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THE
POETRY BIBLE A GLOBAL STUDY OF CHRISTIAN POETRY
Foreword and Afterword by Jack Komaroff Poems by Various Poets Mr. Wilson English 11
Table of Contents 3 - Preface by Jack Komaroff 6 - Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson 7 - Day by Day by Lenora McWhorter 8 - I am a Christian by Maya Angelou 9 - God’s Love by Mary C. Ryan 11 - The Fear of the Lord by F. W. Faber 12 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God by Martin Luther 13 - A Hymn to God the Father by John Donne 14 - To Heaven by Ben Jonson 15 - Sometimes a Light Surprises by William Cowper 16 - Light Shining Out of Darkness by William Cowper 18 - God Alone is Enough by Santa Teresa de Ávila 19 - La Nueva Vida (The New Life) by Raúl Zurita 21 - Moses Admonishes the People - Musical Stanzas by Wu Li 22 - To the Tune, Hsi ch’ien ying by Wu Li 24 - The Lord’s Prayer by Sanna Arman 25 - Afterword by Jack Komaroff 28 - Works Cited
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FOREWORD
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What might surprise most readers of this collection of poems is that I am not Christian nor does anyone in my family practice Christianity. Religion and religious philosophy have always fascinated me since my eye-opening experience during 8th grade World History at Horace Mann School Middle Division. Christianity was one of the main religions that we studied, and I gained a deeper understanding of this culture that had always been unfamiliar to me. For this anthology, I wanted to start with a statistics based approach: out of the 7.91 billion people alive today, 31.1% of them (2.382 billion people) are Christians. This percentage makes Christianity the largest religion in the world. The Bible is by far the most sold piece of text of all time. With over 5 billion copies purchased thus far, no other text comes close. Clearly, the influence of Christianity on world history and current society is immense. With a global presence that spans thousands of years and tens of thousands of miles, Christianity means different things to people in different cultures. Through an analysis of poems from authors around the world, we gain a deeper understanding into the distinct ways in which the most popular religion is both interpreted and practiced. Due to the limitless supply of Christian poems, I imposed an analytical shape onto this anthology to allow for a focused conclusion. I selected poems that were written by authors from different continents that revealed where their interpretations of Christianity placed them along a spectrum of religious beliefs. Does the author believe in a more loving and supportive God? Or do they believe in a powerful being who enacts vengeance onto sinners? Or possibly something in between these extremes? With sufficient textual evidence to unpack, we can begin to map how regions in the world correspond to this spectrum of Christian interpretations. During this anthology, I urge readers to think about the Christian tenets that appear to be consistent across most of these poems, as well as the concepts that are found
4 in only a few. By focusing on these details, we can understand that Christianity has remained so vibrant over thousands of years because of its ability to adapt to (or be adapted by) regional cultures.
AMERICA The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. - Psalm 28:7
In America, 73.7% of the population identifies as Christian. Nearly 50% of people in the country practice some form of Protestantism, and the other 23% of Americans identify as Catholics. With the world’s largest Christian population, America’s culture is deeply rooted in Christianity.
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6 Footprints in the Sand By Mary Stevenson One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?” The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
7 Day By Day By Lenora McWhorter Day by day, God walks with me, and my burdens he helps me bear. Each step I take along the way, my loving Father is always there. Day by day, I feel God’s love encircling me all around. His grace and mercy cover me and pick me up when I am down. Day by day, the Lord keeps me from danger, hurt and harm. Safe from the snares of the enemy and protected from life’s alarms. Day by day, I rely on the Father to strengthen me when I am weak. He comforts me with His love and to my heart He speaks peace. Day by day, I feel God’s presence, and my spirit is always revived. God is faithful to watch over me as a father does his own child. God imparts his grace to me minute by minute, day by day. By faith, I walk in step with him as He guides me on life’s way.
