When in his twenties, MacDonald had experienced a crisis of faith as he felt conflicted against the Calvinism in which he was raised. His alternate perspective of God as a loving and forgiving Father invigorated his personal faith, and led him to study for the ministry. According to critic Michael Phillips, “MacDonald continually weaves two parallel threads through his novels—that of the ‘plot,’ and that of the internal spiritual journeys of the characters.”
George MacDonald wrote prolifically across multiple genres: 31 novels of realistic fiction, 2 adult fantasy novels, 4 book-length children’s fantasy stories and several collections of short stories for children, 5 theology books, 3 books of literary essays, and 12 poetry collections.
That Holy Thing
They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes and lift them high;
Thou cam'st, a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.
O Son of Man, to right my lot
Naught but Thy presence can avail;
Yet on the road Thy wheels are not,
Nor on the sea Thy sail!
My how or when Thou wilt not heed,
But come down Thine own secret stair,
That Thou mayst answer all my need—
Yes, every bygone prayer.
*This is the third Kingdom Poets post about George MacDonald: first post, second post.
Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of six poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Poiema/Cascade), plus three anthologies — available through Wipf & Stock. His new book The Role of the Moon, inspired by the Metaphysical Poets, is now available from Paraclete Press.
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