Crux sola est nostra theologia.
(The cross alone is our theology.)
Martin Luther
I have very much enjoyed listening to the new U2 Album “Songs of Innocence” that was made available for free by ITunes to me and multitudes of others. I had not been, listening much to U2 in the past decade or two, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. I was also intrigued that they were also still writing songs that not only reflected “Christian” themes, but that this collection seemed to contain a common and “most important” theological thread. Moreover, that thread happened to be one which I have been interested in for many years, but have been studying more intensively for about a year. It is also considered by those that believe in it, to be the only “theology” true to the name “Christian.” It is called the “theology of the cross.” My own introduction to it came several years back through Alister McGrath, and the catalyst for my re-introduction and current studies was Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Through Bonhoeffer I went “back” to Luther, and then “forward” to Douglas John Hall, Gerhard O. Forde, and Michael P. Knowles. I mention all of these potentially boring details in case the reader may want to pursue the “theology of the cross” more fully (follow the links).
What is the “theology of the cross?” A brief excerpt from the four years shy of 500 yr. old document published in 1518 by Martin Luther called the “Heidelberg Disputation” will introduce it for us:
Thesis 19
That person does not deserve to be called a theologian who looks upon the invisible things of God as though they were clearly perceptible in those things that have actually happened (or have been made, created).
Thesis 20
That person deserves to be called a theologian, however, who comprehends the visible and manifest things of God through suffering and the cross.
Thesis 21
A theology of glory calls evil good and good evil. A theology of the cross calls the thing what it actually is.
So why do I think that U2 are “theologians of the cross” in this new album? (Disclaimer: This theory of mine is driven solely by the lyrical content of these songs, not by any knowledge of their personal or even public lives.) I think so because of the common theological “thread” running through the songs that I can only summarize as exhibiting a “theology of the cross.” At this point, rather than belabor my theory, I’ll let brief excerpts from each song be the witnesses for the theory. In the process perhaps the content of these excerpts will further fill in what a “theology of the cross” looks like. This perhaps is a proper way to understand it, because Gerhard O. Forde says it is more precisely not a theology “about the cross” but rather a theology “of the cross.”
The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)
I was young
Not dumb
Just wishing to be blinded
By you
Brand new
And we were pilgrims on our way
Every Breaking Wave
Every sailor knows that the sea
Is a friend made enemy
California (There is No End to Love)
There’s no end to grief
That’s how I know
That’s how I know
And why I need to know that there is no end to love
Song for Someone
You’ve got a face not spoiled by beauty
I have some scars from where I’ve been
You’ve got eyes that see right through me
You’re not afraid of anything they’ve seen
Iris (Hold Me Close)
Hold me close, hold me close and don’t let me go
Hold me close like I’m someone that you might know
Hold me close, the darkness just lets us see
Who we are
I’ve got your life inside of me
Volcano
Your eyes were like landing lights
They used to be clearest blue
Now you don’t see so well
The future’s gonna fall on you
Raised by Wolves
Boy sees his father crushed under the weight
Of a cross in a passion where the passion is hate
Cedarwood Road
Sleepwalking down the road
Not waking from these dreams
‘Cause it’s never dead it’s still in my head
Sleep Like a Baby Tonight
Hope is where the door is
When the church is where the war is
This is Where You Can Reach Me Now
Soldier soldier
We signed our lives away
Complete surrender
The only weapon we know
The Troubles
God knows it’s not easy
Taking on the shape of someone else’s pain
God now you can see me
I’m naked and I’m not afraid
My body’s sacred and I’m not ashamed
In conclusion, I believe that a lyric in “Song For Someone” provides an integrative key to the thread, subsiding all the songs under the “theology of the cross.” The song also speaks to my disclaimer at the outset regarding the status of their “real” lives. For taken at face value, this seems to be a sincere confession of faith, showing U2 does not claim to have “arrived” at some type of “perfection” (which is a theology of glory anyway) but instead merely hope that whatever their light God won’t “let it go out.”
And I’m a long long way from your Hill of Calvary
And I’m a long way from where I was and where I need to be
If there is a light you can’t always see
And there is a world we can’t always be
If there is a kiss I stole from your mouth
And there is a light, don’t let it go out
I have tried in this post to in an introductory fashion merely introduce the “theology of the cross” and the relation of U2 to it. As always, and especially if I have “left you hanging” in any way, would happily welcome any questions or comments regarding any of the songs, other excerpts, theologians/links, or anything else related to the post. Remember, nothing ventured – nothing gained!
I am adding this edit because since the time I wrote this post I started a facebook group wherein I plan in time to discuss some important issues that U2 raises for the Christian Church. In fact I have already posted a little bit about the last verses in “Cedars of Lebanon.” Another post that explains more is here.
Thank you
Bryan @ Manifest Propensity
Manifest Propensity 