Dead Men Walking

I see dead people…Walking around like regular people…. They only see what they want to see. They don’t know they’re dead. —Cole Sear, from The Sixth Sense

Did you hear the one about the atheist who thought he was dead?

He goes into the doctor’s office and tells the doctor that he’s dead. The doctor tells him that he’s not dead and shows him charts and graphs to show that he’s alive.

“But,” the atheist says, “you could have made up the charts and graphs.”

So the doctor tells the atheist, “Dead people don’t move.”

The atheist replies, “Dead people can in fact move uncontrollably after death.”

“I will give you proof.” The doctor then asks the atheist, “Do dead people bleed?”

“No, dead people don’t bleed.”

The doctor takes a sharp pin and pokes the atheist’s arm; a small amount of blood comes to the surface. The atheist responds with great surprise, “Well how about that? Dead people do bleed.”

A rich man who found himself in Hell and pleaded that if a man rose from the dead, his five brothers, who were still alive, would believe and be spared the agony was forever suffering. The reply? “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” In other words, they have the Bible. Then the rich man said, “No, if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” The reply? “If they don’t read the Bible, then neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”

No amount of evidence will ever change the mind of an atheist. Why? God says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Ample evidences are given in this life that there is a God, evidences that atheists declare are not really evidences at all.

Oh, well.

A wise Christian will understand that atheists, like the rest of the unbelieving masses, are dead in their sin and trespasses. And until they come to Christ by faith, they cannot see, they cannot know, they cannot believe; they are dead men walking, condemned already.

So why argue? Do what Jesus did. State your case, then move on.

Jesus said, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for [proof], but no [proof] will be given to it except the [proof] of Jonah.”

*That’s this pastor’s point of view. What’s yours?

Comments (56)

    • Reply

      I agree Glenn, too often you get your emotions in the way of the truth. Think rationally. You could start by framing an argument as a discussion from which you can learn new things, rather than a thing to avoid.

  1. sleepless in jesusland

    Reply

    State your case and move on.

    So the evangelical is so intellectually bankrupt that they realize that rational thought, intelligence, critical thinking are their enemies and must be disgarded in favor of child-like thought? It scares me that people of faith believe this way, and just how flawed this way of thinking is. How do you get through the day using techniques such as deductive reasoning, critical thought, rational descision making, etc. but then view those same faculties as hindering when it comes to religion. How is faith without any proof, a good thing? What God would want the world to be that way, unless that God wanted you to remain as a child for all eternity.

  2. BathTub

    Reply

    I love how you can never decide if there is any proof of God or not, it’s very entertaining to watch Steve.

    Anyway, shall we talk about Ray’s new Hitler movie?

    If you had a magic Hitler movie that stopped Abortions, how long would you keep it secret Steve?

      • Steve how can we be patient. As the core mission behind your morbid “sudden death” posts you have preached that

        “Your friend, your neighbor, your loved one—that stranger on the street—may not have tomorrow to listen to you present the Gospel. What will you do about it, not next year, but today?”

        So, to echo BT, how do you justify keeping this video a secret?

    • vintango2k

      Reply

      Steve already gotten bitten on the Laminin thing I don’t blame him, is it okay for me to use the L Word now?

  3. BathTub

    Reply

    Another thing to point out. Just like the generic political joke by dad just forwarded to me… *sigh*… nothing about this generi-joke depends atheism or atheists. It’s just ‘to make random group look stupid insert group name here’. The joke works exactly the same with Christian, Muslim, Jew, Woman, Creationist, etc…

  4. Richard Chavarria

    Reply

    Got me laughing. I like the part when the atheist says “ well how about that. dead people do bleed.”

    For the believer, evidence can certainly affirm one’s understanding of the universe and how life began. Especially in light of God’s revelation to humanity through his word, the Holy Bible.

    Man is without excuse. Repent and believe the gospel.

  5. Nohm

    Reply

    Wait wait wait.

