U2 Quiz: For those who have ears to hear

The Best Contemporary Christian Album of All Time
http://www.ccmmagazine.com/features/137.aspx?page=3 no. 15 U2 – October (1981); no.17 U2 – The Joshua Tree (1987)

The Edge: Shaping the Sound of U2
http://www.ccmmagazine.com/features/1175.aspx

Faith, Hope & U2
http://individual.utoronto.ca/johnbowen/dare/u2.html [Part One]
http://individual.utoronto.ca/johnbowen/dare/u2a.html [Part Two]

All That You Can’t Leave Behind
http://individual.utoronto.ca/johnbowen/dare/u2review.html

All That You Can’t Leave Behind
http://www.damaris.org/content/content.php?type=1&id=160

The Prophet Jeremiah, Aung San Suu Kyi, and U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind
http://moses.creighton.edu/JRS/2003/2003-10.html

Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2
http://stocki.ni.org/u2/

The Zoo Nation Interview
http://stocki.ni.org/news/items/item-169.phtml

U2: biblical imagery and spiritual provocation
https://canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?bc/bccn/0302/u2

U2: adrenalin, anger, worship
http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?bc/bccn/0501/artu2

The Book for Bono
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/article.php?sid=276

Bono
http://www.answers.com/topic/bono

The Spiritual Side of Rock
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/article.php?sid=975

U2: Behind the Music
http://www.u2faq.com/8.html [see 8.3 Are U2 Christians?]

Bono: The Beliefnet Interview
http://www.belief.net/story/67/story_6758.html

I Believe in God …Do U2?
http://www.boundless.org/2000/features/a0000402.html

U2: Elevation 2001 – Live from Boston
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews2/u2elevation2001.html

U2: Beyond Music
http://www.traces-cl.com/apr2001/u2.htm

Believing in U2
http://www.u2world.com/news/article.php3?id_article=7546 [Part 1]
http://www.u2world.com/news/article.php3?id_article=7547 [Part 2]

Interview: Steve Beard, writer of Bono’s chapter in Spiritual Journeys
http://forum.interference.com/t84175.htm

U2 bedevils the modern church
http://tmatt.gospelcom.net/column/2002/01/30/?printable=1

Get Religion [Music Archives]
http://www.getreligion.org/archives/music/index.html

What’s God Up To? by John Fischer (http://www.fischtank.com)
http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/devarchive.aspx?ARCHIVEID=122

Real Christians Don’t Dance! by John Fischer
http://www.ccel.us/dance.toc.html

The New Roaring Lambs Movement: John Fischer
http://cmcentral.com/features/205.html

Time magazine (April 27, 1987)
http://groups.google.ca/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=1998082017330000.NAA26843%40ladder03.news.aol.com

Monkeyouttanowhere.com: U2 archive
http://www.monkeyouttanowhere.com/thoughts/archives/cat_u2.php

Into the Heart: The Stories Behind Every U2 Song
http://www.monkeyouttanowhere.com/reviews/archives/001178.html

Bono’s Jubilee 2000 Diary For Dazed & Confused
http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=287

U2 Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame [March 14, 2005]
http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=2348

Rebels without a pause U2 enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
http://u2log.com/archive/2005/03/rebels_without_a_pause.php

Transcription of Bruce Springsteen’s induction speech
http://u2log.com/archive/springsteen.txt

Bono’s Acceptance Speech
http://u2log.com/archive/bonoinduction.txt

Edge’s Acceptance Speech
http://u2log.com/archive/edgeinduction.txt

Larry’s Acceptance Speech
http://u2log.com/archive/larryinduction.txt

Adam’s Acceptance Speech
http://u2log.com/archive/adaminduction.txt

U2.com
http://www.U2.com

U2: Interference
http://www.interference.com

Interference Forum: The Goal Is Soul
http://forum.interference.com/f220.html

U2log.com
http://www.u2log.com

MacPhisto.Net
http://www.macphisto.net

Propaganda: The one and only official U2 magazine
http://www.u2propaganda.com

Vertiblog: Unofficial blog of the 2005 U2 Vertigo Tour
http://www.vertiblog.com

A. Sermon on U2’s music by Pastor John Van Sloten, July 20/03
B. Radio interview re: Vertigo, Feb. 6/05
http://www.newhopechurch.ca/page.php?pgid=music

Bono’s Remarks to the National Prayer Breakfast [Feb. 2/06]
http://www.data.org/archives/000774.php

Rock singer exhibits faith of someone who knows he_s flawed [Feb. 10/06]
http://www.bdtonline.com/lifestyles/local_story_040194249.html

Bono: In Conversation with Bill Hybels

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/08/19/bill-hybels-what-bono-taught-me-about-fighting-poverty.html
https://canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?bc/bccn/0405/u2

http://web.archive.org/web/20071003021622/www.stocki.ni.org/u2/

http://web.archive.org/web/20070908231847/http://www.stocki.ni.org/news/items/item-635.phtml

http://www.readthespirit.com/explore/2009/08/487-gospel-of-u2-bono-spiritual-wisdom.html

http://www.readthespirit.com/explore/2009/08/488-interview-on-the-spiritual-side-of-u2-with-greg-garrett-author-of-u2-gospel.html

http://www.atu2.com/news/theologian-calls-new-u2-album-most-thoroughly-christian-project-to-date.html

