The Art of Writing Christian Poetry

John Marinelli

• Publisher: Independent Author
• Year: 2020
• eBook ISBN: 9781087855929
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Poetry
• Index: Literature

The Art ofWriting Christian Poetry

This book is a “how-to” introduction to the art of writing Christian poetry. It is for new poets that seek guidance and experienced poets that are confused or caught in writer’s block.

The author will discuss the Christian Poetic Expression, its origin and value in modern society. He will also distinguish between secular and Christian poetry; anointing opposed to inspiration and elements of a good poem.

Categories will be exampled and samples of the author’s own poems used to show construction and value. Plus tips on marketing and how to use poetry in witnessing and church ministries.

The author’s expertise comes from being the President & Founder of The Fellowship of Christian Poets for more than 10-years, successful marketing and display and active use of poetry in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

For more details visit the author’s website at

www.christianliferesourcecenter.org

Chapter One

The Christian
Poetic Expression

Inspirational poetry goes back to before the Old Testament prophets. In fact, according to Holman’s Bible Dictionary, one third of the Old Testament is cast in poetry. Thirty-five Old Testament books contain poetic expressions that often include prophetic overtones.

From Genesis 2:23 through Zechariah 9-11:3, words of encouragement and religious instruction are evident. In some cases, as in most of the book of Isaiah, even future events are presented in poetry.

Prophecy and poetry have been teammates through the centuries. Their voices cry out to a lost and dying world. They speak to a troubled church. Both declare the majesty and glory of God.

It was the 1st century Christians, however, that led the way for modern Christian poetry. Their relationship with Jesus inspired their writings as they focused their attention on being in harmony with God. The result was an in-filling of love, joy, peace, compassion, and a host of other deep emotions that gave evidence of their love for God and their faith in Jesus Christ. Out of this inspiration came a poetic expression that we now call Christian.

This uniquely Christian expression was and still is characterized by three separate and distinct factors: Co-Authorship, Christian Focus, and Spiritual Unity. These are the building blocks of good Christian poetry.

Co-Authorship is the trademark of all Christian poetry. The inspiration comes from the same Holy Spirit that moved upon the prophets of old. However, this time, it’s from an indwelling presence rather than an overshadowing anointing that fell only to depart again. The inspiration is from God and the style is from the poet. Together they form the content of the poetic expression.

Christian Focus: The focus of all Christian poetry is on the Christian experience through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The poet’s inspiration is more personal in nature than even traditional secular sources. Instead of the beauty of a tree, it is the glory of the one that created the tree that inspires the poet.

Spiritual Unity is a two-fold process that involves both redemption and restoration. Both are central to the overall message. Both validate the inspiration as truly being from God.

This unique partnership in poetry quickly spread into the main stream of the Christian experience. Suddenly and without warning, Jewish and Gentile Christians began to express their most intimate and personal experiences with God through poetry. Slowly but surely, a “Christian Poetic Expression” emerged outside of its Hebrew origins into the entire Christian world.

As the “Christian Poetic Expression” became evident in all ethnic groups, its pulse was felt in poems of praise, prayer, prophecy, and thanksgiving. Its voice was heard through poems that edified, declared, revealed, and encouraged.

Christian poetry quickly became therapeutic in nature. It calmed the troubled soul; it strengthened weary hearts and fostered faith. It offered comfort, blessings, guidance, encouragement, instruction, and even a gentle rebuke.

Many of today’s Christian poets have their own Internet website and use computers as an every day tool to compose, edit and log their work. They come from all nationalities, all denominations, all walks of life, all ethnic backgrounds, and all age groups. Their poetry is an expression of the times in which they live. They author poems on anti-abortion, human rights, as well as, love, praise, faith and the other relational aspects of their Christian walk.

Today’s Christian poets share their gifting as a ministry of love. Their ministries include; comfort to the elderly, sending poetic letters of protest to local newspapers, penning poetic tracts for the lost and greeting cards for various holidays. Some even design giant poster poems for public display.

The “Christian Poetic Expression” is very alive and well in today’s world. It has survived the trials and tribulations of over 2,000 years and will continue until Jesus returns. Its future lies in the hands of countless thousands of Christians who seek and enjoy Divine Inspiration. Its value is as good as the poet’s relationship with Jesus.

For The Joy Set Before Me
——————

I could have lived forever,

As a simple mortal man.

I could have called 10,000 angels,

To help me to stand.

But I laid down my life

Despising the shame.

For the joy set before me,

Was your life to gain.

 

I could have stayed in heaven,

As the supreme ruler of all things.

I could have played among the stars,.

And listened for the flutter of angel’s wings.

But I laid down my life,

Despising the shame.

For the joy set before me,

Was to know you by name.

 

I could have sent my armies,

To rid the world of sin.

I could have destroyed the earth,

As I did way back then.

But I bore the suffering of the cross,

Despising the shame.

For the joy set before me,

Was to take away your pain.

 

I could have done a lot of things,

To make this world right.

Or I could have done nothing,

And ignored your plight.

But God so loved the world,

That I endured the shame.

For the joy set before me,

Was your love to gain.

Chapter Two

What Is Christian Poetry?

Let’s first look at what Christian poetry is not.

1. It is not just poetry that was written by a Christian.
2. It is not the reflections of your personality or imaginations.
3. It is not humanistic, religious, political or secular.
4. It is not a forum or pedestal for the expression of “self.”
5. It is not a quest into the painful past.

Most poetry in the world today is what we would call “secular” poetry, which is to mean, “non-Christian.” I have a book published for children that is not Christian poetry and many poems about life that are not characterized as Christian.

Christian poetry has one key distinction that sets it apart from all other poetry. This distinction is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Secular, religious, political and other poetry does not have this distinction. It is only given to Christian poets. I do not mean to say that other poems are not funny, good, or less in their expressions than anointed poems. I do mean to say that an anointed poem stands out and identifies itself as definitely Christian.

The anointing brings certain qualities to a poem. They include: The glory to God; attention to the name of Jesus; a ministerial message of hope and encouragement; the presence of God upon the reader. When a poem is anointed, the Holy Spirit breathes upon it. His Divine revelation is hidden within the words and imagery. It is always redemptive in nature.

Other characteristics include:

1. Up-lifting therapeutic messages that cleanse the soul and set the spirit free.
2. A symphony of thought that clearly reveals a co-authorship between God and man.
3. Praise and adoration towards Jesus for all that He has done.
4. Various styles of expression that are uniquely Christian such as: prophecy, prayer, biblical doctrines, praise, thanksgiving, etc.
5. A road map that leads the reader to a haven of rest where he or she is set free and edified.

Writing Christian poetry is a gift from God. I can’t tell you how m...

Table of contents

• Title
• Copyright
• Acknowledgements
• ABout tHe AutHor
• Contents
• Gallery of Poems
• Introduction
• Chapter One The Christian Poetic Expression
• Chapter Two What Is Christian Poetry?
• Chapter Three Types of Christian Poetry
• Chapter Four Profile of A Christian Poet
• Chapter Five Recognition, Self-Worth And Poetry
• Chapter Six Poetry, The Language of Love
• Chapter Seven Divine Inspiration
• Chapter Eight Poetry And Holy Spirit Conviction
• Chapter Nine Poetry In Motion
• Chapter Ten Biblical Concepts And Poetry
• Chapter Eleven Writing Story Poems
• Chapter Twelve Building A Better Poem
• Chapter Thirteen Are You Mocking God?
• Chapter Fourteen Profitable Poetry
• Chapter Fifteen Witnessing Through Poetry
• Chapter Sixteen Getting Published
• Chapter Seventeen Good Poetry A “How To” Review
• Chapter Eighteen Walking Through The Titles
• Chapter Nineteen Questions And Answers
• Chapter Twenty Resting In The Lord
• Conclusion
• Poetic Jargon