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One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to Those Seeking God

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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.

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.

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.

Books about U2's theological implications have become growth industry in recent years. As Bono and company have become a cultural institution, the frowns people once pulled at the idea of finding spirituality in a pop band now seem naïve and dated. And U2's unabashed use of Biblical language and Christian themes seems like an excellent bridge to connect spiritual seekers with faith when they, ahem, still haven't found what they're looking for.

Christian Scharen's contribution to this industry is a distinctly Lutheran, grace-based angle on the band. Scharen writes mainly for people who are curious about U2's spiritual implications but are not familiar with their Biblical basis. He unpacks U2 with the care of a literary scholar, matching that effort with an exegesis of the spiritual message. And though he quotes greats like Martin Luther and Henri Nouwen, he never forgets to explain his points in plain language.

This book is densely written and rewards slow reading. Scharen is a detailed and careful writer. At times it feels like he's reviewing U2 concerts and albums, so it's hard to tell if some chapters are about U2 or Christianity. But this book opens up more angles to U2's multivalent spirituality than I'd imagined possible. Who knew an Irish rock band that's played to packed houses for thirty years could also me a mission movement?

I recommend this book for two audiences. First, like Scharen, I'd like to see U2 fans who want to learn more about the band's spiritual focus read this and have their questions answered. Then I'd like to see Christians who want to learn to communicate their faith in a pop-oriented world study how this band has done exactly that. This book, and U2, may well be the translation key that lets both such groups speak to each other, face to face, like equals.

Christian Scharen does not hide the fact that he is a U2 fan. This book seems to mainly be written for those who are both fans of U2, and Christians trying to figure out what it really means to be a Christian. I like the author's use of some pretty deep theological sources (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther, and Henri Nouwen among others), as well as basic quotes from the popular press and from U2 themselves.

The possible danger comes in seeking too much, both from this book, and from U2 themselves. Back about 1990, I saw one of Bono's first national network TV interviews in the US, and he said something that I think we should all remember. It was something along the lines of this: "Some people want to elect me to be the pope or something. And I obviously wouldn't make a very good pope." U2 are in their element as a rock band that breaks the 1970s to 1980s mold of what a rock band should be. I love it when Bono talks economics with the Chairman of the US Federal Bank, and blows his doors off! I think U2 are a "Voice crying in the wilderness." But also be aware that they are human, and will make mistakes, go off on tangents, and generally screw up every once in a while. Look where they point, don't look for the answer in them.

In his book, One Step Closer, author Christian Scharen weaves two inter-related themes to teach a powerful lesson of theology. The foundational theme is that of the Theology of the Cross as opposed to the Theology of Glory. Built on this foundation is how the music of the Irish rock band, U2, illustrates this idea of God's interaction with the world and the human race.

The book is organized in two main parts with the first part giving examples of how the Biblical literary forms of Psalm, Wisdom, Prophecy, Parable and Apocalypse are woven into the lyrics of the band's music. The second part looks at how the Theology of Cross informs the band's view of the themes of Faith, Hope, Love and Eschatology. In each chapter there are examples from U2's songs that illustrate the points being made as well as additional references for further listening.

While the book does contain biographical information about the band, it is not a history of the band or their music. Rather it is an attempt to explain the perspective and theology that informs what the band does in it's songs and how this perspective, based on the Theology of the Cross, can be used to interpret the modern and postmodern experience.

I would strongly recommend this book to fans of the band's music, Christian leaders seeking to connect with the band's message and Bible study leaders looking for new and relevant material to teach or discuss.

Inspirational. Well-written. Informative. This book is a must-have for any U2 fan. This book is also a fantastic tool for evangelism. Highly recommended.

- Stratos

I am David edwards and had written and sold thousands of books and my Title was One Step Closer. In fact it is right under this one. I was surprised to see a book with the same title, usually publishers do not let that happern. A good book however.
Dave