 Although Illinois is a concept album about the U.S. state , Stevens also explored themes related to Christianity and the Bible . As a Christian , he has written and recorded music about spiritual themes throughout his career — particularly on the 2004 album Seven Swans — and prefers to talk about religious topics through song rather than directly in interviews or public statements . The song " Decatur , or , Round of Applause for Your Stepmother ! " includes the line " It 's the great I Am " — taken from the response God gave when Moses asked for his name in the Book of Exodus ( Exodus 3 : 14 ) . " Casimir Pulaski Day " describes the death of a girlfriend due to bone cancer , and the narrator questions God in the process . More abstract allusions appear in " The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts " , which utilizes Superman as a Christ figure and " The Seer 's Tower " , which references the Book of Revelation and the Second Coming of Christ . Songs which were not written with an explicit theological focus — such as " John Wayne Gacy , Jr . " — also feature religious themes such as sin and redemption . 
 Although Illinois <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>is</mark></a>a concept album about the U.S. state , Stevens also explored themes related to Christianity and the Bible . As a Christian , he <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>has</mark></a> written and recorded music about spiritual themes throughout his career — particularly on the 2004 album Seven Swans — and <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>prefers</mark></a> to talk about religious topics through song rather than directly in interviews or public statements . The song " Decatur , or , Round of Applause for Your Stepmother ! " <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>includes</mark></a> the line " It 's the great I Am " — taken from the response God gave when Moses asked for his name in the Book of Exodus ( Exodus 3 : 14 ) . " Casimir Pulaski Day " <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>describes</mark></a> the death of a girlfriend due to bone cancer , and the narrator <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>questions</mark></a> God in the process . More abstract allusions appear in " The Man of Metropolis <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>Steals</mark></a> Our Hearts " , which <a href='uninflect' title='8'><mark>utilizes</mark></a> Superman as a Christ figure and " The Seer <a href='null_genetive' title='9'><mark>'s</mark></a>Tower " , which <a href='uninflect' title='10'><mark>references</mark></a> the Book of Revelation and the Second Coming of Christ . Songs which <a href='uninflect' title='11'><mark>were</mark></a> not written with an explicit theological focus — such as " John Wayne Gacy , Jr . " — also feature religious themes such as sin and redemption . 
Although Illinois a concept mixtape abt the U.S. state , Stevens also explored themes related to Christianity and da Bible . As a Christian , he done written and recorded music abboupiritual themes throughout his career — particularly on the 200mixtapeum Seven Swans — and prefer to talk about religious topics thru song rather than directly in interviews or public statements . The song " Decatur , or , Round of Applause fir Your Stepmother ! " include the line " It 's the great I Am " — taken from the response God gave when Moses asked fa his name in the Book of Exodus ( Exodus 3 : 14 ) . " Casimir Pulaski Day " describe the death of a gf due to bone cancer , and the narrator question God in the process . More abstract allusions appear in " The Man of Metropolis Steal Our Hearts " , which utilize Superman as a Christ figure and " TdaSeer  Tower " , which reference the Book of Revelation and the Second Coming of Christ . Songs which was not written with an explicit theological focus — such as " John Wayne Gacy , Jr . " — also feature religious themes such as sin and redemption .