Before the Foundation of the World

by Susan Weiner

Overview

Before the Foundation of the World examines the nature of good and evil in God's creation. Using poetry and song lyrics, this collection offers a celebration of joy in response to God's covenant with man. From Christmas poems to simple lullabies, the author paints a vivid picture of the incredible experience of wonder in a world of God's design. An extended exchange in Appendix I with "The Father of Lies" ("Pater Mendaciorum") and the promises of Christian faith reflects our reconciliation with God and explores the redemption of mankind in the face of radical evil. Journeying from the psychology of evil to the good news of the spirit, Before the Foundation of the World speaks to the ways of God, embodying gratitude and love as the foundation for mature Christian belief.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781947860452
Publisher:	Belle Isle Books
Publication date:	02/28/2020
Pages:	52
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.00(h) x 0.14(d)

About the Author

Susan Weiner completed her undergraduate studies in English literature in England and America. She matriculated to UCLA to study seventeenth-century English history in graduate school. Following her education in secular institutions, she found enduring Christian faith as an adult. As a writer, her love of God informed this book, dedicated to sharing the good news of the Messiah and examining the nature of good and evil in the world. Susan lives in Maryland, next to a farm. She spends time in her study, overlooking a herd of deer grazing in the fields. You may see more of her work or contact her at www.susanweinerbooks.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Intensely personal and authentic, Susan Weiner's poems within Before the Foundation of the World are a work of gratitude, faith, and love. A labor of devotion and unwavering belief, the poetry in this collection evokes vivid imagery in beautifully illustrated pages that finely compliment the spiritual style of the poems.
The majority of the poems are divided into two categories. They are a. apocalyptic (God being revealed to talk to Man), and b. devotional (Man speaks to God). The effort that's been put to present the grandeur of the Divine and to create hymns of gratitude fit for God is apparent.
Additionally, some of the poems in this anthology are made for those who are going through dark times and want a source of pious courage to help them through situations that feel excruciating. Poems like 'Be Not Far Away' and 'Armageddon' are reminders that even the fear of death is possible to overcome through faith, while poems like 'Joseph in Egypt' are reminders of unconditional divine love through loneliness and rejection.
Most of the poems have end rhyme schemes, with Weiner using sonnets and couplets to craft the speaker's unconditional love and devotion to God. The poetry in this will be appreciated by any religious lovers of poetry, history, and Christian symbolism, as the poems are filled with religious symbols, historical references, and evangelical parables, while at the same time being accessible and easily understood.
Before the Foundation of the World is highly recommended for poetry lovers seeking a deeper spiritual connection through both spiritual and intelligent poetry."

--Literary Titan

"Before the Foundation of the World is poetry of the highest sort. It is a wonderful fusion of artistry and truth. It takes the reader to places where prose cannot go, into the mystery of the spirit where good and evil reside. Susan Weiner has created an enduring Christian testament that speaks to both believer and unbeliever. It is a triumph for her. I feel myself drawn back into her poetry again and again."

--Curtis J. Young, senior pastor, Church of the Atonement, Silver Spring, MD

"Poetry challenges us to see things in a different way. Susan Weiner's lovely poems lead us to meditate on God's love and greatness, His Son's birth and ultimate sacrifice, and of His mysterious workings in our lives and in the world around us. In these verses, biblical events come alive, urging us to see the stars and the stable, hear the thunder of the stormy seas, feel the sand beneath our feet, smell the spices, taste the honey--and marvel at what God has done for us."

--Anne Morse, author (with Charles Colson) of Burden of Truth and (with Congressman Frank R. Wolf ) of Prisoner of Conscience

"Like fine cuisine, Susan Weiner's Before the Foundation of the World is rich food for the soul not to be devoured hastily, but savored slowly and deliberately. Powerful images engage all the senses, transporting the reader back to biblical times, bringing to life the realities of good and evil and the ultimate victory God has given us in Christ. This is poetry for our time--a beautiful declaration of God's glory and His unfathomable love for His people."

--Joanne Hamilton, former president, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Women's Ministries

From the Publisher