A Treasury of Nature
Illustrated Poetry, Prose, and Praise
| Direct Price: |
$24.99
$19.00
|
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pages: |
168 |
| ISBN: |
9798887790305 |
| Publication Date |
10/30/24 |
About
A beautiful 40-day illustrated devotional of classic literature.
Calvin, Spurgeon, and Luther appear alongside Wordsworth, Twain, and Emerson in a vibrant celebration of God's creation. Ryken joins great works of poetry, hymnody, prose, and art with accessible literary analysis.
Endorsements
“John Calvin referred to nature as the theater of God’s glory. Dr. Ryken’s superb anthology offers us a front-row seat to take in nature’s artistry, beauty, and awe. Here we meet poets and pastors, hymnwriters and philosophers, all giving us better eyes to see and better ears to hear God’s glorious revelation in nature.”
—Stephen J. Nichols, President, Reformation Bible College; Chief Academic Officer, Ligonier Ministries
“Jesus spoke in parables not so that everyone would understand them but so that only those with eyes to see and ears to hear would perceive and heed their deeper message. Leland Ryken beckons us to open our eyes and ears to the beauty, wonder, and holiness of nature that we so often miss in our busy, distracted lives. He calls on us, as Wordsworth does, to come forth and bring with us a heart that watches and receives.”
—Louis Markos, Professor in English and Scholar in Residence, Houston Baptist University
“To read Treasury of Nature is to be blessed, refreshed, educated, and inspired. Ryken has judiciously chosen the selections, and his commentary is both incisive and accessible.”
—David V. Urban, Professor of English, Calvin University
“Here is treasure indeed! Leland Ryken’s Treasury of Nature lifts the reader’s soul in praise and adoration of the good Creator as well as of the beauty and truth revealed in creation. The selections reflect a comprehensive scope of literary gems throughout history, while Ryken’s well-articulated explications share wisdom gleaned from his decades of studying, teaching, and enjoying great literature. Pick up each gem and see how its facets gleam in biblical light.”
—Glenda Faye Mathes, Author; Coauthor, Recovering the Lost Art of Reading
““Nature itself is a work of art,” Dr. Ryken observes, and his latest collection combines two things that many a reader loves most—literature and nature—while pointing us to what deserves to be loved best: the Great Artist of all. Rich in language and lush in visuals, Dr. Ryken’s Treasury of Nature offers a contemplative excursion into nature as praise for the worlds within words and the God who made them. Enjoy his captivating interweaving of art, literature, and praise outside in the sweet-smelling grass while soaking up sun and birdsong amidst the trees or inside on a grey day sipping a cuppa to the soothing music of the rain. Dr. Ryken, always our trusted guide in faith and literature, takes us on an informative and meditative travelogue of verbal artistry and literary craftsmanship, a reading experience resounding throughout with the reminder “Blessed indeed is he whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them.””
—Carolyn Weber, Professor, New College Franklin; Author, Surprised by Oxford
“Leland Ryken’s Treasury of Nature is a compelling exploration of the natural world through the lens of the Christian faith. He weaves together the voices of diverse writers, each offering a unique perspective on how nature reflects the transcendent. Each page is a testament to the awe and wonder the natural world inspires, revealing the sacred in the ordinary and the extraordinary alike. Ryken selects a wide range of authors and does a superb job of identifying their redemptive themes in his brief essays.”
—James C. Wilhoit, Professor of Christian Education Emeritus, Wheaton College
“Who knew that Luther, Calvin, and the Puritans had such an appreciation for the beauties of nature? Or that so many classic nature writings are also Christian writings? Or that so many classic Christian writings—including Scripture itself—are also nature writings? Leland Ryken has put together not just a literary anthology but, with his perceptive comments on each selection, a treasury of devotion.”
—Gene Edward Veith, Emeritus Professor of Literature, Patrick Henry College
“Leland Ryken is a master anthologist with an encyclopedic knowledge of poetry, hymnody, and literature devoted to God’s creation. His brilliant variety of selections, along with his sagacious commentary, combined with gorgeous illustrations, make this volume a rich and deeply pleasurable learning experience.”
—Gregory E. Reynolds, Editor, Ordained Servant; Author, The Word Is Worth a Thousand Pictures
“Leland Ryken’s latest anthology makes me want to walk into the woods, book in hand, to see what I so often miss. This book will rekindle much delight in clouds and trees, birds and flowers—and the God who made them all.”
—Scott Hubbard, Managing Editor, Desiring God
The Author
Leland Ryken, author of more than fifty books on biblical and literary topics, is the literary editor of the ESV Bible and emeritus professor of English at Wheaton College in Illinois.