8 I am a Christian By Maya Angelou When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not shouting “I am saved.” I’m whispering “I get lost” That is why I chose this way. When I say “I am a Christian” I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble And need someone to be my guide. When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I am weak And pray for strength to carry on. When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed And cannot ever pay the debt. When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are too visible But God believes I’m worth it. When I say “I am a Christian” I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches Which is why I seek HIS name. When I say “I am a Christian” I do not wish to judge. I have no authority I only know I’m loved.
9 God’s Love By Mary C. Ryan Midst scenes of distress, oh I what would we do, If God’s love like His rainbow was not Encircling the world, with its chasms of woe, Where the sin-burdened souls writhe in despair? Our heart’s strings would snap, when life’s cold storms blow. Blighting the hopes of our sunniest hour, If the soul in its anguish then did not know That all things were made and ruled by God’s pow’r. Alone on life’s sea, oh! where would we drift. If God’s love did not encircle the soul; Bearing it onward to faith’s tow’ring cliff, As the ages of eternity roll? Our bark would be wrecked, on some rocky Where powers of darkness ever would reign, If we knew not, when our voyage was o’er, That smiles of our Lord would banish all pain. When sowing the wheat and reaping the tares. And struggling to rise, we stumble and fall. What could we do, to escape Satan’s snares, If God’s love was not a refuge for all?
EUROPE
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Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy. - Exodus 15:6
In Europe overall, the largest religion is Christianity with 72.8% of the European population identifying as Christian. Most European Christians are either Orthodox or Catholic, with Protestants only representing 9.9% of the European population. Though, according to Pew Research, religion is significantly less important in Western Europe compared to the United States or certain countries in Southern Europe. In the United Kingdom specifically, only 56.2% of the population is Christian. In Italy on the other hand, Christians make up the overwhelming majority of the population.
11 The Fear of the Lord By F. W. Faber My fear of Thee, O Lord, exults Like life within my veins, A fear which tightly claims to be One of love’s sacred pains. There is no joy the soul can meet Upon life’s various road Like the sweet fear that sits and shrinks Under the eye of God. Oh, Thou art greatly to be feared, Thou art so prompt to bless! The dread to miss such love as Thine Makes fear but love’s excess. But fear is love, and love is fear, And in and out they move; But fear is an intenser joy Than mere unfrightened love. They love Thee little, if at all, Who do not fear Thee much; If love is Thine attraction, Lord! Fear is Thy very touch.
12 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God By Martin Luther A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same; and he must win the battle. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him. That Word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!
13 A Hymn to God the Father By John Donne Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun, Which was my sin, though it were done before? Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run, And do run still, though still I do deplore? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more. Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won Others to sin, and made my sin their door? Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun A year or two, but wallow’d in, a score? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more. I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun My last thread, I shall perish on the shore; But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore; And, having done that, thou hast done; I fear no more.
14 To Heaven By Ben Jonson Good and great God, can I not think of thee But it must straight my melancholy be? Is it interpreted in me disease That, laden with my sins, I seek for ease? Oh be thou witness, that the reins dost know And hearts of all, if I be sad for show, And judge me after; if I dare pretend To ought but grace or aim at other end. As thou art all, so be thou all to me, First, midst, and last, converted one, and three; My faith, my hope, my love; and in this state My judge, my witness, and my advocate. Where have I been this while exil’d from thee? And whither rap’d, now thou but stoop’st to me? Dwell, dwell here still. O, being everywhere, How can I doubt to find thee ever here? I know my state, both full of shame and scorn, Conceiv’d in sin, and unto labour borne, Standing with fear, and must with horror fall, And destin’d unto judgment, after all. I feel my griefs too, and there scarce is ground Upon my flesh t’ inflict another wound. Yet dare I not complain, or wish for death With holy Paul, lest it be thought the breath Of discontent; or that these prayers be For weariness of life, not love of thee.
