Poetry of Redemption: An Illustrated Treasury of Good Friday and Easter Poems (Leland Ryken)

Leland Ryken does it again with this wonderful meditation on Holy Week. Through carefully selected poems and images and insightful, accessible commentary, Ryken takes us on a spiritual and aesthetic journey into the agony and the ecstasy, the power and the paradox of Christ’s betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection.  — Louis Markos, Professor in English and Scholar in Residence, Houston Christian University; Author, The Myth Made Fact: Reading Greek and Roman Mythology through Christian Eyes

Leland Ryken has done it again. He is a master anthologist with an encyclopedic knowledge of devotional poetry and literature. Now he hones in on the literature of holy week. This third anthology is a rich Yuletide feast designed to contemplate and meditate on the wonders of the incarnation. — Gregory E. Reynolds, Editor, Ordained Servant: A Journal for Church Officers; Pastor Emeritus, Amoskeag Presbyterian Church, Manchester, New Hampshire

The poems, hymns, and passages in this volume do more than remind readers of Holy Week’s events: they take us there. Here we walk with the crowds toward Jerusalem, sit with the disciples near Gethsemane, stand with Mary on Calvary, and run with Peter toward the empty tomb. A slow, meditative reading of this beautiful book holds the potential to make this Holy Week feel something like the very first, when the world was covered in darkness — and then burst into light. — Scott Hubbard, Editor, Desiring God

Leland Ryken has brought back classic Christian meditation into the 21st century.  As in the beautifully illustrated “Emblem Books” from the early days of the printing press and the spiritual journals of the Puritans, he helps us meditate deeply on God’s Word by engaging our imagination, our understanding, and our will.    By not only putting forward these “songs and hymns and spiritual songs” but guiding us through them, Prof. Ryken leads us into profound devotion on the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. — Gene Edward Veith, Emeritus Professor of Literature, Patrick Henry College

This is a beautiful and powerful volume whose blessings are manifold.  To read it is to be instructed by a master whose teachings are wise, pastoral, and accessible. — David V. Urban, Ph.D. Professor of English Calvin University