Christian Classics

George Bernard Shaw once quipped that “England and America are two countries divided by a common language.” And, although we may smile at the Brits with their car “bonnets” and “boots” (our “hoods” and “trunks”), we know that there is much more that unites us than divides us. This is certainly the case when it comes to our religious beliefs. In his poem, “England, My England” the British poet W.E. Henley described England as “the chosen daughter of the Lord.” And like many of his era, he embraced the idea that England was divinely chosen to pass along the Christian faith to the world. In this class, we will examine the English roots of our Christian heritage not only through classic works of English literature such as the “Dream of the Rood,” “Dover Beach,” and “God’s Grandeur,” but also through Christian influences on Britain’s art, music, and architecture.