Malcolm Guite

Now in its tenth year, Reflections for Daily Prayer is a highly valued daily Bible companion based on the Common Worship Lectionary. Each day, Monday to Saturday, some of the very best writers from across the Anglican tradition offer insightful, informed and inspiring reflections on one of the day’s readings for Morning Prayer. Their reflections will appeal to anyone who values both the companionship of daily Bible notes and the structure of the Lectionary. For every day (excluding Sundays) of the 2017/18 church year, there are full references and a quotation from the day’s set of Scripture readings, a concise but challenging commentary on the readings and a collect. In addition, the book includes a simple order for morning and night prayer, an introduction to the practice of daily prayer by Bishop John Pritchard and a guide to reading the Bible reflectively by Bishop Stephen Cottrell.

Reflections on the Psalms provides insightful commentary on each of the Psalms from the same experienced team of writers that have made Reflections for Daily Prayer so popular. It offers inspiring and undated reflections on all 150 psalms, with longer psalms split into parts in accordance with the Lectionary. Each reflection is accompanied by its corresponding Psalm refrain and prayer from the Common Worship Psalter, making this a valuable resource for personal or devotional use. Specially written introductions by Paula Gooder and Steven Croft explore the Psalms and the Bible and the Psalms in the life of the Church.

In this second book of Malcolm Guite's acclaimed Merlin's Isle: An Arthuriad, travel back to craggy Tintagel to discover how it all began. Raised by Sir Ector and tutored by the wizard Merlin, young Arthur must grow into his destiny as the foretold king. He will need the aid of the perilous elves, wisdom beyond his years, and a host of virtuous knights to weather the storms to come. Acclaimed poet Malcolm Guite's masterwork, a lifetime in the making Illustrated by award-winning artist Stephen Crotts Foreword by writer and mythographer Martin Shaw More than 25 full-page illustrations Color interior with unique illuminated capitals Clothbound hardcover with dust jacket Accessible for all ages A true, new epic of English Literature In Guite's follow-up to Galahad and the Grail, the poet loses none of his mastery of the tale-in fact, he's only just gotten started. And even while exploring well-trodden paths of the Arthurian legend, he mines his sources for fresh insight and uncovers deep corners of lore that have lain dormant for a century or more. Add to this Guite's natural facility with the form and his allusions and nods to poets and storytellers past, and the reader is left with nothing less than a royal feast of story and song. Merlin's Isle: An Arthuriad is an epic ballad cycle in four volumes: Galahad and the Grail (Spring 2026) The Coming of Arthur (Fall 2026) Knights of the Round Table (Fall 2027) The Passing of Arthur (Spring 2028)

For many, the tales of Arthur and his knights are the stuff of bedtime stories or children's cartoons. But the origin of these tales goes back more than a thousand years, part of a Europe-wide storytelling tradition. In the past century, much of the Christian bedrock of these stories has been stripped away, losing their foundational themes, deeper character motivations, and the potency of the tales themselves. Now, bestselling poet Malcolm Guite re-enchants the legend of King Arthur for a new generation, restoring its original power and mystery in a sweeping four-volume series that blends myth, theology, and lyric mastery. Drawing on a lifetime of poetic craft and spiritual reflection, he offers a rich, immersive journey through Britain’s mythic and moral landscape. In this first volume, Galahad and the Grail, we join the prophesied youth Sir Galahad as he sets out from Camelot to achieve the Holy Grail. This tale of adventure in ballad form plumbs the depths of the human soul, carries readers through the Wasteland, and sets us upon the numinous shores of Faerie in all its mystery and meaning. This is not an epic poem destined to be sequestered in the halls of academia, but a tale to be read by young and old alike, to be read aloud among friends, to be read and cherished for generations to come. Published in a beautiful hardback edition with woodcut illustrations by Stephen Crotts, this is a book to treasure and delight in. Take up the tale with us on March 23, 2026.