    First you quote Hebrews 11:6 with:

    All atheists, while in this lifetime, will continue to demand proof that there is a God. But none will ever be given because God says that a person who comes to him must first believe that he exists; they must come by faith.

    And then immediately after that you write:

    Ample evidences are given in this life that there is a God

    Do you not see the contradiction here?

    Also, what evidences? All I’ve ever gotten from you are claims of “design”, without indicating how to demonstrate that it’s design. Or prophecy, which puts you in the same boat as Muslims, yet you don’t accept their prophecy, even though you use the exact same arguments to support your claims of prophecy.

    You tell us there is evidence. You also tell us that evidence will damn us.

    Seriously, make up your mind.

      • vintango2k

        Steve I would consider the evidence is misconstrued. People have tried to construe the apparent evidence in favor of God for many years, but that was just a product of their own preconception. The answer, ‘That’s just the way God made it.’ has failed to hold up every single time its been put forth, because its a non-answer, its an admission of defeat. Scientists over the years have made great leaps in the fields of genetics, biology, and physics, and have improved our lives and our understanding of how the universe and reality function and operate without any evidence pointing towards divine intervention or supernatural fiat. Can you truly blame people for not believing in a God when there’s not a shred of evidence in the world that points to the existence of the Christian God or any God or Gods for that matter? All those arguments boiled down to incredulity and special pleading for whatever particular God the Apologist was advocating, and their arguments could easily work for any type of supernatural being someone was advocating.

  6. Nohm

    Reply

    Hey Steve, did you ever hear the one about the Pastor of Hope Chapel who thought he was dead?

    He goes into the doctor’s office and tells the doctor that he’s dead. The doctor tells him that he’s not dead and shows him charts and graphs to show that he’s alive. “But,” the pastor says, “you could have made up the charts and graphs.”

    So the Doctor tells the pastor,“Dead people don’t move.”

    The pastor says, “Dead people can in fact move uncontrollably after death.”

    The doctor replies, “I will give you proof. Then he asks the pastor, “Do dead people bleed?”

    “No, dead people don’t bleed.”

    The doctor takes a sharp pin and pokes the pator in the arm, whereupon a small amount of blood comes to the surface. The pastor responds with great surprise, “Well how about that? Dead people do bleed.”

    The context is how the pastor from Hope Chapel does not accept the evidence for evolution.

    See? Context! 🙂

  7. Reply

    “All atheists, while in this lifetime, will continue to demand proof that there is a God. But none will ever be given…”

    “Ample evidences are given in this life that there is a God”

    So which is it?

    “So why argue? Do what Jesus did. State your case, then move on.”

    Jesus supposedly performed miracles. So then do what he did – provide the miracles – or move on from your irrational belief.

    • Reply

      Actually, in Vietnam, the majority of the people we talked to came to Christ as a result of miracles and healings. But they don’t have the Word of God on every corner in that country.

      Since we do have Christ everywhere in America (and Australia, where you are), the challenge for you is to read and believe.

      That would be the greatest miracle.

      • Steve there’s a number of problems with your response.

        1. The Vietnamese you visited were denied basic education. If they missed out on things like basic statistics, how are they differentiating miracles from expected outcomes?

        2. None of the Vietnamese (or Cambodians for that matter) ever had their landmine victims miraculously healed.

        3. They actually do have Christianity just about everywhere. I dont have a census but I think you’d find it pretty equivilant to Australia, with a few remote tribes not exposed.

        4. Even if we assume (and that’s a ridiculously big if) these people experience miraculous deeds, given 3 why are the Vietnamese being afforded clear evidence when everyone in Australia and the US are only getting bad arguments?

  8. Richard Chavarria

    Reply

    Here is what I understand the evolutionists believe. They believe that they are rational. Yet, they cannot explain where the laws of logic came from and they use them all the time. They believe that we came from pond scum- molecules to man, yet, they act as if everything will continue to be as it was before. They believe that they are moral, yet they do not know where these universal truths comes from!

    Jos. 24:15 “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

    But unless you repent, you too will all perish

    • Nohm

      Reply

      Here is what I understand the evolutionists believe.

      I will try this again: Richard, your understanding is significantly flawed.

      Your understanding is wrong.

      You can correct this, if you wish, by actually doing research.

    • Reply

      “Here is what I understand the evolutionists believe. They believe that they are rational.”

      Give yourself a pat on the back. You are right! Wait a sec…

      “Yet, they cannot explain where the laws of logic came from and they use them all the time.”

      Oh you spoilt it.
      Chav Failosophy Counter = 20

      I have done this several times.

      They believe that we came from pond scum- molecules to man, yet, they act as if everything will continue to be as it was before.

      Chav Failosophy Counter = 21

      I have addressed your misuse of the “problem” of induction before.

      “They believe that they are moral, yet they do not know where these universal truths comes from!”

      Chav Failosophy Counter = 22

      Myself and other commentators have provide numerous examples of other moral frameworks, several of which are more objective than your whimsical morals.

      “But unless you repent, you too will all perish”

      Its never too late to learn Richard, its never too late to stop wasting your time and start living your life.

  9. margaret gill

    Reply

    i totally agree. I think the no arguing goes even for cult members…they believe what they believe because they want to. light has come into the world but men love darkness

  10. Bro 310

    Reply

    Steve,

    Are you going to report on what happened at the Fiesta Hermosa? Where are the pictures?

    I saw your booth and I was a little disappointed by the lack of the following:

    1. No Teddy Trillions.
    2. No autographed 8×10 photos of “The Sanchez”
    3. No life-sized poster of “The Sanchez” and “Righteous Richard”
    4. No “Repent and Believe The Gospel” refrigerator magnet
    5. No personal mirror that had the words “You are not a Good Person” printed on it.
    6. No “Gospel Girls” bikini evangelists.
    7. No one yelling.
    8. No nearby porta-potties.
    9. No atheist hecklers
    10. No Righteous Richard.

    I must say that in person you seemed like a pretty nice guy. I didn’t know that you had an inside voice and was relieved that you didn’t talk to me through a megaphone. I would even go so far as to say that I got the impression that you were a “Good Person” but I don’t want to insult you.

    • Reply

      Thursday I will report on it. Righteous Richard was there from 8-11am Saturday. Sorry you missed him.

      We had tons of trillions; don’t know how you didn’t get one.

      We gave away over 2,000 Chick Fillet coupons (free coke, free chicken sandwich). I hope you got one of those.

      Generally, the evangelism booth is a mellow affair. I did open air preach at the shuttle bus line. You’ll see how that turned out tomorrow.

      The bikini girls were in a booth across from us.

      Then again, you may not have even been there and you’re just pulling my leg… Ha! Ha!

      • Bro 310

        Steve, I was there!

        I got a Ben Franklin Hundred Dollar tract. Maybe I should have asked for a Teddy Trillion.

        I didn’t take the IQ Test out of paranoia. I thought I might have to provide my address and I feared a visit from Righteous Richard yielding a baseball bat that said “Repent and Believe the Gospel”

        Steve I do think I misjudged you and I am sorry about that. You really did strike me as a nice guy.

        There is unfortunately a lot of chicanery and charlatanism going on in Christianity these days. I think that has turned me off to a lot of evangelists.

        You do seem like you are in it for altruistic reasons, concern for others as well as out of service to what you believe God’s will is for you personally and in for a believer in general.

      • Bro 310

        Steve,

        Although I do like me some Chick-Fil-A I am going to have to pass on revealing my identity.

        I might be persuaded with a coupon to Old Tony’s 😉

  11. Reply

    May I just highlight this?

    So why argue? Do what Jesus did. State your case, then move on.

    …And yet here you are, every Tuesday.

