Following the post on the U2charist, Johnny McClue emailed me with a draft entry he never posted on his own blog back in November. With his permission, it's published here as a further reflection on the subject.
....Have you heard about the U2charist? It's an Episcopal Eucharist service that features the music of the rock band U2 and a message about God's call to rally around the Millenium Development Goals. The first U2charist service took place in the USA at the end of July last year. The U2charist is being seen as a great opportunity to reach out to congregations and the larger community, especially young people!!!
U2 have always been a Christian band, but avoided signing with a christian label because they didn't want to 'preach to the choir'.....! Hmmmmm....! "You" in their songs is often a reference to God. Sometimes it is God addressing us. There was an online attempt recently to come up with one song by U2 that wasn't referring to things spiritual. No one was able to find one... The image of God as lover, luring us closer, or our desire and hunger for God are regular themes. So are themes of social justice and doing our part to bring about the power of God.
I don't want to take anything away from U2, they are a great band. However, They are a part of the body of Christ. They are serving the Lord. If the U2charist is meant to be a great outreach tool in communities, then the church moving in that needs to be very clear when delivering the truth about where the good news originates from.
There are thousands of non-Christians who worship U2. The band are seen as idols. This concerns me (2 Kings 17:12). My HUGE question is, why are they not openly saying, "Don't worship us, enjoy our music. Worship the Lord who has blessed us with the gifts required to produce this great music. He has many gifts to give to each and every one of you. Ask him into your heart."
Perhaps they are saying this and thousands of people are being saved at their concerts all the time. I just don't know! But if not, then maybe they should start and then we'll see the thousands of non-Christians who worship and idolise them flooding into churches all over the world, receiving the truth and being a part of U2charist service to worship the Lord.
COMMERCIALISM vs RELIGION...!
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