15 Sometimes a Light Surprises By William Cowper Sometimes a light surprises The Christian while he sings; It is the Lord who rises With healing in His wings; When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again A season of clear shining, To cheer it after rain. In holy contemplation We sweetly then pursue The theme of God’s salvation, And find it ever new; Set free from present sorrow, We cheerfully can say— E’en let the unknown morrow Bring with it what it may. It can bring with it nothing, But He will bear us through; Who gives the lilies clothing, Will clothe His people too: Beneath the spreading heavens No creature but is fed; And He, who feeds the ravens, Will give His children bread. Though vine nor fig tree neither Their wonted fruit shall bear; Though all the fields should wither Nor flocks nor herds be there; Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice, For, while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.
16 Light Shining Out of Darkness By William Cowper God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill; He treasures up his bright designs, And works His sovereign will. Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding ev’ry hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flow’r. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain
LATIN AMERICA
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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. - Ephesians 6:10
In Latin America, the predominant religion is Catholicism, with 90% of the population identifying as Christian, the majority of whom are Catholic and the rest Protestants. In recent years, Protestantism and Anglicanism have become more popular in the area.
18 God Alone Is Enough By Santa Teresa de Ávila Let nothing upset you, Let nothing deter you, Everything passes, God never changes. Patience Empowers everything; Who has God lacks nothing: God alone is enough. Raise your thought, Toward heaven, Let nothing distress you, Let nothing upset you. Follow Jesus Christ With stout heart, And come what may, Let nothing deter you. Do you see the glory of the world? It is an empty show; Nothing is stable, Everything passes. Aspire for the heavenly, Which lasts forever; Faithful and rich in promises God never changes. Love it as much as it deserves, The immense good; But no love is solid Without patience. Let trust and lively faith Keep your soul, Whoever believes and hopes Reaches all. Harassed from hell, Who has God, Although he sees it, Mocks its fury. Desertions may befall him, Crosses, misfortunes; God being his treasure, Nothing is amiss. Go, then, goods of the world; Go, such vanities, Although everything may be lost, God alone is enough.
19 La Vida Nueva (The New Life) By Raúl Zurita MY GOD IS HUNGER MY GOD IS SNOW MY GOD IS NO MY GOD IS DISILLUSIONMENT MY GOD IS CARRION MY GOD IS PARADISE MY GOD IS PAMPA MY GOD IS CHICANO MY GOD IS EMPTINESS MY GOD IS WOUND MY GOD IS PAIN MY GOD IS MY LOVE OF GOD
ASIA
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The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies. - Nahum 1:2
In Asia, Christians make up only 7.2% of the population, as over half of the population is Hindu or Muslim. In China, this number is even lower, with around 4% of Chinese people identifying as Christians.
21 Moses Admonishes the People - Musical Stanzas By Wu Li This wilderness! If only you, His people, acknowledge one Lord of Heaventhere is no second one!the Lord of Heaven will confer that rich and fertile land to care for and to cultivate. That land is luxuriant, fruitful, impossible to match! The five grains profusely grow, there are no weeds and tares; and it is even richer in tender kid, fine wine. Milk and honey, meat and oil there do overflow! The Lord of Heaven loves you as His children: who could foresee that you, once full and sated, would act like animals, kicking, biting back! - forgetting His great gift.
22 To the Tune, Hsi ch’ien ying By Wu Li Late in Han God’s son came down from Heaven to save the people and turn us towards the good. His grace goes wide! Taking flesh through the virginity of the Holy Mother, in a stable He was born. Joseph too came to present Him in the temple: there to offer praise was Simeon. They say He can save our souls from their destructiveness and sweep away the devil’s wantonness.
AFRICA
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The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. - Psalm 145:9
Christianity has a sizable presence in Africa as nearly half of the population practice the religion. Indigenous African religions have decreased in population over recent year as more Africans transition to Christianity. By 2025, it is estimated that there will be around 700 million African Christians.
24 The Lord’s Prayer By Sanna Arman My father said they came on boats, Bearing strange objects that would go bang and take a life, Wearing white robes they came with books, Peculiar books we couldn’t read, We were told they were about God, This benevolent creature, High and mighty, Loved everyone, But us just less, Thought us all equal, But not equal enough, Said we were all children of God, But even God had favourites, And his, had pale skin, coloured eyes and straight hair, Who took our daily bread, Left us crumbs, Sometimes stopping to pray with us, Asking for forgiveness for trespass, And deliverance from evil, For thine is the kingdom, The power and the glory, Forever and ever, Amen.
