Disclaimer: It is not our role to determine whether or not somebody is a Christian. We just use our discernment based on the evidence we have found on the internet to come to a likely or best-guess answer. Our answers do not actually determine who is or is not a Christian and it is ultimately between the person and God. Not us.
Multi-talented American artist, Samuel Timothy McGraw was born in May 1967 in Louisiana, U.S. The actor, songwriter, producer, and singer who is widely known as “Tim McGraw” has graced the American entertainment scene for over two decades as a country music singer and actor.
McGraw’s path to fame was not a smooth one, as he had to deal with a lot of ups and downs while growing up. He lived with his mum and stepdad, Horace Smith whom he thought was his dad, until he painfully discovered on his own who his real dad was after he found his birth certificate in his mom’s closet. At age 11, Tim tried to connect with his dad, Tug McGraw, but he was denied by his dad until age 18 and they stayed close until Tug’s unfortunate death in 2004.
Tim McGraw was inspired to be a professional baseball player and was actively involved in playing baseball in his high school and college teams. Unfortunately, he sustained a nasty knee injury that hindered him from pursuing a professional baseball career but didn’t let the misfortune weigh him down. He immediately learned to play the guitar at Florida Community College, Jacksonville. Tim dropped out of college later on to pursue a music career in Nashville.
Tim’s music career began in 1990 when he got connected with Curb Records through his father after releasing a demo single. McGraw debuted with the single “What Room Was the Holiday In” and released a self-titled album two years after which did not do well in the mainstream. His breakthrough came with the release of his second album “Not a Moment Too Soon” which became the best-selling country album of 1994. The country singer has since released 16 studio albums with the most recent “Here on Earth” released in 2020.
The gifted artist has a significant number of awards to his name, including 3 Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 10 American Music Awards, and 11 Country Music Association Awards among others. Tim McGraw also pursued a career in acting and has starred in several films and television series. Over the years, Tim McGraw has been linked to Christianity, especially because of his frequent use of Christian imagery in songs. As a result, fans began questioning his religious stance. To get answers on the status of McGraw as a Christian in this article, keep reading!
Is Tim McGraw Religious?
McGraw has not outrightly claimed he is religious, but one can notice some elements of religion, especially in his songs.
In a 2018 interview with People Magazine shortly after marking their 21st wedding anniversary, McGraw’s wife Faith Hill revealed that faith, prayer, and love have been the strongholds of their lasting marriage. In her words:
“We both have our daily routines and we have our dressing rooms. We each have our own space to retreat to so we do get time to ourselves. Tim and I share a quick quiet moment before hitting the stage. Always praying.”
Religion has a big influence on Tim McGraw. Even though he does not talk much about it, elements of faith and religion are evident in his songs. Most songs in the country artist’s recent album contain religious undertones and resonate with individuals that hold Christian religious beliefs. An example is “God Moves the Pen” from his most recent studio album. Below is an excerpt of the song:
“Written in the sky, written in the sand
On the back of a car draggin’ old tin cans
True love declared with brush and paint
Way up there on a small town water tank
Carved in oak or tattooed on the skin
Love moves the heart
God moves the pen”
Another song by the artist with deep religious elements is “Angel Boy” Below are the lyrics:
“I’ve held the hand of the devil
Felt his breath on my skin
Dip me into the water, wash me again
Can I still be forgiven for all of these things?
Or have I gone too far now, have I lost my wings?
I found a priest, I spoke my mind
Asked if I’d sinned one too many times
He said, “My son, you’re only a man”
Then I said, “Sir, you don’t understand”
I’ve held the hand of the devil
Felt his breath on my skin
Dip me into the water, wash me again
Can I still be forgiven for all of these things?
Or have I gone too far now, have I lost my wings?
God help us all for what we have done
We’ve lost our way, we can’t find the Son
We make our beds, we seal our fate
Is there still time or is it too late”
Does Tim McGraw believe in God?
