“Surrender your crown on this blood-stained ground; take off your mask” is one of the most powerful lines Dylan has ever written. And I won’t argue with the fact that, now that the mask is off, the naked man underneath is more beautiful than ever, because the glory of God shines through him. – Paul Williams
The above quote is from the book Dylan — What Happened? (1979) by Paul Williams (see yesterday’s Catch). I’ve received a number of comments and questions about what happened to Dylan after “What Happened…” where he appeared to drift away from the faith. I cannot answer those questions because only God knows his heart; I can only give my opinion, which is that I can’t foresee that the commitment and transformation that resulted in over 30 songs and the courage to go forth with them in concert against much opposition could be anything but genuine. I tend to agree with someone who commented on yesterday’s Catch, “Personally, I believe that being a follower of Christ is dramatically different from being a modern western Christian, and likely a large part of what drove Bob Dylan in a different direction.”
Besides, I’m more interested in the comments made by Paul Williams in this book than I am in making any conclusions about Dylan himself. I am fascinated by how a stated unbeliever could have all the reactions you would hope anyone encountering a new believer would have. Williams was convinced, when he wrote this book, of the genuineness of Dylan’s conversion, and understood it with a depth that many Christians don’t even possess. As a result, it’s really a lesson in how the reality of one’s own love for God and the story of how they came to know and embrace that love is the most effective message any of us could ever give.
Look again at the quote above. It is proof that even though Williams was not able to believe for himself when he wrote that, he had no doubt that Dylan did, and not only that, he is able to see God reflected in the man. Williams passed away eleven years ago, so it is hard to know whether he was ever able to take Dylan’s faith for his own, but it is clear that he admired it and at least saw, in Dylan, a Christianity that was believable to him.
It’s almost like he was a secondhand witness. One could easily become a believer based on what this writer saw and reported that he saw in Dylan’s life and his story, even if he couldn’t believe it himself. He was like a reluctant messenger. He couldn’t believe it, but Dylan could, and so, by the grace of God turned outward, can you.
John Fischer The Catch 
To me, Dylan’s salvation experience was real. What doesn’t appear real to me is him trying to convince all his “secular” fans how serious he was about his faith and his refusal to do any of his old songs. I think Dylan’s music was already inspired by God and it didn’t need all the outward hoopla by evangelical Christians to prove it. It’s a common mistake that new Christians make. They somehow believe that they’ve got to trash everything from their past and write only evangelically-approved material. I don’t believe God is honored by that practice! The change comes in a person’s life through evidence of the fruits of the Spirit, not a radical change in music lyrics. Especially when it comes to inspired songwriting. I think Dylan eventually saw the fallacy of that practice and simply went back to what he was best at and what God created him to be, with his new life in Christ.
Well done, J.D. !
Thanks John. Say “Hi” to Marti for me!
I think Paul Williams was a believer. He just would not conform to what had been falsely presented to him as Christianity.
That which “excludes a large part of humankind until or unless they decide to see things my way and express their faith in terms of my language and my historical and cultural referents.” As opposed to it excluding bad people who do bad things and need to be disciplined by God. The bible teaches the later not the former.
Williams goes on to say. “This exclusivity — not the love of and personal relationship with God — is the crux of the issue for me.”
If anyone is still not convinced of his faith look at today’s quote. “And I won’t argue with the fact that, (now that the mask is off, the naked man underneath is more beautiful than ever, because) the glory of God shines through him.” I added the parentheses because if you remove what’s parenthetical you have “And I won’t argue with the fact that, the glory of God shines through him.” Yep, that’s a believer.
At worst you could say Paul Williams had faith but it was heretical because he refused to believe the “truth” that one has to become a Christian to avoid everlasting hell. An endless torment brought about by an inability to express their faith in terms of my language and my historical and cultural referents. Paul Williams got it right and that’s why he understood Dylan better than a lot of people.
I hope, for his sake, that you are right!
Hey, John A.!
Nice to see your comments again.
It’s been a while…
🙂
Dear John and Marti –
As u know, I am a messicanic jewess, coming to baptism and Jesus, in my mid 50’s. I love being a believer.
What happened to Dylan, is that he went back to being a full jew.
I believe that Dylan, never truly found joy, except for when the love of Jesus, shined on him, and so Dylan, shined for the world.
I truly feel sadness fr Dylan, as if he seems not to find happiness.
By my becoming a messianic jewess, I have found so much joy in my life, even when there are problems that we all face. That is because my love and faith are in Jesus.
Blessings/love, June
Great message and great comments. I remember when Bob Dylan found Jesus and at first he didn’t want to do his old songs and then later he did. I say we all go thru changes and especially when we decide to follow Jesus. Sometimes we may have doubts of what would be alright. Jesus likes the joy in us always even in great songs of inspiration. I believe Williams had great respect for a man who became a believer and follower of Jesus. Maybe Williams himself was a true believer. Some folks are very private about some issues but, as the old song says no one knows what goes on behind Closed Doors or in the heart but, we can always believe the best and feel better. Hope I don’t sound ignorant and if I do well I try to get thru each day one at a time despite my mental health issues. Take care, God Bless, and have a great rest of week.