DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Mumford & Sons: Christian or Not?
© NaimaLett.com/blog
© Rolling Stones
Are Mumford & Sons Christian or not?
That’s the million dollar question that won’t go away.
So much so that Rolling Stone magazine featured the multi-platinum-selling British folk/rock super band on its cover last month and posted the following online, “In Mumford & Sons’ Rolling Stone cover story, Marcus Mumford, the frontman, opens up about his faith”.
Who is Mumford & Sons?
Mumford & Sons is the British folk quartet, formed in 2007, known for its waistcoat-wearing, foot-stomping, banjo-banging sound. They won this year’s biggest Grammy Award, Album of the Year, for their 2nd album, Babel, which had the biggest album debut in 2012.
The issue of faith kept rising to the surface because of leadman Marcus Mumford’s family and lyrics. His parents are founders of Vineyard Church in the U.K and Ireland. The Huffington Post noted that “the music of Mumford & Sons, for which Mumford is the main lyricist, is laden with the themes and imagery of faith — often drawing specifically upon the Christian tradition. They explore relationships with God and others; fears and doubts; sin, redemption, and most of all, grace.”
A pastor’s kid who writes lyrics about faith, redemption and grace must be Christian, right?!
Out of Mumford’s Mouth
Not so fast. Marcus Mumford doesn’t necessarily agree. Marcus has said that he does not call himself a Christian. In October 2012, Mumford explained to The Big Issue, “I don’t even call myself a Christian. Spirituality is the word we engage with more. We’re fans of faith, not religion.”
When asked by Rolling Stone if he considered himself Christian, Mumford again responded, “I don’t really like that word… It comes with so much baggage. So, no, I wouldn’t call myself a Christian. I think the word just conjures up all these religious images that I don’t really like. I have my personal views about the person of Jesus and who he was. Like, you ask a Muslim and they’ll say, ‘Jesus was awesome’ – they’re not Christians, but they still love Jesus. I’ve kind of separated myself from the culture of Christianity.”
If we listen to the words coming out of his own mouth, we would do well to stop trying to force Marcus Mumford to admit he’s Christian, closeted or otherwise. He clearly says how he feels.
What’s the Big Deal?
Why is this so important? Why does it continue to be a headline?
Why are we as Christians so desperate to find celebrities to boast the name of our Lord?
Jesus ministered to everybody – poor, rich, famous, infamous. He didn’t get caught up on celebrity, hoping to snag endorsements to legitimize His place as Messiah. By the time He showed up and spoke truth to the top rulers, Pilate and Herod (who didn’t believe, by the way), He was on His way to a bloody cross to save the world.
Jesus says very plainly in Mark 8:34-38, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Those who follow Jesus will follow by way of that bloody cross. And we don’t get to do it secretly. It’s all out in the open where everybody sees and knows. And if we try to keep it secret, we face daily exposure… like reporters that keep asking if we’re Christian or not. Regardless of what you may believe, this walk is one walk that can’t be hidden.
Leave Mumford Alone
Family of faith, let Marcus Mumford be. He’s 26 and says he’s on a “spiritual journey”. His parents are pastors. He was a worship leader growing up and recently married Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan, whom he met at a Christian youth camp. Maybe the most he can do right now, in his current state, is fill his music with Christian references.
Sure, we can pray for him, and I do, as I pray for many artists – known and unknown. But we can also stop trying to hand the cross to him or any other artist that does not want it. Jesus says for each one of us to consider the cost of following Him. If Mumford ain’t ready to be a spokesman for Christ, I ain’t making him one.
Today, I’m asking God to help me be the best ambassador for Him that I can be – to love the artists here in Hollywood and across the world that He’s entrusted to our care, to lead by example in humility and grace, to speak the truth in love, to walk in integrity, etc.
Won’t you do the same where you are?
