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radioThese are reader comments for the article 'Bob Dylan: The spiritual journey of a 20th century icon'
Reader Comments
Posted by Jerry C. Stanaway in United States @ 23:54 on Jun 3 2010
This is a fine article. I love Bob Dylan's music and I find it religiously relevant. I believe Bob Dylan still believes in Christianity and I'm glad.
This is a fine article. I love Bob Dylan's music and I find it religiously relevant. I believe Bob Dylan still believes in Christianity and I'm glad.
Posted by marian stan in Bucharest, Romania @ 22:56 on May 31 2010
I think Dylan's spiritual journey cannot be judged according our common religious standards. He is a Christian who needed a deeper insight into the Holy Scripture - so, he rediscovered his Jewish roots. A qabbalistic approach to the Scriptures can be utterly enriching for any Christian
I think Dylan's spiritual journey cannot be judged according our common religious standards. He is a Christian who needed a deeper insight into the Holy Scripture - so, he rediscovered his Jewish roots. A qabbalistic approach to the Scriptures can be utterly enriching for any Christian
Posted by TJ Hawk in USA @ 22:43 on Feb 24 2010
Dylan has inspired me to live by the BGP (Brownsville Girl Philosophy) see www.hawkstories.com/tales6.html. It means to live a life of integrity, not following the path of least resistance. Now I ask along with him, what good am I? and what can I do for you? I'm a better reflection of my Lord now. It's not the easy way, however.
Dylan has inspired me to live by the BGP (Brownsville Girl Philosophy) see www.hawkstories.com/tales6.html. It means to live a life of integrity, not following the path of least resistance. Now I ask along with him, what good am I? and what can I do for you? I'm a better reflection of my Lord now. It's not the easy way, however.
Posted by john desmond in USA @ 17:56 on Feb 20 2010
I just think Dylan is a very regular guy who is not afraid to be himself. He sings about real life. I don't know if he had to convert to Christianity. Christianity became almost polytheistic when the Jewish flavor of it was overcome by pagans and they invented the Trinity. Dylan will always be a Jew. As Jesus will always be a Jew. And God will always be One. What so called Christians say is irrelevant. They don't agree with one and other and they cause a lot of trouble. I think Dylan appreciates Jesus as a spiritual Messiah. Not a political one which the Temple was longing for. His Jewish religion meshes easily with a belief in Jesus especially if he distances himself from most of Christianity which is pagan. Most Christians believe in a type of polytheism and a female goddess. Etc. His music has always been related to a spiritual belief. After his so called conversion to Christianity his mother commented that he had always been interested in Bible etc. Jesus is a Jew. Not a God. Bob Dylan is a Jew. But Jesus is who we Christians want to be like when we are resurrected. Sons of God. Bob's had a big struggle in life. Money, drugs, women, fame, creativity, introspection etc. But he's tried to express his likeness to God, the creativity thing as in Genesis One. It's an ongoing process just as in the chapter. He's a part of the mystical body of Christ. Not some dumb church with parking lots and other nonsense. I enjoyed reading what you had to say. John
I just think Dylan is a very regular guy who is not afraid to be himself. He sings about real life. I don't know if he had to convert to Christianity. Christianity became almost polytheistic when the Jewish flavor of it was overcome by pagans and they invented the Trinity. Dylan will always be a Jew. As Jesus will always be a Jew. And God will always be One. What so called Christians say is irrelevant. They don't agree with one and other and they cause a lot of trouble. I think Dylan appreciates Jesus as a spiritual Messiah. Not a political one which the Temple was longing for. His Jewish religion meshes easily with a belief in Jesus especially if he distances himself from most of Christianity which is pagan. Most Christians believe in a type of polytheism and a female goddess. Etc. His music has always been related to a spiritual belief. After his so called conversion to Christianity his mother commented that he had always been interested in Bible etc. Jesus is a Jew. Not a God. Bob Dylan is a Jew. But Jesus is who we Christians want to be like when we are resurrected. Sons of God. Bob's had a big struggle in life. Money, drugs, women, fame, creativity, introspection etc. But he's tried to express his likeness to God, the creativity thing as in Genesis One. It's an ongoing process just as in the chapter. He's a part of the mystical body of Christ. Not some dumb church with parking lots and other nonsense. I enjoyed reading what you had to say. John
Posted by Søren Christensen in Denmark @ 22:23 on Jan 25 2010
Wikipedia says:
Since his trilogy of Christian albums, Dylan's faith has been a subject of scrutiny. In 1997 he told David Gates of Newsweek:
Here's the thing with me and the religious thing. This is the flat-out truth: I find the religiosity and philosophy in the music. I don't find it anywhere else. Songs like "Let Me Rest on a Peaceful Mountain" or "I Saw the Light"—that's my religion. I don't adhere to rabbis, preachers, evangelists, all of that. I've learned more from the songs than I've learned from any of this kind of entity. The songs are my lexicon. I believe the songs.
