IN THEORY:

Jeffrey Symynkywicz, a Unitarian Universalist minister in Boston, recently wrote “The Gospel According to Bruce Springsteen.” He says the Boss’ lyrics inspire him. “What he does for me is help me discern my own traditions, my own personal theology and faith — but more deeply.” Which musical artist inspires you, and why?

I honor the Rev. Symynkywicz — he is mirroring a theme I have been presenting for the last eight years. Life follows the rhythm of our soul’s sense of being, and my annual summer series — “A Season for Rhythm and Soul” — explores the lives and music of important musical icons and messengers of the soul.

The first Sunday in August will be a tribute to Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow. Erin Barton, accompanied by the Center Band, will sing the music of these powerful women, and I’ll talk about their dedication to the environment and women’s rights.

The following Sundays I will explore the lives and music of Elvis Presley; Janis Joplin; ABBA; Van Morrison; Bruce Springsteen; Aretha Franklin; Earth, Wind and Fire; and Joe Cocker. These artists left their impressions on the world, and it is my privilege to examine their musical contributions and celebrate the spirit of their lives.

Pastor Jim Turrell

Center for Spiritual Discovery, Costa Mesa

Bob Dylan! Religion has always loomed large in Dylan’s worldview. This was most explicit in his turn to evangelical Christianity in the late 1970s that produced a trilogy of albums and one of my favorite lyrics: “Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

Dylan has consistently channeled American religious idioms through biblical allusion. Among scores of examples: “All Along the Watchtower” essentially paraphrases Isaiah 21:5-9; “The Times They Are A-Changin,’” “Slow Train A-Comin,’” Other words and music are eschatological, about “last things”; and apocalyptic imagery, alluding to the end of world history, fills “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” “Desolation Row,” “Angelina” and more.

At Dylan concerts in recent years, one might expect to hear “Rock of Ages” (written by Augustus Toplady in 1776) as well as Dylan’s own “My Back Pages,” with lyrics such as, “Good and bad, I defined these terms quite clear, no doubt, somehow. Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now” and works from his most recent album “Thunder on the Mountain,” with lyrics like, “Some sweet day I’ll stand beside my king. I wouldn’t betray your love for any other thing.”

Contemporary music critic Greil Marcus says that Bob Dylan manifests “the old, weird America.” That’s for me!

The Very Rev’d Canon Peter D. Haynes

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church

Corona del Mar

I have always thought there is a place for sacred music in the secular, and secular music in the sacred. In a postmodern world, the lines are blurred between the two. I certainly find spiritual enlightenment in music outside the church or religious sphere.

It is for this reason that we occasionally use secular music in church. We’re spiritual beings. It makes sense that other aspects of our lives would also reflect our spiritual nature.

Perhaps because I’m listening for the spirit, I tend to find it in a range of genres. I particularly find folk artists spiritual, like Pete Seeger; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Jewel (who we’ll use Sunday) and of course artists like U2, even Garth Brooks and Gwen Stefani!

When music speaks to the human heart, it inevitably mingles with the spirit. So if we are to embrace that spirituality, we’ll be able to recognize God or the holy in everyday things — why should secular music be any different?

The Rev. Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church