The Russell Moore Show

A Poet and a Preacher: A Conversation with David Whyte


Listen Later

In this episode, theologian Russell Moore sits down with acclaimed poet and philosopher David Whyte to explore the terrain where faith meets poetry. Beginning with Whyte’s new book Consolations II, their conversation traverses the landscapes of language, spirituality, and what it means to be fully present in a fractured world.

Whyte, whose work bridges the philosophical traditions of the East and West with the everyday struggles of being human, offers profound insights on why poetry serves as more than mere decoration—it becomes essential language for our deepest experiences. Moore—bringing his biblical, theological perspective—and Whyte dialogue about the “conversational nature of reality” that Whyte proposes and discuss how it resonates with and challenges Christian understandings of communion with God.

Their discussion moves through territories both intimate and universal:

  • The ways poetry gives language to experiences that resist explanation
  • The nature of courage as vulnerability rather than bravado
  • Navigating anxiety in a world that demands constant performance
  • Approaching death, as a companion or an enemy
  • The surprising spiritual journey that led Whyte from marine zoology to becoming one of our most vital poetic voices
  • Whether the modern world is “disenchanted” and what difference that makes

  • While coming from different spiritual traditions, Moore and Whyte explore together how human experience requires language that opens rather than closes, invites rather than insists. Their conversation models what genuine dialogue across philosophical differences can look like—curious, generous, and alive to mystery.

    Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:

    • David Whyte on On Being with Krista Tippett
    • Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David Whyte
    • The Journey” by David Whyte
    • Pilgrim by David Whyte
    • Consolations II: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David Whyte
    • Selected Poems by Thom Gunn and Ted Hughes by Thom Gunn and Ted Hughes
    • The House of Belonging by David Whyte
    • Cosmic Connections: Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment by Charles Taylor
    • The Opening of Eyes” by David Whyte
    • The Book of Hours by Rainer Marie Rilke
    • Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake

      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      The Russell Moore ShowBy Christianity Today, Russell Moore

      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7

      4.7

      930 ratings


      More shows like The Russell Moore Show

      View all
      The Holy Post by Phil Vischer

      The Holy Post

      4,271 Listeners

      Theology in the Raw by Theology in the Raw

      Theology in the Raw

      1,409 Listeners

      Truce - History of the Christian Church by Chris Staron

      Truce - History of the Christian Church

      284 Listeners

      Ask NT Wright Anything by Premier Unbelievable

      Ask NT Wright Anything

      1,950 Listeners

      Gospelbound by The Gospel Coalition, Collin Hansen

      Gospelbound

      330 Listeners

      No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp by Tokens Media

      No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp

      444 Listeners

      Trinity Forum Conversations by The Trinity Forum

      Trinity Forum Conversations

      165 Listeners

      The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill by Christianity Today

      The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill

      12,804 Listeners

      The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill by Christianity Today

      The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill

      12,804 Listeners

      Truth Over Tribe: Christian Takes on Culture, News & Politics by Culture, News & Politics from Christians, not Partisans

      Truth Over Tribe: Christian Takes on Culture, News & Politics

      853 Listeners

      Good Faith by Good Faith

      Good Faith

      1,877 Listeners

      The Bulletin by Christianity Today

      The Bulletin

      443 Listeners

      Be Afraid by Christianity Today

      Be Afraid

      84 Listeners

      Music & Meaning by Christianity Today

      Music & Meaning

      110 Listeners

      Being Human with Steve Cuss by Christianity Today

      Being Human with Steve Cuss

      201 Listeners

      Promised Land by Christianity Today

      Promised Land

      240 Listeners

      Curiously Kaitlyn by Kaitlyn Schiess

      Curiously Kaitlyn

      801 Listeners

      The SkyePod by Skye Jethani

      The SkyePod

      55 Listeners

      The Esau McCaulley Podcast by Esau McCaulley

      The Esau McCaulley Podcast

      491 Listeners

      This Great and Complicated Place by Christianity Today

      This Great and Complicated Place

      6 Listeners

      Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Christianity Today

      Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

      502 Listeners

      En Sesión con Christine D'Clario by Christianity Today

      En Sesión con Christine D'Clario

      0 Listeners

      In Session with Christine D'Clario by Christianity Today

      In Session with Christine D'Clario

      3 Listeners