Poets At War Ep. 233: Why did Calvinists Abandon Art?

In this episode of "Poets At War," Joshua embarks on a solo research journey to answer a pressing question: Where did all the Calvinist poets go? Why did a theological tradition that once produced giants like John Milton seem to retreat from the high arts and poetry?

Join us as we search for the last significant movement of "near-Calvinist" poets. Our investigation leads us to the fascinating story of the Fugitive Poets and Southern Agrarians of the 1920s and '30s. We'll read and analyze works by key figure Robert Penn Warren and explore the literary theory he co-founded, "New Criticism" — including a powerful, AI-generated explanation of it from the perspective of J.R.R. Tolkien.

The investigation deepens as we ask why this cultural shift happened. We explore critical concepts such as:

The Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy and the "Great Reversal."
The creation of a separate Christian subculture focused on utility over beauty.
The clash between a theological identity (in Christ) and modern, identity-based art forms.
Finally, we challenge the AI's initial conclusions, arguing that core Reformed theology (grounded in Creation, the Incarnation, and Common Grace) is profoundly pro-art. The conversation culminates in a strategic blueprint for how the church and its artists can work to widen this artistic application and re-engage the culture today.

Topics covered in this episode:

Calvinist Poetry & Reformed Theology
The Fugitive Poets & Southern Agrarians
Robert Penn Warren, John Crowe Ransom, Alan Tate
New Criticism & Literary Theory
J.R.R. Tolkien's view on art and sub-creation
The Great Reversal & Christian Fundamentalism
Abraham Kuyper, Francis Schaeffer, and Common Grace
The future of Art, Culture, and the Church
This is a deep dive into history, theology, and the future of Christian art.