Kathryn Greene-McCreight

A commentary on Paul's Letter to the Galatians.

The Brazos Theological Commentary series tends to want to highlight various theological premises and particular contributions of a given text to our theological understanding. Greene-McCreight did not disappoint in this regard; she well highlighted the various ways in which Paul’s Letter to the Galatians thus contributed to our understanding of Paul’s perspective on theology and on theology in general.

In the epilogue Greene-McCreight grappled with how to best understand the relationship between the church and Israel in light of Galatians. One can tell how constrained she felt by Protestant mixing of covenants and an intense desire to stay as far away as possible from anything resembling supersessionism or “replacement theology”, coming up with the neologism “infrasessionism” to attempt to explain the situation. Her claim no Jewish people were part of the churches of Galatia seems a bit strong for the evidence, and thus her conclusion that Galatians says nothing about how Paul considered the relationship between Jewish Christians and the Law of Moses proves a bit baffling. Paul never declaimed his Judaism; but he did speak of how in Christ there is neither Jewish nor Gentile (Galatians 3:28), considered himself as having died to the Law and crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20-21), and spoke at length regarding how “we” were under the paidagogos until faith in Christ came, after which the paidagogos no longer had any authority over him.

I understand the concerns regarding the ugly heritage of antisemitism in Christendom and how flippant many who uphold a form of supersessionism/replacement theology can prove. Yet as in all things religious, let alone Christianity, so much distortion and error derives from over-reactions to the bad doctrinal and practical views and actions of others. Yes, Paul did see points of continuity; he asked God to bring peace and mercy on the Israel of God, after all, and considered all who share in Abraham’s faith as children of Abraham. There’s no ground for Marcionism in Galatians. But the problem in Galatia were “Judaizers,” those attempting to impose circumcision and Jewish rituals on Gentile Christians, and those Christians were not to tolerate anything of the sort.

Nevertheless, a good resource while exploring Galatians.… (more)

I just revisited this book several years after having read it during my Master's program. It's difficult for me to review objectively since the author is someone who's dear to me. I have great respect for her theological mind. I did find that, this time, I had a more difficult time tracing the thread of certain arguments, and I wanted more clarity. In other places, I found the nature of her own experience to be somewhat opaque, but I wonder if that isn't intentional (and appropriate). I still recommend it strongly. Her remarks on the possibility of the health of the soul that is united to Jesus even when the brain and mind are ill have especially stuck with me. I also love her emphasis on the objectivity of the Christian hope even when it cannot be felt.… (more)

Pretty well written and likely a convincing book to those who may be gay or lesbian (or who have friends that are) and who are members of a conservative religious community. At the very least, religious communities need to recognize that being gay or lesbian, in and of itself, is not a sin. At the very least, conservative Christian churches need to accept gays and lesbians no matter what, if they are celibate.

On the other hand, I can't help but feel sorry for the author of this book, and others like him, who feel trapped between their own sexuality and their Christian belief. To see that the only way a gay or lesbian can be faithful to God is by practicing lifelong celibacy, with its attendant loneliness, just seems unfair, not only to the individuals thus affected, but unfair as an interpretation of the Gospel. The Biblical injunctions against same-sex sexual behavior are on a par with the injunctions against heterosexual sex acts outside of marriage.

I am sorry, but I do not see the Bible barring individuals from same-sex marriages and the lifelong companionship and intimacy they can provide to gay and lesbian believers. Whether such marriages were in God's original plan or not, I do believe they are in His backup plan for humans in a sinful world.… (more)

I have not personally suffered from mental illness, but I have loved ones who have. It is hard to understand their pain. In the face of their struggle, I have no words. And the church hasn't always responded well to mentally ill people. Sometimes this is due to a mistrust of psychology for its secular underpinning. Other times, profound emotional struggle is seen as evidence for a lack of faith. The result has been a good deal of isolation of and insensitivity toward the mentally-ill. Come Lord Jesus.

Kathryn Greene-McCreight wrote Darkness is My Only Companion to offer a Christian response to mental illness, especially bipolar, the Illness she herself struggles with. Greene-McCreight is associate chaplain at Yale, a priest and theological writer. Her book is part memoir, part theology and part practical advice for people personally facing mental illness or clergy offering support to those navigating these waters. This second edition has a new forward from Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and has been revised and expanded to reflect more recent treatment and statistics than the 2005 edition, and to answer questions readers had of the original edition.

 

Greene-McCrieght unfolds this book in three parts. Part one is the most personal. She discusses her own journey through depression, hyper-mania, suicidal thoughts, hospitalizations and treatment. She shares the scriptures, poems, prayers hymns that carried her through the most difficult parts of her journey and her interactions with psychiatrists who regarded her faith and commitment to praying the daily office with suspicion. She is able to speak of the things she learned from bipolar and treatment (i.e. vulnerability, dependence, humility); yet she doesn't give trite reasons about why this happened to her.

Part two answers theological questions. The experience of depression debilitates those who suffer, affecting personality, memory, feelings, and brain function. Gtreene-McCreight points away from personal feelings, emotions and experience as the final arbitrator of spiritual truth to God's own objective work through Jesus Christ:

I am simply questioning the religious significance of feelings, especially for the Christian religion, in the economy of salvation. Our salvation is something Jesus wrought on the cross, not in the interiority of our personality. When our personality frays under the strain of mental illness, this does not mean that God regards our soul any differently from when we are mentally ill. (91)

Also in this section, she discusses the relationship between the mind, the brain and the soul, the relationship (and difference) between depression and 'the dark night of the soul,' and the value of prayer for the mentally ill.

Part three explores practical concerns. There is a chapter devoted to how clergy, family and friends can help someone suffering from mental illness. And a chapter giving guidance for a person of faith on how to choose therapy. She has her original conclusion, a new afterward that describes the things she's learned since the first edition, and answers questions and criticisms. Three appendices describe 'why and how' she uses Scripture, 'a brief checklist of symptoms and resources' and questions for group discussion.



It is overstating things to say that part one is personal, part two theological and part three practical. Throughout this book, Greene-McCreight opens up her journey, theologizes and shares practical insights. Because this book is so rooted in her own experience, it is perhaps most applicable to those who struggle with depression or bipolar, though most of her insights apply to mental illness in general as well. She speaks compassionately about those who have been debilitated by mental illness or succumb to suicide. This is a deeply thoughtful book. Practical theology at its best.

I have nothing but compassion and heartache for loved ones who have been afflicted with bipolar. I appreciate Greene-McCreight's advice on how to walk alongside those who suffer (and when to enlist more help!). I think this should be required reading for anyone doing pastoral work. I give this four stars.

Note: I received this book from Brazos Press in exchange for my honest review.… (more)