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Christian poetry encompasses themes of the Bible, Christ’s teachings, and Christian life. Classical Christian poems were limited in form, while modern Christian poems can be any form or meter. The Book of Psalms and Song of Songs are examples of Biblical poetry. Modern Christian poetry often praises God and his works, takes the form of thanksgiving or prayer, and addresses struggles with faith.
Christian poetry includes any poetry that refers to the Bible, the teachings of Christ, and topics that have to do with the Christian life. There is generally a distinction between classical Christian and modern poetry. Classical Christian poems were more limited in their use of form, while modern Christian poems can be in any form or meter, from an English sonnet to Japanese haiku and free verse. Some recurring themes of Christian poets are praises of God and his creations, prayers for guidance or protection of loved ones, and struggles against sin.
The basis for Christian poetry was created in the Old Testament of the Bible, which is the holy book of Christians. Some of the New Testament books are about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ is believed by Christians to be the son of God, who is the creator of the universe and all in it. He is the redeemer of men’s souls, and acceptance of his salvation is the only way to heaven.
The Book of Psalms is the book of writings of the Hebrew Bible. In Hebrew it is the “book of praises”. It also became part of the canon of the Christian Bible. There are 150 psalms, 75 of which are attributed to King David of Israel. The psalms resemble religious poems and have been compared to ancient Egyptian hymns in form and style. They employ poetic devices such as meter, alliteration and rhyme. The themes of the psalms are God’s divine attributes and the soul’s desire to unite with Him in immortality.
The Song of Songs, the “Song of Songs”, is a book of the Jewish Tanakh and part of the Christian Old Testament. Contains many passages on erotic love and sensual pleasures. Early Christian commentators on the Song of Songs thought that sexuality was inherently sinful. The writings have been interpreted as allegories of Christ’s love for his church or for the souls of individual Christians.
Modern Christian poetry shares many of the themes of Biblical poetry. Much of it is about praising God and his works, just as the psalms did. Sometimes these praises are inspired by the beauty of nature or by the comfort a Christian draws from the love and salvation of Christ.
Christian poems often take the form of thanksgiving for the blessings God has bestowed upon the believer. Poetry is sometimes composed as prayers. These may be requests for guidance, protection, or forgiveness for a personal sin or wrong done to another. Some prayer poems ask God to help or protect a friend or loved one.
A particular type of modern Christian poetry addresses the individual’s struggle to fully accept God. Christian faith requires complete surrender to God’s will and the teachings of Christ. Some of what are considered to be the best poems written in English about Christianity deal with this struggle.
