Edwina the Uber-Apologist

In the past twenty years I've read several hundred books on theology and apologetics. I've read numerous classics and many of the best recent works. And recently I read what may be the most powerful smackdown of the atheist mindset that I've ever seen:

Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct

What? I'm serious! Just check out the plot summary: "Everyone in town knows Edwina. She is the dinosaur who plays with the kids. She is the dinosaur who helps little old ladies cross the street. And best of all, she bakes yummy chocolate-chip cookies. Everyone loves Edwina - except for Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie. Reginald knows dinosaurs are extinct and is ready to prove it. But will anyone listen? And if they do, what will happen to Edwina?"

Now tell me that isn't the finest caricature of atheism that you've ever seen! Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie is obsessed with proving that Edwina can't possibly exist, and actually thinks that if he can convince enough people, she'll cease to be. Even as she's baking cookies for his class, he's spewing venom against her that could be summarized as "Edwina doesn't exist, and I hate her". Reginald could switch places with Richard Dawkins and you'd never notice. A finer caricature of the atheist has never been concocted.

How does Edwina defeat all his finest arguments? Simply by existing.

And all the atheist's bluster of "there is no God" falls impotent before "I AM".

God is, and Jesus is risen from the dead. The cleverest arguments of the enemy are defeated by those truths. Know it, proclaim it, and live like it. It's the only hope for us, and a world full of Hoobie-Doobies.

When Your Worst Nightmare is Wishful Thinking

Once again it's time for the annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And with that, it's time for a corresponding increase in mockery and scoffing from the unrepentant.

The last few years I've seen much more jokes about "Zombie Jesus" than I can ever remember - maybe people have been making them for years and I was just unaware, but to me it seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon. What I find fascinating about this particular line of mockery is that it's actually clearly a case of wishful thinking. This bold blasphemy is nothing but a pathetic cry for help - but defiantly not a genuine cry to the one who can and will actually save.

They understand that they would be significantly better off if Jesus actually had been a zombie. The truth is infinitely glorious for his people, but infinitely more terrifying for the scoffers - by his resurrection, Jesus was confirmed as the Son of God, ready to judge the living and the dead when he returns to save his people from the appointed judgment.

Compared to the impending judgment, a zombie apocalypse would be a cakewalk. Every zombie horror story combined and multiplied by a billion still doesn't come close to matching the sheer terror of what the King of Kings will actually do to his enemies.

The good news - the greatest news you can possibly hear - is that you don't have to be his enemy anymore. The reality of Christ's imminent return is beyond horrifying for the wicked, but a sweet, comforting, promise of life to those who through Jesus have been reconciled to God. I implore you - stop presuming on God's patience, and today - right now! - be reconciled to God!

Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who lived, was crucified, died, was buried, rose triumphantly from the grave, ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of God, who will return to judge the living and the dead of the sons of man - he is the one you fear. He is also the one who can save you. Repent and turn to Jesus in faith for forgiveness of your sin. Today. While you still can.