U2’s Bono and Message Bible Translator Eugene Peterson New Documentary Film on the Book of Psalms: Two Unlikely Individuals meet for a Historic Encounter
Not too often does a lead singer of a rock band get to sit down with a Bible translator, but today that all changes. Eugene Peterson is the translator of “The Message Bible,” and he didn’t know who, U2’s ‘Bono’ was until he received a copy of a magazine. The magazine included an interview with Bono and that was just the beginning for Eugene to get to know more about Bono.
Bono starts the relationship by sending a video message to Eugene thanking him for The Message translation and how it helped him and his band. “I wanted to video message you, my thanks and our thanks and the band for this remarkable work you have done. There have been some great translations and some very literary translations. No translation that I have read that speaks to me in my own language. So, I want to thank you for that…”
Eugene talks about how he had never heard of Bono. “I had never heard of Bono before, and then one of my students showed up in class with a copy of the Rolling Stones…and in it there was an interview with Bono in which he talked about me and The Message…and I said, who is Bono?”
During a discussion at Point Loma Nazarene University, Eugene shares how he was first invited to spend time with Bono. Regrettably, he was facing a timeline during his translation of The Message Bible and had to decline the offer. During an exchange with Dean Wilson, he raises the point, “You may be the only person alive who would turn down the opportunity just to make a deadline. I mean c’mon; Its Bono for crying out loud!” After heartfelt laughter from the audience, Eugene punctually responds, “Dean, it was Isaiah.”
Through the influence of The Message Bible, Bono and his band ended their “360 Tour” with a song, 40, that was derived from Psalm 40.
We are called to influence every part of culture! The seven mountains as we call it, and Eugene from the Faith Mountain influenced the Arts and Entertainment Mountain through his work.
Eugene was able to eventually meet Bono when invited to Dallas and see one of U2’s concerts during their 360 Tour. The meeting was returned when Eugene invited Bono to his lakefront home on Flathead Lake in Montana. Around the kitchen table, they share their memories of when they were first introduced to the book of Psalms. See this genuine exchange of men dialoguing about their friendship with each other and be encouraged! We want to hear from you and what you think about this encounter. You can write to us at [email protected]. John and Steve shared in this segment.
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Dugit Messianic Outreach Reaching Jews for Jesus in Tel Aviv
If you have not yet visited Israel, it is a beautiful place to visit and see. Some may not be aware, but Tel-Aviv is a city of considerable size. Reportedly, “Tel Aviv has the third-largest economy of any city in the Middle East… and has the 31st highest cost of living in the world.” Over 1 million people travel there to visit annually. In this bustling city, Avi Mizrachi, with Dugit Ministries is sharing the love of Jesus Christ, one cup of coffee at a time.
Initially starting as a small Bible study with a handful of people, it has now grown to the fellowship gathering that we see today. “It is a Hebrew speaking, local congregation…”, Avi shares. “It is wonderful to see that Jewish people are responding to the Good News.” Not only is the Gospel being shared, but homeless and needy are having their needs met. The Agape Distribution Center was opened to help meet the needs of these people. “Today, we feed about 80-100 families every month.”
After a trip to Korea, speaking about Israel, Mizrachi shares how the Lord began to burden his heart, “The Lord has really put in my heart that I need to go and look for a place and build him an altar…of prayer and worship, for breakthrough in this city of Tel-Aviv Jaffa.” The prayer tower was then born, which houses a prayer room on the top 12th floor that looks out over all of Tel-Aviv.
Avi shares the critical times that we are facing and how to pray for what God is doing in Tel-Aviv. “I believe this is the harvest time. This is harvest time, and we need, more than ever, for people to pray for us, for laborers, for people to stand with us in such a time as this.”
Amidst tragedy that has taken place in Tel-Aviv, we want to encourage you with all the great work that is being done in the heart of this city. The Gospel is being shared through this ministry, and people are coming to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Pray for Avi and his ministry and pray for Israel. We want to hear from you! Write to us at [email protected]. John and Steve shared in this segment.
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