For what it’s worth, I’ve been traveling since last Wednesday.  I went from Michigan to Colorado, Colorado to Kansas, and now, I’m enroute back to Michigan.  My soundtrack has been prog, prog, and then a bit more prog.

A few days ago, the mighty Tad Wert and I reviewed Steven Wilson’s new album, The Overview.  Though we questioned a few things about Wilson, we loved the album.  During his review, however, Tad brought up the majesty of the universe as described in the Psalms.

Today, this was posted on Facebook: “An interesting review of Steven Wilson’s latest album, which I’ve added here as Andie/The Tangent get name-checked. Quite an enjoyable read, despite the reviewer’s annoying habit of adding somewhat superfluous (and potentially divisive) references to The Goat Herder’s Guide to the Galaxy.”

Being in the car for hours on end, I turned this comment over in my mind.  Now, it’s worth noting, our website (the one you’re currently reading) is named after the Catholic patron saint of music, St. Cecilia.  Of the five main editors of Spirit of Cecilia, three are practicing Catholics, one is a Methodist who leans toward Eastern Orthodoxy, and one is a skeptic.  Frankly, I’m amazed at how restrained we are when it comes to the issue of religion.

Still, after reading the Facebook comment today, I had to ask: can a Progger be a Christian?  For some, the immediate answer is to turn to Neal Morse or Glass Hammer.  But, frankly, both artists are so open about their faith that each might appear to be the exception that proves the rule.

So, for the sake of a good argument, I offer all praise to Morse and to Glass Hammer, but I’m going to leave them out of the discussion.

Then, I gave it a bit more thought, and I realized that the Christian religion is deeply embedded in much (certainly not all) of the progressive rock tradition.  So, I chose my songs from several different eras of prog.

Yes, Close to the Edge:

“My eyes convinced, eclipsed with the younger moon attained with love
It changed as almost strained amidst clear manna from above
I crucified my hate and held the word within my hand
There’s you, the time, the logic, or the reasons we don’t understand”

Clearly referencing the Gospel of St. John.

Genesis, Supper’s Ready:

“There’s an angel standing in the sun
And he’s crying with a loud voice
“This is the supper of the mighty one”
Lord of Lords, King of Kings
Has returned to lead his children home
To take them to the new Jerusalem”

Clearly referencing St. John’s Revelation.

Talk Talk, New Grass:

“Lifted up
Reflective in returning love, you sing
Errant days filled me
Fed me illusion’s gate in temperate stream
Welled up within me
A hunger uncurbed by nature’s calling
Seven sacraments to song
Versеd in Christ, should strength desert me
They’ll come, they come”

Again, a clear reference to the New Testament and, specifically, a liturgical understanding of Christianity.

Roine Stolt, Humanizzimo

“With the blood of Jesus on the nail
We turn the balance on a scale
In pain and fearless suffering
Lies a message from the King of Kings”

Again, a clear reference to the passion of Christ.

The Tangent, Le Sacre du Travail:

“And all the blue plaques in all the buildings
Say they’re “Investors in Our Souls”
But I don’t believe them, not ’til I see it
Until I put my finger in the holes“

Yet again, a clear reference to Doubting Thomas.

Big Big Train, The Wide Open Sea:

“Lying ahull
Ride out this storm
Doused all the sails
I let the boat drift

And so upon this tumbling sea
Fathoms below
Heavens above me

I’m setting sail for Les Marquises
From cradle bound for Calvary”

I could be wrong, but this very much reminds me of Jesus calming the waters.

Every one of these songs requires some biblical literacy.  Were Yes, Genesis, Talk Talk, Roine Stolt, Andy Tillison, and Big Big Train divisive?  Without a doubt. Was Tad being divisive? I certainly doubt that was his intention.

So, back to the main question. Can a progger be a Christian?  It seems so.