Patriarchs in Poetry

About the Book

In his book, Patriarchs in Poetry, Genesis in Rhyming Verse, Pastor Taylor brings the traditional vernacular of the Bible to life in contemporary language. In this volume he shares his talent for translating prose into verse.

His previous volume, Harmony of the Gospels in Rhyming Verse, An Epic Poem on the Life of Jesus Christ, is a translation of the first four books of the New Testament into one chronological poem. This subsequent volume is a translation of the first book of the Old Testament, a poetic record of creation and the lives of the patriarchs. The book is faithful to the record as it is found in the Biblical narrative.

Patriarchs in Poetry is presented as a series of individual poems that lead the reader through the trials, successes and failures of men like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Pastor Taylor has translated the entire book of Genesis into poetic language.

Although the genealogies are included, they are written in prose rather than poetry.

About the Author

Roland Taylor is a semi-retired Baptist minister who served as pastor of two churches in Southern California before he accepted a call to Crossroads Baptist of Denver, Colorado. His ministry at Crossroads spanned a period of twenty-nine years.

Roland was 8 years old, when his father, a missionary to Colombia, South America, lost his life. Upon returning to the United States with his family, he attended Culter Academy,

where he was a member of a boy’s quartet that traveled promoting the school. He gained a love for poetry and song, a love which he nurtured throughout his formal training at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles; the Baptist College of Covina, California; and the American Baptist Seminary of the West.

Throughout his many years as a pastor, Roland was known as a “singing evangelist.” He has taken his message in word and song to service clubs and churches of many denominations. His travels have included visits to every continent except Antarctica.

Roland and his wife Gayle, have two sons and one daughter. All are happily married. Spending time with their children and six grandchildren is their favorite pastime.