An Evening with Malcolm Guite: Creative Thinking

A poet and priest, Malcolm was Chaplain of Girton College, University of Cambridge, for 20 years and is a popular lecturer throughout England and North America on theology and literature. He has published several books of poetry; a particular favorite of ours is David’s Crown, a poetic response to the Psalms. Malcolm’s masterful poetry, whether performed live or written, communicates from the “baptized imagination,” a phrase he borrows from one of his role models, C.S. Lewis. Described as an “enchanter of words and readers,” Guite’s way of expressing his faith and life has made him a popular communicator who has revived the medium of poetry for many audiences. He describes his work as a “full-time poet at the service of the church, trying to sing the Christian song into the world, make it attractive to the world, and draw people in.” [00:00] - Opening & Welcoming: An introduction to Malcolm Guite and a reflection on how C.S. Lewis championed the role of the Christian imagination. [03:01] - The True Source of Human Creativity: Malcolm reflects on the word "creative," distinguishing human derivative artistry from God’s unique ability to create ex nihilo (out of nothing). [06:03] - Harmony in the Cosmos [08:11] - The Long Conversation: Overcoming the Fear of the Empty Page [12:12] - Entering the Dance of the Trinity [14:59] - Poetry Reading: "Trinity Sunday" Malcolm reads his original sonnet reflecting on Genesis, John's Gospel, and how the Triune God makes us for His glory. [17:15] - The Story of Thomas Clarkson and the Divine Idea A powerful story from the anti-slavery movement showing how Samuel Taylor Coleridge restored a broken abolitionist's faith. [21:10] - Poetry Reading: "O Sapientia" (Oh Wisdom) A reading of the first Advent anaphora sonnet, highlighting our dependency on a God who speaks us into being. [22:52] - Writing Towards the Last Line: A Son’s Form and the Resurrection Reflecting on a dying friend's perspective that life is like a sonnet where you must faithfully write towards the ultimate last line. [24:52] - Poetry Reading: "O Oriens" (Oh Morning Star) [25:59] - Reading the Universe as a Divine Poem [29:07] - When the Poet Steps Inside the Poem [31:12] - Jostling the Soil of the Imagination A reflection on the Parable of the Sower, highlighting art's true purpose: preparing the ground for the Word of God. [32:15] - Poetry Reading: "The Parable of the Sower" [34:14] - Living "As If": The True Invitation to Kingdom Imagination A deep look into the Sermon on the Mount and how living "as if" is a radical, grace-filled call to imagine and embody Heaven. [34:43] - Poetry Reading: "As If" A reading of the sonnet built upon Matthew 5:42, processing the human struggle and freedom of unconditional kingdom giving. [37:00] - Unconditional Grace vs. Conditional Love (Rudyard Kipling's "If") A closing contrast between the legalistic, performance-driven world of Kipling's famous poem and the liberating true Gospel of Jesus. _______________ The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith. To find more resources like these, follow us: Website: https://thevillagechapel.com YouTube:    / @thevillagechapel   Instagram:   / tvcnashville   Facebook:   / tvcnashville   X:   / tvcnashville   To support the ongoing mission of The Village Chapel go to https://thevillagechapel.com/give/. If you are a regular giver, thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity!