Dear fellow authors and friends, holding now our book in my hand, it strikes me that, being retired, I am well-positioned to read our text slowly and thoughtfully, sharing the occasional comment or question as I go. It’s important to note that I don’t write as an authority on anything–just a reasonably well-educated reader and lifelong student of religion. So, take all my comments/thoughts/questions in that spirit– as a shared learning adventure along which I invite other reflective souls to contribute as time and interest allows.

I’ll go chapter by chapter using a new heading for each new chapter post, beginning with the introduction.