Restless Pilgrim: The Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan

Rating:
Summary: Only Part of the Story
Review: "Restless Pilgrim: the Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan" tells the story of Bob Dylan's spiritual journey between Judaism and Christianity as if that were the whole story. Anyone who has followed Dylan's life and career can tell you Dylan is a man of many parts, but Scott Marshall, and Marcia Ford give us only two, and though the parts are interesting and well documented these 196 pages could have lost half their length without sacrificing anything of what we're told. Dylan has been alive for 61 years, and producing for about 40. He's hung out with beatniks, hippies, druggies, meditators, artists, poets, and musicians, and probably all stripes of seekers and believers, and I find it hard to believe his spiritual wanderings and wonderings were restricted to Judaism and Christianity. There must be more, and "Restless Pilgrim," would have been a much more interesting book if the authors had dug a little deeper. As it is, it's an enjoyable read, but doesn't give us much depth.

Rating:
Summary: Only Part of the Story
Review: "Restless Pilgrim: the Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan" tells the story of Bob Dylan's spiritual journey between Judaism and Christianity as if that were the whole story. Anyone who has followed Dylan's life and career can tell you Dylan is a man of many parts, but Scott Marshall, and Marcia Ford give us only two, and though the parts are interesting and well documented these 196 pages could have lost half their length without sacrificing anything of what we're told. Dylan has been alive for 61 years, and producing for about 40. He's hung out with beatniks, hippies, druggies, meditators, artists, poets, and musicians, and probably all stripes of seekers and believers, and I find it hard to believe his spiritual wanderings and wonderings were restricted to Judaism and Christianity. There must be more, and "Restless Pilgrim," would have been a much more interesting book if the authors had dug a little deeper. As it is, it's an enjoyable read, but doesn't give us much depth.

Rating:
Summary: And I Answer Them Most Mysteriously...and not so!
Review: * * * * *
Throughout this book, Scott Marshall reveals that many of the answers people are searching for, in regard to Bob Dylan's faith, are found within his songs and life. The problem tends to be the biases brought to the music beforehand. This causes words that Dylan has said to appear contradictory, to be taken out of context. The author helps straighten them out, as he exposes the big picture (each chapter chronicles Dylan's life to the present year: 1941-1978, and so on). Though it is evident that the author also believes in Yeshua Ha Mashia (Jesus Christ) on a personal level, he does well in allowing the musician's own words and actions to speak for themselves.

Mr. Marshall covers numerous events, concerning (among others) such friends as Allen Ginsberg and acquaintances like Frank Zappa. And they help give added weight to lyrics in songs like "Precious Angel": My so-called friends have fallen under a spell. They look me squarely in the eye and they say, "All is well..." and the unacceptance felt in "I Believe In You": I believe in you even though I be outnumbered. Oh, though the earth may shake me-Oh, though my friends forsake me-that couldn't make me go back.

It is evident from Dylan's music that he feels people have tried to pigeonhole him. It is apparent, however, that his faith is strong regardless. Dylan has found critics on all sides. And he has done well to do what many people apparently fail to--delineate between his faith in Christ (which is personal) and religion (which, in and of itself, is not).

As Dylan sings in "Need A Woman," he is: searching for the truth the way God designed it. Not man. This would go hand in hand with his not being beholden to any "rabbi, preacher, or evangelist." He made such a statement after admitting that he enjoys listening to "preacher stations" on the radio. Another contradiction? Nope. But who is Dylan accountable to then, one might ask?...God. He knows well that a day of reckoning is yet to come (just listen to "Lord, Protect My Child," "God Knows," "Are You Ready?," Shooting Star," "Things Have Changed," and "Summer Days").

Some skeptics would say that Bob Dylan's spiritual journey has been one of contradiction. His own aunt evidently believes that his "conversion" was for the means of publicity. If this was the case (which Marshall does well in refuting), Mr. Dylan needs a new publicist! She also said, in effect, that he couldn't have "converted" because he's "plenty Jewish-minded-he was barmitzvahed." So someone who is Jewish, and barmitzvahed cannot be a believer in Christ? Scott Marshall heartily disagrees, as do many other believers. Jesus was a Jew after all.

