By Yonat Shimron Religion News Service CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (RNS) For years, nonbelievers rejoiced at the publication of a new book by New Testament ...

Since the early years of Christianity, various myths, legends, and even conspiracy theories about the origins of the Bible have enjoyed wide circulation.

We all have doubts, and we need to dive into them and feel them and examine them and work through them. Hiding from them or denying them only causes them to fester in our soul.

A moment's reflection will tell you that the standard Sunday school answer to the question "Why was Jesus crucified?" would have made little sense to those directly involved in the event itself.

The dubious nature of biblical "history" and "science" and the multiple discrepancies among the four evangelists led to a great schism in Christianity.