"An astonishing achievement. . ." -- Susanna Clarke, author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and Piranesi "Vigorous and fresh. . . whets the appetite for much more." -- Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury In this first volume of Merlin's Isle, join the prophesied youth, Sir Galahad, and the other knights of the quest as they set out from Camelot to achieve the Holy Grail. The accomplishment of their goal will not only heal the wounded Fisher-King, but will bring about the long hoped-for healing of the land itself. Acclaimed poet Malcolm Guite's masterwork, a lifetime in the makingIllustrated by award-winning artist Stephen CrottsForeword by Hugo Award-winning author Susanna ClarkeMore than 25 full-page illustrationsColor interior with unique illuminated capitalsClothbound hardcover with dust jacketAccessible for all agesA true, new epic of English Literature Here at the height of his poetic power, Malcolm Guite delivers a tale of adventure in ballad form that plumbs the depths of the human soul, carries readers through the Wasteland, and sets them upon the numinous shores of Faerie in all its mystery and meaning. Guite follows in the epic footsteps of Spenser, Milton, Dante, and Tennyson, yet this is not poetry destined solely for the halls of academia--it's a story to be enjoyed by young and old alike, a story to be read aloud among friends and family, a story to be cherished for generations to come. Merlin's Isle: An Arthuriad is an epic ballad cycle in four volumes: Galahad and the Grail (Spring 2026) The Coming of Arthur (Fall 2026) Knights of the Round Table (Summer 2027) The Passing of Arthur (Spring 2028)

Journey through Lent with the insight and imagination of the Oxford Inklings - a group of writers who reshaped Christian thought and storytelling in the twentieth century. Drawing on the work of some of the Inklings’ most well-known members, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as friends of the Inklings such as Dorothy Sayers and T.S. Eliot, Wardrobes and Rings explores through their eyes a faith which is tinged with seriousness, creativity and joy. This devotional draws on their writings - fiction, poetry, and essays - offering daily readings and reflections that illuminate the path to the cross and resurrection. Weekly themes such as temptation, time, nature and creativity guide the way. Written by Julia Golding, Malcolm Guite and Simon Horobin: a novelist, a poet-priest, and an Oxford professor all deeply immersed in the Inklings’ world and wisdom, Wardrobes and Rings invites you to rediscover Lent through the lens of imagination-infused faith.

In an age of health care and wellness industries and near-religious pursuit of fitness and self-optimization, what does “health” mean for the chronically ill? For people with disabilities or mental health challenges or neurodiversity? For the aging and dying? This issue asks what it means to live well despite the limitations and frailties of our bodies, and what, beyond the scope of medicine, is needed for our flourishing. On this theme: Aberdeen Livingstone learns when to battle, and when to accept, chronic illness. Malcolm Guite defends the responsible use of pipe and pint. David Zahl calls out the wellness industry’s false promise of optimization. Abraham Nussbaum learns the limits of psychotherapy from his first patient. Cristiano Dennani photographs survivors of the Bhopal chemical spill in India. Heather M. Surls visits a tuberculosis hospital in Mafraq, Jordan. Brewer Eberly considers direct primary care, an attempt to reset the doctor-patient relationship. Devan Stahl considers what the wounds of the resurrected Christ mean for people with disabled bodies. Sam Tomlin wishes church and school weren’t such hurdles for children with autism. James Mumford finds the twelve steps of AA work when other approaches to addiction fail. Other articles in this issue: Jessica T. Miskelly, monitoring ocean currents on an icebreaker off Antarctica, feels the planet breathe. Kelsey Osgood visits a Jewish-Christian-Muslim interfaith center after October 7. Terence Sweeney profiles a repentant slaveholder, Bartolomé de las Casas. Plus: new poems by A. E. Stallings, short fiction by Narine Abgaryan, book reviews, and more. Plough Quarterly features stories, ideas, and culture for people eager to apply their faith to the challenges we face. Each issue includes in-depth articles, interviews, poetry, book reviews, and art.

