I Am With You: The Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2016

by Kathryn Greene-McCreight

In I Am With You, Episcopal priest and theologian Kathryn Greene-McCreight examines the biblical portrayal of God's presence among us as light in darkness. Close readings of Scripture are woven into a framework patterned on the seven monastic hours of prayer and the seven days of creation.

God's interaction with us in light comes as address, drawing us into relationship with the Creator. The resurrection of Easter morning bears the Light that both illumines our darkness, refines our dross in its flames, and draws us into the presence of God, that 'Light by which we see light .

With an introduction by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, I Am With You is a reflective and thought-provoking guide to the solemn season of Lent.

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2016

About the author

Kathryn Greene-McCreight (PhD, Yale University) has become a champion of responsible Christian attitudes toward mental illness. She is priest associate at The Episcopal Church at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut, and the author of several books. She also serves on the board of the Elm City Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) and on the Patient and Advisory Council of Yale Psychiatric Hospital.

Reviews

[Harry Allagree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly rich, rich little book...one meant to be read over & over and patiently pondered. Dr. Greene-McCreight mentions in her Acknowledgments about "...how much I automatically turn first to the Old Testament to seek Jesus Christ." She has done a magnificent job of interweaving the Hebrew & Christian Scriptures in relation to Christ as presence & light in our lives.

Two things were particularly helpful for me: her beautiful explication of the meaning of "martyrdom" in light of her overall message, using exceedingly contemporary examples; and her fecund analysis of the reality of the "Eighth Day". I was especially fascinated with her mention of a unique baptismal font in the Church of San Pedro, Muros, Spain. The technology of the iPad allowed me to vividly see what it was she was talking about. I suspect that it may show up somewhere in my Easter sermon! In fact, throughout the whole book I found her writing to be wonderfully simple, down-to-earth, with Scripture, as it were, cascading through her sentences & ideas, and with valuable suggested illustrations from art, literature, etc.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written Scriptural exegesis commissioned by The Archbishop of Canterbury for the entire Anglican Communion (though I think people of any Christian tradition would find it of value and insight). The author connected a lot of themes I'd really never thought about before. Perhaps because Greene-McCreight is familiar with issues centered around emotional disorders, she provides a warm sense of spiritual comfort in her writing. I enjoyed this as my central Lenten study and I appreciate His Grace Bishop Justin+ for choosing Dr. Greene-McCreight to write it.

[Jean Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes the reader through the 7 days of creation. Author describes the 8th day and our new birth and beginning in Christ. Book answered several questions I have thought about for years. Worth reading. Indeed God is with us!

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having realised that I was not going to make the last couple of Lent group sessions, I happily abandoned this and it is currently on the pile of books to go to the Oxfam bookshop. I found that the most interesting parts were about Hebrew linguistics and Biblical terminology but the theological stuff seemed banal and deeply unoriginal. The fault may be in me rather than the book but I do not feel inclined to give it another chance.

[Julia Alberino · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good choice for Lent reading (this is the ABC's 2016 Lent book). As opposed to so many of the books written specifically for Lent, which have a daily meditation, this one is meant to be read one chapter a week during Lent. The author poses interesting questions and ideas for reflection. I suppose the book could be used at other times of the year as well, perhaps for a study group at church.