"Restless Pilgrim" was a most enjoyable and quick read which left me wanting for a second volume. I was satisfied with its content as being researched very well. I would disagree with another reviewer, in saying that this book is narrow in its scope. It is obvious that Mr. Dylan was nominally a believer in Judaism, but that he embraced his Jewish roots more fervently after coming to faith in Jesus Christ. In the past twenty years (post-"Gospel Tour") it seems that those of Judaism and Christianity have, at some level, been debating whether Dylan belongs to their camp, or not. Mr. Marshall lays out the facts as they are...

I was impressed by the author's numerous interviews with individuals who were at the heart of the "Gospel Tour," and have been a part of Dylan's life. I had never heard about the many other musicians from the Rolling Thunder Revue that had become Christians-and artists like T-Bone Burnett and Roger McGuinn who came to faith at that same time (members of Mr. Dylan's circle of friends). I also found the story behind the original "Saved" album cover to be interesting (as I personally find that painting to be aesthetically more pleasing than the present one being used by Columbia for the cover).

Lastly, I was left with these impressions after reading this book: Dylan isn't singing for the generation who idolized him in his younger years. Though he was once referred to as the "voice of [that] generation" many considered him a traitor after he took a bold stand for Christ. Even Joan Baez spoke ill of his faith in "Children of the '80s" (what an open mind, Ms. Baez). He was only a voice for them when they believed that he agreed with them. Even when he sings "All Along the Watchtower" these days, one wonders how many know of its connection to Isaiah 28. I know I was clueless on this matter. Dylan isn't singing for the music industry either-it is all too obvious that many of his albums since "Saved," and prior to "Time Out of Mind," were not bestsellers. But is that what matters? I agree with Leonard Cohen, and Bono, that those albums are works of art, many of which are under appreciated. No, Dylan isn't concerned with the music industry's acceptance of him. It can be summed up in the introduction he gave to "In The Garden" at the Hard to Handle concert in 1986. Dylan said "I'm gonna sing about my hero now." Anyone who knows the lyrics of this song knows for whom he sings, and why.

Rating:
Summary: What is Truth?
Review: An interesting book, but no where near enough analysis of the biblical references in Dylan's work - pre-conversion i.e 1961-1979, and post Born-Again period i.e 1981-2003.

In particular the ingenious song "Jokerman", which seems to have many clues, is barely examined. There is a strong presence of God in Dylan's latest albums, but whether or not these are in a Christian context is debatable.

There is definitely some merit in Marshall's study of whether Dylan is a Christian or not, and his effort in preparing this book is to be admired, but I was struck by a particular thought whilst reading this book:

Why not just ask Bob?

If Bob, in keeping with his image of mystique (and disdain for journalistic probing), refuses to answer, this would indicate that he is not a Christian. Why would he want to be so secretive about it?

Also, I notice Marshall did not refer to Dylan's "moral" behaviour post 1981. If Dylan is a Christian, is he "walking the walk"? Or has he continued the "Rock Star" lifestyle? Other Dylan biographers seem to think so.

The whole question seems extremely perplexing. Dylan seemed so passionate about his faith on "Slow Train Coming" and "Saved" but then seemed to distance himself from the faith -without officially denouncing it. Was the whole thing an act? Is Dylan merely an actor on a stage who dabbles in all artforms of traditional American music - of which gospel music is a prominent one.

Can we ever truly know unless Dylan comes out and clarifies the issue once and for all? I don't think performing the odd track from "Slow Train Coming" or the occasional tradtional gospel song in concert, is answer enough. Perhaps Dylan's autobiography "Chronicles" (to be released later this year) will reveal all.

