God in the house

I'd been thinking about doing a post, sifting through some of the reviews of the Vertigo Tour so far, that would analyze examples of the spontaneous religious language used by the secular media to try and describe the experience of seeing U2. I didn't get to that, so here is something very different, a series of comments on U2 live in the form of U2 concert reviews from the Christian online world.

Let's start with a Relevant review of U2 live, followed by extensive discussions that aren't really on the topic of the article. (Funky Presbyterian takes a funny shot at the title: Of course God was there; he can afford the ticket prices.) Jeffrey Overstreet writes a thoughtful review of the first Seattle date.

Other Christian bloggers are posting more spontaneous reflections as well, and I'll link a few, noting that we should all cut them some slack for their wild, over-the-top, just-back-from-the-gig, these-are-not-drunken-as-ye-suppose-type enthusiasm, OK? From U2 in Denver, here's a review post at the Ready Room including funny cell phone comment. The Radley Porch and The Banty Rooster both try to describe the same concert. Here's Uptown Pilgrim who recently returned not only from U2 but also from a mission trip to El Salvador, tying that in and reflecting on community. Mike at Waving or Drowning starts his U2 in Vancouver blog post "Just back from church..." and promises more in-depth reflection later (well worth checking for. Call Paul.) Life of Turner and EternaLee were there too.

Obviously, there are also people posting about how the band are working for the Evil One and anyone who perceives a positive spiritual effect is deluded, etc. Sorry, but you'll have to do your own Googling if you want to read those.

Finally, here are a Presbyterian college minister's reflections on seeing U2 versus coming to church; this gentleman seems to have less U2 background than the writers linked above, but is doing some interesting personal wrestling. Incidentally, this is the first description I've heard of leaving a lone spotlight trained on the crucifix at the end of "40"; one-shot deal or ongoing image, anyone know?