Well I finally made it. After one year at Grand Rapids Community College, two years at Reformed Bible College (now Kuyper College), and two years at Calvin College I am the first in my family to graduate from college. Now its off to Western Theological Seminary.
Anyway, it was a strange experience the last couple of weeks. I went to the graduation open houses of three different students who just graduated high school this year. They were also once students at the church where I used to be youth director. I had them in my group when they were in junior high. They were the group of kids who over the course of three years confirmed “my call to ministry” (I am still uncomfortable with that language Sometimes).
The surreal part was after I went to their open houses, a couple of guys from the old group came to my little graduation celebration this last Saturday. I am so glad that we have been able to keep in touch. Out of our group of about twenty-five or so students that came on a semi-regular basis there are only about six or seven that I hear from at all anymore. I wish that were different and I hope that I never lose contact with these guys.
Thats about all I got for you tonight. The poem in the post below is new if you are interested in that. Otherwise here are some things that have been on my mind that I have been thinking about spilling some cyber-type on:
Rock & Roll Cannot save the world only Jesus can.
I am sick of Bono telling the Church what to do when he does not participate in the life of the Church.
And I am also sick of hearing about the “U2charist” If all it takes are songs about social justice to make a band’s music appropriate for the central event in Christian worship then will Rage against the Machine be the next band to be heard at the Eucharist celebration?
Another thing I am thinking abaut: what does it mean to be a church body that is truly concerned about diversity of class and race in the local congregation?
Finally, I am reading Rob Bell’s book Velvet Elvis. So far the first two chapters have only pissed me off to be honest. But after talking to some friends Saturday night I am going to try to finish it this week and maybe I’ll throw my thoughts out there on it. Do you have any? And I am reading Jurgen Moltmann’s The Crucified God – which I will not be able to finish this week – but so far it is quite good.
I guess I just want to know if anyone is really interested. I have not blogged much lately and I feel like anyone who checked in regularly has probably given up on this blog. I know that this blog has already exceeded the average life span for a blog; and I am just wondering if I should keep it up or put the old girl to sleep. If I do keep it up I will try to post more often.
Guess that’s all I got for you tonight.
Shalom,
Wayne
Posted by Christian on June 20, 2007 at 10:15 pm
I like your blog. Keep going. I check it almost daily. A few comments about your blog. I don’t ussually disagree with you, but I’m going to tonight.
“I am sick of Bono telling the Church what to do when he does not participate in the life of the Church”.
Funny, I feel the same way about people who speak about equality but who live in a sanitized white apartment complex. (I’ve actually never been to your place and am mostly looking for a reaction). I like what Bono has to say about the Church and think he has a lot of wisdom to impart to a group of white Americans who can’t imagine how the rest of the world lives (and dies). Obviously his message will be more important for some to hear than others, but I think it’s still an important message.
What’s your beef with the U2charist? I’ve never been, but would like to some time. maybe we can go together. Have you been? What were your thoughts? What offended you about it?
thirdly, what about Velvet Elvis don’t you like? I didn’t really like the book, mostly because I have heard him speak about most of the book in person or on tape.
So far you have railed on some pretty “popular” trends in American Christianity. Be careful or you’ll end up as cynical as me.
Want to get a beer on Sunday and argue about city chickens, Bono, and Rob Bell? Just kidding about arguing, but I’d like to get a beer. I’ll keep my Sunday night open and wait for your call to confirm or not.
Christian.
Posted by Alex Brammeier on June 21, 2007 at 3:23 am
Hey Wayne,
While I do not check your blog everyday, I do check it. I think the only other thing I check more often is my e-mail. You write well and I enjoy your ramblings. I am very sad that you will be moving, but I suppose that will mean I must come visit you. It looks as though you are reasonably close to the beach, so perhaps a beach trip can be planned? I know that Sarah loves the beach.
As far as the rest of what you wrote on, I am not really sure I have much to say. I have grown weary of Christian Culture and I find more substance in the writings of Christians from the early-to-mid-20th century. One of my favorites is Oswald Chambers. I am quite dismayed at the state of affairs in the American Church, and I think that nothing less than active persecution or a mighty act of GOD will change anything. Thankfully, I think I may have found something of a haven in Madison Square Church.
As far as Bono goes, well, he has his opinions just like everyone else. Sometimes I think that the view of those looking from the outside in can be of some value. I still enjoy listening to U2 a great deal, but that’s about where it ends. I respect what Bono is trying to do and I would very much like to meet him some day, but he is just a human being like everyone else with all the strengths and weaknesses therein. I think a pitfall of fame is when people revere you as a god yet you still consider yourself a heathen. It is still ashame that Bono seems more popular than Jesus to many Christians in America. I can see the headline now:
’nuff said.
Posted by matthewsdraft on June 21, 2007 at 9:10 am
Does this mean I should burn my U2 CDs? I’ll bring the gas if you bring the match. Just kidding.
