/lit/ - Literature

>>20727320
Please read Herbert.

What is the best Christian literature, other than the Bible? Whether it be theology, poetry, fiction, or what have you. I have been reading the poetry of George Herbert, a 17th century Anglican priest. He's quite clever. Here is one poem by him:

'Sepulchre'

O blessed bodie! Whither art thou thrown?
No lodging for thee, but a cold, hard stone?
So many hearts on earth, and yet not one
Receive thee?
Sure there is room within our hearts good store;
For they can lodge transgressions by the score:
Thousands of toyes dwell there, yet out of doore
They leave thee.

But that which shows them large, shows them unfit.
What ever sinne did this pure rock commit,
Which holds thee now? Who hath indited it
Of murder?
Where our hard hearts have took up stones to brain thee,
And missing this, most falsly did arraigne thee;
Onely these stones in quiet entertain thee,
And order.

And as of old, the Law by heav’nly art
Was writ in stone; so thou, which also art
The letter of the word, find’st no fit heart
To hold thee.
Yet do we still persist as we began,
And so should perish, but that nothing can,
Though it be cold, hard, foul, from loving man
Withhold thee.

was he actually a great poet?

>>15377434
>Keeping the childish notion that you’re going to have eternal life after you’re dead has proven a disaster the real world. Your fee fees have ruined us
and yet suicide rates, in the western world, in our increasingly atheist age, are skyrocketing.
Do today's Christians, of the Western world, commit senseless acts of terrorism, and invasion, in the hopes it'll lead to salvation? No! And that would be because most of the historical violence we attribute to "religion" likely would have occurred without violence anyway, historically we are a violent species that used religion as an excuse to commit atrocities - just like we also use political ideology and racial identity to do the same, and have done for millennias.
If anything, now that much of the civilized world is coming to grips with its humanity - coming to increasingly abhor violence and things of the sort - now would be a perfect time for revivalism of Christian thought. Modern Christians think the Old Testament to be nonsensical - it's the teachings of Christ that matter, which teaches us still that we are inherently valuable, forever loved by our Father - even if we feel unloved by everyone else on earth - and will forever have a higher purpose to work towards - Salvation - even if our earthly endeavours fail - and that we should love each other unconditionally. Now that international war is increasingly beginning to look like a thing of the past - and that 95% of us have no need for violence anyway - solidification of our new found humanity into divine doctrine might be what we need to become a fully content and harmonious society.
Revive Yahweh! Praise Him!

>>15241809
>Diary of a Country Priest
I don't know this one. But it makes me want to recommend The Country Parson by George Herbert (the poet), even though it's not fiction. It's more of a little handbook about life as a parish priest in 17th century England, along with various reflections on the spiritual life. If you're interested in such a thing, it has lots of great reflections and insights.

And, of course, his poetry collection The Temple is indispensable. It runs across the spectrum of spiritual and theological subjects, but most relevant to this thread are the poems where his experiences as a priest shine through: the victories, failures, frustrations. The best example I can think of right off hand is "The Collar," which starts with an irate speaker ranting about giving up the ministry and takes an interesting turn from there.

ITT: Writers who were good people

>>14264954
This man