A Christian Perspective on Poetry

Christian poetry differs from other forms of poetry because it has spiritual significance, made possible by the incarnation of the Word. Its words exalt and praise the Word, as He is the image used by God the Father to create man. The primary aim of writing Christian poetry is to shed light on the concealed truths of the Christian faith, making them more palatable, meaningful, and illuminating for those seeking a new vision of life in Christ. When it comes to aesthetics, however, Christian poetry is not evaluated any differently than any other forms of poetry. Its poetical worth exists not in its Christian content, but in its aesthetic value. The primary criterion for judging Christian poetry is not only the subject matter but also the manner in which it is written.

Also, it is not the faith or personal holiness of the poet that determines whether a poem is Christian or not, but the content and the sublime expression of religious emotion that spiritually and aesthetically enhances the value of the poetry. Although faith in God and a right understanding are undeniably essential in one's spiritual journeys, they may not necessarily be as important when it comes to writing good poetry. The presence of religious faith within a Christian poet's creative process, however, can serve as a catalyst, fortifying and augmenting their poetic creativity. The faith of a Christian poet sustains him spiritually and shapes his aesthetics, as well as his understanding of truth. For this reason, for a Christian, it is not only the aesthetic value of poetry that matters but also the spiritual truth embodied in the poetry.

Christian poetry in itself has a dual purpose. Its aim is not only to provide aesthetic pleasure but also to offer hope and reveal the divine beauty to the human soul. By using imagery and language inspired by the Bible and Church teachings, such poetry aids Christian believers in achieving moments of ruminative contemplation and reflective prayer. The Word, which is the focal point of both the human mind and human language, is the source of inspiration for Christian poets who express their love, joy and gratitude towards God who reveals Himself through the creative expressions of man’s words.

The Christian poet believes that the Logos, or the incarnated Word, becomes tangible through faith in the human mind and heart. The image of God which has become visible and present in the human consciousness shatters into countless emotional and sensory experiences, intuitions, and premonitions. These sentiments and feelings are stored in the poet's subconscious and, in rare moments of inspiration, are brought back to life through symbols and metaphors, forming poetic images. Using these building blocks of imagery, the poet embarks on the creative journey of constructing a vision of an exquisite world revealed through the words of inspired poetry which transcends the horizons of the human consciousness to enter into the spheres of the supra-consciousness.

The purpose of Christian poetry is to unveil divine paths amidst the enigmatic mystery of God's glory, like rays of light breaking through clouds. When a poet is a Christian who lives by faith, he uses theological doctrines and biblical ideas as a compass while creating poetry. This help guides him through the imaginative realm of enlightened shadows, as he seeks divine beauty. Although his mystical insight and understanding of the divine mystery may not always be as clear or logical, the Christian poet continues to live by faith and hope. He believes that even though he now sees only a dim reflection in the mirror, someday, either in their lifetime or in the afterlife, he will be blessed with a complete vision of God's glory.

From the very beginning, Christian poetry and prayer have been inseparable. It is in the moment when the poet feels the urge to create poetry or offer a devout prayer to God that these two practices become intertwined. Both poetry and prayer serve as methods of communication with God, sharing a sacred purpose of assisting man in transcending his condition and expanding his understanding of God’s presence in the world. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, both poetry and prayer enable the seeker of truth and beauty to explore the boundless depths of their own souls and to connect with the grounds of their noetic consciousness. The poet possesses spiritual insights and forebodings that can only be conveyed through the medium of sacred poetry and meaningful prayer.

Even Emil Cioran, the great philosophical nihilist thinker, who wrote: "I don't believe neither in God or anything else. Yet, I had a religious crisis; for example, at about 26 years old, during a whole year I did nothing else but reading mystics and saint lives”, later in life he came to the conclusion that “Everything that is not prayer is impersonal. Anything that is not prayer means nothing.” 

Through the intuitive power of poetry and prayer, the poets can establish a spiritual connection with their fellow humans and with God. The Holy Spirit, which serves as the source of inspiration for both prayer and poetry, enables a synergistic relationship between the poet and the reader. This collaboration allows for the transformation and elevation of the human spirit. The profound encounter with the divine, even if only for a fleeting moment, assists both the poet and the reader in rediscovering their religious and existential purpose.

Christian poetry, inspired by biblical teachings, serves as a means of communication between man and God. It allows man to draw closer to God, and it elevates both the poet and the reader to the status of co-workers in God's plan to transform and beautify His creation. This type of spiritual poetry enables both the poet and the reader delving into the depths of human experience, including suffering, healing, joy, sorrow, and the peace that surpasses understanding. Although God is beyond human comprehension and remains unseen, He occasionally reveals Himself through faith and love as the "holy other," like the burning bush. As W. B. Yeats wrote: “O sages standing in God’s holy fire/As in the gold mosaic of a wall, /Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre, /And be the singing-masters of my soul” (W. B. Yeats, “Sailing to Byzantium”)

From Volume: Christian Poetry: Exploring Theological and Poetic Dimensions, Mirco Publishing, Chicago, USA 2023