I don't read a lot of this "science vs. religion"/"does God exist" stuff, but this is a really even-handed article on the subject - by far the most balanced writing I've read on the subject. And it's written by an atheist. Pretty good. Might have been a good piece for your class, Christina. Just to show that a person can like science, be an atheist, and still respect religion.

Do you intuit or do you reason? How you figure out math problems and answer essay questions might predict whether you believe in god. Story. Publication.

I'll gladly get everyone a copy of this book if you all want to read it together: Simply Jesus. Due out at the end of October. Or I'll get copies of this book if we want to read together: The Challenge of Jesus. Probably my favorite N.T. Wright book that I've read. Just an offer. I'm sure I'll be reading the Simply Jesus book when it comes out and I'd love to share The Challenge of Jesus book with everyone I know. Christina's reading The Meaning of Jesus, another good book. The rest of you are more than welcome to join in.

Not sure where we want to go from here, but here are a couple things:

This is the world into which Jesus was born: Second Temple Judaism (and more and more). To understand the New Testament, I think it's helpful to at least know the phrase "Second Temple Judaism." This time period in Israel's history shows through in Jesus' ministry, his goals, how his followers viewed him, and may even be helpful to understanding why he died.

And this last point is an interesting one (I think) that probably isn't explored enough, and one that might be helpful for us to get into the history and culture of Jesus' time:

Why was Jesus killed?

Ever given this any thought? I'm interested to hear.

On raising children today, since the topic was raised - reminded me of this excerpt.

I really look forward to raising Silas in a Christian home. Kelly and I were talking about this recently. Faith and parenting are each things you practice/do everyday and one day at a time. Every new situations is a learning experience and a teaching opportunity, just like every day is a chance to live out your faith and wrestle (as Nick puts it) with life. Inviting Silas into this "great adventure" that stretches from Moses to Jesus to the backpack give-away is very exciting to me. I can't wait to share it with him.

Adam and Eve never existed, or so some evangelical intellectuals now believe. Really? Must we hang on to these stories as literal truth? But without Adam and Eve (and the story of original sin) is there the need for a Savior? Thinking through this one: story

You believe in a religion based upon a Jewish man who was born to a virgin, performed healings and miracles for a period of three years, spoke of judgment and a kingdom coming to earth on the power of a cosmic god, was killed by the Romans, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. All of this 2,000 years ago and 6,000 miles away from where you live. The book from which you learn of this man was written by a hand full of followers in the form of letters and histories between 20 and 120 years after his death. At least some, if not most of these books were written by persons who had never met the man about whom they wrote.

And sometimes you question your faith?

What I really need is to get clear about what I must do, not what I must know, except insofar as knowledge must precede every act. What matters is to find a purpose, to see what it really is that God wills that I shall do; the crucial thing is to find a truth which is truth for me, to find the idea for which I am willing to live and die.  - Søren Kierkegaard