%1

The ultimate why: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:1-18

The question arises in some form or another almost every time I teach a course on the Bible: If God knew what a mess humanity would make of God’s creation, why did God create the world as we know it? The question has force for us, as it projects our own experience onto the cosmic screen. I, for one, can testify that if I’d known in advance where some of my life’s decisions would lead, I would have run screaming in the opposite direction. Not so with God.

God with us: Children's letters to God

There is a veritable feast of recommended books and DVDs in this issue, and I have already circled and clipped several and left them lying in conspicuous places just in case anyone is wondering what to give me for Christmas. But my favorite Christmas book, which I pull from the shelf every Advent, is Children’s Letters to God, compiled by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall and illustrated by Tom Bloom. You can read each small letter and smile at the pictures in less than five minutes. A few of my favorites include:

Dear God,
Keyword tags