Since loving connection is the central theme of the Bible, reading any scripture passage should help us feel closer to God, ourselves, others and the universe. Yet, "difficult scriptures"—those that seem to present an unloving, frightening or narrow image of God—can reinforce patterns of fear and shame and make it more difficult to take in healing love. However, when such passages are properly contextualized and interpreted, they often turn out to be surprisingly good news. This book, grounded in contemporary scholarship, gives examples of some wonderful surprises. It also suggests simple ways of interpreting any passage that helps us find the essence of the scriptures: a consistently loving, healing and salvific God. Audience:— —anyone interested in the Bible —believers —nonbelievers †