Just an observation, but you may want to research the sheer number of Christian people (scientists, engineers, doctors, laborers, businessmen, etc.) throughout history who made significant advancements and improvements in this world. As Christians, we certainly aren't looking for an escape from this world, nor are we just waiting around for salvation in the world to come. That eternal salvation from our sin and our death has already been accomplished for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Windar12q, as I see it, there are only two kinds of people in this world. Those who trust in Jesus and His promises, and those who trust in something else. Everybody trusts in something. That is simply a fact. Christians trust in Jesus and you trust in something else. Unfortunately, that "something else" will not avail for you when it is your time to die. Jesus will. His resurrection from the dead proves it. My grandfather used to say, "You can' really live, until you first know how to die." He was a man of few words, but when he said something, we all sat up and took notice because it was something very important. Grandpa's point is this: If you aren't prepared to die rejoicing in the new and eternal life that Christ has already given you in THIS life, then you aren't really living at all. You're merely existing. And that's not much of a life. I continue to keep you in my daily prayers, and hope that you are well.

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 6:23). We all die because we all sin. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). But, "God demonstrates His own love for us in this, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). Jesus said, "Whoever looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the Last Day." (John 6:40) With the overwhelming empirical evidence that Christ's tomb was empty on that first Easter, it is obvious that Jesus has the power to make good on this promise! And so, because Jesus walked out of His grave, one day we will walk out of ours. This is God's promise to you, too, windar12q. And no matter how complicated you try to make things, it really is as simple as that. I just don't understand why you would refuse such a beautiful gift as everlasting life. At 87 years old, it seems to me that time may be running out for you. I continue to keep you in my daily prayers. With kindest regards, Steve (SMS)

I guess I should have been more clear. Earth's energy giving us life and death is fiction. Life does not come from non-life. So you're still left with the original life question. Thankfully, the One who created life has given us the answer. You and I weren't there, but He was.

I would like to say, "Live long and prosper" but, unfortunately, that is simply science fiction. With all due respect, what you have written is fiction. And, by the way, there IS a Man who has boldly gone where no man has gone before, into the grave of death and back out again alive forevermore. His name is Jesus. And all who trust in Him will do the same thing. Because of Jesus, we don't just live long and prosper, we live forever. I continue to pray each day for your deliverance.

You are such a great artist, Elizabeth! Thanks for sharing.

Wow! This will be an interesting discussion to follow. I've always appreciated Jay Wile's balanced approach and his thoughtful science. I'm curious to see the refutation attempts that will certainly abound. Thanks for sharing this!

Romans 5:8  "but God DEMONSTRATES His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It seems to me that in our whole discussion, YOU are the only one who keeps exhibiting hate, not God. God's primary directive isn't "Believe in Me or go to Hell" but "Trust in Me and rejoice in Me because I love you and suffered Hell in your place." Unfortunately, you won't understand any of this until you stand at the foot of the cross and look up into the face of the One who loves you so much that He would suffer and die just for you. Windar, if you were the only sinner on the face of this earth, Jesus would still have come and died just for you. He loves you that much. I will continue to pray for your deliverance.

@windar12q What would God have to do for you to "demonstrate" His existence? Please be as detailed as possible in your response. Also, there is plenty of reasonable and demonstrable evidence to support the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. You simply choose to ignore it.

Windar, I'm still waiting for you tell us your definition of faith? I define faith as trust in someone or something that has proven trustworthy. My faith/trust in Jesus is based on factual, logical, reasonable evidence. The fact that you refuse to consider or discuss the evidence with us doesn't make that evidence any less real or less compelling. With kindest regard.

So, if I warn you about the grave danger you are in as you stubbornly refuse to leave your burning house, that is somehow unloving and intimidating?

Who is your source for this belief? What makes him so credible that you base your eternal fate on what he says? What if he's wrong?

