The Also Life

by Barbara Cawthorne Crafton

• Topic of popular interest addressed by a popular author

Playing off the last chapter of her previous book, The Courage to Grow Old, well-beloved author Barbara Crafton looks at the world around What do we know about creation? What gift is there for us in the "alsolife" of stars and other organic and non-organic forms of existence? How might that shape the way we see our existence and the God who breathed that life into us? And what might life after death be like?

Genres: Spirituality

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2016

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of speaking with Barbara Crafton a decade and a half ago in the weeks after my mother died suddenly at 65. (My mom, who'd never met Mother Crafton, was a big fan of her books after I'd introduced her to them and had quotes from several copied into the flyleaf of her Bible.) The simple grace and comforting assurance she gave me that day has, in turn, been the solace I've been able to offer others on losing someone they love and were not yet ready to say goodbye to. So it was with a great deal of anticipation and expectation that I began reading The Alsolife a couple or three paragraphs at a time some night's before bed. As a result, it probably took me awhile to read, although I could have also done it in a single sitting, if I'd wanted to.

Once again, Barbara Crafton didn't disappoint. With her characteristic humor, creativity in points of view, and wide-ranging references from across science, art, and of course scripture, Barbara Crafton gives a clearer glimpse into not so much what the afterlife is or may be like — because who can know this side of the grave, despite what we may believe and hope — but how we might think about the "alsolife" and, ultimately, the kingdom of God that was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.

If glib answers and rote expressions about life and death (and, frankly, chronological experience) impede your faith rather than support it, you will want to read this book.

[Kerith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the great pleasure of hearing Rev. Crafton speak at a retreat last year, and her subject matter became this book. She writes about time and God and love, and especially death, why we fear it, why loss hurts so much, and gives us new ways to think about it. This book is hugely comforting, not only if one is facing death (well. we all are) but if one is losing someone to it (as we all do). Along the way she takes apart some of the crueler theologies many folks still cling to, and reminds us that God is love, which may completely redefine the word "love" as we know it.
She knows well that our language for God is limited, yet she is able to take that limited language and give us beautiful metaphors to take to heart. I am thankful for the gift of the two baskets. I highly recommend this book. It is unforgettable.

[Ciara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gave me a lot to think about. I don't know that I fully "got it." I need to chew on it some more.

[Roger Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone who has lost a loved one should read this book.

This author makes more sense of the Christian belief in eternal life than anyone else I have read or heard.

[Peg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Barbara Crafton but his book was a little hard to get into. She had lots of good stories as she always does and she deals with difficult concepts of time and energy as best she can. I can see where someone who is grieving or facing death would find this very helpful and comforting.