Roots and Fruit (An Introduction to the Christian Faith)

Can poetry help explain the Christian faith?

Roots and Fruit: An Introduction to the Christian Faith answers with a resounding yes.

In seventy-eight beautifully crafted poems, award-winning poet and professor Timothy E. G. Bartel traces the sweeping story of Scripture—from Creation and the Fall to the life of Christ and the birth of the Church—while illuminating the beliefs, practices, and hope at the heart of Christianity.

Written in elegant formal verse, these poems do more than retell familiar stories...they invite readers to slow down, wonder, and discover how the roots of the Christian faith produce the fruit of a life transformed by grace.

Whether you are exploring Christianity for the first time, returning to its central truths, or longing to see the gospel with fresh eyes, this collection offers a thoughtful and deeply rewarding journey.

Accessible enough for seekers, rich enough for lifelong believers, Roots and Fruit bridges poetry, theology, and devotion in a way few books attempt. Each poem builds upon the last, creating an introduction to the Christian faith that engages both the heart and the mind.

Perfect for readers of Christian poetry, literary essays, and reflective spiritual writing, Roots and Fruit is a book to read slowly, revisit often, and share generously. Discover the story that has shaped the world—told through the enduring beauty of poetry.