Repost from 2015. Edited, updated, and corrected.
The answer
The solution to life’s problems
The Way
The Truth
The Life
The one who makes life worth living
Redeemer
Deliverer
Savior
If Jesus is the giver of new life
If Jesus cleanses a person from sin
If Jesus gives a person new desires
If Jesus gives a person a new song
If Jesus fills the empty void in a person’s heart
If Jesus gives a person everything he or she needs pertaining to life and godliness
If Jesus heals
If Jesus sets addicts free
If Jesus cleanses sinners from all unrighteousness
If Jesus really is who and what Christians say he is . . .
Why are their lives no different from mine; no different from most agnostics or atheists I know?
It seems the only difference between me and thee, dear Evangelical, is what each of us do on Sundays between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and noon.
I am moral and ethical, as are most atheists, agnostics, humanists, pagans, and Buddhists.
I try to live morally, ethically, honestly, kindly, and justly.
I desire peace, happiness, and prosperity for all, including Christians.
Yet, I do all of this without Jesus.
If Jesus really is who and what Evangelicals say he is . . .
Why are there so many Christian books written to deal with the messy, dysfunctional lives of the followers of Jesus?
I’m trying really hard to understand what benefit there is for following Jesus.
If I can live morally and ethically without Jesus, then why should I join a club that demands ten percent (and more) of my income to be a member in good standing?
If Jesus is what you need, I say good for you.
I hope you will say the same for people like me who have no need for Jesus.
Jesus may be the answer to your questions, but he is not the answer to mine.
Bruce Gerencser, 69, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 48 years. He and his wife have six grown children and thirteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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