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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Getting to the church on time..., December 12, 2003
This review is from: George Herbert: The Country Parson and the Temple (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)
George Herbert (1593-1633) has long been respected as a clergyman, poet, and spiritual master. Like many clergymen of his day, Herbert owed his position to a certain extent to his political connections - his family had some influence, and indeed, Herbert himself was probably destined for a parliamentary/political career, had another calling not seized him. He became a country parson, which was an ideal setting for Herbert, for it afforded him the time and the environment he needed to delve deeply into the human spirit, and produce works of depth and inspiration that make him an important figure in literary history. Herbert's peaceful musings come at a time when the church in England was going through a tempestuous time. Herbert's poetry and prose strikes a chord with Catholics, Anglicans high and low, and Puritans, in different ways. Herbert's personal devotion and humility shines through his writings, and his works provide material for spiritual direction to a wide range of people to this day. This volume includes two of Herbert's best known works - 'The Country Parson', a prose reflection of Herbert's own work as a pastor, which provides insight into his own spiritual work as well as a snapshot of life in the early seventeenth century, and 'The Temple', a collection of Herbert's poetry. Both works were published only after Herbert's death in 1633. The underlying sensibilities in both prose and poetry are many of the same sources of much of English literary works: the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, the works of Shakespeare, and the rapidly developing English language itself. The ever-shifting ground of political and spiritual realms, together with a rapidly changing intellectual climate, made England a dynamic place in many respects, yet Herbert's works show a permanence and a synthesis of concepts that is almost mystifying when one considers the background. The Paulist Press volume includes a good preface setting the context by Arthur Macdonald Allchin, a residentiary canon of Canterbury Cathedral, and an interesting introduction of historical and literary detail by John Wall, Jr., at the time of writing a professor of English. The book is well indexed, and has a good, useful bibliography. Herbert's work is indispensable for any one looking for a deeper spirituality, particularly within the context of a church community. For those with a suspicion or disdain for church, reading the struggles and honesty of a country parson is worthwhile. This particular volume is a good one for study and reflection.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Devotional Poetry, April 6, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: George Herbert: The Country Parson and the Temple (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)
Herbert is one of the best devotional poet of all time. The footnotes are excellent. Buy this book if you enjoy contemplative literature.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Religious Poetry + Godly Advice for Pastors, September 7, 2010
This review is from: George Herbert: The Country Parson and the Temple (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)
George Herbert's poetry is, to my ears, some of the best religious poetry ever written. I studied a lot of poetry in grad school, but Herbert remains at the very top of my own personal literary canon. In Herbert, the best of godly devotion and exquisite craftsmanship are married, and that is a rare thing.
This Paulist Press edition of the works of George Herbert includes Herbert's 2 major works: "The Temple" and "A Priest to the Temple." "The Temple" includes Herbert's beautiful church poetry. Although English metaphysical poetry may not be to everyone's taste, and it will be difficult for many modern readers, it's perfectly suited to mine. I love the whimsical word play and the delight in the English language that Herbert manifests. The form matches the matter, and it always seems as if the poems end when they should on a note of satisfaction and having said just what one wanted to say. Most important of all, Herbert's poetry assists me in my praise of and devotion to my Lord.
One of the most excellent aspects of Herbert's poetry is that it is not merely the individual meditations of a solitary Christian but is intimately connected to the life of Christ by being connected to His Bride, the Church. The structure of Herbert's collection, "The Temple," is aptly named. In summary, Herbert's poetry is a delight to my ears, my tongue, my mind, and my soul!
Herbert's poetry also has a very personal connection with me: I used to read it to my wife when we were courting and early in our marriage. Not only did it move her, but it also raised her estimation of me. Thank you, George Herbert!
Here is my favorite 2-line poem in the universe (from Herbert):
Ana {MARY
ARMY} gram
How well her name an Army doth present,
In whom the Lord of hosts did pitch his tent!
Herbert's "A Priest to the Temple" is subtitled: "Or The Country Parson, His Character, and Rule of Holy Life." Reading this manual on ministry gives you greater insight into where the profundity and godliness of Herbert's poetry comes from: in Herbert, the poet and priest are perfectly united. In it, Herbert addresses such subjects as "The Parson's Life," "The Parson Praying," "The Parson in His House," "The Parson in Mirth," etc. I'm using "A Priest to the Temple" in a seminary class I'm teaching on The Cure of Souls as an example for young priests to study and adapt to 21st century pastoral ministry.
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