God’s Beauteous Iconography of Grace

“In this profound reflection on divine absence and presence, Charles Bartow presses his life-long passion for a Christian theology of sound toward a faith-filled theology of sight—written with tender, tensive care for those who ‘have not seen and yet believe’ (John 20:29). These poetic gems revel in the ordinary details of a tree bent in the wind and a rabbit escaping the talon. They ache to be read aloud or, in the case of his hymn texts, sung with hopeful defiance. Bartow’s friends will recognize his characteristic joy, in spite of storm and doubt and loss. In a season when so much frays the good, he tells the truth he sees: ‘Christ Jesus bends to meet earth’s need.’”

Jerusha Matsen Neal

“Charles Bartow’s collection of ‘late life’ poetry speaks like a daily devotional. As spoken word, his work offers a window into the God of Scripture, the God of creation, and the God of his very own soul. In the poems’ brevity, the reader will be tempted to read many at a time. Perhaps one a day is better to savor the poet’s grace-filled view of the world.”

David A. Davis

“Charles Bartow, ever the teacher-preacher and ever the wordsmith, offers us a feast in this new collection of poetry. Poetry, Bartow writes, is ‘best understood as blood turned into ink.’ Here readers will find profound contemplations drawn from both the Bible and the natural world. There is much real blood-become-ink here, but not without play, whimsy, and delight—in short, a ‘beauteous iconography’—and lexicography!—of grace.”

Brent A. Strawn