Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Wednesday is a big day for the Beatles and their fans. The greatest and most influential artists of the rock era are rereleasing their entire catalog in newly remastered mono and stereo compact discs. They’re also making a foray into an entirely new medium with The Beatles: Rock Band, which The New York Times said a few days ago “may be the most important video game yet made.”
It is neither of these marketing events, however, but a trip to see a Beatles tribute band that inspires Eric Miller to reflect in Christianity Today on the interplay between modern Western religious practice (spirituality) and the allure of the pagan celebration of the body (materiality).
Miller dismisses the Beatles themselves as “the creepy guys with stringy hair and granny glasses,” and this admirer was irritated at what he takes to be a willful misreading of the John Lennon lyric “Imagine there’s no heaven.” But Miller seems to have enjoyed himself well enough at the tribute show, and concludes that paganism has an important role to play, as a kind of balance to spirituality.
“The calling of Christians is to live at the point of tension between these poles,” he writes, “at the difficult but satisfying place that reveals the pathway to human flourishing and leads others to it.”
Comments
The calling of Christians is to follow Christ and to set an example for people at the other "pole," not to live anywhere near the middle. I appreciate the Beatles and their music, but it doesnt bring me closer to God, especially with songs like "Imagine." They are like most famous people are. They have a bully pulpit and dont take advantage of the opportunity to use it for God. This is probably because none of them ever felt that close to God. Again, I like the Beatles music, particularly the earlier songs up until around 67. However, as the Baptist preacher has said, music either honors God or it honors the world. If it doesnt honor God, and instead honors the love of the girl or whatever, then it is worldly. Worldly means the other guy. If we spend our time with worldly things then we are spending time away from God. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | September 9, 2009 10:13 AM
Ah Clay--So you once liked the Beatles--this must have been when you had a functioning brain and you had not yet been born again. Songs to some girl you say are not worthy of the Lord. You put Jesus before girls eh? If I were a believer I would thank God on behalf of all girls. Way to go--keep Jesus front and center--spare the girls, Clay. Let them escape, their scalps in tact, from your grand sanctimonies.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 9, 2009 11:40 AM
Clay if we are supposed to set an example for the guys at either end, and not live anywhere near the middle where exactly where we to live at? Before you answer with some phrase you got of your Cliff Notes version of the Bible draw a line and reread the question.
Posted by: ravensfan | September 9, 2009 11:52 AM
I thank God for women also. If it wasnt for them, neither one of us would even be here. Now dont make those Beatles into a replacement for God. Have a good one.
Posted by: Clay | September 9, 2009 12:01 PM
"The calling of Christians is to follow Christ." Well Clay I have a strong feeling you're not doing that to the fullest extent because I believe Luke 18:22 states "When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
So right off the bat I realize you have no idea what you are talking about really. (unless you have done the above quote and are typing from a library) As far as this middle between paganism (the worship of many gods) and...ummm...monotheism? (the worship of one god) I believe there is not currently enough information to draw a conclusion of what Mr. Miller was exactly getting at. I believe the concept of "No Heaven" could be misinterpreted as an atheistic request but then that would quite false.
As far as replacing God with the Beatles, I don't think anyone is doing that yet.
As far as World vs. Godly music, that again is wrong because there are a number of songs that honor neither God nor the mortal plain.
Bit of a rant their but bear with me, it's my first time.
Posted by: bushytop | September 16, 2009 10:34 PM
Hi Bushytop. Why do you quote the bible passage about selling all that you have and giving it to the poor? Do you know how much I give to the church or anything about me? Why are you quoting this? Because if we dont sell all that we have and give to the poor we cant make a comment on what Christians should be doing from the bible? People have been using the Beatles as a replacement for God for years, along with all the other groups and all the other things they can do that dont honor God. If it doesnt honor God, then it honors the world. Christ tells us that He is not of the world. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | September 17, 2009 10:29 AM