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/03/10/behind-the-scenes-on-u2-s-no-line-on-the-horizon-a-track-by-track-exclusive-with-producer-co-writer-daniel-lanois.aspx

http://thehurstreview.wordpress.com/page/2/?s=U2

http://thehurstreview.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/in-conversation-with-beth-maynard-u2s-no-line-on-the-horizon/

http://u2.interference.com/f189/full-rolling-stone-u2-cover-story-196498.html

http://www.the-tidings.com/2009/060509/staub.htm

Grace breaks into a sound
http://www.damaris.org/content/culturewatcharticles/869
Grace Inside A Sound: Exploring U2’s New Horizon by Henry VanderSpek
http://institute.wycliffecollege.ca/?p=1261
Music Review: Grace inside a sound by Steve R. Harmon
http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3889&Itemid=9
No Line On The Horizon [Discussion Guide]
http://www.damaris.org/content/content.php?type=1&id=421

NLOTH song by song [Steve Stockman]
http://stocki.typepad.com/soulsurmise/u2_baby_jesus_under_the_trash/

http://stocki.typepad.com/soulsurmise/2009/04/nloth-song-by-song-unknown-caller.html

http://stocki.typepad.com/soulsurmise/2009/04/no-line-on-the-horizon-song-by-song-magnificent.html

U2 Live at Croke Park July 24, 2009
http://stocki.typepad.com/soulsurmise/2009/07/u2-live-at-croke-park-july-24-2009.html

http://web.archive.org/web/20071003021622/www.stocki.ni.org/u2/

http://web.archive.org/web/20070908231847/http://www.stocki.ni.org/news/items/item-635.phtml

http://www.getreligion.org/?p=2199

http://ephphatha-poetry.blogspot.com/2009/03/philosophy-with-u2-no-line-on-horizon.html

http://ephphatha-poetry.blogspot.com/2009/03/theology-with-u2-no-line-on-horion-x.html

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/26079033/review/26212378/no_line_on_the_horizon

http://u2sermons.blogspot.com/search/label/NLOTH

U2 Explores Spirituality on Band’s Own Terms
http://www.christianity.ca/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=6899

U2: The Hype And The Feedback [Oct. 2-4, 2009]
http://www.u2conference.com/recap.php
http://www.u2conference.com/hosted/U2C_Schedule.pdf

Books:

“Faith, God, and Rock and Roll: From Bono to Jars of Clay: How People of Faith Are
Transforming American Popular Music” by Mark Joseph (Sanctuary Publishing/Baker
Books, 2003)

“Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog” (Raewynne J. Whiteley and Beth
Maynard, editors, Cowley Publications, 2003).

“Spiritual Journeys: How Faith Has Influenced Twelve Music Icons” by Steve Beard,
Chad Bonham, Jason Boyett, Scott Marshall and Denise Washington (Relevant Books,
2003)

“U2 At The End Of The World” by Bill Flanagan (Delta, 1996)

“U2: Into the Heart: The Stories Behind Every Song” by Niall Stokes (Thunder’s Mouth
Press, revised edition 2001)

“U2: Three Chords and the Truth” by Niall Stokes (Hot Press, 1989/Harmony Books, 1990)

“Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2” by Steve Stockman (Relevant Books, updated &
expanded, 2005)

“U2 by U2” (with Neil McCormick) HarperCollins Publishers, 2006

“U2: The Ultimate Music Guide” (from the makers of Uncut), 2009 IPC Media (148 pages)

“We Get to Carry Each Other: The Gospel According to U2” by Greg Garrett, (Westminster John Knox Press, 2009)

“Bono: In conversation with Michka Assayas” (Riverhead Books, 2005)

[quote]

Assayas: I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that?

Bono: Yes, I think that’s normal. It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.

Assayas: I haven’t heard you talk about that.

Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.

Assayas: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.

Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.

Assayas: I’d be interested to hear that.

Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.

Assayas: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that.

Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled… . It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.

Assayas: That’s a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it’s close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the world’s great thinkers. But Son of God, isn’t that farfetched?

Bono: No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was—the Messiah—or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched …

Bono later says it all comes down to how we regard Jesus:

Bono: …[I]f only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. …When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s– and everybody else’s. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it. [end of quote]

***

God’s love is revealed: “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

Man is sinful: Romans 3:23/ Sin has a penalty: Romans 6:23/ Jesus paid the penalty: Romans 5:8/ Salvation is a free gift: Ephesians 2: 8-9/ You can receive Christ: John 1:12 “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

If you received Christ (invited Him into your life as your Savior), the following took place: your sins were forgiven (Colossians 1:14); you became a child of God (John 1:12); you were made heir to all of God’s blessings (Romans 8:16-17); you now have eternal life (1 John 5: 12-13)

Option 1: “Whoever believes in [Christ] is not condemned…” (John 3:18a)
Option 2: “Whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18b)

I believe Jesus is God’s one and only Son, God manifest in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16). I trust in His death as payment for my sins, and His resurrection as assurance of my eternal life. With Jesus as my Savior, my debt is PAID IN FULL.

Signed: _________________________ Date: _______________

Interested in finding out more about Jesus Christ? Write: BC Christian News,
Email: info@canadianchristianity.com

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