We become persons of promise when we search for meaning and purpose in life. Dr. Martin Marty brings his personal experiences and insights to illuminate the paths that lead to promise. Through a symbolic use of the times of the day and seasons of the year, Dr. Marty identifies the barriers to realizing promise as we face life each day....This encounter with the mystery of promise begins with he realization that the "why" to life does not come to us neatly packaged in an all-at-once revelation. The kind of understanding that will bear the test of time and experience is borne of surrender and grows slowly through the attentive pursuit of meaning. Dr. Marty suggests the person of Jesus as a model of promise. ...The author concludes by relating promise to personal fulfillment. Fulfillment is realized to the extent that we relate openly and authentically to ourselves, to others, to the physical world and to God. Experiencing ourselves as promise empowers us to affirm others and so to give greater meaning and hope for the present as well as the future. 'You Are Promise' is a positive, provocative and exciting work coming at a time when skepticism and futility make people feel the world is not especially promising. Martin Marty's concept of promise lies at the center of his world-view and lifestyle. His insights are sharp, compelling and eminently practical. (Book jacket).