5 November, 2024

Poetry Is Useless

by | 22 October, 2014 | 0 comments

By Jim Tune

The wonderful thing about poetry is that it is at once both useless and utile. I love poetry. I am pulled to words in a powerful way. They draw me in with an almost physical intensity.

Many of the greatest masters of the English language throughout history have been Christian poets. Think of John Milton, who composed the magnificent epic poem Paradise Lost in order to “justify the ways of God to man.” Think of John Donne, who wrote such memorable lines as “Death be not proud,” “No man is an island,” and “Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

The rich language of Gerard Manley Hopkins is always a call to worship. Consider the opening lines of “God”s Grandeur”: “The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil.” Evocative words of good prose are far more powerful than a simple factual description. I”m increasingly convinced it”s a power that Christians need to understand.

Poetry, being what it is, isn”t always easy to understand. But isn”t that part of its intrigue? Isn”t that part of its beauty and mystery?

JT_Oct22_JNA friend once suggested that any critical or intellectual analysis of poetry is like drawing wires around a cloud. We can use analysis to get a general measure, and a clearer view of the object””a diagrammatic representation of pentameter or the construct of the piece in relation to its physical surroundings. But when we do that, we risk ruining it . . . making it useless.

Poetry can express what is difficult or inexpressible in any other form. Great writing can inform the reader, even if it communicates a hazy opinion, or an emotion, or a story, or an enchanting cadence or rhythm, a beautiful sound.

In ancient times, people valued beauty as much as they treasured truth. In some ways, beauty is truth. Have we forgotten that Christianity itself, properly understood, is beautiful?

In The Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewissaid, “We do not want merely to see beauty,” but “to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.”

Poetry, good poetry, is beautiful. And that is enough. And great poetry goes further. It can describe a matter in depth that is hard to reach in other mediums and impossible to reach with others. It bypasses simple mechanics and heads straight for the soul.

For thousands of years, artists, philosophers, and theologians have connected the beautiful with our longing for God. Now we live in a day when convenience and practicality have largely displaced beauty as a value. The church is no exception””even salvation is commonly viewed in a mechanistic manner and presented only as a plan, system or formula.

I”m inclined to agree with Miguel de Cervantes who said in Don Quixote, “It is the prerogative and charm of beauty to win hearts.” In my daily life, I often see no practical function for poetry at all. It is simply another way for my soul to sing.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

November 10 Study | I Pledge Allegiance

God’s people should be crystal clear about their allegiance. They play to an audience of one. So they must be very careful of other allegiances. For the believers in the seven churches, that meant coming out from the pagan influences of the culture.

November 10 | Discovery Questions

These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Battle is the Lord’s” (Revelation 17:1-2, 6, 18; 18:1-10), by Mark Scott.

Rescued

Each of us is an individual Titanic. We may, in our pride and self-sufficiency, think that we are uniquely grand and unsinkable. But each of us has already struck the iceberg of sin. It’s only a matter of time. But wait. God has provided a lifeboat for anyone who wants to be rescued.

Reasons to Be Grateful

Let’s honor God in this season as we give thanks for our blessings, as we celebrate our salvation, and as we take the gospel to the world.

Follow Us