Raised as a Jehovah's Witness, adopted the Church of Scientology, sang a duet with Cliff Richard (When GodShines His Light On Me) - with those troubles no wonder he has only written 5 original songs in his life.
I must admit, Van's Avalon Sunset period was something of a low in his career, and Whenever God Shines His Light was a low point within that low period. Mind you, Bob Dylan's god period wasn't exactly the hight point of his career either, was it?