Rating:
Summary: What is Truth?
Review: An interesting book, but no where near enough analysis of the biblical references in Dylan's work - pre-conversion i.e 1961-1979, and post Born-Again period i.e 1981-2003.

In particular the ingenious song "Jokerman", which seems to have many clues, is barely examined. There is a strong presence of God in Dylan's latest albums, but whether or not these are in a Christian context is debatable.

There is definitely some merit in Marshall's study of whether Dylan is a Christian or not, and his effort in preparing this book is to be admired, but I was struck by a particular thought whilst reading this book:

Why not just ask Bob?

If Bob, in keeping with his image of mystique (and disdain for journalistic probing), refuses to answer, this would indicate that he is not a Christian. Why would he want to be so secretive about it?

Also, I notice Marshall did not refer to Dylan's "moral" behaviour post 1981. If Dylan is a Christian, is he "walking the walk"? Or has he continued the "Rock Star" lifestyle? Other Dylan biographers seem to think so.

The whole question seems extremely perplexing. Dylan seemed so passionate about his faith on "Slow Train Coming" and "Saved" but then seemed to distance himself from the faith -without officially denouncing it. Was the whole thing an act? Is Dylan merely an actor on a stage who dabbles in all artforms of traditional American music - of which gospel music is a prominent one.

Can we ever truly know unless Dylan comes out and clarifies the issue once and for all? I don't think performing the odd track from "Slow Train Coming" or the occasional tradtional gospel song in concert, is answer enough. Perhaps Dylan's autobiography "Chronicles" (to be released later this year) will reveal all.

Rating:
Summary: Dylan's Secret History
Review: It is interesting how many Dylan fans view Bob Dylan's involvement in Christianity as restricted to a couple years in the late 70's and early 80's and those years as a momentary lapse which he thankfully came out of. If one digs deeper into Dylan's work they will see an entirely different scenario. Dylan has had some Biblical references and themes in his songs since he first emerged in the early 60's. What does one make of the Jewish Dylan's Basement Tapes outtake, "Sign on the Cross" concerning the narrator's consternation that Jesus just may be the king of the Jews? The years following Dylan's born again period provoke much debate about his religious stance. Had he renounced Christianity, embraced Judaism? The Author makes a compelling case that shows how he believes Dylan has never ceased believing in Jesus even while embracing his Jewish roots. Mr. Marshall has meticulously researched these issues by examining Dylan's work through the last 2 decades including the songs that Dylan plays in concert day in and day out. Personal interviews abound. It is obvious that the author is a devoted fan who knows what he writes about. Well worth purchasing, this book is an interesting look at an often overlooked side of Bob Dylan.

Rating:
Summary: Things I never knew about Bob Dylan, faith, and courage
Review: Just browsing Marcia Ford's intro to this book was enough to hook me. The writing style is sincere, witty, and subtle. The author's research is extensive and gives us an intimate glimpse into the mind of a man. Bob Dylan is a prophet for our generation, and I so appreciate the author's effort to bring his story to light. It takes courage to walk in faith when you walk alone, and "Restless Pilgrim.." takes on that journey.

Rating:
Summary: "Don¿t Think Twice, It¿s All Right!
Review: This book is a life changer! Scott Marshall has captured the essence of Bob Dylan's Spiritual marathon in such a way that not only draws you into the life of Dylan but more importantly, into your own spiritual journey. I couldn't put this literary work of art down! Mr. Marshall, thank you abundantly for your tendentious research, blood, sweat, and tears; it abounds in this powerful book on the pilgrimage of Bob Dylan.

Isaac Anderson
El Presidente
Vision FilmWorks
visionfilmworks.com

Rating:
Summary: too much propaganda
Review: Very interesting subject, but as I got farther into the book, I noticed that some of the reference Bible verses and quotes were starting to last over a page. I soon came to realize that the book was published by a Christian publishing company (Relevant Books). I learned more about "the sermon on the mount" than I did new information about Bob Dylan. "Restless Pilgrim" included some interesting facts, but was definitely written from a point of bias.