Some communities don't permit open, honest inquiry about the things that matter most. Lots of people have voiced a concern, expressed a doubt, or raised a question, only to be told by their family, church, friends, or tribe: "We don't discuss those things here." I believe the discussion itself is divine. Abraham does his best to bargain with God, most of the book of Job consists of arguments by Job and his friends about the deepest questions of human suffering, God is practically on trial in the book of Lamentations, and Jesus responds to almost every question he's asked with...a question.

What we believe about heaven and hell is incredibly important because it exposes what we believe about who God is and what God is like.

The historical orthodox Christian faith is extremely wide and diverse.

I live with the understanding that truth is bigger than any religion and the world is God's and everything in it.

The lesson that has been hardest for me to learn: there is nothing to prove.

My experience is that lots of people go to church, sing the songs, tell the story, etc but have profound ambivalence about God.

opening up your soul to someone, letting them into your spirit, thoughts, fears, future, hopes, dreams ... that is being naked.