Known By the Scars (1985)

Known By the Scars is the third studio album by Christian singer/songwriter/

author Michael Card. It was released by Sparrow Records in early 1985. It is Card's first album on the Sparrow label and the beginning of the Life of Christ trilogy, but told in reverse order. The album was produced by Norbert Putnam, whose session musician and producer credits include Dan Fogelberg, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffet and Joan Baez among others.

Known By the Scars focuses on the events of the Passion Narrative: the entry to Jerusalem ("Ride On to Die"), the cleansing of the temple ("He Was Heard"), the Last Supper ("Come to the Table") and the crucifixion ("Known By the Scars"). The highlight track, "Why," deals with the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot to the Pharisees. The Christ Presbyterian Church Choir provides vocals on the track "Crown Him." Each of the song's lyrics are scripture-based and is referenced from the Bible. Known By the Scars climbed to number 19 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

Known By the Scars was repackaged, along with Scandalon and The Final Word, into a 3-CD boxed set titled The Life in 1988.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Michael Card, except where noted.

1. He Was Heard (Michael Card, Randy Scruggs) -3:42

2. Ride On to Die -4:16

3. Come to the Table (Michael Card, Niles Borop) -3:49

4. In the Garden -3:58

5. Traitor's Look -3:31

6. Why -2:57

7. Cross of Glory -3:51

8. Crown Him -3:56

9. Known By the Scars -3:54

10. Crown Him (reprise) -1:21

Radio singles

1985 "Known By the Scars" -#14 Christian CHR, -#16 Christian AC

1985 "Why" -#12 Christian AC

1985 "Come to the Table" -#7 Christian AC

Previous release: Legacy (1983)

Next release: Scandalon (1986)