# Faith and Doubt in Poetry

> Theme guide for Poetry by Henry van Dyke Jr..

The tension between faith and doubt is explored, often resolving in a reaffirmation of trust in God's plan, as in 'The Bargain,' 'Foundations,' and 'The Builders.'

## Where it surfaces

- [Four Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/four-things): The final line emphasizes trusting in God and Heaven securely, a core expression of faith.
- [In Memoriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/in-memoriam): The soul at strife learns to kiss the rod, moving through doubt to a higher faith.
- [Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/peace): The speaker's initial doubt and desperate cry to Heaven are resolved by an act of faith in accepting 'His will be done.'
- [Chant of the Northmen at the Thunder-Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/chant-of-the-northmen-at-the-thunder-oak): The Northmen's chant reflects a fervent pagan faith in Thor's power, seeking to appease him through sacrifice and ransom.
- [Chant of the Magi at the Fire-Altar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/chant-of-the-magi-at-the-fire-altar): The Magi express unwavering faith in Mazda, seeking cleansing from falsehood and evil, and praying for light to overcome darkness and sadness.
- [Song of a Pilgrim-Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/song-of-a-pilgrim-soul): The path is one of faith, and creeds are seen as milestones toward Truth, balancing belief with ongoing seeking.
- [To the Child Jesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/to-the-child-jesus): The poem suggests that seeing Jesus as a human child would dispel the age of doubt, restoring faith and innocence.
- [The Bargain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-bargain): The bargaining process reflects a testing of faith, culminating in the complete trust of giving the heart.
- [The Master's Voice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-master-s-voice): The narrator struggles with doubt and sin but finds comfort and courage through faith in the Master's voice.
- [Bitter-Sweet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/bitter-sweet): The bitter lesson of doubt and uncertainty is set against the sweet hope and trust in a loving providence.
- [The Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-way): The poem contrasts the certainty of following a path with the uncertainty of wandering in love, yet affirms that God will ultimately bring the loving wanderer to the goal.
- [Mercy for Armenia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/mercy-for-armenia): The poem contrasts the false faith of the Sultan's cruel mercy with the true faith that calls for compassionate action.
- [The Builders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-builders): Contrasts the fleeting nature of human works with the eternal stability of faith, urging trust in God as the true foundation.
- [Vera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/vera): Vera doubts the meaning of the world and questions the Master, but through faith she receives an answer that transcends human uncertainty.
- [Another Chance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/another-chance): The speaker acknowledges religion and creeds but criticizes half-hearted faith, vowing to live a true Christian life.
- [Ode to Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/ode-to-peace): The speaker moves from doubt and desperate striving to faith, finding peace in acceptance of God's will.
- [God of the Open Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/god-of-the-open-air): The poem contrasts the lost 'child-like love that worshipped and was sure' with the modern condition where men have 'dimmed the light of heaven with doubt' and built creeds that shut God out.
- [A Legend of Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/a-legend-of-service): Bernol and Malvin doubt the divine command with 'why?' and 'how?', while Fermor's unquestioning faith earns the crown.
- [Reliance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/reliance): The poem contrasts human weakness with divine strength, emphasizing that faith, not human merit, leads to grace.
- [For the Friends at Hurstmont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/for-the-friends-at-hurstmont): The roof of Faith is built above, and the house shall never fall despite storms.
- [The Monument of Francis Makemie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-monument-of-francis-makemie): Makemie's teaching of truth that leaves men unafraid of tyranny or death reflects steadfast faith.
- [Stars and the Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/stars-and-the-soul): The human soul feels an immortal spark and thinks God's thoughts, affirming faith in divine order.
- [Sicily, December, 1908](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/sicily-december-1908): The speaker questions whether nature is a strife of jealous powers and man a plaything of fate, but resolves with trust in God's reign.
- [The Great Cities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-great-cities): The narrator questions why God allowed man to build towns, and God's answer reaffirms divine purpose, exploring the tension between human suffering and divine wisdom.
- [The Broken Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-broken-sword): The speaker's unwavering faith in God despite defeat and abandonment.