I’m somewhat perplexed by Bono’s popularity with Christians. Its not like he is saying anything that cannot be found in the scriptures. I.e. take care of the poor, the widow, and the stranger. What’s interesting to me is why so many American Christians are struck by his message. After all, Bono is a rich white European male. Like he really knows about being poor or hungry or what it means to be powerless. If Bono really wants to change the world, then maybe he should sell everything and live among the poor. Until then, all he is doing is throwing cash at a problem. Money, money, money is the language of holly wood not the gospel. Have you ever noticed how Protestant Bono’s “gospel” is? It’s all about paying the debt and forgiveness (some sort of satisfaction atonement running in the background). Anyway, whatever happened to “God being with us” not just paying for things. If the Church were to take the incarnation more seriously, then maybe it would have an easier time realizing that Bono’s “Christianity” is more Gnostic then it is Christ-like.
The thing that pisses me off the most about the Church linking Bono with Jesus (I.e. the U2carist) is that Jesus came down to earth, took on flesh, lived among the poor, and died as a criminal and all Bono does is writes checks to the poor from his 5 million dollar mansion and then has the nerve to tell the church that they need to follow his example. Can someone explain this to me?
Posted by James Bowerman on June 21, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I am adding a comment for my bro, who has said that he is concerned that maybe his blog is not worth keeping around because lack of comments!
anyway I do love coming here and getting updated on the mind of wayne and the info this blog is intended for.
all that being said …… within this page is the thoughts and workings of a mind and soul who professes to all the world to be committed to the Trinity and Holy Christian Church, therefore I come here to read and be updated on matters of intent of this blog ie:”Faith Still Seeking Understanding in a Postmodern Context”…..although I do not find myself identifying with every post, I do read from a man who has every right to post his thoughts in this modern online journal with it’s stated intent……now that being said(again): Bono is a made up name for a made up man that we all see involved in many of todays issues(to many to mention) on the table here is Bono’s hand in todays christian world: I personally have always liked U2 and their music and like a lot of what Paul Hewson’s alter ego stands for, but U2 nor Bono are a medium for or to be used by the holy Christian church. I my self love many contemporary elements in the mix when it comes to my faith, but are we so unable to draw from the Word and and Holy truths that have always been, offering a story that has always held all we NEED, that we need some modern man’s alter ego to speak for us, or to find truth in, or to use his music for worship?????……I am not against finding fresh avenues to use express faith nor am I against wonderful truths of faith coming from a flawed individual(many original hymns, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Baker) but we should as a Christian Body identify ourselves with those who are un-doubtably 100% identified with the One true God, his teachings, history, creeds, and community, by the professing of their faith in the world. ……now I have gone on way too long and am not as educated to the point I wish, but my point is I don’t think Bono is this man, he has many good truths that do come from him but he is not to be used as our century’s Christian spoke person or medium to use, as I have never herd him personally speak the words of trying to live a life of being 100% signed on to Christianity and all that it is and means and stands for……..so rock out to Rattle and Hum, just don’t turn to it for salvation!
Thanx
Jimbo
Posted by Wayne on June 21, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Wow, the comments are almost as long as the post. Thanks for all the input guys. First I want to apologize for throwing such disconnected thoughts out there and not fleshing out any of my ideas. I think that was pretty irresponsible. For a myriad of reasons I am trying to be less introspective and more focused on talking about things other than myself. Thus the poem I wrote below about introspection is a form of self indictment. However, I really was overwhelmed with a wealth of feelings about recently graduating and reconnecting with some former youth group students and that is what I really wanted to post on that night. I was tired, grumpy, and feeling a bit guilty about writing another self absorbed post; so I threw out some ecclesial and social issues that really have been on my mind. But to do so when I knew they were loaded statements and then provide little or no explanation was irresponsible and again I apologize.
That said, I make no apology for the content of my statement. I have been increasingly frustrated in recent years with Bono and with the Christians baptizing all things U2 like it were sacred tradition. Bono does not go to church; he does not take part on a regular basis in the life of the Church and in several interviews has expressed that he has no desire to. Yet Christians latch on to this guy like he is the only one out there trying to make the world a better place. And don’t get me wrong I am not against humanitarian efforts. But speaking out on humanitarian issues does not qualify Bono or anyone else to tell the Church what they should do. It seems that Christians have given Bono the right to speak for the Church by placing him on the cover of Christianity today and inviting him to speak at churches and Christian colleges.
I feel I could wax-on about this forever and not get to my point which is this: sure there is a social element to the gospel and the gospel is not merely a set of intellectual propositions. But the reverse is true. The gospel is not merely social action apart from the Christian story: the good news that the triune God is restoring all things in Christ. Either one without the other is not the gospel. What Bono preaches is not that our hope lies exclusively in what God has done for us in Christ and that this should spur us on to all manner of good works. No, in his music as well as in his “sermons” regarding his humanitarian efforts Bono preaches a hope that humanity can ban together to accomplish great things. It is a message similar to that of John Lennon’s Imagine, only substitute skeptical agnostic angst with humanity as its own great white hope and throw in some imagery drawn from the Judeo-Christian tradition.
I hope that better explains my problem with Bono and with Christians making him a spokesman and especially with using U2’s music for the Eucharist.
