Jesus' own witness of sacrificial love and forgiveness, and his work to heal the sick and care for those in need, represent God's ways and vision for us.

I suspect that here theists and atheists would agree: Human beings have within them the ability to choose evil or good. We wake up each day facing the age-old struggle of good and evil. In some situations mental illness clouds our judgment.

While some misuse their freedom to perpetrate evil, millions respond by feeling compelled to use their freedom to do good.

Christians believe that God is everywhere and is involved in our lives at every moment, whether we publicly acknowledge God or not.

We live in bodies that are fearfully and wonderfully made, yet they are not immune to illness and pain. We have hearts that are capable of experiencing great love, but sometimes they get broken.

If 'everything happens for a reason,' then every act of evil is ultimately God's doing.

Learning to read the Bible in the light of the times in which it was written is critical.