The difference I suppose is that Dylan's line is one of deep irony.

Whereas Carter is wearing his heart on his sleeve. The song (corny though some may find it) is as good a setting out the Quaker creed and their pantheistic take on things, as could be compressed into a song or single prayer. Carter would never have looked for the word of god in the testaments, particularly not the old testament..

The word of god (I think Carter would have agreed) is written by us in the dance - the joy which we create, the love and commitment we give to others, the generosity of spirit.....

that's the atrraction of mudcat - you get to spread your generosity of spirit hither and thus.