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The Word within the Words
The Word within the Words is a Poet's Credo, in which Malcom Guite sets out to show how his Christian faith informs and underpins his poetry and, in turn, how poetry itself and, more widely, the poetic imagination help him understand and interpret his faith. After a brief introduction outlining a theology of Christ as the Word, the essential logos or meaning that underlies all things made flesh for us in Jesus, there are short chapters on Scripture, liturgy, and sacrament, each understood as a kind of poetry capable of transfiguring our vision and transforming our lives. In light of these, the final section of the book reflects on the all-transforming reality of Christ and the Kingdonot only within but well beyond the bounds of the church. The theology in this book is illustrated throughout with personal stories and with poetry, both classics from the cannon and Guite's own poems. In the My Theology series, the world's leading Christian thinkers explain some of the principal tenets of their theological beliefs in concise, pocket-sized books.Ìý
96 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 23, 2023
Delightful.
February 12, 2023
Poetry and theology, both moving me toward a deeper knowing. Reading this was for me a series of lights, moments of clarity.
July 3, 2024
So glad to have discovered this author and poet.
March 6, 2022
Guite gives a short but excellent look at how Christianity’s message is at heart poetic, and something which not only leads us to salvation, but also answers our inherent hunger for a poetic and holistic answer to our spiritual longings.
April 3, 2025
This is a brilliant little book. It doesn't get more stars because I have to read something for an hour or two at least before it can be properly memorable, and this is more like a pamphlet, it reads often literally like a collection of poems. However, there are some wonderful bits in here about churchly scripture reading, churchly song, and communion, and then again also about how Christ meets us in so much of the created world always.
Here's a quote to put up somewhere and think about (and look at how the phrases make it a little poem by itself)
this opening passage of John's gospel offers us
the encouraging and utterly transformative idea
that we ourselves are a poem
that there is a poet behind the world
who not only speaks that world into being
but speaks us into it
so that we might behold its glory
and respond ourselves with poems spoken back
to the maker
(although Guite will have none of this modernist stuff thank you very much; if it wants to be a poem in his world it will rhyme and declare itself)
Here's a quote to put up somewhere and think about (and look at how the phrases make it a little poem by itself)
this opening passage of John's gospel offers us
the encouraging and utterly transformative idea
that we ourselves are a poem
that there is a poet behind the world
who not only speaks that world into being
but speaks us into it
so that we might behold its glory
and respond ourselves with poems spoken back
to the maker
(although Guite will have none of this modernist stuff thank you very much; if it wants to be a poem in his world it will rhyme and declare itself)
June 10, 2022
I loved this book, found it refreshing, reassuring, and challenging.
Malcolm Guite explains how he came to faith, how he has come to know Christ, and how his soul is nourished by that relationship. Along the way he describes how and why mere words are empty if they are not inhabited by The Word, that is, Jesus.
If you have questions about what faith is, or why it matters -- or if you, too, are in need of refreshing -- I recommend this little book.
Malcolm Guite explains how he came to faith, how he has come to know Christ, and how his soul is nourished by that relationship. Along the way he describes how and why mere words are empty if they are not inhabited by The Word, that is, Jesus.
If you have questions about what faith is, or why it matters -- or if you, too, are in need of refreshing -- I recommend this little book.
April 29, 2023
This short book (which can be read in under an hour) is part of the "My Theology" series, and Guite is at his best here, giving his testimony, sharing his poetry, and wonderfully weaving together Scripture (the Word beneath the words), Liturgy (the Word between the words) and Sacrament (the Word transforms the world).
September 17, 2024
A must read and a read that will surely happen again. Spent an hour enjoying the poetic way with words that Malcolm solely attributes to The Word Himself. A beautiful picture and truth!
December 30, 2024
Short and sweet. Love this charming old man.
February 13, 2025
Excellent read. One that I think I would like to go back to regularly as a writer of words, thankful for THE WORD.
March 7, 2025
Really good. A helpful perspective on God and creativity.
September 8, 2023
Much to ponder. Part of me wishes it were longer. Part of me feels the brevity lends itself to the poetic heart it expresses and invites meditation. I will return to it again.
February 1, 2022
Great little book
Great little book in which Malcolm Guite relates a short version of his testimony and coming to faith through the power of poetry and imagination bodying forth the Word.
Great little book in which Malcolm Guite relates a short version of his testimony and coming to faith through the power of poetry and imagination bodying forth the Word.
April 1, 2024
A sweet, simple read. More like a booklet. But intriguing thoughts to meditate on as Guite shares some things that have shaped his faith, including poems he's written to show how integral words are to his understanding of and expression of faith.
April 12, 2023
A beautiful statement of Christian faith. I was particularly moved by his descriptions of the Eucharist. Amazing, short little book. Packs a punch with lots to consider.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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