An Artist's Look at Theology, Art, and Philosophy Dear Tom, Thanks for writing again--and for this unusually philosophical response to my letter In response: my theology of art is my theology. Period. I think of God as the Artist and all human artists as eternal apprentices. Consequently, all my thinking about God involves the centrality of beauty and the act of making. As I've said many times, we were made by a Maker to be makers. . . .Bruce In a series of fictional letters, respected artist and educator Bruce Herman passes on wisdom to a younger generation. He explores a wide array of practical, philosophical, and theological issues, such as: What is art versus craft? What is good art?What is the calling of an artist? Of a Christian artist?What do you do when you're stuck in your creative process?How should Christians relate to the contemporary art scene?What is beauty, and how is it relevant in our world?Full of personal stories and behind-the-scene looks at Herman's own artistic process, Makers by Nature also features full-color artwork by Herman and several of his former students. Artists and art lovers will find insight, wonder, and encouragement to consider the Maker's invitation to creativity, however it takes shape.

Poetry has always been a central element of Christian spirituality and is used in worship, in pastoral services and guided meditation. In Sounding the Seasons, Cambridge poet and priest Malcolm Guite transforms lectionary readings into lucid, inspiring poems, for use in regular worship, seasonal services, meditative reading or on retreat. This second edition includes further sonnets for the Christian year written since the original edition, including a sequence of 19 sonnets on the resurrection appearances recorded in scripture. Immediate, striking, simple yet profound, Malcolm Guite’s poetry resonates deeply and widely across the churches of all traditions throughout the English speaking world.

Reflections for Daily Prayer continues to be one of the most popular and highly valued daily Bible reading companions. Continuing its tradition of excellence, regular favourites and new contributors offer insightful, informed and inspiring reflections on the scripture readings of the day, based on the Common Worship lectionary for Morning Prayer. David Ford is the guest contributor for Holy Week. New voices this year include Gregory Cameron, the Bishop of St Asaph and author of the popular An Advent Book of Days and An Easter Book of Days; Chine MacDonald, author, broadcaster and Director of the religious think tank Theos; and Emma Parker, Deputy Warden of Cranmer Hall, Durham. For every day (excluding Sundays) of the 2024-25 church year, there are full references and a quotation from the day’s set of Scripture readings, concise and challenging commentary, and a collect. Also included is a simple order for Morning and Night Prayer, and additional helps for nurturing a habit of regular daily prayer.

The New Testament gospel writers record nineteen resurrection appearances, from the first encounter with Mary Magdalene on Easter morning to Paul’s life-changing experience on the Damascus road. Stations of the Resurrection offers reflections on each of these episodes from the bestselling poet Malcolm Guite and the much admired writer and bishop, Guli Francis-Dehqani, accompanied by colour illustrations from the priest-artist Iain McKillop. Bishop Guli draws on her first hand knowledge of Middle Eastern culture to explore these stories and Malcolm Guite offers a sonnet in response to each of them – many published here for the first time - with reflections on the texts that inspired them. This imaginative and inspirational resource also includes the complete Stations of the Resurrection liturgies from Common Worship Times and Seasons that commemorate each of the nineteen events, allowing the book to be used for both personal devotional use and liturgical celebration.

The back page column of the Church Times, famously occupied for many years by Ronald Blythe, continues to be a breath of fresh air in the hands of poet and priest Malcolm Guite. His acute observations of the local, the everyday, moments of conversation and life’s simple pleasures are doorways into a bigger reality of a world suffused with the meaning and beauty that lies beneath surface appearances. His lucid, perceptive and imaginative musings follow a similar pattern to the sonnets for which he is so renowned. In his own words, he treats these 500 word essays ‘a little in the spirit of the sonnet, with a sense of development, of a ‘turn’ or volta part way through, and a sense that the end revisits and re-reads the opening’. These draw together everyday events and encounters, landscape, journeys, poetry, stories, memory and a sense of the sacred, and fuses them to create richly satisfying portraits of the familiar that at the same time opens the way to an enchanted world.

Reflections for Daily Prayer continues to be one of the most popular and highly valued daily Bible reading companions. Continuing its tradition of excellence, regular favourites and new contributors offer insightful, informed and inspiring reflections on the scripture readings of the day, based on the Common Worship lectionary for Morning Prayer. Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, is the guest contributor for Holy Week. New voices this year include Gregory Cameron, the Bishop of St Asaph and author of the popular An Advent Book of Days and An Easter Book of Days; Chine MacDonald, author, broadcaster and Director of the religious think tank Theos; and Emma Parker, Deputy Warden of Cranmer Hall, Durham. For every day (excluding Sundays) of the 2023-24 church year, there are full references and a quotation from the day’s set of Scripture readings, concise and challenging commentary, and a collect. Also included is a simple order for Morning and Night Rrayer, and additional helps for nurturing a habit of regular daily prayer.

