Writing Poetry with Biblical Themes

By Debbie Harris

I am a passionate Christ-centered poet.  For me and my style of writing, to write a Christ-centered poem, one must not be subtle in the use of Biblical references and Biblical images.  This is important for me since my life verse is found in Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth: to the Jew fist, and also to the Greek.

When I think of Christ centered bold poets I think of George Herbert, Christiana Rossetti, T.S. Elliot, John Wesley, John Donne, and C. S. Lewis and all the other great hymn writers of the faith. Their Christocentric and Bible-centered messages are beauty filled, but clear, and bold in their purpose of exalting, Jesus Christ King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

In order, to be a Christ-centered artist, we must boldly proclaim the message of Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords who so gloriously lives in our souls, minds, hearts, and lives.  Such a rich treasury of spiritual wealth resides within the precious golden pages of the Bible.  Inspiration can always be found in its inerrant tapestried pages of   beauty, wisdom, correction, and love.

For a poem to be Christ centered, here are several steps;

1. Pray that the Lord would open your heart, soul, mind, with eyes of faith to see what he would have you to see from the Holy Scriptures.  Don’t be afraid to utilize scripture references or images in your poetry.  Be a passionate student of the word.

2. Pray that the Lord would allow you to hear what he would have you to hear from the scripture.

3. Pray that the Lord would use and orchestrate everything in your life: circumstances, joy, pain, struggles, blessings, and the glorious answers from

the Bible to help you write a poem that would glorify our Lord and Savior.

4. As you go out everyday, notice the beauty of the Christ given creation and utilize the images that you see with your own eyes or with eyes of faith and write a poem about this beauty-filled Christ created earth.

5. Each poem should have a specific message and purpose.

6. Utilize a variety of sensory images: Tactual, taste, visual, auditory, olfactory.

7. Start a blog; see what others think about your work.

8. Join a writer’s guild

9. Read the classics.

10. Read all the poetry books in the Bible.

11. Be a student of your craft.

12.  Study a different type and form of poetry  monthly.

13.  Write, write, and write.

14.  Ask to be on blogs.

15.  Query magazines, editors, book publishers.

Have fun learning, growing, developing your own poetic voice. Pray for opportunities and always give God the glory. For poetry is a gift given by Giver of all good gifts, Jesus Christ. May we use poetry to always honor and glorify our immeasurable, beauty-filled Savior.

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Debbie Harris is a poet, counselor, performer, Bible student, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. She is the author of two poetry books, Which Church Am I? and 365 Christ Centered Contemplative Poems: Exalting Jesus Christ Name Above All Names available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles as an e-book and as a paperback .  She has been featured on various blogs.  She is  a Life Letter Café  regular contributor and has been featured in Southern Writers Magazine several times. She is a member of Redbud Writers Guild, Author’s Guild, and a member of the American Academy of Poets.  Her passion is to further the kingdom of Jesus Christ through Christian poetry.  She is also available to perform her poetry.  Please drop by and follow her on Twitter @debbieharris1 or join her on her daily blog http://dharrisdevotionals.wordpress.com   I am looking forward to connecting with you on line as I exalt the name of Jesus Christ, name above all names through Christ-centered poetry.