Naima
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© 2013 Naima Lett. All Rights Reserved
Hey Naima,
This was an interesting post! I can remember when I was about 20 years old and I would wear a “Jesus is My Homeboy” t-shirt. I just got finished singing a song at karaoke and this woman walked up to talk to me. She liked the song and just engaged me in friendly conversation and then she asked if I was a Christian because of my shirt. My answer was “Yes, but that’s not ALLLLL I am.” She totally agreed and we went on.
I think about that all the time. I knew I loved the Lord back then, but now that I am closer to him and I’ve matured in the Faith and in my relationship with him, I could have kicked myself for saying something stupid like that. What I meant by that was, “Please don’t judge me. I love the Lord, but I’m not a judgmental person and I don’t want to be identified with what the world thinks is the stereotypical Christian. I’m a Christian BUT I’m really cool and I’m sooo sorry if I’ve offended you because I’m not like them.” I’m just being honest.
Now of course, I could give a rat’s behind what someone thinks about me or if they approve of me being a Christian. At least that’s what I thought until recently when I heard Voddi Bauchum talk about the dangers of worldly ambition. He gave an example of someone being a Christian and wanting to be a singer and wanting to be famous FIRST and then once they receive a certain worldly status, they would **SURPRISE!!!**** the world by “coming out” as a CHRISTIAN!! TADA! And of course because of their worldly fame, now people would be more accepting of God and God could now use that to advance his kingdom. Unfortunately, that reminded me of my bright idea at one time :/
I learned that God doesn’t need celebrities to advance his kingdom. He’s not sponsoring anyone and he’s not advertising “Hey, look at this celebrity. They are a Christian, so therefore you should be one too!”
As far as Mumford and Sons, I listened to some of their music and I couldn’t figure it out because on one song they were singing about their faith, and then in another song they were cursing and carrying on, so his answer does not surprise me.
I can see why some believers think it’s cool when celebrities admit they are Christian because celebrities are considered the “cool kids” of our culture, and we mistakenly think that if the world excepts the “cool kid” as a Christian, they’ll accept us too. But as we’ve seen, that is not the case. Either the celebrity claims to be Christian but lives like the world and therefore nobody cares or questions it because they aren’t offending the world by being a “light,” OR the celebrity confesses their faith in the Lord and if they truly mean it, of course a lot of their outward actions are going to conflict with those of the people in entertainment and then they are in the “dog-house” with the rest of us as far as the world is concerned.
It sounds like the lead in Mumford and Sons is confused right now about what side he is truly on and perhaps is enjoying the record sales and notoriety too much to lead anyone to believe anything that might offend. I don’t judge him at all and I think he’s made his position clear, but of course I do pray for him and anyone else in that situation. Maybe the rest of his band are not believers and he doesn’t want them to have to suffer any negative consequences that may come if he says that he is a Christian. Who knows, but whether they are or not, I like their song and I wish them continued success with it.
I meant if the world “accepts…..” sorry for the typo (in the 6th paragraph) 🙂
Thanks so much Teka for taking the time to share your thoughts about Mumford & Sons as well as your past experiences. It means a lot, especially since you’re a songwriter and recording artist as well. (Fam, we will let you know when Teka’s album drops. It’s a must have. Just saying.:=)
I am grateful that Marcus is being honest. He’s not pretending to be something he is not. He has stated on several occasions that he does not consider himself to be Christian. That being said, I am encouraging us as believers to simply take his word for it. Pray for him. And keep it moving. How many times does a person have to say that they’re not Christian for us to believe them?
How many artists tell us that they are Christian and we don’t believe them?
It all seems so backward.
When it’s all said and done, we will all be known by our fruit. Either the fruit of the Spirit will show forth because of our faith or not.
I also wish Marcus and Mumford & Sons the best.
I am not bashing him in any way. He is where he is.
I personally believe that since he has tasted of the sweet relationship with the Lord at some point, he will not be able to find peace anywhere else and will circle back around. But that’s just how I think.
Your thoughts are refreshingly honest.
Thanks again!
Naima