While the autobiography of D-list actor turned outspoken skateboarding evangelist Stephen Baldwin is not in Christian bookstores quite yet, one quote from the book–entitled “The Unusual Suspect: My Calling to the New Hardcore Movement of Faith”–is already stirring up controversy and making some of us evangelical types actually wince. In the book, Baldwin criticizes none other than U2 rocker Bono for his efforts to help the impoverished and infirmed in Africa (what this could have to do with Baldwin’s autobiography–you know, about his perssonal life and all–is still unclear to me). Baldwin writes that Bono “would do far more good if you just preached the gospel of Jesus rather than trying to get rid of Third World debt relief.”
For starters, Bono is not trying to get rid of Third World debt relief. Quite the opposite: He is trying to convince governments to provide more Third World debt relief. And while I realize Baldwin is still relatively new to the Christian faith, I would hope someone at the Palau organization, the ministry Baldwin partners with, would have explained to Baldwin that Jesus is just as excited about providing food to the hungry and medicine to the sick as he is about a really cool finger flip on a mini-pipe.
posted July 14, 2006 at 1:47 am
And Jesus would still be even more excited if Bono preached the Gospel of Jesus.>
posted July 14, 2006 at 4:56 am
The gospel doesn’t stop people from starving to death. If they’re dead, how will they be good Xtians?>
posted July 14, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Bono is doing a wonderful thing for these people, but he still needs to share his faith. Yes, the people need physical help now, but they need spritual help now as well. The physical will pass, but their sprits will go on forever. They need Jesus more than anything.>
posted July 14, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Actions speak louder than words. The greatest testament to Bono’s faith isn’t a bunch of empty words… it’s the actions he takes to help others.>
posted July 14, 2006 at 5:09 pm
If my memory does not betrayeem , Jesus tryed to help and confort the ones that are in any kind of need. Mr Baldwin, what are you doing in that regard?>
posted July 14, 2006 at 5:16 pm
If the people who say they are ‘of Jesus’ actually did the Gospel– such as “as you do to the least of these, you do to Me”, and followed what the Bible says, that real religion is feeding the poor, clothing the naked, and taking care of widows and orphans in their distress– then Bono wouldn’t have anyone to campaign for, would he? There is enough money locked in fake Christian’s bank accounts to feed the world, ten times over. But they’d rather buy their paster a fourth Cadiilac or a second million dollar home than feed the poor. What kind of Gospel (Good News) is that????>
posted July 14, 2006 at 6:12 pm
Typical. For two thousand years they’ve focused on the Messenger and paid no attention whatsoever to the Message. P.S. Nobody “finds” God; only the Christians could possibly come up with concept of being out of touch with an omnipresent God in the first place.>
posted July 14, 2006 at 6:36 pm
There’s premise to be Jesus with skin on to people that need help. What is Christ to us? To feed them and to clothe them, to meet their needs – is scriptural. The name of Christ however must be clearly presented in the process – otherwise how can they know – REALLY know where the heart of their help comes from?>
posted July 14, 2006 at 9:02 pm
could we cut to the chase here and get a grip on what Jesus was saying the whole time, which is that loving the less fortunate neighbor is #1. Bono is doing that, sacrificing his best energies and his life to put that out there in the world. That critical wannabe is a joke and taking the role as part of the problem, not the solution. Put up or shut up, and rein in your arrogant ego is all I have to say to him and others like him!>
posted July 15, 2006 at 12:31 am
Niether one here is wrong; Baldwin has a lot of zeal, perhaps he’s a young Christian, which would account for a lot of noise coming out of him, respectfully… but he will grow don’t you know… and I hope he keeps his zeal throughout his walk; and equally, I hope he learns to temper his tongue with love when conveying his heart felt opinions. We all have opinions, but there is a right way and a wrong way to accomplish everything under the sun. Sometimes, it is better to keep it simple, leave it on the table, and deliberate a while, discern prayerfully, and in the mean time shut up! Bono is perhaps more seasoned, has been around the block a bunch of times by now, and definitely has been put into a nice spot to