From faith in America to secrets of the Scriptures to the Crescent and the cross, Mysteries of Faith 2003 is an exceptional in-depth chronicle of humanity's encounter with God. Here are just a few of the fascinating stories in this issue:

Who wrote the Bible? Possible authors of The Old and New Testaments.

The last days of Jesus: The triumphal entry, arrest and trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

The first holy war: Among many Muslims, the Crusades of the Middle Ages still loom large in cultural memory.

Baghdad's baptizers: Revering John the Baptist, several thousand Iraqis sustain an ancient religion.