Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
— William E. Henley
Isn’t this Timothy McVeigh’s favorite poem?
Also Nelson Mandelas. A poem does not a murderer make. Nor a hero
This Was the poem that Timothy McVeigh gave to the warden as he was being led to the death chamber. I think it sums up the attitude of the “My way ” theology. Dorthea Day penned a response from the Christian viewpoint. It follows.
Out of the light that dazzles me,
Bright as the sun from pole to pole,
I thank the God I know to be
For Christ the conqueror of my soul.
Since His the sway of circumstance,
I would not wince nor cry aloud.
Under that rule which men call chance
My head with joy is humbly bowed.
Beyond this place of sin and tears
That life with Him! And His the aid,
Despite the menace of the years,
Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid.
I have no fear, though strait the gate,
He cleared from punishment the scroll.
Christ is the Master of my fate,
Christ is the Captain of my soul.
Nice!
You might like this also…
Response to Invictus
Art thou in truth? Then what of him
Who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear,
The God who died that man might live,
And endless glory share?
Of what avail thy vaunted strength,
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.
Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree.
Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth!
Who gave that place to thee?
Free will is thine — free agency,
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
Bend to the dust that head unbowed
Small part of Life’s great whole!
And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul.
~Orson F. Whitney
(Improvement Era, April 1926, 611)
Oh Kelly, the poem is close but rest assured that Orson F. Whitney had no idea who God is! The writing penned by a Mormon based on Mormon theology is no better than the heresy of invictus.
Read your bible and ask a reformed believer what I’m talking about!
I’m curious if you would disagree with the content of this poem if you didn’t know the religious affiliation of the poet.
It is unfortunate, JP, that you are so assured of your absolute right to judge others concerning their relationship with Christ. I find it unlikely that a Spirit of goodwill and charity was the moving power behind your comments. It is sad that someone can read a poem so eloquently devoted to the sacrifice and role of Jesus as the Redeemer and only find within those lines an opportunity to spread unrighteous judgement, a contentious spirit and, ultimately, hatred. Read your Bible and ask yourself if it was the Prince of Peace who motivated you to such a response.
I can’t believe that you would go so far as to say that Orson F. Whitney, a mormon, had no idea who God is! What gives you the right to say who knows more than who? Who are you to say that Mormons are no better than nonreligious people? I’m sorry, but you sir/ma’am are just as “correct” as everyone else. There is nothing “reformed” about your rude disrespect of my religion. After all, unless the bible is translated correctly, it will only get you so far. And even then, it won’t get you “all the way”.
Even though we mormons don’t usually approve of “clashing heads” with other religions, I was happy to do so today. Thank you, and have a nice day. Ponder on what I have said to you.
Fantastic response to the arrogance and foolishness of man!
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank our God who lives in me
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
He is the master of my fate:
He is the captain of my soul.
My heart breaks to see this wonderful poem about empowerment and determination misappropriated by religion.
While I agree that there is always room for tact in regards to conversations about theology, I also believe the original poem did indeed open the door for such a conversation in the first place.
To understand, you would need some background information.
“Henley wrote “Invictus” when he was 27 years old, having battled Tuberculosis of the bone for years, to which he had lost a leg and which eventually killed him at age 53. He was an avowed atheist, so the only place he could look for strength was himself. He didn’t believe there was any larger purpose to his pain. It was just ‘the bludgeonings of chance.’ His only hope was to take his bludgeonings like a man, which to him meant a stoic resolve never to surrender.”
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/invictus-redeemed
Therefore, is it really all that surprising that Christians, myself included, find the message of Invictus disheartening? I find Day’s poem in response a clear, respectful, and firm piece of Christian apologetic literature.
As for Mormonism being heresy, I would suggest actually looking at the original document — the Bible, specifically this epistle of Paul to the churches of Galatia.
Galatians 1: 6 – 9
“6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”
Any theology that teaches a man (or men) has/have received (or is/are receiving) direct revelation from God beyond that which was revealed to us all in the New Testament is, by definition, heresy.
I will say, however, that Mormons are some of the most wonderful and kind people I have met.
However, I will also say that the only thing that really differentiates Mormonism and Islam is that the first is spread by peace and love, the latter by conquering and death.
The teachings of both are a departure from the truth of Christ, the word of God incarnate.