My 7-year-old daughter, Jessica, is a deep thinker when it comes to theological questions. Recently we discussed why bad things happen sometimes, re-reading the story of Adam and Eve and how sin came into the world.

Later that week, Jessica was ill and had to stay home from school. Feeling miserable, she told me: "If only Adam and Even hadn't eaten the fruit, I wouldn't be sick." Before I could answer, she added: "Of course, if they didn't eat it, we'd be sitting here naked."