Bono Has A Message For Young Christian Artists
U2 musician Bono has spent years reading and learning from the poetry of the Psalms, a book of the Bible that contains ancient hymns. If there’s one thing Bono has realized from his studies, it’s that art always requires honesty. During a conversation with Fuller Studio, the rock star spoke at length about the intersection of faith and art, particularly art that is produced by Christians. “I would really like this conversation to unlock some artists,” the singer and devout Christian, said. “Because I think there are trapped artists and I’d like them to be un-trapped.” Bono compared the Psalms with contemporary Christian worship music and found modern-day praise music to be sorely lacking. He argued that some contemporary worship music lacks the range of raw emotions that’s contained within the Psalms. In the new video series released in April, Bono revisited the topic with Fuller Theological Seminary’s professor David O. Taylor. He offered further insights into how deeply the Psalms have influenced his life and his music.
Before taping the new interview, Bono said he reread the Songs of Ascents, a series of Psalms that were possibly sung by Jewish pilgrims as they made a trip to Jerusalem. Within those few chapters, Bono said he found songs about peace, protection, laughter, hubris, rage, tears, humility, and unity. “Okay, that’s just Songs of Ascent. They had utility. And why is it not in Christian music, I can’t find them?” He also critiqued the impulse to label music as “Christian,” or not Christian. “Creation screams God’s name. So, you don’t have to stick a sign on every tree,” Bono said, suggesting that just because a song isn’t explicitly called a “Christian” song, that doesn’t mean it isn’t spiritual in nature. “This has really, really got to stop,” he said. “I want to hear a song about the breakdown in your marriage, I want to hear songs of justice, I want to hear rage at injustice and I want to hear a song so good that it makes people want to do something about the subject.” The musician also shared his biggest dream for up-and-coming artists, that they would create art for themselves and not necessarily just to please other people. “I want to argue the case for artists or potential artists who might be listening in on our conversation and are not giving expression to what’s really going on in their lives because they feel it will give the wrong impression of them. We don’t have to please God in any other way than to be brutally honest,” Bono said. “That is the root. Not just to a relationship with God, but it’s the root to a great song. That’s the only place you can find a great song. The only place you can find any work of art, of merit.”
Bono Is Definitely Making A Great Effort To Bridge The Gap Between Religion and Spiritual Music!
Susan Z’s Conclusion:
You can feel the raw spirituality in all of Bono’s music and I am sure he feels many music lovers are missing out on some incredible inspirational lyrics just because it’s labeled “Christian” music using the excuse that religious music is just not their thing. In the 60’s peace and love movement, many songs embraced spiritual phrases and used God in their lyrics and then somehow it became uncool to do that.
Five of Swords: Inverted (Upside Down)
This card is what I call the wuss card and being taken advantage of. Since inverted, I believe it shows that Bono writes and records his music the way he wants with the attitude you either embrace or not.
Knight of Wands:
This card is freedom to do what you want and the feeling of impatience. I feel this is Bono’s attitude about music, politics and injustices in the world and change not coming fast enough for him.
The World:
This card is of ultimate success and happy conclusions. I believe Bono will continue making changes in the world for the better with his music and also his causes, using his fame to accomplish those changes.
Susan Z Rich is an emotional addiction counselor, spiritual intuitive and holistic therapist. She counsels others to see life in a more positive way and teaches personal accountability for life choices. She is also the author of several children’s books and Soul Windows…Secrets From The Divine.