Endgame

Dear Dad,

By the time I had written up to post 12, I realised that I was writing it all for you. We’ve had many debates about God’s existence over the years and I never felt satisfied afterwards. In short conversations it is impossible to lay out the entirety of the argument. So that is what these forty posts are all about – a range of evidence and arguments from History, Personal Experience, Science and Psychology that point towards an objectively real Jesus.

If you have got as far as this post then I am very proud of you for sticking with it and being true to your word when your Grandson asked you to read it. I know you would far rather be out on your bike! St. Paul said “physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come”[1]. So I’m grateful that for once you have prioritised a workout of a different kind – a spiritual one.

Whatever conclusions you have reached from processing the entire argument is completely up to you now. I can rest easy, knowing that this was my best shot at explaining to you why your wife and two daughters believe that this life is not the end. I hope to see you in the New Creation. I would have struggled to forgive myself if I didn’t attempt once more to convince you that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life”[2]. But I know that I don’t have the power to save anybody. These posts are just ramblings unless the Holy Spirit shows up and draws you to Himself. I do think you have to be willing for this to happen though. Are you willing?

I thank you for your natural scepticism. As I wrote these posts, I imagined you reading them and pulling that face that you do -- where your cheek muscle sort of flicks upwards on one side of your face in disdain and your eyes narrow in disbelief. You make a slight scoffing noise whilst saying “Nah! What a load of rubbish!” Makes me laugh when I visualise it.

When editing my posts, your facial expression would pop into my mind and I’d think, Dad is never going to accept that -- I’d best tighten up that part of the argument or add a bit of extra evidence if I can. At other times, I would imagine the various comebacks you would make and I would try and anticipate them and include them in my post with a response. This is the best I can do. I’ve got nothing else to offer; nothing else left to say on the matter. Maybe it is enough. Maybe it’s not. But it’s out of my hands now and for that I’m grateful. You know I shun responsibility like my mother! Well now the responsibility is firmly in your court. Jesus is standing at the door, knocking[3]. Have you concluded He is a figment of my imagination; an evolutionary masterpiece for pragmatic, psychological purposes; one of many routes to God; or the only way to the Father[4]?

I love you Dad. Whatever you decide is up to you. God loves you enough to give you this free choice. But I will pray for you till my dying day that your heart may be softened towards your Maker.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

Maybe pray to Jesus tonight that He reveal Himself to you... I promise you that He will.

References [1] 1 Tim 4:8 [2] John 14:1-14 [3] Rev 3:20 [4] John 14:6