U2 and Christianity

[tremolo]

Did a google search on U2 and Christianity. Found that the group's music contains references to the Bible and also Christian messages.

For those who have followed the group, will you consider them to be a voice for Christianity?

 

[MikeMcKinney]

I'm a fan of U2 and have all of their albums. I'm aware that some of their songs have vaguely "Christian" sounding lyrics. If you're looking at them as songs, as the craft of writing songs, or maybe as an expression of the writers' beliefs, then they're not bad songs.

But if you're looking at them as a representation of Biblical Christianity or a glimpse into Christian doctrine, then I find them to be of the same shallow and superficial mold as Emergent Christianity.

Most of the "U2 are Christians because they mentioned God once" argument is based around the song "Grace" and it's true that the Bible talks a lot about grace, but like Mormons, they use the same words but put different meanings into them.

As much as I enjoy their music, I see no evidence to consider them or their music "Christian" in any way.

 

[Thunder Peel]

As a HUGE U2 fan I find it neat that so many of their songs have Christian/Biblical themes. Several of the members were part of a radical Christian group called Shalom back in the early 80's and their second album October has a lot of Christian themes and messages.

I saw them in concert several years ago and there were moments when it almost felt like a worship service. If you dig deeper into their songs you'll find many references to God and The Bible. Bono has been pretty outspoken about his faith and it comes through in many of their songs. There's a book by Steve Stockman called "Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2" that's pretty good and goes deeper into the themes of some of their music.

Check out songs like Yahweh, Rejoice, 40, Tomorrow, Gloria, Grace, I Will Follow, Love Rescue Me, The Playboy Mansion, and Until the End of the World if you want a few examples.

 

[DarkCoffeeJazz]

Avenged Sevenfold makes references to the Bible, as well.
Just saying, "Christian References =/= Christian Band"

 

[K.J.]

I'd definitely say U2 is a Christian band..
A friend of mine once put it this way: "U2 are experts at making songs where you really don't know if it's about God or a girl."

 

[antiarte]

Didn't know they were considered a "Christian" band. Or whatever.

And Bono likes bitty!