Gregg Garrett is Professor of English at Baylor University and writer in residence at Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. He is the author of several books on pop culture and religion. In this paperback, Garrett looks at the spiritual messages found in the music of the popular Irish band U2. He focuses on the special chemistry between the four members of the group and their commitment to real-world social and political issues. Garrett observes that many people are seeking meaning for their lives in popular music, and then goes a step further by contending that U2 can be seen as genuine theologians wrestling with serious issues of conscience, justice, and personal transformation.
The author presents proof that U2 has revealed a sturdy belief in the Trinity and has emphasized the unique nature and importance of Jesus. Of the latter, Bono has said: "The Jesus Christ that I believe in was the man who tuned over the tables in the temple and threw the money-changers out — substitute TV evangelists if you like. There is a radical side to Christianity that I am attracted to. And I think that without a commitment to social justice, it is empty." Garrett also makes a good case for viewing U2 as "a faithful community" whose concerts are seen and experienced by many as having a definite worship component. He quotes from the song "One":
"One love, one blood, one life; you got to do what you should.
One life with each other: sisters, brothers.
One life, but we're not the same.
We get to carry each other, carry each other."
What does it mean to carry each other? U2 wants us to live useful and compassionate lives devoted to peace and justice. That is why the band has toured for Amnesty International and performed at Live Aid. It is why Bono works for African aid, debt relief, and AIDS drugs. Garrett ends with ten spiritual lessons from U2 including the following:
"Be strong. You can lose everything but what matters most. Don't despair, even when the daylight feels like it's a long way off. Don't stop working for the healing of the world. You are never alone. We are all in this together."