Wikipedia says:
Since his trilogy of Christian albums, Dylan's faith has been a subject of scrutiny. In 1997 he told David Gates of Newsweek:
Here's the thing with me and the religious thing. This is the flat-out truth: I find the religiosity and philosophy in the music. I don't find it anywhere else. Songs like "Let Me Rest on a Peaceful Mountain" or "I Saw the Light"—that's my religion. I don't adhere to rabbis, preachers, evangelists, all of that. I've learned more from the songs than I've learned from any of this kind of entity. The songs are my lexicon. I believe the songs.
Reply by Chris Corbett in Texas @ 18:24 on Jul 6 2010
I don't know the context of the quote, but it sounds like he's saying that, for him, art communicates Christian truth better than sermons or theology books. But it those songs include "I Saw the Light" then the truth being communicated would seem to be classic Christianity. In other words, the Newsweek quote aligns with this article.
I don't know the context of the quote, but it sounds like he's saying that, for him, art communicates Christian truth better than sermons or theology books. But it those songs include "I Saw the Light" then the truth being communicated would seem to be classic Christianity. In other words, the Newsweek quote aligns with this article.
Posted by Tom Wheeler in USA @ 07:16 on Jan 23 2010
I was just looking at a site today of the best Dylan videos. I was amazing how many after 1981 had a Christian emphasis or message, although mostly subtle www.bestdylanvideos.com. For example, both Highlands and God Knows (songs in the 1990's) ends with Dylan looking into heaven with longing and anticipation, and When the Deal Goes Down (2006) Dylan is assured that God will be with him at death. Also, Make You Feel My Love (1997) is a love song sung by Jesus to us. And Shooting Star . . . Well, I could continue. Check out the videos. Dylan is still a believer, his central audience, however, is not the church, but seekers.
I was just looking at a site today of the best Dylan videos. I was amazing how many after 1981 had a Christian emphasis or message, although mostly subtle www.bestdylanvideos.com. For example, both Highlands and God Knows (songs in the 1990's) ends with Dylan looking into heaven with longing and anticipation, and When the Deal Goes Down (2006) Dylan is assured that God will be with him at death. Also, Make You Feel My Love (1997) is a love song sung by Jesus to us. And Shooting Star . . . Well, I could continue. Check out the videos. Dylan is still a believer, his central audience, however, is not the church, but seekers.
Posted by Ray in Houston, Texas @ 20:47 on Jan 11 2010
Bottom line good article. Only God knows his true heart and last I checked I was a screwed up individual myself in need of God's grace. Who are we to judge his heart? Bob has portrayed written and performed songs that come straight from his inner being and I can appreciate that! If he never makes another recording let these songs resonate in all of our hearts because he writes as an individual on the same journey that you or I are on!
Bottom line good article. Only God knows his true heart and last I checked I was a screwed up individual myself in need of God's grace. Who are we to judge his heart? Bob has portrayed written and performed songs that come straight from his inner being and I can appreciate that! If he never makes another recording let these songs resonate in all of our hearts because he writes as an individual on the same journey that you or I are on!
Posted by Anne Marie McGowan in Australia @ 03:23 on Dec 29 2009
Yes indeed, very well written. Excellent writing and thorough indepth insight.
Yes indeed, very well written. Excellent writing and thorough indepth insight.
Posted by David in Australia @ 00:15 on Nov 2 2009
A welcome article, I had someone telling me yesterday emphatically that Bob Dylan is not a Christian, I now no otherwise.
A welcome article, I had someone telling me yesterday emphatically that Bob Dylan is not a Christian, I now no otherwise.
The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.
I was preparing a sermon that reminded me of the Dylan song, "Got to Serve Somebody." I did a search on Dylan and ended up reading this article. I just want to say that I thought your article was brilliantly written, accurate and fair. Celebrity status to a new Christian can be as dangerous as money in the hands of one not mature enough to handle it. (Can you say young pro atheletes?) I can't imagine the pressure he was put under to speak that which he had not yet learned or experienced. My prayer is that he is mature enough and able to forgive those that exploited him and created pressures that no young Christian should have to experience. After all, we do have to learn to run before we can walk and talk before we can deliver oration.
Thanks again for this excellent article.