Seeing Beauty and Saying Beautifully

Artistic expression, commitment to truth and a love of beauty in the lives of three key Christians: George Herbert, George Whitefield and C S Lewis.

"Pastors are people who do their work with words. If we don’t use words, we cannot do our ministry. Surgeons can do their work without talking to their patients. They may never even meet their patients, and yet do a totally successful work in removing the cancer.

Truck drivers can do their main work and carpenters can do their main work without using words. But pastors cannot do their work without using words.

The reason for this is that God has designed the world and the church and the human being and the process of salvation so that his ultimate aims for humanity come about through human words." - The author, John Piper.

Here are three influential Christians whose work exhibited a love for beauty and a commitment to truth. Whether discussing George Herbert's poetry, George Whitefield's preaching or C. S. Lewis's writing, the author leads us to rediscover the importance of vigorous creative effort in loving God and spreading the good news about Jesus. New facets of truth emerge as the author explores poetic eloquence and creative expression in their ministries and works.

Contents

Introduction:
‘Not with lofty speech or wisdom’:
Does the Bible warrant poetic effort?

1.‘While I use, I am with thee’:
The life and poetry of George Herbert

2.‘I will not be a velvet-mouthed preacher!’:
The life and eloquence of George Whitefield.
C. S. Lewis - Romantic, rationalist, likener, evangelist:
How Lewis’s paths to Christ shaped his life and ministry

Conclusion: