Written for beginning seminary students, this interdisciplinary study argues that recent advances in the social and cognitive sciences demonstrate that knowing involves not only our physical bodies but also our tools, our communities, and our social institutions. As important as these discoveries are for understanding general cognition, they are even more important for understanding the nature of faith. The Bible is rich with metaphors that emphasize the living church as a source of wisdom and spiritual depth. We always need other Christians if our faith is to be both rich and deep. We are like groves of aspen trees—individual trees that are connected at the roots. "There are a number of skills that contemporary Christians in the West need to develop, but I cannot think of a more urgent one than critical thought. As a particularly able teacher in this respect, Jerry Camery-Hoggatt's Connected at the Roots provides Christians with a set of tools for understanding more deeply how our minds (and the minds of others) work. In doing so, he introduces the reader to a second, and perhaps even more important, skill for persons living in late modern society: empathy. I highly recommend it." --Kutter Callaway, associate dean, Center for Advanced Theological Studies, Fuller Seminary "Living in the present is increasingly complex and challenging for leaders and institutions--many question whether we can hold together as a society. Jerry Camery-Hoggatt weaves together a tapestry--past and present--from multiple disciplines that helps us understand more fully who we are in these times. He helps us dig deeply into the root systems amidst rich soil that offers a hopeful grounding no matter what is shaking above the surface." --Roger Heuser, professor of leadership studies, Vanguard University Jerry Camery-Hoggatt is emeritus professor of New Testament and narrative theology at Vanguard University. His publications include two books on the Gospel of Mark, two on interpretive method, one on gossip and the spiritual journey, a historical novel set in first-century Rome, a novel set in thirteenth-century Wales, a book of Lenten reflections based on the life of John the Baptist, two Christmas novellas, a collection of short stories, and an illustrated children's book. Vincent (Vince) E. Gil, PhD, is Emeritus Professor of Medical/Psychological Anthropology and Sexological Sciences at Vanguard University (CA). Dr. Gil holds a Ph.D. in Psychological Anthropology from UCLA, followed by two postdoctoral studies: Medical and Clinical Sexology from the Masters and Johnson Institute, and Public Health Epidemiology from UCLA. An awarded professor, international researcher, counselor and licensed minister, his work in clinical sexology covers medical, psychosocial and cultural venues. He has worked with major hospitals internationally (China, Tibet, Korea, Japan, Mexico, and the Caribbean) and with sexual minority populations in the U.S. and abroad. With over forty published articles, research papers, and book chapters, decades of work with the sexually conflicted, he writes from firsthand experiences and from a Christian heart. He lives with his wife, Dr. Mikki Gil, in Southern California.