When I was growing up, I was taught the Bible was a collection of myths to manipulate weak minds. That it had been altered over the years. That its historical accounts were simply wrong, its scientific credentials a joke, and its moral precepts the ethic of slaves. The one thing I did not think to ask my teachers was: ‘How do you know?’ So, when I was challenged to finally read the book itself, I became perplexed. Instead of finding illusions that were worse than useless, what I discovered were writings that remain for me profound, complex, and painfully human. This week, on 11/5, we have the privilege of learning from the New Testament scholar, Michael Bird, on the question: Can we trust the Bible? Michael will speak at our 10 am Sunday communion service and be available for a Q & A after the service. (Michael Flynn – vicar)