    As for the rest of it… meh. The Christian pastor thinks atheists are foolish, stupid, and/or deluded. In other news, water is wet, fire is hot, and dogs have fur. I’m honestly kind of grateful that you’re willing to admit that atheists actually exist; I’m getting a little tired of running into people who insist that I can’t possibly be what I am.

    That said… I realize that this post was meant to be (at least partly) humorous and/or tongue-in-cheek, but it really didn’t come across that way. It came across – the opening “joke” in particular – as petty and a little spiteful. I realize that it’s tough to come up with a new view or a new approach every week, but I thought this one was beneath you.

      • Nohm

        As for the joke, it states completely what I’ve seen from most atheists.

        Which is… what?

        Steve, do you at least understand that simply claiming design as evidence is not the same as demonstrating that something is designed?

      • Nohm

        Let’s see if an example will help:

        Nohm: “Hi Steve. I have evidence that God does not exist: Jesus Christ himself said that God does not exist!”

        (That would be me making a claim)

        Steve: “Wait, what? Where in the Bible did Jesus say THAT?”

        (That would be you asking me to demonstrate my claim)

        Nohm: “Steve, here’s a Bible verse that calls you a fool for not believing me.”

        OR

        Nohm: “Steve, just open your eyes. It’s obvious”

        OR

        Nohm: “Steve, it’s there, just have faith that I’m right.”

        Do you understand the problem, Steve? Do you understand that you can’t just claim something (like design) without demonstrating it? That’s what you do when you claim design and then I ask you to demonstrate that claim.

      • Michael, do you really think these posts are for atheists?

        No, I think they’re written primarily for Christians, about atheists. Any message directed to atheists is secondary, at best… but it’s still there. And as I said, I think this particular message was beneath you. Among other things, because it misleads your Christian readers about what atheists believe, and why.

        Here’s the thing: whether you agree with them or not, you’re still talking about people. Implying, even jokingly, that the group you’re talking about is universally stupid is, well, cruel and (in the nature of such generalities) almost certainly unjustified. You usually do a better job of taking atheists at their word – as, for example, with this idea that Christian belief requires faith as a starting point, and atheists simply won’t start there. That we won’t may seem wrong or foolish to you, but it isn’t a matter of willfully denying evidence – it simply doesn’t seem that foolish to us. Given the limits of human understanding, I’d think that deserves sympathy, or at least pity, rather than scorn or contempt.

        As for the joke, it states completely what I’ve seen from most atheists.

        Does it really? I can understand how it would feel that way. The things we know are always obvious – to us. (I recall a martial arts instructor looking at something I was trying to do and explaining, “You need more rotation.” It didn’t help me at all. What sort of rotation? In what direction? Along what axis? Using which part, or parts, of my body? I’m sure it was perfectly clear to him…) The idea that someone could disagree with something so obvious is irritating, even if the other person has a point.

        So, yes, I think you have a point. That joke states completely what you’ve seen from most atheists. I just doubt that what you’ve seen is the whole of the story.

      • “So, yes, I think you have a point. That joke states completely what you’ve seen from most atheists. I just doubt that what you’ve seen is the whole of the story.”

        I would agree with you on this point, my friend,

        It is a funny joke though. Nothing cruel intended. I don’t think atheists are stupid; they just ignore the obvious. At least what’s obvious to those who know God.

        Thank you!

      • I don’t think atheists are stupid; they just ignore the obvious.

        Well, that’s part of my point: if it were obvious to us, we’d agree with you. We’re not ignoring it; we just don’t see it.

        That’s why the joke comes across as mean-spirited to me. It glosses over the distinction between ‘don’t see it,’ and ‘won’t see it’. And if you’re willing to accept that our ignorance is unwilling (rather than willful), then the joke is effectively making fun of the handicapped. It’s like telling a joke about a blind person who keeps running into things because he refuses to look where he’s going.

