It's not a matter of me getting my feelings hurt and wanting to take my marbles elsewhere. It's an issue of time. Why would I take the time and energy to engage in a long back-and-forth when you're going to ridicule, reduce, or dismiss pretty much anything I say? It's not worth my time.

Let me just say this for tonight.

You are correct that people of various denominations and traditions and beliefs often claim they were led by the Spirit. Believe it or not, I accept that the confusion and division seen in the Christian community is a strong argument against the credibility of Christians today. I don't believe it constitutes an irrefutable overturning of the Bible or any kind of definitive repudiation of Christianity. But I grant that it is a very strong mark against Christians and the church.

But... realizing you will dismiss what I'm about to say as "word salad" or "dodging"...

The fact that all Christians are imperfect and sometimes "get it wrong" when it comes to claiming they are following God.... and the fact that many have tragically and shamefully gotten it wrong over the years .... does not disprove God. It just doesn't.

What's more, the validity of the Bible and Christianity does not rest on whether it meets with your approval. More specifically, whether or not the Holy Spirit is real is a matter completely independent of whether you personally agree with how the Bible defines the Holy Spirit or describes the work of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, I'm not feeling any pressure to "defend the indefensible." There are some things -- the existence of God, the life of Jesus, the death and resurrection of Jesus -- for which I can muster evidence (and have). When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we are squarely in the domain of faith. I can make some arguments about the existence of the soul and/or the supernatural realm and I can talk about how many lives have been remarkably changed and so forth, but...

We're in the realm of faith when it comes to talking about the Holy Spirit. There is no way I can prove to you or anyone else that the Holy Spirit indwells believers. It's something the Bible teaches, and it's something that Christians are asked to take on faith.

You don't believe in the Holy Spirit. Okay. I'm not going to waste time and energy arguing the point with you. You don't believe in the Holy Spirit. That is your prerogative. I do believe in the Holy Spirit. That is my prerogative. Let us agree to disagree, and move on.

Good night.