glorify God, he’s anointed and influential. I trust that Bono is mature enough to see and accept any truth regarding himself that is put in front of him by a Baldwin or a Joe Nobody like myself for that matter, and at the same time being able to separate truth from fiction and/or perhaps sift through any additional rhetoric that attaches itself to the truth, but in reality, is in fact junk, and therefore, needs to be trashed. The only problem for either of them is if they ever complicate their Christian faith with compromise i.e. adding stuff that does not belong in an association with Jesus, in light of His word. All in all… both men’s missions are the same… and one professing Christian should not diss/judge another professing Christian, nor diss/judge anyone on the planet for that matter. That’s pretty much Bible I do believe… mcen>
posted July 15, 2006 at 12:41 am
Your too quick to jump on him and maybe take his thoughts out of context. Everybody has a desire to express his thoughts and shouldn’t be ostrasized for such. I would need to know more before commenting on either side. Bono though generous in his own way is not making the problem go away with food. Condoms need to be distributed and parents educated about safe sex and quality lives instead of quantity, which for this culture is not an easy issue but a necessary one to brooch.>
posted July 15, 2006 at 1:11 am
Perhaps Mr. Baldwin would benefit by remembering one of the teachings of Jesus Christ – “Judge not…”. Bono has performed many, many outstanding deeds in order to help his/our neighbors. In my eyes, it is far better to let your actions speak your heart than to let your tongue wag.>
posted July 15, 2006 at 4:03 am
Hey, whoa! Why jump on the poor guy? Is not the great commission go and preach the gospel in all the world? I think he is just saying that the later outcome of the situation would better if the gospel were preached to these people instead of trying to address the problem with constant supplies of food and debt forgiveness. The Lord actually tells us to do all these things doesn’t he? So maybe these two should get together, Bono can work on debt relief and food and Baldwin can preach the gospel and together bring nations to Christ.>
posted July 15, 2006 at 5:01 am
Uh, if I’m starving to death or dying of AIDS, I’d much rather have food and medicine than a Bible tract, but that’s just me. Steven Baldwin is perfectly entitled to his opinions and faith. And I am perfectly entitled to think they’re total bullshit.>
posted July 15, 2006 at 5:20 am
Stephen Baldwin is also perfectly entitled to his opinions and faith. Sorry about the misspelling.>
posted July 15, 2006 at 11:54 pm
Bono is doing a horrible thing. Instead of yelling at sucessful western countries to flush money down the toilet of that continent called Africa he should demand that the Africans provide the rule of law, private property, and free markets to actually help their citizens, not make rockers feel good even though they have done nothing. And another thing. Instead of just ripping Baldwin maybe you should give him some credit of bringing up that small issue of saving peoples souls.>
posted July 17, 2006 at 3:22 pm
One does not need to be a Christian to feed the poor and to invest in other people’s lives. I respect very much the work that Bono does, and God has certainly given him a platform from which to encourage others to do likewise. HOWEVER.. I don’t recall ever hearing Bono speak about the gospel (Jesus voluntarily taking on the punishment for man’s sin by dying on the cross and His miraculous resurrection from death and ascension into Heaven). I know there is a notion in today’s world that it’s MORE TOLERANT or MORE LOVING to NOT go pushing one’s faith/beliefs down other people’s throats. But Jesus’ instructions to his disciples (and to all Christians, i.e. “followers of Christ”) was to go into all the world, preaching the gospel, proclaiming the good news of his death + resurrection, and to make disciples. If (and I stress “If”) Bono is a Christian, how can he reconcile this with his choice to be silent on the sacrifice of Christ? Anyone can do good works. That does not a Christian (i.e. “follower of Christ”) make. In the worlds’ eyes, good works may appear to be righteous, and please understand – I do believe we can all do more and should do more to help our fellow man – but this does not equate with righteousness (i.e. right standing with God). The Bible says “there is none righteous, not one” and it also says “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” All men/women/children have sinned, have offended God, and any number of good works does not erase the fact of our sin. “The wages of sin is death,” according to the Bible, or in other words: the payment due/penalty is death (speaking of an eternal death and separation from God). Who amongst us can say honestly that he/she has kept God’s commands faithfully without error? Not I. Take just one commandment, to “have no other gods before Me (Jehovah).” Can any of us say that we have always, I repeat, ALWAYS>
posted July 17, 2006 at 3:34 pm
PREVIOUS COMMENT GOT CUT OFF… Can any of us say that we have always allowed God to be FIRST in our lives? We are sinners. That’s what the word of God says. If we say we have no sin, then we call God a liar. It’s that simple. It is for THIS reason that Jesus came. He said it himself, to offer his life voluntarily as a blood sacrifice, taking on the punishment that you and I deserve. So.. while it is a good thing to provide a meal, nourishment, clothes, shelter, encouragement, etc. to those in need… does it SQUARE us with God? Before you answer that, consider this.. if it is within our capabilities to reconcile ourselves with a perfect and Holy God, then why did Jesus have to die? And why did Jesus say ABOUT HIMSELF “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (God), but by me.” So by all means, for you Christian believers out there, go and feed the hungry, care for orphans and widows (as the Bible exhorts us to do).. but never lose sight of the fact that – as we care for the physical body which ultimately will die anyway, how much MORE IMPORTANT is it to reach out to those souls that are destined for eternal death/separation from God. We don’t like to use the word, but Hell is a very real place. As we strive to meet the physical needs of people today, it is important to have a spiritual perspective – “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul?”>
posted July 17, 2006 at 5:07 pm
How do any of you know what Bono is saying while he is there? Maybe he IS spreading the word – he songs certainly do…maybe he IS praying with individuals – you just don’t hear about it because it’s not on TV. whatever. Who are we to judge? And if by some remote chance Bono isn’t spreading God’s word while he’s working with these people (closely, not just gathering/sending money),SHOWING them God’s love, maybe Mr. Baldwin would like to jump on this bandwagon and put HIS money where HIS mouth is….I agree with Mitzi M., go with him Stephen – SEE what he’s doing – HELP him do it – SPREAD the good news of Jesus. I, for one, believe Bono IS doing this, but he could sure use all the help he can get….>
posted July 17, 2006 at 5:40 pm
I think the Book of James said it best, show me your faith and I’ll show you my faith by my works. (pharaphrase). At the same time, why is everyone getting freaked out by Baldwin’s statement. Bono has an incredible stage to speak from. Let’s hear more words from Bono and more action from Baldwin. It is importatn to remeber anytime we start making these statements it is important that we examine or own witness.>
posted July 17, 2006 at 9:02 pm
And AGAIN, Christians are completely missing the point and NOT reading their own bibles… It should be totally unnecessary to tell people that the acts of charity you work are in God’s Name: “By their ACTIONS shall ye know them…” — REMEMBER?!? I was right in my first post: you’re paying entirely too much attention to the Messenger and no attention whatsoever to the MESSAGE. If all Good comes from God, then your good works come from God. Period. The First Comandment is, “I am the Lord, thy God, thou shalt not have false gods before Me.” So, ignoring all God’s Messages and placing one of God’s Messengers ahead of God is WRONG. We’re suppose to be good, to do good and to leave the rest in God’s “Hands.” Why can’t you Christians just follow God’s Words and leave others to do the same without banging Jesus’s name over people’s heads? “I have other sheep not of this flock.” Remember? God speaks to ALL His children, in the language that each of them will understand. If you listened to the Message, you’d understand that although the names of the Messengers change, the Message does NOT.>
posted July 18, 2006 at 6:58 pm
“people need physical help now, but they need spritual help now as well.” ahh, you assume because these people are not christian, that they are not spiritual. perhaps they pray to a different god than you do, and all they need right now is exactly what bono is giving them… i am not a christian. and i am spiritual. there are millions of jews, muslims, buddhists, hindus, and pagans who are just as spiritual as any christian. by discounting these religions, you invalidate them. it is such a shame…>
posted July 18, 2006 at 11:48 pm
