Brazos Press, 2006, 208 pp., $14.99,
www.brazospress.com
Scharen, the associate director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, metaphorically describes Christian tradition as a vast body of music including songs in many keys. But while the loudest voices often focus on upbeat “major-key” themes such as joy and prosperity, there are other important parts of the story that get less treatment.
That’s why Scharen, who describes himself as a U2 fan and the band as his “spiritual companion,” appreciates the music of U2, for it expounds on important “minorkey” issues such as doubt and despair that resonate with spiritual seekers.
“The heart of what makes U2 a great rock and roll band is their ability to connect to what is deepest in us,” writes Scharen, who charts the band’s theological and musical development.
This is a helpful addition to the growing list of books exploring the spirituality of the world’s most popular band, but fans who have already read the others won’t find too many new revelations here.