        Now, obviously I’m not the target audience for the joke, and maybe your Christian readers find it funny or reassuring to think about how atheists are just ignoring the obvious. (I’d love to hear back from some of the Christian readers about that, actually.) But I still think you have better ways to present your faith than this.

      • Michael, I appreciate your point. Yes, in fact, the bible says that you are indeed handicapped, blinded by the god of this age. Sin is what blinds you and the others. This may sound harsh, but I’m not trying to be; I’m just giving a biblical answer. Repent of your sin—by faith, and put your trust in the Savior—by faith, then you will see.

        In other words, you are willfully handicapped.

      • Nohm

        Steve wrote: “Repent of your sin—by faith, and put your trust in the Savior—by faith, then you will see.

        Been there, done that. I didn’t see anything.

      • Sin is what blinds you and the others. … Repent of your sin—by faith, and put your trust in the Savior—by faith, then you will see.

        In other words, you are willfully handicapped.

        No, that didn’t come off as harsh; I disagree that the condition is willful, but I understand that you think so because that’s what your exegesis tells you. And you’ve already heard me, and other commenters, try to explain that, for us, belief (or disbelief) isn’t a choice, but rather a conclusion; so I won’t belabor the point here. But, again, I do understand that your faith tells you that faith is a choice. I’m sure that from inside that faith, it makes perfect – obvious – sense.

        I’m just asking you to keep in mind that from the outside – that is, without faith – the things you believe aren’t anywhere near so obvious. Even the Bible says so, if I remember correctly – maybe one of Paul’s letters? Doesn’t he talk about how Christian belief really is absurd, except that it happens to be true?

  12. Nohm

    Reply

    Glad you understand, Steve.

    So, I’m listening; what are the evidences that a God exists? I will take this seriously.

    If you think “DESIGN!” is evidence, please demonstrate that it is design and not something like emergence.

  13. vintango2k

    Reply

    @ Michael

    I’d look up the passage if you’re trying to quote it, too often people parrot things they’ve read before or heard and a lot of times its incorrect. Then other people take it up and spread it around, its the source of how misinformation gets spread around. I’d look it up Michael and if you’re correct than post it, but if you are incorrect you should correct yourself so that other people aren’t deceived. Its no big deal, and its even a humble thing to do, right Steve? =)

    • Reply

      Yeah, if I remembered the exact passage, I’d have quoted it. That’s why I phrased it as a question – I was hoping someone would jump in with, “Oh, yeah, that sounds like __________.”

      It’s possible that I’m reading too much into 1 Corinthians 15 (particularly verse 19 – “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”) Maybe that just sounded to me like an implicit admission that Christian beliefs (“Whaddaya know, people really can come back from the dead!”) are a bit, um, counter-intuitive.

      Take a look at verse 12, too: “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” Paul is apparently writing to people in the early Church itself who found the idea a little hard to swallow. If there was that sort of disagreement about something like that back then, why is it so hard to accept that people today, people who don’t share the faith and are separated from the original events by thousands of miles and thousands of years, might legitimately find the whole thing a bit hard to believe?

  14. Reply

    Pastor Steve,

    I met a lady last weekend who is a recent ex-atheist. She repented of her sins and trusted in Christ in January! She is in her 40’s and admitted that her hangup with God all these years has been her own sin and her reluctance to yield to a higher power who would dare to call her behavior wrong. Romans 1 described her perfectly, and she finally came to grips with reality.

    I pray that some of those posting here will come to their senses before it’s too late. Hell is full enough already! They don’t need extra company.

    • vintango2k

      Reply

      But Glenn what if its you who are hell bound because you have chosen the wrong religion?

    • Patrick

      Reply

      Glenn: “I pray that some of those posting here will come to their senses before it’s too late. Hell is full enough already! They don’t need extra company.”

      I got this from the web: “The total number of humans that have ever lived has been estimated at 110 billion.”

      Going with what you guys believe, there must be about 109,352,000,000 people in Hell.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *