One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to Those Seeking God

I'll start with the book's most insignificant offense and work my way up.First, a lot of lyric quotes have very minor differences from the lyrics printed in liner notes of U2 releases. A small issue, but in turn very distracting when the author is trying to sound authoritative on his subject, especially when correct lyrics are so readily available. Oh well, whatever, nevermind.BUT...there's also a claim that Adam Clayton converted to Christianity which I couldn't find substantiated anywhere else, including the book he claims as its source (the interview with Bono book, a much better read btw).Scripture is sometimes paraphrased in a way that makes it hard to find what he's talking about (as for the "opening of Isaiah" he quotes, I still haven't found what I'm looking for (commenters are welcome to help me out).My most ill-at-ease feeling about this book comes from the way the theological stuff is presented. It seems that the author just wants to get it out of the way so he can get back to talking about how awesome U2 are. Especially considering the book is aimed at those "seeking God," this is a little perplexing. I, myself, am not seeking U2. I know how awesome they are. I would suspect that anyone who cares enough about them to read books about them does as well.Speaking of reading books about U2, unless this is your first encounter with anything that's been in print in the last, I don't know, twenty years, you won't read much here you didn't already know. The book is bogged down with U2 facts that even casual fans probably know (Rattle and Hum wasn't well received by critics, Adam had a problem with booze, Bono was involved in the Jubilee campaign, blah blah blah). What's worse, is that the facts very often have nothing to do with the point he's trying to make! Presenting U2 trivia in this manner doesn't give you much credibility. I think it does the reader a disservice to not assume his or her level of familiarity with the subject. Again, if this is your first read about U2, you might disagree on the importance of including biographical details and U2 history, but the book is presented as being for those "seeking God," not U2.If you are interested in U2 as Christians, the two other books "Walk On" and "Carry Each Other" are much better written and much more interesting. You'd do better with those.I appreciated the U2 as icon introduction, but I do want to caution U2 fans who are actually seeking God to seek him in the Bible, and keep listening to U2. U2 are great, they've always been and always will be my favorite band. You do feel God's presence at their concerts, and I have certainly felt the Holy Spirit at work in my soul when one of Bono's lyrics strikes me in a way it never had before.For those genuinely seeking God, though, don't look for him in U2. Look for him in his Word to us, and rejoice that such a fine group of musicians and social advocates have done the same.

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.

This book is so interesting because it explains Christianity in ways that are accessible to someone who is not a churchgoer (me). My faith increased and strengthened as a result of reading what was said in the book about Jesus. Further, I knew I loved U2 before I read the book. But now I have more depth to my appreciation of their music. I highly recommend this book!

This book help us to understand the music of U2 in a deeper way. Some of the symbolism in their music can be lost to many because of the Irish background we are unfamiliar with or the depth of insight they have gained from their Bible study. I really enjoyed how this put it all in perspective. It has opened up their music to me in a fresh way.

I like it because it's very interesting in information about the Band.

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

Excellent job of encapsulating U2, their faith, and the gospel that guides them. This is a book for seekers, but also for believers who want more depth.

U2 fans will love this.

In the interests of disclosure it should be noted that the author of this book and I are friends on Facebook. But we only linked up after I read his book, and he read my chapter in "Get Up Off Your Knees", a book also about U2 but using their songs as a basis for Christian sermons and talks.I guess if you are a fan you will buy this and enjoy it immensely. If you like some U2 you'll also get a lot out of it.Otherwise, there is lots to think about even for the rest of you. U2 are a cultural phenomenon. Yes, they can be overblown in some people's eyes; some people think their tax affairs are fair game for cynical remarks; some probably think Bono has a messiah complex. He admits it of course, with typical Irish wit.But the book gets to the heart of this. U2 matter. They write about religion and politics, stuff that we're not supposed to mention in polite conversation, or the pub for that matter, let alone in lyrics for multi-million selling rock songs. And they manage to make you think and touch your heart at the same time.

I couldn't put this book down. Am a self-confessed U2 nut (which of course renders all comments entirely and gloriously partial), but also someone who is passionate about theology and truth. This book provides plenty of insights into both. Particularly helpful was Scharen's analysis of U2's theological worldview in terms of Luther's Theology of the Cross. This seemed to me pretty convincing - especially because it chimes so closely with Bono's frequent rejection of the hypocrisies of Christian 'religion' and the latter's assumption that we can have unwavering certainties about everything (without embracing or engaging with the pain, doubts and questions that we find in OT wisdom literature like the Psalms and Ecclesiastes).Full of research - Scharen is thorough in background study, including hundreds of sometimes obscure interviews with Bono and other members of the band - this is a really good book to stretch the mind and warm the heart. I'd even suggest that it is the sort of book that one could confidently lend to a thoughtful non-believing U2 fan.

This is a great read for people who have an interest in God and U2.He writes about different topics in each chapter.I found it a very inspiring read.I find the spirituality of U2 very grounded and real, it's something I aspire to.

I wasn't sure what the expect from this book. It's great.Christian break down a number of types of Song that U2 has, but before doing that he shows the biblical areas from where U2 drew the songs from. At the end of each chapter it lists more songs than just the ones he discussed that hold with the theme of the chapter.The book only goe sup to the Vertigo tour, but is a great book for any Christian U2 fan! I can't believe how fast I read it.