"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Charles Smith, president of the American Association for the Advancement of Atheism, said, "The whole scheme of redemption is foolishness to me. Because our parents and forefathers disobeyed God, he would not be on good terms with us until his son was nailed on a cross. This is not reasonable." (Oliphant-Smith Debate, p. 61).

We may never fully understand why Jesus had to die on the cross, but that is no reason to reject God's plan of redemption. 1 Cor. 1:18 says, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."