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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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Allan Hubbard

Posted: August 06, 2007 1:12 PM

It is disconcerting to believers (like me) to witness an artist like The Boss fumbling his way through life trying to espouse his own version of truth when the Real Truth is evident all around him. The larger question is: Shall we allow Springsteen (and others) leeway to explore, even seek (gasp!) for Truth as they make their art and share it with us all? Tracing the meanderings of meaning through the product they put forth makes for interesting research - and grace from us can come in the example of allowing them to express themselves right where they stand at any given moment in their career. But let us not elevate them to a level of someone to be revered or followed (especially theologically) when we're simply enamored with their music.

christine a scheller

Posted: August 06, 2007 5:36 PM

Well, I'm going to be a loner here, I guess. For years Bruce Springstein has (and may still) financially supported a little Christian school and summer camp in Red Bank, NJ, that is run by some friends of mine. He also invited the kids to record with him each summer. My son, a counselor at the camp, was at a couple of those recording sessions, and I was at a fundraiser with him. He was gracious to everyone and offered memorabilia to support the school. In fact, having met a number of famous Christians, it has also struck me as sad that "The Boss" was more gracious and down-to-earth than many of them.

Ellen

Posted: August 07, 2007 8:32 AM

Thanks for the update on the newest albums. Bruce Springteen is everyman- searching for truth and yet he doesn't clarify what it is - leaving room for imagination. I like how his words face the reality of disappointments when the world pressures make me believe that I must have done something wrong when I'm not positive. This man has a gift - he shows the truth with everyday imagery. While he may not always glorify God ( and I don't know that he does or doesn't) he certainly doesn't glorify the emptiness of the world. There is something very real about his words and his music. I haven't listened to him in years but now I think I will.