The Christian faith as traditionally understood is under attack. Scientific discoveries and theories regarding the evolution of life and the cosmos contradict traditional Christian doctrines. Archeologists continue to uncover ancient religious manuscripts that challenge what we thought we knew of early Christianity and why we believe the doctrines that we do. Drums, keyboards, and coffee bars are today essential components of corporate worship for many and are replacing pipe organs. And rampant sexual misconduct by priests and pastors dramatically degrade the faithful’s confidence in the apostolic authority of the Church and the teaching it espouses.

• With scientific discoveries contradicting the Church’s historical teachings, how do I know what is true and what is not?
• With the discoveries of ancient manuscripts that reveal a different Christianity than what I was taught, what should I believe about the historical traditions of the Church that make me who I am today?
• Are the traditional teachings and practices of the Church so wrong that we need to change them?
• Could the history of Christianity and the religious traditions I embrace also be subject to reinterpretation and change?

These are the questions I and probably you ask with hesitation, for any change in our understanding of theology changes who we are and threatens our self-identity. Today’s topic will offer social, historical, and biblical research conducted by academic scholars that will challenge many popular assumptions and beliefs. The purpose of this discussion is not to convince anyone that the ideas presented here are right and theirs are wrong, but to encourage everyone to question, to doubt, to challenge, and to learn for themselves what they believe and how they should conduct themselves in this sacred space called life.