The scene of a thousand jokes -- Conflicted religious identity syndrome -- How a Muslim boy converted me -- How a book in the 1970s anticipated the story line of the early 21st century -- How a mentor shocked me - and gently nudged me toward higher ground -- How your friends can be more dangerous than your enemies (and how you can be more dangerous than both) -- How an atheist made - and missed - an essential point about religion -- How (not) to create a strong-benevolent Christian identity -- How a liberal arts education ruined my opinion of Christopher Columbus -- How Constantine prepared the way for Columbus -- How Constantine prepared the way for today's headlines -- How the doctrine of creation can create humankind(ness) -- How the doctrine of (un)original sin can help Christians be less sinful -- How the doctrine of election (or chosen-ness) can help Christians choose benevolence -- How the doctrine of the trinity can foment harmony and unity -- How a deeper Christology can save Christians from hostility -- How the doctrine of the holy spirit can empower our encounter with the other -- How faithful doctrinal reformulation can make orthodoxy more generous -- How the Christian year can become more Christian -- How baptism differs from sitting on Santa's knee -- How songs, prayers, sermons, and Sunday school classes can save lives -- How reading the Bible responsibly can look irresponsible (and vice versa) -- How the table differ from the altar -- How subversive friendship can change the world -- How God's commonwealth of peace confronts earthly empires of hostility -- How with-ness complements witness -- How mission can reorganize organized religion -- How Evangelism is like a windmill -- How a Hindu can help Christians discover their true identity in a multi-faith world.