Rachel Held Evans is a disgruntled ex-evangelical turned mainline Protestant lay writer. In this book, she takes some of the Bible's more outlandish stories and letters, and tries to put them into a contemporary context that is not literal but practical. One of the best examples in the book is the story about how Jesus feeds 5000 (with 12 baskets of leftovers) then feeds another 4000 (with 7 leftovers). Jesus dares his apostles to get what the point was. No answer. Evans's explanation is not only brilliant, it could be for some people faith affirming. I highly recommend the book ... whether you are a true believer or a skeptical Christian, it may very well surprise you.