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Walk On: "Christians are hard to tolerate, I don't know how Jesus does it," said Bono, lead singer of the rock band U2, to which he added, "I'm one of them." There's a lot of frustration in that quote, but there's also a confession of faith. That faith has been evident in tracks throughout U2's career, from War's '40,' to Joshua Tree's 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For,' to All That You Can't Leave Behind's 'Grace.' Three of the four members have professed a faith in Christ, and Steve Stockman explores the depth and meaning of that commitment in Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2. Unfortunately Stockman didn't interview the band, but instead did his homework. He cites a dizzying array of U2 articles, interview, and books, as well as digs through the entire U2 canon. The book asks difficult questions of the band, challenging their rock 'n' roll lifestyle: the drinking, smoking, and partying. But Stockman quickly points out the band's perseverance in the face of temptation, something few other rock bands can claim. Turn about is fair play, and Stockman also asks difficult questions of the church, challenging the escapism, hypocrisy, and judgment. 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' is a prime example, an often-misinterpreted song that too many Christians site as proof of U2's lack of faith. Stockman challenges Christians to actually explore the meaning of the lyrics, calling it a more succinct theology of the cross than you'll find in any Christian music. He also points to Philippians 3:12-14, verses that Bono echoes in his cry, "But I still haven't found / What I'm looking for." Stockman argues the faith of U2 is a realistic, practical faith. It's a faith that admits, "I must be an acrobat / To talk like this / And act like that," and a faith that yearns for grace, "Yeah I'd break bread and wine / If there was a church I could receive in," ('Acrobat' from 1990's Achtung Baby). It's a quick read, but insightful and even challenging. It will engage both the hardcore U2 fan and the most casual of observers. |
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