Afterword by Jack Komaroff

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

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.