Christian spirituality was not a children's story. It wasn't cute or neat. It was mystical and odd and clean, and it was reaching into dirty. There was wonder in it and enchantment.

Anybody who wants to get their way says that Jesus supports their view. But that isn't Jesus' fault.

God allows us to face the tension whether we like it or not.

The person who believes the sum of his morality involves gay marriage and abortion alone, and neglects health care and world trade and the environment and loving his neighbor and feeding the poor is, by definition, a theological liberal, because he takes what he wants from Scripture and ignores the rest.

Reality is like a fine wine,” he said to me. “It will not appeal to children.