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.

Many of us in the emerging generation of young Christians have grown up with U2–that is, we’ve grown as they’ve grown. We’ve gone with these four band members through stages of lament, protest, cynicism, and hope. In charting the stages of theological development of U2, Chris Scharen’s One Step Closer is an unparalleled resource. Not only is it beautifully written and deeply insightful, it mines gems from U2’s lyrics, music, and concerts that I had never seen or heard, even though I’ve followed the band for years. But most important, this book shines a spotlight on the kingdom of God through the prism of the world’s biggest rock band. Don’t miss this book!–Tony Jones, author of The Sacred Way

It is evidence of the new and vital appropriateness of what Martin Luther called ‘the theology of the cross’ that it finds expression now in the secular world, including the world of ‘rock’ music. Christian Scharen’s book should be required reading for all pastors and anyone who works with today’s youth–and not only youth.–Douglas John Hall, C.M., author of The Cross in Our Context