Review: U2’s Theological Imagination

U2’s Theological Imagination: A Guide for Pilgrims on the Way

By Steven R. Harmon (Cascade Books)

Steven Harmon has followed U2 since his youth, beginning with the Irish rock band’s third album “War,” released in 1983. Sept. 25, 2026, marks 50 years since U2’s formation.

In U2’s Theological Imagination: A Guide for Pilgrims on the Way, Harmon, professor of historical theology at Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity in Boiling Springs, N.C., celebrates U2’s career and the band’s intentional theological framework.

While others have examined Christian spirituality in U2’s lyrics, concerts, and activism, Harmon focuses on their theological structure. He outlines this structure in Chapter 2, pointing to liturgy, scriptural narratives, trinitarian references, eschatology, soteriological anthropology, and band members’ prophetic social engagement—all of which are thoroughly and consistently expressed in U2’s work.

Chapter 3 is an extended consideration of “Bullet the Blue Sky,” one of U2’s signature songs. He explains the influence of liberation theology on the song and on Bono. The song is an example of U2’s penchant for deeper and double meanings in their lyrics, as well as their willingness to step into the middle of the thorniest social and political issues. This shouldn’t surprise those who know the social and political context of U2’s formation—Dublin, Ireland during the Troubles.

Chapters 4 and 5 are more personal, as Harmon describes his own life events and the place of U2’s music alongside them. U2 became not only a soundtrack for Harmon, but also for his wife and later for their adopted son.

U2’s Theological Imagination is a short book and a quick read just in time for the 50th anniversary of one of rock music’s greatest bands. Faithful and theologically minded U2 fans will appreciate it.

Eric Black, executive director/publisher/editor
Baptist Standard