14th March, 2007

RUSSELL STUBBINGS

In a period of less than a year a number of prominent Australians have left this world for that which lies beyond. Steve Irwin, noted for his contribution to conservation and wildlife, Peter Brock, Australian car racing legend, and now, Billy Thorpe, Australian rock icon, best known as the leading figure of Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs.

INTO THE SUNSET: Friends noted that Australian rock legend Billy Thorpe, who died on 28th February, was on a lifelong spiritual search. PICTURE: Justin P (www.sxc.com) "It is always interesting to note that so many Australians fail to think of eternity until they are confronted by the death of a loved one. And even then, there is very little understanding of the reality of heaven...The Australian belief is generally that if you are a good bloke (and that is open to interpretation) heaven awaits as a matter of course. And, one does not really need to worry about it, because it is quite obviously an automatic event when one dies."

Each departure has brought a mixture of shock, disbelief and grief to people across Australia, and to varying degrees worldwide. The last of the three, Billy Thorpe, is an interesting study. A man who according to many accounts, and his own writings, in both the musical and literary sense, was on a spiritual search. Did Billy Thorpe find God? We may never know, but he was certainly a man possessed by the knowledge that there is more to this earthly life.

Much has been written about Billy Thorpe in recent days. His funeral, attended by famous celebrities ranging from Bryan Brown, Olivia Newton-John and Jack Thompson, to musicians such as Max Merritt, Normie Rowe, and Col Joye paid tribute to his impact on the Australian music scene and to Billy Thorpe as a man. Friends noted that Billy Thorpe was on a lifelong spiritual search without elaborating regarding whether or not he had found what he was looking for. Comments to the tune of Billy being a spiritual man beyond his public persona are commonplace, but it is difficult to determine their specific meaning.

Bryan Brown, the Australian actor who has enjoyed much Hollywood success, vaguely alluded to heaven as Billy Thorpe’s destination. “I look forward to arriving in that place that we sometimes don’t think exists- but at times like these, it sure does- and see that grinning face come walking up to me, saying, “Jesus, what kept ya Browny?” What a paradoxical mouthful. A mixture of blasphemy, spiritual awareness, and a recognition that maybe heaven does exist, especially when farewelling a departed friend. This begs the question, does heaven fail to exist at other times?

It is always interesting to note that so many Australians fail to think of eternity until they are confronted by the death of a loved one. And even then, there is very little understanding of the reality of heaven, rather it is referred to in a vague manner, without any definitive pathway or requirement. The Australian belief is generally that if you are a good bloke (and that is open to interpretation) heaven awaits as a matter of course. And, one does not really need to worry about it, because it is quite obviously an automatic event when one dies.

Without delving too deeply into the theology of heaven, the Bible does teach that belief in Jesus Christ is central. One cannot afford to wait until death, the decision is ours to make and must be made in advance. There is no sitting on the fence with this one, not choosing is actually a choice against God and His eternal kingdom. The opinion of your friends does not matter, their belief that you are somehow looking down on them from heaven does not guarantee your place there. Only one thing does, and that is reconciliation with God, through His son, Jesus Christ. Whether or not God has a special place reserved for rock musicians in heaven, as suggested by the presiding minister at Billy Thorpe’s funeral, is irrelevant. The only way Billy Thorpe will be there is if he turned his life to God and accepted the life changing reality of Jesus Christ.

Whilst Bryan Brown and Billy Thorpe’s friends and associates may have only a vague understanding of heaven, the man himself appeared to have a deeper comprehension of matters pertaining to God and spirituality. The second verse of his famous anthem Most People I Know Think That I’m Crazy reveals a determination to live a changed life.

“For most of my life I lived a delusion yes
material gain has caused me confusion but
slowly in time I learned that my place is to
tell all that I meet the glory that God is.”

What a powerful verse! One doesn’t write lyrics this profound without some sort of life changing revelation. At this point in his life at least it appears that Billy Thorpe had accepted the reality of God in an intensely personal way. Quite possibly that’s why everyone thought he was crazy. Because he had decided to live life for God in the midst of all that was on offer to him as a leading rock musician. But, did he maintain his faith, did he remain with God until the end? Certainly this is a difficult call for an observer to make, and would require making a judgment only God can make. But, it can be said that his spiritual search provided him with ample opportunity to encounter God and maybe Billy Thorpe really is enjoying paradise with his maker.

The life of Billy Thorpe was a roller coaster journey. Prominent musician, author, businessman, and spiritual seeker all rolled into one. He was by no means a saint, having experienced times where he was caught up in the trappings of a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, alcohol, drugs and various other temptations. What do we make of this in the light of his spiritual seeking. The Bible does tell us that we can know Jesus’ disciples by their fruits, by their behaviour and the character they exhibit. Does this mean Billy Thorpe could not have been a disciple of Jesus? Not necessarily. Whilst we know that Christians are strongly encouraged to live righteously we also know that temptation and sin are very real, and being caught up in activities that may be regarded as sinful does not automatically remove us from God’s grace and salvation. If that were the case heaven would be a fairly empty place. Possibly Billy Thorpe may have been “a sinner saved by grace” who struggled just as many do with the temptations of life.

What can we take from the life and death of Billy Thorpe, Australian music pioneer? To start with, an understanding that life is more than merely the time we spend physically on earth, that we do have a spiritual dimension which transcends this mortal life. Billy Thorpe was well aware of the spiritual side of his existence. This type of awareness at least stimulates a willingness to search, to explore, to consider the possibility that God may really exist, that heaven may be real, and that there is a way we can guarantee our eternal place in God’s kingdom. But, we must also remember that merely being a spiritual seeker does not bring eternal life in heaven. Only Jesus Christ provides us with the guarantee of a heavenly destiny when we leave this world. And maybe, just maybe, Billy Thorpe found his way into heaven through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the end product of his soul searching, the only way any of us can live eternally in heaven. Not so crazy after all!

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