Confessions of an Unemployed
Minister - Part Six: Bono & Eugene Peterson
One person I have been trying to get on my GodPod for two years is
Eugene Peterson. He was one of my profs at Regent College. I took every class
he ever taught there. I personally attended most of them, and acquired
recordings of the few courses I couldn’t actually be present for. I also spent
time with Dr. Peterson in his office getting personal counsel for my life and
career. Over the years, following my studies, he has been so kind as to write me
and chat on the phone a few times.
In one of our phone conversations this year I was again trying to
get him to agree to record a chat for my podcast. With each subject we discussed I'd say, "That's a podcast!" He'd say, "No. I find all this technology distracting." I'd say, "Tell me why - that'd be a good podcast!" He turned me down. I finally said,
“Well, I’ve been turned down by the best!” Then I explained that another person
I had been trying but failing to book was the lead singer of U2, Bono. I had just attended
their concert in Vancouver and had tried several avenues to connect and interview him. Dr.
Peterson said, “Oh, he was just here.”
I nearly dropped the phone. “What?!” I choked out. He said, “Yes, he came to visit me and we spent the day talking about the Psalms.” "What?!” I chocked out again. “You
mean two of my favorite people were together talking about my favorite subject
and you didn’t invite me?!” He said, “I didn’t know you’d be interested.” I told him that 66% of my fantasy "meal with any three people on earth" had just happened and I missed it. He laughed. I cried.
Well, some fine people from Fuller Seminary were there to record
the event and they produced a lovely little movie of these two artists
discussing a shared passion for God’s people engaging with God through honest
words. Watch the movie here.
And here’s a picture of the two of them. Look, Bono is showing one finger meaning, “There’s one person missing – James Prette!” Classic Bono!
