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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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