an apologetic for Bono. While Bono's humanitarian emphasis is certainly admirable, it is time for a reality check.

Tara Leigh Cobble gives us one in Relevant Magazine. To misunderstand or deny the exclusivity of Jesus Christ is to be outside the realm of biblical Christianity. Based on Cobble's experience, Bono is a universalist at best and a postmodern relativist at worse.

American Evangelicals have been starry-eyed for some time now. Why are we so quick to want to affirm the professed faith of the rich and famous? Could it be that somehow we have a hard time acccepting that God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God? (3)

Christianity doesn't need celebrities. Celebrities need Christ. I don't hope that Bono would be an authentic Christian so that the world will be impressed with us. I hope that he would be a true Christian for the sake of his soul and to the praise of the glory of God's grace.


Sources:
(1) http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/ bono-0805.html
(2) http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/003/2.38.html
(3) 1 Corinthians 1.27-29, ESV.