Answer: Maybe
Disclaimer: It is not our role to determine whether or not somebody is a Christian. We just use our discernment based on the evidence we have found on the internet to come to a likely or best-guess answer. Our answers do not actually determine who is or is not a Christian and it is ultimately between the person and God. Not us.
Initially named Robert Allen Zimmerman, Bob Dylan is a multi-talented and serial award-winning iconic American singer, songwriter, poet, author, and painter. He was born on May 24, 1941, to Jewish parents; Abraham Zimmerman and his mother, Beatrice Stone.
Dylan is prolific with many musical instruments but mostly played the guitar, harmonica, and piano while performing. He started his musical career as a civil rights activist; seldom referred to as the pioneer of Folk and protest music, lending his voice to politics, philosophy, and literature. Dylan’s musical pieces are tailored from folk and country blues to rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly, to Celtic balladry, jazz, swing, and Broadway.
The 1990s was an upsurge of door-to-door fame for Dylan. He was named the greatest poet of the second half of the 20th century by Allen Ginsberg, performed for the Pope at the Vatican, was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature, received a Kennedy Center Honor, and was made Commander in the Order of Arts and Letters (the highest cultural award presented by the French government).
Dylan’s 5-decade musical career is flavored with transition through various genres and recognized with awards ranging from Polar Music Prize, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, and several nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature. The multi-talented American is an inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was listed as one of the 100 most influential Americans by TIMES Magazine.
The beloved American Folk Singer’s career is replete with a series of controversial slants. Dylan’s revelation of his religious stance was welcomed with heavy criticism. As an artist with a handful of contentions, many would love to know his religious disposition. If you are one of such, read on, as this article will provide answers on Bob Dylan’s religious status.
Is Bob Dylan Religious?
Merriam Webster in an attempt to define religion, sees it as, “The belief in a god or a group of gods; an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods; an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines religion as “belief in and reverence for a supernatural power recognized as the creator and governor of the universe; A particular integrated system of this expression; The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognizes the existence of a superhuman power or powers.”
Both perspectives mirror religion as the act of reverencing a supernatural being and following the edicts of such religion.
Right from creation, religion has promoted and shaped humans in building values of love, respect, and growth. It keeps humans in check while interacting with fellow humans. Most times, one is considered religious through physically exhibiting the principles of a particular religion.
Bob Dylan has not been mute on his religious stance. The 81 years old multi-award winning folk singer in an interview with the Wall Street Journal’s ’20 odd question’ when asked about how faith impacts his life, his direct words were:
I’m a religious person. I read the scriptures a lot, meditate and pray, and light candles in church. I believe in damnation and salvation, as well as predestination. The Five Books of Moses, Pauline Epistles, Invocation of the Saints, all of it.”
Another insight into Dylan’s faith is his song lyrics which portray elements of belief. In his 1979 “Slow Train Coming” album, the Jewish-raised singer conveyed his religious emotions and strong desire for deep intimacy in his faith, below is an excerpt of the lyrics of “I believe in you”
“Don’t let me drift too far,
Keep me where you are
Where I will always be renewed
And that which you’ve given me today
Is worth more than I could pay
And no matter what they say
I believe in you
I believe in you when winter turns to summer,
I believe in you when white turn to black,
I believe in you even though I will be outnumbered
Oh, though the earth may shake me
Oh, though my friends forsake me
Oh, even that couldn’t make me go back”
Dylan’s swift conversion from secular to religious music is another hint that the American folk singer is religious. His conversion escalated criticism but that didn’t deter Dylan. His ears were numbed, channeling these critics as a source of motivation. Dylan who strayed from the Jewish doctrine, had to retrace his steps religiously.
The Grammy Award winner succinctly buttressed his religious stance in “Gotta Serve Somebody” one of the songs in his “Slow Train Coming” album, the lyrics were:
“You may be a businessman or some high-degree thief. They may call you doctor, or they may call you chief, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody. … Well, it may be the Devil, or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.” His music lyrics usually have a religious undertone.
Does Bob Dylan believe in God?
Bob Dylan, one of America’s most influential songwriters of five decades, hasn’t stuttered in speaking about his belief in God. In a recent interview with Newsweek, Dylan said, “I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It’s just that the translations have gone wrong.”
