I HAVE BENEFITED from exchanges and conversations with many knowledgeable scholars and friends, none of whom should of course be blamed for any errors, misinterpretations, or misstatements in this book. These friends include Alan Benjamin, Christian Brady, Daniel Falk, Baruch Halpern, Ann Killebrew, Gary Knoppers, Gonzalo Rubio, and Ben Witherington.
Yet again, warm thanks to my colleagues at Baylor University, especially those in the Institute for Studies of Religion: David Jeffrey, Byron Johnson, Thomas Kidd, Jeff Levin, Gordon Melton, and Rodney Stark.
Many thanks also to my superb editor at Basic Books, Lara Heimert, and to my excellent agent, Adam Eaglin.
And above all, thanks to my wife, Liz Jenkins.