Christianity has often been suspicious of the human imagination, equating it with what is imaginary or merely made-up, while in the secular world the arts are often seen as little more than a source of entertainment. In Lifting the Veil, Malcolm Guite explores the vision from which all his writing springs – that there is a radiant reality at the heart of things which our dulled sight misses, and that the imagination is an aspect of the image of God in us that can awaken us to the presence and truth of God shimmering through all creation. He considers how Jesus appealed to the imagination in his use of stories, parables and everyday metaphors, often startling people into a fresh awareness of the kingdom of God, and explores how poets and artists such as Blake and Coleridge sought to remove the dull ‘film of familiarity’ that lies over our senses and reawaken a sense of wonder. Malcolm argues that renewing our artistic imaginations strengthens our moral and prophetic imaginations, making Lifting the Veil an inspiring manifesto for all who seek to embody the kingdom of God. Nominated for The Michael Ramsey Prize 2023.

Each year, the Holy Week and Easter double issue of the Church Times offers a wealth of seasonal reading and resources for worship and preaching. This volume, like its companion Christmas collection, draws together outstanding features from the past twenty years. It includes: * Meditations on the Stations of the Cross by the poet David Scott; * A short story set in Gethsemane by David Hart; * Timothy Radcliffe on the alternative to conflict symbolised by the Last Supper; * Sam Wells on Pilate and what he - and we - could do differently; * Richard Harries on the art of Good Friday; * Peter Stanford on Judas; * Michael Perham on why Easter celebrations should start in the dark; * Stephen Cleobury on the carols of Easter; * Mark Oakley on the poetry of the cross; * Paula Gooder on why the resurrection is central to faith; * Reflections on the season's lectionary readings, and much besides. In life Jesus had 'nowhere to lay his head' and in death was laid in a borrowed tomb. Mindful of this, all royalties from this book will go to the Church Homeless Trust.

The Word within the Words is a Poet's Credo, in which Malcom Guite sets out to show how his Christian faith informs and underpins his poetry and, in turn, how poetry itself and, more widely, the poetic imagination help him understand and interpret his faith. After a brief introduction outlining a theology of Christ as the Word, the essential logos or meaning that underlies all things made flesh for us in Jesus, there are short chapters on Scripture, liturgy, and sacrament, each understood as a kind of poetry capable of transfiguring our vision and transforming our lives. In light of these, the final section of the book reflects on the all-transforming reality of Christ and the Kingdonot only within but well beyond the bounds of the church. The theology in this book is illustrated throughout with personal stories and with poetry, both classics from the cannon and Guite's own poems. In the My Theology series, the world's leading Christian thinkers explain some of the principal tenets of their theological beliefs in concise, pocket-sized books.

My Theology: The world’s leading Christian thinkers explain some of the principal tenets of their theological beliefs. The Word within the words is a Poet’s Credo, in which Malcolm Guite describes how his Christian faith informs and underpins his poetry, and in turn how poetry itself, and more widely the poetic imagination, helps him to understand and interpret his faith. Illustrating his account with personal stories and poetry – both his own and classics from the canon – Guite explains a guiding theology of Christ as the Word, the essential logos that underlies all things, made flesh for us in Jesus. He then demonstrates how Scripture, Liturgy and Sacrament can each be understood as a poetry capable of transfiguring our vision and transforming our lives.

As well as the name of a virus, a corona is a crown, the pearly glow around the sun in certain astronomical conditions and a poetic form where interlinking lines connect a sequence. It is the perfect name therefore for this new collection of 150 poems by the bestselling poet Malcolm Guite, each one written in response to the Bible’s 150 psalms as they appear in William Coverdale’s timeless translation. The Psalms express every human emotion with disarming honesty, as anger and thankfulness alike are directed at God. All of life is here with its moments of beauty and its times of despair and shame. Like the Psalms themselves, the poems do not avoid the cursing and glorying over the downfall of your enemies, but wrestle honestly with them as we do when we come to say them.