General Theology
Mysterious Ways
by Clay Staggs
Every time that I think that the state of the church (the global church, I mean, not Riverwood) can’t get any worse, I read something like this.
It seems that a Church of England congregation in Lincoln, England will be hosting a “U2-charist,” which the article describes as “an adapted Holy Communion service that uses the Irish rock group’s best-selling songs in place of hymns.”
Just about everything that could be wrong about this is. Here are some quotes from the article. I dare anyone to find anything in these remotely touching on the glory of God, the grace of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, or the Holy Spirit:
-“The event will focus on the Millennium Development Goals - targets set for the alleviation of world poverty”
-“The atmosphere will be further enhanced by a sophisticated lighting system that will pulse with the beat, and striking visual images of poverty and drought.”
-“It is also very important that we continue to try and find ways of worshipping that are surprising, challenging and fun.”
-“Rock music can be a vehicle of immense spirituality.”
-“The Millennium Development Goals are extremely important for the future of the world.”
Now, lest we tut-tut at the sorry state of the Church of England (true as that would be), consider the last line of the article:
“The idea of a “U2-charist” was first created in the US with the first such service held there in 2005.”
On a theological level, I can’t help but believe that this all stems from the contemporary church’s overwhelming rejection of the doctrine of election. After all, if it’s up to man to go out and evangelize and convert the unbelievers, a U2-charist may not be all that far-fetched. After all, it’s easier to recruit with rock songs and snazzy light shows than with the truth about sin, redemption, grace, and the over-arching sovereignty of God. The problem with this approach, though, is that eventually the concert has to end. Then what?
Posted by Clay Staggs at January 29, 2007 09:32 AM
Whenever the focus of Communion (or corporate worship in general) is moved from the Godhead to anything else (causes, celebrity , etc.) anything is fair game, I suppose.
Also, when theology is in error, ignored or altogether absent, causes or morality usually fill the void.
I really don’t have a problem with using songs by U2 or anybody else if the songs focus on the attributes & character of the Godhead &/or the meaning of the Sacrament in light of that, but this appears to be nothing more than ‘raising awareness’ for a man-made (regardless of its worth) cause and using Communion as window dressing.
I would be curious what Bono thinks about this. I guess silence is the best course for him on this, however.