@windar12q I didn't say "you had better listen." If I implied that, I'm sorry. What I said is this. When someone predicts His rising from the dead, and that prediction comes true, He is also then credible and trustworthy in the other statements that He makes. If you feel threatened, the threats are not coming from me. Also, Christianity is based on compelling evidence, not fantasy. I trust the words of Jesus, because He has proven Himself credible and trustworthy. Faith always has an object, based on compelling evidence -- the empty tomb. With all humility, I would ask you to honestly and openly consider these five questions. 1. What do YOU think will happen to you when you die? 2. Where will you go? 3. How do you know this for sure? 4. What is your source of authority? 5. Most importantly, is that source reliable? (After all, you’re basing your eternal welfare on your source’s credibility). In the final analysis, we will all die. You and I both know this is true. And, it doesn’t really matter what I think or what you think. What matters is what God says. "Whoever believes in Me has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." Because Jesus walked out of His grave, one day I'm going to walk out of mine. He proved that statement true by rising from the dead Himself. The logical, historical, and reasonable evidence for the Resurrection is conclusive for those who are willing to take a good look at it. Regards

@windar12q How is the fact that Jesus walked out of His grave and promises the same thing for those who trust in Him intimidation?

@windar12q The empty tomb. When a man rises from the dead, it may be a good idea to listen to what He has to say.

God demonstrates His own love for us in this, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. You asked for God to give a demonstration of His love for you. He already did at the cross.

Windar, what is your definition of faith? I define faith as trust in someone or something that has proven trustworthy. My faith/trust in Jesus is based on evidence. You keep attempting to force a false dichotomy between faith/trust and evidence which is simply untrue. The fact that you refuse to consider or didcuss the evidence doesn't make that evidence less real or compelling. With kindest regard.

@windar12q I was under the impression that we were having an open discussion and a free exchange of ideas, not a "trounce the other person" debate. I guess I was mistaken. If we are having a debate, you may want to look over some of our questions and position statements that YOU have never addressed. According to your assertion, that means you have lost the debate as well.

Give me chapter and verse and I will try to work through these texts with you. There is an answer if you read them in context. Let's take them one or two at a time. The shotgun approach is rarely helpful to anyone. Ekrause has been trying to explain the difference between slavery today and slavery in ancient times, but you don't seem interested in listening to anything we have to say.

@windar12q Atheists may have a higher standard of personal morals than some Christians do because Christians are sinners too, and some people who claim to be Christians have no idea what Jesus teaches or what Christianity is really all about (the death and resurrection of Christ for the salvation of the world). However, nobody (atheists or non-atheists) have a higher standard of behavior than God reveals in the Ten Commandments. He demands complete perfection Matthew 5:48  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Leviticus 19:2  “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. Romans 3:12-20  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”  (13)  “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”  (14)  “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”  (15)  “Their feet are swift to shed blood;  (16)  in their paths are ruin and misery,  (17)  and the way of peace they have not known.”  (18)  “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  (19)  Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.  (20)  For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. You are very good at taking Bible passages out of their context, but keep in mind that all the "laws" in the Bible serve as an example of just how far we sinful human beings have fallen from God's perfect standard, and how seriously God takes our sins against Him. The consequences of our sins are devastating. Just look around at our world and you can see it. Laws are needed because people are rebellious and often act outside the law (outlaws.) Thankfully, Jesus lived a perfect human life in our place, and He now credits that perfect life to all who trust in Him as Savior from sin and death. Then He died on the cross to take the punishment that we deserve because of our sinful breaking of God's Law. He rose from the dead to give us a new life with Him that begins fresh and clean every morning -- and new life with Him that will last forever. Jesus did all this for you, too. 2 Corinthians 5:21  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 3:36  Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. 1 John 1:8-10  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

@windar12q It seems to me that you have difficulty taking responsibility for the things you do (or don't do). Are you accountable for any actions you take, or any decisions you make? Yes. When you've made mistakes in your life, and I'm sure you have, is it your fault? Yes. A train set is merely a toy, you are a human being. We must take full responsibility for what we do (and what we fail to do). That's just a reality, whether we want to admit it or not. With kindest regards.