I think that there are these two very different sides to my relation to the Bible: one, my professional life; the other, a more private concern, interest and fascination with the Bible.

I know that the Bible has been a central influence in [Elie Wiesel and Frank Moore Cross] lives - but in a very different way. In truth, you inhabit very different Biblical worlds.

I think that there is a certain schizophrenic aspect to my own relation to the Bible.

In my work, I attempt to deal with the Bible as I would deal with any work of literature.

To treat the history of Israel as I would treat the history of England or Russia or China; that is, an attempt at a scientific, historical approach.I am particularly fascinated with origins.

[My father was ] Presbyterian [minister]. But I did not take the Bible seriously until I was forced to take Hebrew at McCormick Theological Seminary.

We [with Frank Moore Cross] have the same fervor, the same passion when in front of us is a page, a unique page - every page is unique - of the Pentateuch.

We differ [with Frank Moore Cross] simply because of our differing backgrounds.

Both of you [Elie Wiesel and Frank Moore Cross] are giants, dare I say nephilim [giants; see Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33], in your world.

I don't think there is any other professional Bible scholar who is more respected and honored [like Frank Moore Cross].

It would be hard to find a more influential book of Biblical studies than his Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic [1973].

Your sky is full of stars and my arms too short to reach a piece to call my own

You know, Christianity has its own superstition anyway: Why you turn three times, what this saint means, why you pray to the patron saint of lost causes, why you go this way or that way.

I have a great family that loves me, a record deal at 14, and I get to do what I love every day.

If you aren’t really careful, 'The Good Enough' can become the enemy of 'The Best.'

It would not be necessary to make an affirmation more than once if one had perfect faith.

There are things that are not sayable. That’s why we have art.

We do not have it out there as a distant dream. This could actually be reality.

How did an allegedly free people spawn a vast, rampant cuttlefish of dominion with its tentacles in every orifice of the body politic?

Some of us seem so anxious about avoiding hell that we forget to celebrate our journey toward heaven.