Shalom,
Wayne
Posted by christian on June 25, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Wayne… it seems like your problem is much more with stupid Christians than Bono himself. If that is what you mean, I am with you. I feel the same way about Eldridge and Warren (maybe even McLaren), and even C.S. Lewis. Anytime we make a man into a spokesman for God we’ll run into serious problems. That being said, much of what Bono says is prophetic. We WOULD be wise to listen to much of what he has to say. If we think that the Church has somehow balanced out our intelectial kowledge of God and our social action, we are fools. I guess what he has to say is just as valuable as many of the authors listed by other folks on here. He inspires me and many others to good works. Lets’ do the work of good reformers and sift the bad from the good rather than the work of the fundies and throw out the baby with the bathwater.
Posted by Wayne on June 25, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Christian, You are quite right that I am sick of Christians exalting Bono. But I am also sick of Christians using Bono as an example of Christian behavior or worse yet connecting Bono with the Eucharist when Bono is not part of the Christian community.
You are quite right that we would be fools to think that any part of the Church has reached a perfect ballance of intelectual knowledge and social action. But I still want no part in one without the other. And I want no part in either if it is not uniquely Christian.
As far as doing the work of the reformers: it seems to me what usually passes as such these days is some sort of basterdized Kuyperian theeology which I am not interested in. If all of the “spheres” are equal and rock and roll or politics can do as much good as the church even though they labor not in the name of Christ, then you should quit you job at the church and start a band. Maybe I will run for governor.
I am sorry I know I sound pretty inflammatory and I do not mean to be. But Christians have 2,000 years of Church history, many many saints past and present to hold up as our examples of the Christian life. It seems to me that it takes a paper thin ecclesiology for Christians to do what they have done with Bono/U2 as well as a very low view of the Eucharist.
Hopefully you still want to get together for a beer after this. Sorry I didn’t call you before Sunday. I am working at Meijer again quite a few hours but I would love to make the time.
Blessings,
Wayne
Posted by Christian on June 25, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Hey bro. What happened to you at Calvin?
I’m not interested in starting a band. I’m interested in seeing kids become Christ like. Much of this change deals directly with what Bono is speaking about. Bastardized Kuyperian or not, if Bono helps me and my kids to be more passionate about feeding the widow and orphan, I guess I’ll call it “God’s Truth”.
Who are these sons of bitches you are talking about with the paper thin ecclesiology? Let’s get ‘em and treat them like we do the pagans, tax collectors and homosexuals.
I’m just perplexed that you have become such a hater. That’s my job.
Posted by Christian on June 25, 2007 at 11:49 pm
oops. I’m still in for a beer as long as the juke box doesn’t have any pagan music in it.
Posted by Eric Wieringa on June 30, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Hey man, First of all congrats on your Graduation! It went by so fast. Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile it’s been crazy around here lately.
So Bono’s finally gotten too popular for ya? Can’t say I blame you. While I can’t criticize his humanitarian efforts I guess for me; the annoying part about Bono is that he seems so contrived. Always presenting a very specific image, as apposed to throwing himself into Christ. It reminds me of the deaths of Princes Diana and mother Teresa, They both died within a week of each other, but only one made front-page news. One was a humanitarian and retired to her palace at the end of the day, while the other slept on dirt floors with the poor. The difference is that one was interested in making a difference while the other was conforming herself to the image of Christ.
Like I said, I cant fault anyone for giving their time and money to the poor (as I need to do more) but I would say that we need more Mother Teresa’s in this world than Bonos or well intentioned princesses. Having said that, I agree; making Bono an icon for what Christianity is supposed to look like is very dangerous.
Posted by Darrin Brandon on February 23, 2009 at 9:24 am
I stumbled upon your blog today, after researching this “U2christ” that I only heard of this weekend. I guess I’ve been living under a rock. Anyway, after reading alot of what is posted here, as a fellow brother in Christ, I think alot of people are missing the point of what the true mission of the church is. It is to win souls for the Kingdom of God! It is not about taking a worldly person, and infusing his views into the body, it is about taking the truth of the Bible and infusing it into the world. All of the talk of humanitarianism is nice and I agree that we are called to that service. However, we can feel all the poor that we want, but if we don’t have a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, then it is all for naught. The works portion that so many of you speak of is a “by product” of being transformed through the gift of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit.
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and pray that your passion to serve Christ never dies.
In Him,
Darrin Brandon
Holly Springs, NC
Posted by wayne on February 23, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Hey Darrin, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am amazed that this post still brings in a lot of hits. Anyway, I think the mission of the church is reaching people: heart, mind, body and soul with the good news of the kingdom. I believe that feeding the poor without proclaiming the good news that God is restoring the world in Jesus Christ falls short of the gospel. Likewise, I believe that proclaiming the good news that God offers hope of restoration in Christ, without also feeding the poor and ministering to peoples’ bodies also falls short of being the gospel. The gospel at its best has profound implications for for how we conduct our whole lives, how we pray, worship, think, eat, drink, how we conduct ourselves as sexual beings and on and on. I am fond of saying that Christianity is the most materialistic of all the world’s religious traditions, but it is materialistic in an appropriate way. The belief in and hope of the resurrection reminds us that God offers hope of holistic redemption.
Grace and Peace,
wayne