The Soul In Paraphrase

Have you ever been in a spiritual funk? Everyone knows exactly what I am referring to - the coldness of the affections, the lack of interest in heavenly truths, the inertia that invades every thought and meditation of our heart. The soul experiences seasons of summer and winter, but winter can feel too long. How can we reignite the fires of affection in our hearts? Christians of ages past had a simple solution - read highly devotional material. Herein lies the beauty of Leland Ryken’s collection called The Soul in Paraphrase.

Leland Ryken has done the Church a great service by collecting a range of poems from all ages. Some of these poems are from explicitly Christian authors while others focus on Christian themes. Ryken’s “Greatest Hits Album” features John Milton, William Shakespeare, George Herbert, William Blake, Christina Rossetti, and more.

But there are some objections, aren’t there? “I don’t understand it!” “I don’t get the point.” Let me briefly address these three objects in turn. Ryken well understands the first objection; therefore, he provides a solution. Each poem is followed by two sections: “Notes on Selected Words” and a brief commentary. Ryken writes for those whose poetry knowledge goes no further than “Roses are red, violets are blue.” In each commentary, Ryken moves through each line of the poem, explaining both the structure and significance of each section.

What about the second objection? Ryken anticipates this objection by providing a devotional element in each commentary section. However, there is a far more practical response to this objection. Tell me, what sounds better - God is faithful, or God calls out each star by name and not one of them is missing? The first statement is logical and accurate, but the second statement utilizes the figurative language of poetry to stretch our understanding of God’s faithfulness in ways that logical language cannot grasp. The psalms and prophets employ poetic language because human speech buckles under the weight of God’s majesty. Even more so, the periods of church history most ripe with poetry were those most theologically affluent. Deep theological thoughts led to swatches of poetry, hymns, and the like. As our minds are lifted up to heaven, poetry flows from our hearts.

I ask you - how is your devotional life? Are you spiritually “on fire?” How would it benefit from drinking deeply from the outpouring of past generations? This collection of poems provides new words to the same feelings, new fuel to the same flames, new worship to the same God.