The theology of mistrust and suspicion has manifested itself in all kinds of misguided notions: a world always in competition with itself; a mechanical and magical understanding of baptism; fiery notions of hell; systems of rewards and punishments, shaming and exclusion of all wounded individuals (variously defined in each century); beliefs in the superiority of skin color, ethnicity, or nation. All of this was done in the name of the one who said that he did not come “for the righteous” or the “virtuous,” but for “sinners” (Luke 15:1–7, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:32), and to give us “life, and life
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