Restless Pilgrim: The Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan

by Scott Marshall, Marcia Ford

As a young Jewish musician, Bob Dylan faithfully explored the roots of modern American music-the spirituals and gospel songs. It is not surprising Dylan's words, both in his songs and in his interviews, have often touched upon biblical themes. From his apocalyptic expressions onstage and in the studio, to his unapologetic biblical views that leak out during interviews, the public record of Dylan's spiritual journey makes for a fascinating story. A curious icon of popular culture, yet distinct in his Judeo-Christian expressions, Bob Dylan doesn't fit neatly into the typical rock 'n' roll mold. Who else would have the chutzpah to publicly contribute to Orthodox Jewish communities while publicly singing songs about Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection and eventual return? Restless Pilgrim: The Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan wrestles with the seemingly contradictory facts of Dylan's preoccupation with Jesus and his own Jewish heritage, by looking through the lens of this reluctant legend's four-decade career.

Genres: Music, Biography, Christianity

188 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2002

About the author

Born in the Summer of Love in Gainesville, Florida, Marshall graduated high school in 1985, college in 1997 (counseling skills), and graduate school (journalism) in 2002.

Along the way, he held posts as a carpenter's gofer, lawn-mower, pizza delivery driver, custodian, teen group home leader, and cashier.

He backed into the field of teaching--and has taught 13 years of college (both at private and public schools), mainly communication, journalism, and public speaking. He currently moves, lives, and has his being while teaching in Cleveland, GA, home of the Cabbage Patch Doll. Marshall hopes to have his next manuscript published by spring 2017.

He lives with his wife Amy, a therapist, in Toccoa, Georgia. His original family--dad, mom, and two sisters, Southerners all--can be found in St. Augustine, FL; Valle Crucis, NC; Huntsville, AL, and Asheville, NC.

Reviews

[Skylar Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This spiritual autobiography of Dylan tries to answer the question, "Is Dylan still a Christian?" The book recounts the vitriolic reactions of fans and critics to Dylan's conversion and the devastating effect it had on sales. There are some great Dylan quotes and information, but stylistically the book is not that interesting.

[Marcia Ford]

I was the co-author on this one.

[Ron Fowler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every Dylan fan knows the story of his conversion in late 1978; Bob himself said "I had a born again experience"; he recorded 3 albums of gospel-influenced rock music; even preached from the stage for a few months in 1980. By 1983, he was claiming "i've never said I'm born again", and denying any connection with "religion". What exactly did happen? Well, this book really doesn't have the answers. The author bends over backwards to convince the reader that Dylan never renounced his Christian faith; in fact, that's what most of the book is from 1983 on. I think, like most of us, Bob has had times of strong faith, along with periods of doubt. Certainly a listen to "Oh Mercy" and "Under the Red Sky" from 1989/90 would indicate a return to faith in God, at the same time, recognizing how difficult life can be in the mortal realm.
The author has never spoken to his subject; anyone with an interest in Dylan could have written this book. It mostly reads like a very long Wikipedia article.

[John Schmitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tackles the difficult task of analyzing the soul of a living legend, a man who will not be pigeonholed by the paparazzi or the music industry. Marshall makes a powerful argument that Dylan’s spiritual persona of a Messianic Jew is the most compelling basis for following the journey of this “restless pilgrim” . He has remained true to his profession of belief in Jesus Christ without abandoning the rich heritage of Jewish traditional Old Testament scripture. His refusal to allow himself to be anointed as some kind of countercultural savior has allowed him through his music to point to the higher spiritual truths to which he has remained faithful. A poet, a prophet- a compelling genius.

[Roderic Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a teenager, I became enamored with the music and the man that was Dylan about four years before his blatantly public conversion to Christianity. Some of my friends, fellow Dylan admirers, were among those who abandoned him at this point, unable to watch or accept the seeming transformation of an abstract, brilliantly creative and intelligent mind, into a simple minded, didactic, hyper-rational, juddgemental preacher. I did not share Dylan's beliefs, but I did not find it off-putting, in fact, like Leanord Cohen, I found his music during this period to be some of his most powerful, compelling, and sincere work. This book is biased, written by Christians, and designed to convince the reader that Dylan has remained steadfast in his beliefs, even though less blatantly and with a more cryptic bent, and perhaps this is true. However, if one can manage to accept the more than frequent quotations of scripture in the book, it does offer some fascinating insight into the enigmatic mind of Dylan, a seeming walking contradiction, a man of tremendous courage and confidence and intelligence, and yes, spiritual conviction, which is not at all feigned. I listen to Dylan still. I never stopped. I listened to him before and during his radical transformation, and have listened to him since. He has evolved, but I believe his message has remained the same from the moment he picked up a guitar. It is more muted and once again abstract, but what this book does is give the reader a fascinating glimpse into a complex mind at its seemingly most simple, uncharacteristically judgemental expression. Not that there wasn't truth to it, or is. Not that it didn't change lives, or is. This book does justice to the mystery that is Dylan, regardless of what you believe.

[Nando Mahieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a wonderful insight into the spiritual journey Bob has been through throughout his career. Not only does the book teach u about Bob and his beliefs but the book also teaches u a lot about the similarities and differences between Christianity and Judaism and how you can still believe in Christ as a Jew.

[Brent Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a few valuable biographical details - about Dylan opening acts with a hymn, personal/family life etc.

For a better critique and analysis of his work, see Stephen H. Webb's Dylan Redeemed.