The Wanderer - U2: There is No Them, There is Only Us

Voxology

Philosophy, Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 22 September 2021

⏱️ 71 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Tim and Dr. Tim Gombis conclude their mini-series on U2 and theology by diving deep into how we can coexist and carry each other in divisive times. Drawing inspiration from U2's song "One" and other tracks, they explore the importance of embracing differences within community, the role of the church in fostering true connection, and how music can serve as a bridge in times of division.

Key Takeaways:

Embracing Differences in Community – How U2's "One" teaches us to carry each other despite our differences and the privilege of supporting one another.
Building True Community in Divisive Times – Practical ways to foster coexistence and unity within the church and society, reflecting on God's intentions for community.
The Role of Worship and Music – Reflecting on the function of worship in church and how U2's music acts as a modern hymnal, wrestling with themes of humanity and spirituality.
Processing Grief and Unity through Music – Analyzing U2's 2002 Super Bowl performance post-9/11 and how music can help us process collective grief and promote unity.
Personal Growth and Understanding – Sharing personal journeys with U2's music and how it mirrors our own growth in faith, understanding, and navigating life's complexities.

Guest Highlights:

Dr. Tim Gombis – Scholar and theologian, Dr. Gombis brings profound insights into how U2's music intersects with theological themes, enriching the conversation on community, love, and coexistence.

Resources Mentioned:

Songs by U2 – "One", "Invisible", "Where the Streets Have No Name", "MLK", "Beautiful Day", "Peace on Earth", "Love and Peace or Else", "Wild Honey", "A Man and a Woman", "This is Where You Can Find Me Now", "Raised by Wolves", "Grace", "Yahweh"
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben – [Link]
Mars Hill Podcast by Christianity Today – [Link]
Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman – [Link]
The Enneagram – [Link]

Join us as we embrace the profound themes of community and learn how we can carry each other through divisive times. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social media to stay connected and continue the conversation.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Thank you. Welcome to the final installment of this mini series on U2 and theology. Today Dr. Gombus and myself have a conversation about
0:27.7	community and what it means to coexist and be amongst one another. I was thinking about this in regards to trees, how their
0:36.5	root systems communicate and nourish one another. They live, survive, and thrive in community.
0:47.0	The Bible Project did a really great series on all the different ways in which trees are used throughout the Bible.
0:52.0	It's fascinating. I'll try to are used throughout the Bible. It's fascinating.
0:53.2	I'll try to link it in the show notes. But this here is from a German author
1:00.0	and I believe I'm pronouncing this correct.
1:03.0	Peter Boylabin.
1:04.8	And his book, The Hidden Life of Trees.
1:08.4	These are a few excerpts.
1:10.3	When trees grow together, nutrients and water can be optimally divided among them,
1:15.5	all so that each tree can grow into the best tree it can be.
1:19.5	If you help individual trees by getting rid of their supposed competition, the remaining trees are bereft.
1:29.0	This is because a tree can be only as strong as the forest that surrounds it. He goes on. But isn't this
1:37.6	how evolution works, you ask, the survival of the fittest? Their well-being depends on their community and when the supposedly feeble
1:46.4	trees disappear the others lose as well. When that happens, the forest is no longer a single closed unit.
1:54.0	Hot sun and swirling winds can now penetrate the forest floor and disrupt the moist cool climate.
1:59.0	Even strong trees get sick a lot over the course of their lives.
2:04.0	When this happens, they depend on their weaker neighbors for support.
2:08.1	If they are no longer there, then all it takes is what would once have been a harmless insect attack to seal the fate of even
2:15.2	giants.
2:17.2	He continues, but the most astonishing thing about trees is how social they are. The trees in a forest care for each other
	...

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