One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to Those Seeking God (Paperback)

~ Christian Scharen (Author)
Key Phrases: singing the truth, The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Atomic Bomb (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Perhaps the most popular and influential rock group to espouse Christian ideals without getting sidelined as "Christian rock" is the Irish band U2. Scharen (a Lutheran pastor and instructor of practical theology at Yale) points to the many biblical, theological and spiritual themes found in U2's lyrics to explain why this band "matters to those seeking God." And he does so elegantly, offering the heartfelt and intelligent musings of a fan while also acknowledging the band's wild and worldly bent. He admits U2's lyrics are multivalent, helping the band to attract both religious and nonreligious fans. Scharen is most impressed with U2's emphasis on "the theology of the cross," a theology that accepts both doubts and faith while emphasizing the victory of God's love over the reality of earthly powers. "Despite worldly trappings of wealth and power, in U2 love does get a chance to speak," says Scharen, who calls on Christians to ask themselves what is keeping U2's "God-hungry" fans outside the church's edges. This book will no doubt appeal to the Christian who is a U2 fan, but its higher purpose is to bring the church and U2 fans from a variety of backgrounds closer together. (Apr.)
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Product Description

U2 is widely hailed as the greatest rock and roll band in the world, and lead singer Bono is often seen in the media touting humanitarian goals. Now Christian Scharen provides a thoughtful look at the driving force behind the band. Bono and other band members are marked by the Christian faith of their Irish backgrounds. Scharen reflects on how U2 "fits within the longer Christian tradition of voices that point us to the cross, to Jesus, and to the power of God's ways in the world" as he explores the music's honest spiritual questioning. Music lovers, pastors, and anyone on the path to God will value this book.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Brazos Press (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587431696
• ISBN-13: 978-1587431692
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #82,068 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Key to Understanding the Enigma of U2, June 23, 2006

By	Michael Dalton (Eureka, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Christianity, metaphorically, has many "keys." Many prominent voices play major keys, promising blessings and offering comfortable settings. Christian Scharen, the author of One Step Closer, introduces a minor key--the theology of the cross--that fits U2's voice.

"The theology of the cross fits U2 because it avoids the all too common proclamation of faith, hope, and love that ignores the present realities of doubt, despair, suffering and injustice. It is a tradition that looks at the world and speaks the truth about what it sees: the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the words of the church reformer Martin Luther, the theology of the cross `calls a thing what it really is.'"

This book helps "make sense of U2's style of talking about God, Jesus, the Spirit and the Christian life in a holistic way." It's an excellent resource for those wanting to understand the spirituality found in the band's lyrics.

It also serves as a mini-lesson in theology, especially as it pertains to the cross and the different forms of communication found in the Bible. The author provides keen insight into the psalms, the wisdom literature, the parables, prophecy, and apocalyptic writing in the first section of the book. In each chapter a different pattern of speech is examined with examples of how U2 mirrors the style and content of that particular form.

The second section focuses on the theology of the cross. With U2, it's a way of singing "truthfully and unflinchingly about God and the world God loves. It is a way of speaking that highlights faith over certainty, hope over despair, selfless love over the self-indulgent pursuits that tempt the church and its leaders to grab power and money for themselves." Once again the author provides specific examples from the band's music.

The last section introduces the idea of living the truth as a way to live the cross. It provides an account of how U2 lives out their faith. For U2, following God means doing the truth.

One can easily come away with a greater understanding and admiration for what U2 is all about. The band deserves credit for not succumbing to the popular self-fulfillment trends in the Church.

What's especially valuable is the author's ability to introduce readers to the Christian tradition by illustrating from U2. His thoughts on cross-centered theology are rewarding and worth more than one read.

This is a scholarly but easy to read work. The author displays a mastery of theology and U2. He more than adequately supports his contentions through Scripture (almost exclusively from The Message Bible) and an analysis of the band's lyrics and interviews. This book is a valuable edition to the growing volume of literature on U2.

It would have been helpful if the author would have elaborated more on some of the controversial elements of U2. Though it may be a minor thing, their seeming indifference about drinking, smoking and swearing is hard to understand. Their critical attitude toward the Church and some Christians is understandable but a little troubling.

Some Christians feel that U2 is not Christian enough. Ironically, you can see from reading this book that U2 follow in the tradition of the cross by speaking honestly and pointing toward sacrifice and service toward others. In so doing, they have turned it around and indirectly challenged the Church and individual Christians to be more Christian.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great lay out for Group Study, June 20, 2006

By	A. Wright "Tex Chaplain" (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thought the book was fun to read. A friend of mine used it as a guide for a church group study on the Theology of U2. It was a hit. We ended up discussing really important issues like Justice, and Money, etc. We would read a few chapters and watch the videos and then discuss. The way the book is structured is what positively differintiates it from other U2 books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INSIGHTFUL, INSPIRATIONAL , A GOOD START,....., October 6, 2009

By	Bluestars - See all my reviews

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Christian did a fantastic job on this book. I MUST SAY FOR THOSE SEEKING GOD or curious about god, religion, spirituality it is easy to understand. Nothing complicated such as the olde world bible and at times frusting for many deciphering words writen in the Holy Bibles. It is directed for those in their early years as christian later states in the books ending....... As well as a refresher course for those of us who have walked this path and know GOD... A pleasurable at your leisure type of reading at your journeys pace to be comfortable without any pressure of religion being pushed on you or feeling like you have to run to church because someone says the bible says you have to. you can develop your own personal closeness to GOD in the comfort of your own being and will. And one doesn't even have to be a U2 fan to understand.. With understanding the words coinciding with their songs of personal experiences and overcoming tradgedy as well celebrating triumphs successfully ; humbly they touch base with being human and given the grace to express themselves through a healthy release as well as messages of hope to every generation ..... AND TO REMEMBER BE PATIENT WITH OTHERS AS GOD HAS BEEN WITH YOU.