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Christianity Today, August, 2007 |

Bruce and the Almighty

Springsteen's religious imagery getting sharper.

Mark Moring | posted 8/06/2007 09:14AM

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The first time I saw Bruce Springsteen in concert, as a 15-year-old back in 1974, I might've called it "a religious experience." In the 16 times I've seen him since, I've often thought he resembles an evangelist on stage—whether he's extolling the virtues of rock or urging the crowd to donate to a local food bank. This guy grew up in a Catholic home and seems to understand the concepts of sin, the Cross, confession, and redemption. These themes have all shown up in his music over the years.

Springsteen's last three studio albums—The Rising (2002), Devils & Dust (2005), and We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006)—are especially rife with spiritual imagery. And, by default, so is this summer's release, Live in Dublin, which includes many cuts from the Seeger CD.

The Seeger Sessions, all songs previously recorded by folk legend Pete Seeger, includes "How Can I Keep from Singing?", "O Mary Don't You Weep," "Jacob's Ladder," and "Eyes on the Prize," an old Holiness hymn that declares, "I got my hand on the gospel plow / Won't take nothing for my journey now / Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on."

Devils & Dust, meanwhile, is chock full of songs about hope, love, and redemption, as well as tales of sin, brokenness, and confession. The album's spiritual highlight is "Jesus Was an Only Son," which poignantly captures the bond between Mother and Child:

As he walked up Calvary Hill / His mother walking beside him / In the path where his blood spilled / Jesus was an only son / In the hills of Nazareth / As he lay reading the Psalms of David / At his mother's feet …

Well, Jesus kissed his mother's hands / Whispered, "Mother, still your tears" / For remember the soul of the universe / Willed a world and it appeared.

Springsteen told The New York Times that although he's "not a churchgoer," his music is "filled with Catholic imagery … a powerful world of potent imagery that became alive and vital and vibrant. … As I got older, I got less defensive about it. I thought, I've inherited this particular landscape, and I can build it into something of my own."

Mark Moring, CT online editor of music and film.

Related Elsewhere:

Live in Dublin is available from Amazon.com and other retailers.

Bruce Springsteen's official site links to videos and lyrics.

Christian Music Today has featured past Springsteen albums in its Glimpses of God section.

Other Christianity Today articles on music include:

Think About God | Pioneer Brian Doerksen on what's wrong with worship music. (July 16, 2007)

Sinéad O'Connor's Theology and 'Theology' | Why you shouldn't be surprised that her new album is mostly passages from the Old Testament. (July 9, 2007)

A Questioning Faith | Derek Webb calls us to conversation, not conversion. (June 11, 2007)

Surfing for Spirituality | Switchfoot's Oh! Gravity keeps door open for questions. (March 27, 2007)

Lennon's 'Last Temptation' | The symbol of the sixties is desecrated, and a generation falls headlong into its midlife crisis. (January 3, 2007)

John Lennon's Born-Again Phase | "Can He love me?" the former Beatle asked Oral Roberts. "I want out of hell." An excerpt from The Gospel According to the Beatles by Steve Turner. (January 3, 2007)

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August 2007, Vol. 51, No. 8

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 13 comments.

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Disappointed

Posted: August 17, 2007 10:13 AM

While I agree with others comments that amount to taking the plank out of our own eye first, I must share my disappointment that Mark had nothing better to write about. Mr. Sprinsteen is a talented musician, but I cannot get past his personal history and politics to allow myself to listen to him. As for the "loving the world" comments, however, I would caution us to remember we do have to be IN the world to deliver the love of Christ. Though I know the previous two sentences may sound contradictory, they stand as written how I feel - me a sinner and fellow sojourner on his way home.

Mike	Posted: August 16, 2007 8:15 AM

Though I don't think that Bruce is save, I think that it is great that he is playing religious lyrics. We live in a culture where most conversions come over time and thoughtful consideration. Who knows Bruce could come to Jesus? I have seen others do the same. It does bug me when people don't see potential in this situation with Bruce. We get excited when people we invite come to church. We get excited when a co worker takes a book we recommend. I am going to be excited about Bruce's turn here in his life. I am going to be excited when people are searching because it might be God drawing them to himself.

JJ	Posted: August 09, 2007 8:09 PM


Hey responders, unless Bruce has surrendered himself to the lordship of Christ, how about we pray for him instead of rip him for not thowing out Christ centered lyrics. Unless he has submitted to the Savior, how can we expect obedience to Truth. Just try to keep in mind he is an artist who admits he had a Catholic upbringing, nothing more. Play on Bruce!!

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