Comments on: The Gospel of John (Lennon) http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/ The fullness of joy is to behold God in all. — Julian of Norwich Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:33:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Carl McColman http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-9034 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:24:44 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-9034 See, I think in many ways Jesus would have agreed with John Lennon in his desire for a world where brotherly (and sisterly) love comes before religion. That’s the sense in which I think this is a profoundly Christian song.

]]> By: Mark http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-9033 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:14:35 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-9033 What a wonderful world this would be free of organised religion and dogma. I don’t think this song by Mr Lennon can be viewed in any way as Christian. Or should I put it another way, that it is as much about Christianity as it is about Scientology or any other ‘ity or ‘ology.

]]> By: Baba http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-8096 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:06:20 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-8096 Well said.

]]> By: Jon http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-5080 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:29:10 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-5080 I definitely agree with you about Imagine. I really got a kick out of hearing my teacher –who’s a Protestant minister, among other things–sing it once at a karaoke bar.

I made a series of five posts on Imagine in 2006, starting with this

]]> By: Chipping the web - triperfect -- Chip’s Quips http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-4624 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:48:12 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-4624 [...] Carl McColman sees John Lennon’s Imagine as “profoundly Christian” (thanks, Darrell ). [...]

]]> By: Darrell Grizzle http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-4556 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 03:14:41 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-4556 Once when I was a student at a very conservative Presbyterian college (I only lasted there a year), I was in the restroom behind the chapel. It was a weekend and I thought the building was empty, and for some reason I started singing “Imagine” rather loudly. When I came out, I was face to face with the president of the university, who was standing in the hallway, looking at me with a decidedly worried look on his face. I respectfully said Hello and kept walking.

I have long imagined “Imagine” as a beautiful depiction of the Kingdom of God, what Dr. Martin Luther King called the Beloved Community. I love your exegesis of the song, Carl. Many thanks.

]]> By: phil foster http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-4512 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:48:21 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/07/the-gospel-of-john-lennon/#comment-4512 I heard “Imagine” on the radio while working out yesterday morning.

Lennon’s call has always reflected the Cloud of Unknowing for me. The continual surrender (even of our religion and metaphysical concepts) to the Unfathomable, Infinite Love of God. I don’t think that was Lennon,s intent or orientation, but clearly he is seeking an heart based understanding of life beyond categories. The best example I know is that of Jesus – his relationship to his religion, his minimal concern for metaphysics, etc.

“Imagine” also reminds me of a song by Lou Reed, “Bus Load of Faith:”

You can’t depend on your family
You can’t depend on your friends
You can’t depend on a beginning
You can’t depend on an end
You can’t depend on intelligence
You can’t depend on a god
You can only depend on one thing
You need a Busload of Faith to get by…

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