"Let us commit ourselves to this: that in our preaching and teaching, our lives and our conversations, we mean to be manifestly Bible-believing Christians, recognizing that faithfulness always involves struggle and the recognition of complexity, even as we find this book shaping our lives and our faith and guiding us to the knowledge and love of God."

William Placher extended that challenge and invitation at the 2000 Covenant Conference, in a paper excerpted inside. It is an appropriate Lenten hope for us all.