AFTERWORD
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This collection of poems highlights the unambiguously varied interpretations of the same religion reflecting both the individuality of the poets and their wide-ranging geographies. Each poet is pulling from the same central text featuring the same creation stories. While there are key constants that form the backbone of Christianity, namely the belief in Jesus Christ and his power, the temperature of the relationship between God and humanity varies significantly from culture to culture. The myriad of interpretations presented in the poems are examples of the heterogeneous ways in which a particular location embraces Christianity. These practices are at times so pronounced that (ignoring obvious references to Jesus Christ) an uninformed reader, for example, might think that Wu Li’s “Moses Admonishes the People - Musical Stanzas” and Lenora McWhorter’s “Day by Day” are meditations about two completely different religions. This contrast is representative of how the region’s culture is influenced by and influences how Christianity is practiced locally. A dynamic interplay exists between the different cultural philosophies of the regions and the religious practices that govern how a given population lives a Christian life. Looking at the United States, the culture of our country is, in large part, based on Christian ideals and teachings. The Pledge of Allegiance and the phrase “one nation under God” is indicative of the close nexus between American values and Christianity. The religion influenced the founding principles of the United States, and in turn American cultural norms influence how American Christians practice religion. A similar dynamic has shaped different countries’ cultures for millennia. As a result, each country with its distinct culture will contribute to the gamut of Christian interpretations. One approach is not “more Christian” or “less Christian” than the other, but rather evidence of how a 3,000-year-old text is able to remain relevant to the diverse global Christian population. The clearest example of this range is the sharp distinction
26 between Asian and American interpretations of Christianity. America is one of, if not the most, consumer oriented societies. Much of our culture and economy is focused on acquiring possessions which can deprioritize moral and societal obligations. We are often focused on the “I” and “my”. What can I purchase today? What can I complain about on social media? How can I make the world mold to my needs? With a culture so focused on personal rights and personal enjoyment, it is no surprise that American Christianity is largely focused on how God can love, guide, and protect you. This message is perfectly displayed in the commonly known Mary Stevenson poem “Footsteps in the Sand”. God is protecting and aiding humanity in a very endearing and personal manner—a common Western interpretation, ironically with the subject of the poem complaining inaccurately that God had abandoned her. On the other hand, in Asia, God is perceived in a far colder context. This God is vengeful, wrathful, and powerful. There is a focus on the sins of humanity and how humanity seeks forgiveness from God’s wrath. Wu Li’s “Moses Admonishes the People - Musical Stanzas” perfectly reflects the immense fear of being punished by God, and the ensuing desire to obey and respect Him. The fear associated with not properly obeying God is in contrast with the assurance that is pervasive in American Christian poems. The harsher “Asian” God mirrors the cultural philosophy of many Asian countries. In China, for example, there is a clear focus on the collective versus the individual. This emphasis results from key Chinese cultural aspects such as Filial Piety and Confucian ideals. Considering that Christianity is a minority religion in China, the ways in which Christianity is practiced will be heavily influenced by these cultural norms and philosophies. As such, we can clearly see how this Eastern culture promotes an interpretation of Christianity that is more focused on obeying a stern God and avoiding the might of his immense power. While this spectrum of interpretations allows for a rich understanding of Christianity’s enduring embrace by diverse cultures, it also explains how conflicts can arise associated with the
27 differing practices of Christianity. Disputes have existed throughout history and persist today. These arguments span from the Protestant Reformation to modern day conflicts surrounding abortion and gay rights. This intra-Christianity dissension helps put into perspective the even greater challenge of resolving disputes amongst people of completely different religions. Such inter-faith conflicts can be orders of magnitude more complex than those between Christian sects and demands even more effort to find common ground.
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