In the middle of Bob’s 1978 gruelling worldwide tour of Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and then North America, he surrendered to Jesus.
He was exhausted, physically ill, and worn down with anxiety from his 1977 divorce. At the end of the San Diego show someone from the crowd threw a small silver cross on stage.
Bob was normally unfazed by fans throwing things at gigs, but he spotted the icon and pocketed it. It travelled with him to Arizona for his next performance. Two days later, in a hotel room in Tucson, he was feeling even worse and reached into his pocket, pulled out the cross, and put it on.
Bob says he experienced “a literal visitation from Jesus Christ… a presence… that couldn’t have been anybody but Jesus… (He) put His hand on me; 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. Jesus did appear to me as King of Kings and Lord of Lords … I believe every knee shall bow one day, and He did die on the cross for all mankind.”
He had heard about Jesus’ overwhelming presence, power and majesty through his girlfriend, Mary Alice Artes. Also, from his recently converted bandmates, including T-Bone Burnett. It was Mary that God seems to have used to bring him the closest to Him.
She had recommitted herself to the Jesus of her youth through her Church, Vineyard Christian Fellowship Tarzana, Cal., which Dylan soon joined. Founded in 74, it was a small but fast-growing evangelical church that emphasized redemption over judgment. However, Dylan later came to emphasise judgement in his songs often.
Artes’s recommitment made her decide to live a Biblically pure life by moving out on Bob, with whom she had been living. She asked two Vineyard pastors to call on Bob at his home and minister to him. They knocked on his door in Birdclyffe, off Glasko Turnpike, and apparently, the Lord rescued him that day.
His new faith was a syncretistic amalgam incorporating elements from the “Jews-for-Jesus” movement and some Southern Californian New Age. Also, some old-fashioned fire-and-brimstone millennialism, but Jesus was smack bang in the middle of it.
The next two years were a flurry of fruitfully creative time as he dived into a deep exploration of the Gospel. This was mainly through Bible studies for new Christians at his church.
He began proclaiming his faith in signature style, writing and performing music. He released three remarkable Christian albums. Even many secular critics agree they are some of his best work: 1979’s “Slow Train Coming”, 1980’s “Saved” and 1981’s “Shot of Love”.
They evidence his rich, deep Jewish heritage and familiarity with the Old Testament, gained from years of rigorous study of it as a Jewish boy.
His post-conversion follow-up study of the Bible, especially the New Testament, added a remarkable and delightful new Gospel incisiveness and Christocentric edge to his already rich lyrics.
One can almost taste the excitement at his newfound discovery- that Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension to rule are the fulfilment, the “Yes”, to every one of God’s promises in the OT.
The songs are nothing short of thrilling and paradigm-shifting. They are visceral and existential. Songs like “Saved”, “Every Grain of Sand”, “Covenant Woman” (about Artes), “What Can I Do For You?”, “Pressing On”, and “Saving Grace”. Marvellous.
The extraordinary lyrics of these albums are HIGHLY Biblically Theological (and to a lesser extent, Systematically theological, which’s quite appropriate).
I still pinch myself that the Bible and theology I love, esteem and admire so much are coming from such a groovy rocker who I also respect and love so much. It’s nearly too good to bear. There’s a fine line between pleasure and pain. They are quite shocking in their delightfulness. A little glimpse of heaven.
Tomorrow- “Bob’s Faith- Clues”
Prayer:
Our gracious God and loving Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Mary Artes, and Vineyard Christian Fellowship Tarzana Cal., through which Bob was drawn to You. Thank You for the holy stand Mary took by moving out from Bob’s house.
For Jesus’ name’s glory,
Amen
Dear Holy Father,
Please help me, like Mary Artes, to draw my family (…………) to You, by taking stands of holiness- so that I might not drag Jesus’ name through the mud, but adorn it and attract my friends (…………….) to Him,
Amen.
Dear Father,
We praise You that You use anything and everything to bring Your chosen ones to rescue- from little silver crosses thrown onstage, to sexual repentance; to small, independent churches in LA that even minor on Your justice.
May Your magnificent name be exhaulted through these things,
Amen.
Image of Bob Dylan, Never ending tour, Azkena Rock Festival 2010 Credit:Dena Flows, Upbeat mag