Bob Dylan: Review of Shot of Love

Dylan makes the dichotomy of the Christian life so clear and real in this album. A believer may enjoy the eternal summertime of God’s presence and live a life of gracious love that heals and strengthens but he must endure the mocking, the oppression the real threats from the non-believing world. Shot of Love Dylan speaks of a disease that won’t be cured by drugs or medicine because it’s a spiritual ailment, an inward hurt that is satisfied... Read more

Bob Dylan: Review of Saved

While the songs of Slow Train Coming might have attained a natural groove, some of the songs on this album really rock, manifesting the jet-blast power of faith. Saved is one of those songs. Born into a prison of ruination, we are touched by the Spirit who comes to set our existence alive and lift us higher and higher into triumphant joy. And we rejoice with good cause, too, for the Spirit is the author of healing, deliverance, truth and strength.... Read more

Bob Dylan: Infidels Review

Here’s my commentary on the philosophy behind the songs. Sweetheart Like You (It’s so obvious that Dylan is speaking to the Church, it’s hardly worth commenting on). Christ is no longer with us visibly. The rumor is that He was conquered by death, but in fact He is resurrected and ascended into the spiritual realms, leaving behind His bride the church. Dylan has seen someone like her before – Israel? The Law? She too, wanted a whole, healed... Read more

Bob Dylan: Jokerman and Authenticity

The picture is of one standing on the cliffs of the sea with a loaf of bread, all that one owns in the world to rely upon, and he’s are taking it apart, piece by piece and throwing into the waves and the wind. Casting your bread upon the waters is a reference from Ecclesiastes about abandoning one’s self and substance to God in faith, expecting to be provided for. Out on the horizon, ships and men and the reputations of men are heading for far-away,... Read more

Bob Dylan: Slow Train Coming Review

Dylan’s first overtly Christian album is about the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. Here’s my summary of the philosophy of each song. Gotta Serve Somebody The proposition of this song is fairly simple – you did not create yourself, you do not own yourself, and no matter who you are or what wonderful quality you have, whether it is political power, daring-do, physical strength, social status or wealth, it is impossible for... Read more

Bob Dylan and the Feminine

Dylan’s romantic songs are chronicles of faith, for the path of love is a minefield. Anyone that knows me knows I’m a huge Bob Dylan fan. I got interested the other day in comparing his love songs or songs about women, specifically the lyrics of those songs. Here are my thoughts on three of his early such songs: GIRL OF THE NORTH COUNTRY Dylan says of her, she was “once a true love of mine”. Was it really true if they are... Read more