Don Rauchmann Jesus Lovess You , And this is to Susan T. Finnegan If You arer not a Christian then How can can you say that we Focusing On the message and not the Messengar Do You know are Messengar ???? We are not perfect we are forgiven by Grace .So where as we believe when we Focus on the Message we are representing Our And the One True Messengar JESUS CHRIST. Who cares about People needs their stomachs and their souls.>
posted July 19, 2006 at 12:19 am
cont from previous Message We are suposed To focus On OUR Messengar and WE ARE NOT PUTTING HIM BEFORE THE ONE TRUE GOD JEHOVAH. JESUS CRHIST is the SAVOIR the WORLDS SAVOIR the saver and Lover of our Souls.John14:6″ I am the way,the truth,and the life.No one can come to Father except through me.>
posted July 19, 2006 at 5:50 am
Dear Shaun, “Susan T. Finnegan”?!? Not only do you not pay attention to the Message, you’re not paying attention to this messenger’s name! (And notice I didn’t capitalize that ‘messenger’.) Do I know the Message? I surely do, my friend; I was baptized and raised in a Christian home. I still live by Christian principles, though I’d rather commit ceremonial sepuku than set foot in another church. I’m well aware of the difference between what Jesus Christ begged us all to do and what a mess Christians have made in His Name. I know The Messenger very well, indeed. If Jesus wasn’t interested in peoples’ stomachs, perhaps you’d care to explain the Wedding at Cana and the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes? “Whatsoever thou doest for the least of thy bretheren, thou doest for Me,” He said. Jesus also said,”Whatsoever thou does not doest for the least of thy bretheren, thou dost not do for Me.” If you’re not doing everything you can to feed, clothe, shelter and heal any of God’s children, you are not following God’s Message. Jesus specifically preached against people who thought they’d get into Heaven by calling,”Lord, Lord” but not following His Message. And don’t stop at John 14:6! Had you read a little farther along, you would have found,”Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12. P.S. Dictionaries are inexpensive, my friend; Jesus Christ is your Savior, not your Savoir. And Jesus also said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” John 13:16 May God Bless You All>
posted July 20, 2006 at 9:39 pm
Susan I am sorry If we have misunderstood each other Gods word Is not to fight or debate over.. Nor to judge or Insult others. I hope You find a Loving church and you allow God to heal Your hurts, Christians are FORGIVEN not perfect,I know that Is why I did not want to go to church, I was looking at people rather then GOD . Just as we make mistakes every day just like Gods Knows we will do people are not perfect when they are writing either. We make mistakes.Nad God Is there to Love Us and GuideUS. NOT Perfect That Is Why we have JESUS. Love and Peace to You>
posted July 20, 2006 at 9:47 pm
TO make clear I was not saying who cares? I was saying Jesus Christ he who does care,I noticed It looks like it says Who cares? That is not what I meant.>
posted July 20, 2006 at 11:47 pm
They both have the right concept as to how it should be: Baldwin should practice what he’s evidently preaching, and Bono should preach what he’s practicing.>
posted July 21, 2006 at 4:40 pm
OUCH !! that last statement was kind of uncalled for. If in fact Baldwin is a believer. Washed clean by the blood of Christ as we all have been. We need not throw stones at the man. He is obviously speaking of of ignorance and God says we should encourage the weak in faith. Not discourage. None of us can throw stones. Not Baldwin or Bono. We and Tehyf all short. We’ve all heard the cuss word or two Bono throws out there. I just saw Balwin arrested again on TV the other night. I too have short comings. Lets pray for them and us, not condemn.
posted July 21, 2006 at 10:33 pm
>>>>>Susan I am sorry [...]Christians are FORGIVEN not perfect.[...]Love and Peace to You Shaun | 07.20.06 – 3:44 pm | #>
posted August 15, 2006 at 5:25 am
Sharon I am sorry. Love,Grace,and Peace to You.>
posted November 18, 2006 at 3:50 am
What is disturbing is that Baldwin says JUST preach the Gospel RATHER THAN help those in Africa. Is he out of his mind. The way Baldwin says it it’s as if helping those in Africa is a misguided adventure for a Christian. Sounds too much like religious right influence to me. The kind that is deathly afraid of setting examples of materially(money) helping others because it might lead to a movenment which would then mean no more tax cuts to feed the money God of the rightwing. More recasting of Christian doctrine for a party line.>