Includes bibliographical references.

Preface -- Introduction: "I Believe ..." -- "God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth" Iris Murdoch, The Time of the Angels -- "Jesus Christ, God's Only Son, Our Lord" Nikos Kazantzakis, The Last Temptation of Christ -- "Conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary" P.D. James, The Children of Men -- "Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was Crucified, Died, and Buried" Charles Dickens, Hard Times -- "Descended into Hell, On the Third Day Rose Again" David James Duncan, The Brothers K -- "Ascended into Heaven, Sits at the Right Hand of God" William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale -- "He Will Come to Judge the Living and the Dead" Toni Morrison, Beloved -- "I Believe in the Holy Spirit" Flannery O'Connor, "The Enduring Chill" -- "The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints" Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams -- "The Forgiveness of Sins" Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking -- "The Resurrection of the Flesh" Graham Greene, The End of the Affair -- "And the Life Everlasting" Guiseppe Tornatore, A Pure Formality -- Conclusion: "Amen."