Christianity and Poetry

Most Christians misunderstand the relationship of poetry to their faith. They consider it an admirable but minor aspect of religious practice -- elegant verbal decoration in honor of the divine. They recognize poetry's place in worship. Congregations need hymns, and the Psalms should be recited. A few cultured believers even advocate the spiritual benefits of reading religious verse. But most Christians have a more practical and morally urgent sense of their faith. Who has time for poetry when so many important things need to be done?