The controversial songwriter also exclaimed his belief in God via the lyrics of the song “I believe in you” He sang:
“I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter
I believe in you even though we be apart
I believe in you even on the morning after
Oh, when the dawn is nearing
Oh, when the night is disappearing
Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart
Don’t let me change my heart
Keep me set apart
From all the plans they do pursue
And I, I don’t mind the pain
Don’t mind the driving rain
I know I will sustain
’Cause I believe in you”
Is Bob Dylan a Christian?
Dylan grew up in a Jewish home, but later ‘lost faith’. In what seemed more like a miracle, Dylan converted to Christianity in 1979 and for three years recorded and performed only religious songs, then preached in between songs at live shows. His conversion to Evangelical Christianity later propelled him into undertaking a three-month discipleship course at a Southern California Calvary Chapel, and produced three solid Christian albums, “Slow Train Coming”, “Saved” and “Shot of Love”.
The ace American folk music king stretched his faith with several allusions to Christianity and religion in his songs. “I’ve Made up My Mind to Give Myself to You” from the “Rough and Rowdy Ways” album depicts unflinching devotion to God. The title itself speaks volumes about the song. Here is an excerpt of the lyrics:
“If I had the wings of a snow-white dove
I’d preach the gospel, the gospel of love
A love so real, a love so true
I’ve made up my mind to give myself to you”
The artist frequently engaged in sold-out concerts and tours. During such tours, he performed Christian music more and interjected them with what seemed like preaching. In one of such tours, he revealed the prevalent thought of many on his religious inclination:
“Years ago they … said I was a prophet. I used to say, “No I’m not a prophet,” They say “Yes you are, you’re a prophet.” I said, “No it’s not me.” They used to say “You sure are a prophet.” They used to convince me I was a prophet. Now I come out and say Jesus Christ is the answer. They say, “Bob Dylan’s no prophet.” They just can’t handle it.”
Dylan said in a 1980 interview with Karen Hughes:
“I guess He’s always been calling me. … Of course, how would I have ever known that? That it was Jesus calling me. I always thought it was some voice that would be more identifiable. But Christ is calling everybody; we just turn him off. We just don’t want to hear. We think he’s gonna make our lives miserable, you know what I mean. We think he’s gonna make us do things we don’t want to do. Or keep us from doing things we want to do. But God’s got his purpose and time for everything. He knew when I would respond to his call.”
Is Bob Dylan Baptized?
Dylan was raised as a Jew, he walked away from the faith briefly but later retraced his steps and publicly announced his conversion to Christianity. Dylan has unapologetically professed his faith in God in concerts and tours. Though he has not talked about his baptism, various close associates of the folk music star hinted that he was baptized after his conversion in Santa Monica, near Malibu, by affiliates of the Calvary Chapel.
What did Bob Dylan say about Jesus?
There had been some religious and biblical imagery in Dylan’s lyrics of the Sixties, early, and mid-Seventies. Dylan has gone on record saying that late in 1978 he sensed “a presence in the room that couldn’t have been anybody but Jesus”, and even felt a hand placed upon him. “Jesus put his hand on me,” he went on, “It was a physical thing. I felt it. I felt it all over me. I felt my whole body tremble. The glory of the Lord knocked me down and picked me up.”
In a handwritten letter from Dylan to his friend named ‘Steve’ around April 1980,
Dylan wrote, “We are up in Toronto singing and playing for about 3,000 people a night in a downtown theater — The Spirit of the Lord is calling people here in their beautiful and clean city but they are more interested in lining up for Apocalypse Now than to be baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost –.”
“You will be strong in the Lord and seeing that looks are deceiving, you will work miracles that way — He has called you to be a saint and your responsibility is to him and him alone –,” he interjects. “Be praying and not looking back no more — press on toward what is ahead — I send love to you and will pray for strength and more strength for ya –.”
Dylan concludes the letter by saying; “Always in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Manifest in the flesh.”
Conclusion
Some artists shy away from portraying their religion or faith in their work due to the consequences it may generate. However, the case is different for Bob Dylan, as the singer has never been afraid to talk about his faith, irrespective of the criticisms and all it could cost him. Dylan was firm in expressing his stance since his conversion to Christianity. However, he also has some conflicting beliefs about what the Bible teaches. The lyrics of his music are properly laced with religious allusions. From every indication, we believe Bob Dylan might be a Christian. Who wouldn’t want Bob Dylan in the Heavenly Kingdom?
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!