Tim McGraw has subtly expressed his belief in God publicly a few times. Also, some of his song lyrics hint that the country artist believes in God. In a 2017 interview with Knox News, McGraw spoke about faith and ways believers can connect with God. In his words:
“Most of the time I ask, “Why have I forsaken God?” I look at myself and ask that question when probably the better question is to say, “Where are you God, and I’ll let you in.” Instead of thinking that you’ve abandoned God, push yourself in the other direction like, “God, how can I get closer?”
Is Tim McGraw a Christian?
Christianity is a religion that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ who is believed to have lived in the “Holy Land” 2,000 years ago. It is the biggest religion in the world with over 2 billion followers worldwide. With its incredible evangelical and missionary activities, the religion has spread to every nook and cranny of the world.
Christians believe in the teachings and principles of the religion such as the belief in one God who lives eternally in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the sanctity of the church, and the word of God as recorded in the Holy Bible.
Though not so vocal about his religious stance, Christian themes have always been major components in his songs. The country artist rarely opens up about his religion, but Christian imagery is evident in most of his songs, and because of this, McGraw has been speculated to be a Christian.
A perfect example is his 2004 hit song “Jesus or Drugs” from the album “Live Like You Were Dying.” In the lyrics, the artist tries to compare two paths people follow in the world. He describes how humans choose either way to suppress the pressures of life and even used his experience as an example, but concludes that Jesus is the sure way to go. Below are some lines from the song:
“Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
We’re all looking for love and meaning in our lives
We follow the roads that lead us
To drugs or Jesus
My whole life, I’ve tried to run, I’ve tried to hide
From the stained-glass windows in my mind
Refusing to let God’s light shine down on me, down on me
Everybody just wants to get high…..
There’s not much space between us
Drugs or Jesus
Everybody wants acceptance, we all just want some proof
Everyone’s just looking for the truth……
We’re all looking for love and meaning in our lives
We follow the roads that lead us
To drugs or Jesus
Oh, I need you, Jesus
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
Tim McGraw is yet to release a gospel album, but some of his songs and most recent album “Here on Earth” contains Christian-themed songs that have been promoted by several Christian websites. Songs like “God Moves the Pen, Neon Church, and Hallelujahville” have tied the Christian community to his music.
Is Tim McGraw Baptised?
Baptism is a Christian religious rite where believers are initiated into the Christian fold through immersion in water. Since Tim McGraw has not been so vocal on religious issues except through his songs, there are no reports of his baptism.
What did Tim McGraw say about Jesus?
One spectacular thing about Tim McGraw is that he uses his songs to express his beliefs. He incorporates elements of religion in his songs and has referenced Jesus in some of those songs. In “Messin’ with Jesus” McGraw and Chris Janson sang that there are certain things they will love to do, but Jesus directs that those things are not right, so they oblige because they can’t “mess” with Jesus. Below is an excerpt from the song:
“Yeah, cigarettes taste good to me
But the body is a temple I read, so I
I ain’t messin’ with Jesus
I love drivin’ fast down a county road
But a voice in my head says to take it slow
So I, I ain’t messin’ with Jesus”
In Touchdown Jesus, Tim talks about how Jesus’ biblical teachings shape some of his actions. Below are some lines from the song:
“I dusted off my Bible today
Read the words and read yeah, every word He said
He talked about forgiveness and a better way
I raised my hands above my head and I said
Touchdown Jesus..
There was a little girl just down the street
They were prayin’ for a miracle but runnin’ outta hope
Some stranger was an angel and he gave her what she needed
You oughta see her today, that was ten years ago
Touchdown Jesus
Touchdown Jesus”
Conclusion
Tim McGraw has not openly refuted claims of being a Christian. He hasn’t also been very expressive of his religious beliefs, but we’ve noticed some Christian imagery in his song. This suggests that the award-winning singer might be a Christian but chooses to keep his personal life out of the public/media space.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!