As I began to look for the perfect video performance in memory of the late David Bowie for the fb page, “I Remember Summer Concerts at Pine Knob in Michigan”, I felt a nudge to research his beliefs. During my google search “David Bowie a Christian” a number of articles popped up and one particular title caught my eye, “David Bowie: The Pulse Returns to the Prodigal” by Gregory Alan Thornbury of Christianity Today. Since I have always been a fan of Bowie and the fact that I am a follower of Jesus, I was pleasantly surprised to find that we shared the same faith in God. Thornbury writes: “For some reason, Bowie persisted in conventional God talk throughout his life. In the end, he revisited biblical themes in his work. Despite repeated reviews calling his music nihilistic, he responded, “I’m not quite an atheist, and it worries me.” Later, when paying tribute to his recently deceased friend Freddie Mercury, Bowie recited The Lord’s Prayer and told reporters, “I have an undying belief in God’s existence. For me it is unquestionable.”
In addition to reading the article I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Bowie bent down on one knee in a 1992 concert following the song “Heroes” at London’s sold out Wembley Stadium of 72,000 fans and recited the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:10-13. As I watched this video the fans were of course cheering and shouting but once Bowie began to pray the massive crowd hushed and when he stood, the entire stadium cheered! One article said that he decided to say the prayer just five minutes before going on stage.
In one of my recent fb posts I shared a comment that reads:
“I love the fact that God’s love extends out to not only the “prodigal son” but also the “thief on the cross”. One can be coming close to their last breath and turn to God and find his love and mercy right there! The thief on the cross next to Jesus said, “remember me in paradise” and Jesus responded, “I will”. How powerful is that! This is the God I serve, loving, kind and rich in mercy!”
I have found that in the Christian world there are mixed emotions and opinions of David Bowie’s belief in God, some may not believe it or they’re blinded due to Bowies early years, whatever it is and in my humble opinion the church as a whole needs to remember that we have “all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. We must remember that none of us deserve the mercy and grace of God but because of God’s amazing love He sent his, “…One and only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” And once we receive his grace we are to get busy caring for others and those in need. (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-10, Matthew 25:31-46.). “Do not judge others and you will not be judged” Matthew 7:1.
“…and may God’s Love be with you…” Space Oddity by David Bowie
