This post is an email exchange between an atheist friend and myself. I will add to this as the conversation continues.
Dear Friend,
I have a story below I would like to use to initiate a conversation. Please don’t look at this as a set up for a trap and try to find a way around it. You know I’m not out to “win” and I won’t “rub your nose …
1“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!2But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and …
Spiritual Blindness
35When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.”
37“You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!”
38“Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.
39Then Jesus told him, “I entered …
A True Story
There once were two men who both had a lot of land. In some places their land was very, very close to each other, in other places more distant. For the sake of storytelling, lets name them Edwin and Alfred.
After a while Edwin decided he really wanted a certain piece of Alfred’s land. He knew it was a prized piece of land and Alfred would not …
Jesus Brings Light to the Blind
1As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.2“Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
3“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in …
33“But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You …
The Unbelieving People Warned
21Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.”
22The people asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?”
23Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; …
Jesus, the Light of the World
12Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
13The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”
14Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though …
A Woman Caught in Adultery
1Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives,2but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them.3As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.…
Jesus Promises Living Water
37On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!38Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ ”39(When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to …
“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.32And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”