I Am
John McCarthy is joined by theologian Paula Gooder to consider the phrase 'I Am' as a means of exploring and asserting identity.
John McCarthy is joined by Christian theologian Paula Gooder to consider the phrase 'I Am' as a means of exploring and asserting identity. They begin with God's assertion of His name in Exodus chapter 3, 'I am that I am' and follow this phrase into Jesus' I Am statements in the New Testament - I Am the Bread of Life, I Am the Light of the World, and so on.
The programme then broadens out to consider Descartes use of the phrase 'cogito ergo sum' and then John Clare's poem, I Am.
John McCarthy also explores the South African phrase Ubuntu which translates as 'I am because we are' or 'I am what I am because of who we all are'. And finally, he notes the recent taking up of the I Am phrase in the slogan Je suis Charlie.
The programme includes readings from works by Anne Holm, Mary Oliver and James Weldon Johnson, as well as two poems by Gregory Leadbetter and Sibyl Ruth, specially commissioned for this programme by Writing West Midlands. There's music by Chris Wood, Blind Gary Davis, Gounod and Ben Glover.
Readers: Hayley Doherty and Fraser James
Produced by Rosie Boulton
A Whistledown production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Next
Music Played
-
![]()
Dominique Vellard
Messe de P芒ques: Antienne Ego sum Alpha et Omega
Performer: Ensemble Gilles Binchois. Performer: Dominique Vellard.- Early French Polyphony.
- Virgin Classics.
-
![]()
Reverend Gary Davis
I Am the Light of the World
- Harlem Street Singer.
- Bluesville.
-
![]()
Joan Baez
Who Do you Think I Am?
- Gone From Danger.
- Grapevine.
-
![]()
Chris Wood
I Am
- None the Wiser.
- RUF.
-
![]()
Ben Glover
I Am With You
- Before the Birds.
- Ben Glover.
-
![]()
Children of the Agape Choir & Ladysmith Black Mambazo
We Are Together
- We Are Together.
- EMI.
-
![]()
Charles Gounod
Ego Sum Alpha et Omega from Mors Et Vita
Performer: Michel Plasson.- Gounod: Mors Et Vita.
- Warner Classics.
Readings
Title: Sunrise
Poet: Mary Oliver
Publication: Wild Geese
听
Title: The Bible, Exodus Chapter 3
听
Title: Sum
Writer: Gregory Leadbetter
Publisher: Writing West Midlands
听
Title: The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man听
Writer: James Weldon Johnson听
Publisher: N/A
听
Title: I Am David
Writer: Anne Holm
Publisher: Egmont publishing
听
Title: With You
Writer: Sibyl Ruth
Publisher: Writing West Midlands
Broadcasts
- Sun 12 Apr 2015 06:05大象传媒 Radio 4
- Sun 12 Apr 2015 23:30大象传媒 Radio 4