The Christian Imagination: The Practice of Faith in Literature and Writing (Writers' Palette Book) Paperback – February 19, 2002

If you are a Christian and love literature, this is a wonderful book to spend an afternoon with. Ryken has assembled a delightful smorgasbord of short selections from C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, J. R. R. Tolkien, Frederick Buechner, and many others - all providing insight into the act of reading or writing literature from a Christian perspective. A must-have for your church or home library. (I have personally purchased multiple copies for both!)

Ryken's work offers a complete assessment of the issues Christians face in both creating and consuming art and, specifically, literature. I found myself nodding in agreement, understanding new truths, and feeling inspired and strengthened to further tackle the challenges of writing with a Christian worldview.

Beginning with a Christian philosophy of literature, this book takes you through numerous, luminous ways in which poets and writers have united truth, beauty, and the imagination to produce great works of literary art. Editor Leland Ryken selected a remarkable range of viewpoints on such topics as realism, myth, fantasy, poetry, and narratives in diverse chapters by Annie Dillard, Denise Levertov, Robert Siegel, J.R.R. Tolkien, John Ciardi, George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, and others. Although I highly recommend this book for teachers and avid readers of literature, I consider it much more - a primary text, perhaps - for Christian poets, Christian writers, and Christian editors who want their work to be effective now but also for generations yet to come.

Leland Ryken brings us a terrific collection of essays that brings us into contact with faith and literature at the crossroads.

I enjoyed this read. Definitely a light read, but it's certainly helpful in thinking about the craft of writing from a Christian perspective. I'd heartily recommend for any seminary students or PhD/ThD students especially who are considering writing as part of their vocation. We need to think more about producing beautiful writing.

Very interesting read! Great transaction!

Used for home school co-op.

Excellent book.