- [The Unseen Altar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-unseen-altar): Contrasts the altars of ignorance built by those who know not God with the hidden altar of the lowly heart where true faith finds pardon.
- [The Good Teacher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-good-teacher): The speaker expresses trust in the Lord's patient teaching despite personal weakness and hard lessons.
- [The Grand Canyon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-grand-canyon): The narrator wrestles with existential doubt, questioning if the canyon is merely a product of blind forces, but ultimately reaffirms faith in a purposeful Creator.
- [Texas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/texas): Expresses faith in truth, beauty, God, and the New Democracy, while acknowledging the mystery of life and the need for trust in a sovereign will.
- [Peace-Hymn of the Republic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/peace-hymn-of-the-republic): Expresses faith in God's providence and the hope for righteous governance.
- [Three Prayers for Sleep and Waking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/three-prayers-for-sleep-and-waking): The prayers express trust in divine care during vulnerable times of sleep and uncertainty.
- [How Spring Comes to Shasta Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/how-spring-comes-to-shasta-jim): The speaker acknowledges 'Someone' who made the natural facts of spring, suggesting a quiet, grounded faith in a Creator, while dismissing 'red gods' and 'Pan' as false.
- [A Ballad of Santa Claus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/a-ballad-of-santa-claus): St. Nicholas's steadfast faith is highlighted when he calms a storm through prayer, contrasting with the sailors' panic.
- [A Scrap of Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/a-scrap-of-paper): The poem invokes God's defense of the right and compares the scrap of paper to Holy Writ, grounding the resolve in faith.
- [Stand Fast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/stand-fast): The poem expresses faith in the righteousness of the cause and the unity of the British people, contrasting with the darkness of the enemy.
- [Lights Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/lights-out): The speaker expresses doubt in humanity's progress and faith in a divine intervention to end the madness.
- [Remarks About Kings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/remarks-about-kings): God's initial weariness and final silent smile suggest a divine perspective on human political folly, blending faith in a higher order with doubt about human wisdom.
- [The Bells of Malines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-bells-of-malines): The holy hymns and bell names like 'Jesu' and 'Maria' invoke faith as a source of strength in the face of war and destruction.
- [Come Back Again, Jeanne d’Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/come-back-again-jeanne-d-arc): The contrast between the people's lack of faith and Jeanne's unwavering trust in God.
- [Righteous Wrath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/righteous-wrath): Invokes divine cleansing indignation and a moral struggle against those who hate the Lord.
- [The Signs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-signs): Each sign is interpreted as a divine lesson, reinforcing faith in a purposeful universe.
- [Easter Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/easter-road): The speaker affirms faith in Christ's victory over death and darkness, even amid the terror of war.
- [Voyagers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/voyagers): Despite unknown tides, fogs, and storms, the voyagers affirm trust in God, overcoming doubt with faith.
- [The Burning Bush](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-burning-bush): The prayer expresses trust in God despite human formation from dust, and asks for the grace to see the living flame, reflecting a movement from doubt to faith.
- [Children in the Market-Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/children-in-the-market-place): The chapter emphasizes faith as a sword and hope as a star, contrasting childish weariness with steadfast belief.
- [Jesus Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/jesus-return): References to 'doubt and conflict' and 'lamps that dimly burn' highlight the struggle between faith and uncertainty.
- [Foundations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/foundations): The hymn contrasts human confusion and ancient error with the steadfastness of God, Christ, and Truth, urging confidence in divine permanence.
- [Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/victoria): The call to be 'Knights of the Holy Ghost' reflects a steadfast faith in divine triumph.
- [Who Follow the Flag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/who-follow-the-flag): Contrasts firm faith in God and trust in humanity with the doubt raised by social injustices like child labor.
- [Christ Our Comrade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/christ-our-comrade): The poem expresses unwavering faith in Christ as guide and redeemer, pledging to trust and follow Him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/themes/faith_and_doubt
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/themes