Restless Pilgrim: The Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan

One thing that really struck me about Martin Scorcese's recent Dylan documentary, "No Direction Home," is how much integrity Dylan displays when considering his artistic vision. And the pressure has been tremendous, as different camps have sought him out to make him their own. Joan Baez's comments regarding the desire to enroll him in protest efforts is perfectly illustrative of this. Just as illustrative is Dylan's push-back, which would result in his severing, at least partially, ties with that activist singer. His words have that kind of pull, but Dylan insists that the songs stay in a territory that he, not others, defines. Still, the real career capper that went beyond Dylan's rejection of the folk movement, is his turn to Christianity. What to make of this turn? As Marshall and Ford point out in their book "Restless Pilgrim," his fans shouldn't have been that surprised, since Dylan has been signaling a religious sensibility for years in a number of his songs. And Dylan has said, look to his songs, if folks want answers about where his head and soul are at. "Restless Pilgrim" is for the most part a distillation of things Dylan during the "faith" part of his career. Following this progression, Marshall and Ford make a strong case for Dylan still being a Christian - and a Jew, which are not at odds with each other. Looking at the songs Dylan still plays in concert, not to mention any number of comments made to interviewers over the years, you can't help but shake your head at the various Dylan "experts" out there who insist the Christian thing was just a phase. Well, clearly it's a phase that goes on. One aspect of the book I really liked, were the various discussions of neglected albums. For example, Marshall and Ford suggest that the much maligned gospel albums "Shot of Love," and "Saved," are, upon examination of the actual songs, much better than critics have given them credit for. Listening to "Shot of Love," after reading the book had me agreeing. "Shot of Love" is a very good album, and I didn't even know that the great song "Every Grain of Sand" could be found on it. But Dylan's biblical interest didn't stop with these albums. Far from it. Marshall and Ford follow the thread up to the near present. If anything, Dylan's biblical vision is of a conservative and apocalyptic nature. But Dylan being Dylan, it's a vision that operates as a prophetic sword, one that cuts neither right nor left, but only aims at the truth.

* * * * *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 hi

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.

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

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.