1 00:01:23,804 --> 00:01:27,287 When I hear people say, "I lost faith," 2 00:01:28,637 --> 00:01:32,902 I picture them giving up, no longer able to keep looking. 3 00:01:34,252 --> 00:01:36,424 It wasn't like that for me. 4 00:01:36,424 --> 00:01:40,952 I even thought, selfishly, witnessing a war would bring me closer to God. 5 00:01:40,952 --> 00:01:44,607 But the more I prayed, the more empty my prayers seemed. 6 00:01:55,271 --> 00:01:57,707 They were whispers into a void. 7 00:02:02,539 --> 00:02:05,889 I was looking for a sign. Any sign. 8 00:02:11,026 --> 00:02:12,505 But it was quiet. 9 00:02:15,987 --> 00:02:18,424 Yeah, I'm still here. I'm listening. 10 00:02:20,905 --> 00:02:22,515 How can I help? 11 00:02:27,347 --> 00:02:29,262 Have you talked to anyone at the VA? 12 00:02:29,262 --> 00:02:30,871 They have people who... 13 00:02:32,787 --> 00:02:34,222 No, I understand. 14 00:02:35,703 --> 00:02:38,053 Thank you for saying that, but I'm not... 15 00:02:38,053 --> 00:02:40,837 Matt, I'm not, uh, qualified. 16 00:02:43,058 --> 00:02:44,886 Is there anyone at work? 17 00:02:44,886 --> 00:02:47,975 I mean, the NSA must be full of other vets. Right? 18 00:02:59,117 --> 00:03:01,423 No, I get it. Appearances matter. 19 00:03:04,079 --> 00:03:06,734 Sure. Anything. Yeah. 20 00:03:06,734 --> 00:03:10,258 Hey. Sorry. Give me a minute. I'm sorry. Hold on. 21 00:03:11,217 --> 00:03:12,695 Okay. 22 00:03:13,741 --> 00:03:15,351 Okay. 23 00:03:15,351 --> 00:03:18,440 Let me ask around. I'll find someone good. I will. 24 00:03:21,183 --> 00:03:23,402 I'll call you as soon as I... 25 00:03:28,321 --> 00:03:30,279 But I'll be in the office right after that. 26 00:03:30,279 --> 00:03:32,759 I'll get you a name. Okay? I promise. 27 00:03:39,070 --> 00:03:41,768 Hey. Hey. Matt. 28 00:03:42,900 --> 00:03:45,903 Hey, hey, come on, man. 29 00:03:45,903 --> 00:03:48,036 Come on. I was there. 30 00:03:48,036 --> 00:03:49,951 I get it. 31 00:03:49,951 --> 00:03:53,476 We're gonna get you some help. Okay? I'll call you tomorrow. 32 00:03:53,476 --> 00:03:55,565 Maybe read Psalms if you get a minute. 33 00:03:55,565 --> 00:03:57,914 There's some stuff in there that always helps me. 34 00:03:58,655 --> 00:04:00,743 Love you too, buddy. Bye. 35 00:04:03,225 --> 00:04:05,140 I'm sorry. 36 00:04:05,140 --> 00:04:07,447 You're the one who wanted to talk. 37 00:04:07,447 --> 00:04:09,491 Sarah, he was crying. 38 00:04:10,711 --> 00:04:13,496 Sorry. You know, I... I like Matt. 39 00:04:13,496 --> 00:04:16,369 Is... Is he okay? 40 00:04:16,369 --> 00:04:18,936 I don't know. Uh... 41 00:04:18,936 --> 00:04:20,851 It was bad over there. 42 00:04:20,851 --> 00:04:23,637 It's always bad. It was bad for you too.Yeah. 43 00:04:23,637 --> 00:04:26,508 But I was just there to write, not fight. Big difference. 44 00:04:28,206 --> 00:04:30,121 Look, I really have to get to work. 45 00:04:30,121 --> 00:04:32,480 - I got this, uh, interview. - Interview, yeah. No, I heard. 46 00:04:34,430 --> 00:04:37,085 Hey, I want this... us to work. 47 00:04:37,085 --> 00:04:41,002 Tell me what to do. How many times do you want me to apologize? 48 00:04:41,002 --> 00:04:43,134 Stop apologizing. Just tell me the number. I'll do it. 49 00:04:43,134 --> 00:04:45,789 Things happen. How many times do I have to live through it? 50 00:04:45,789 --> 00:04:47,878 Things happen, but I'm here. Now. I'm back. 51 00:04:47,878 --> 00:04:50,838 It's only been worse since you've been back, Paul. I can't live like this. 52 00:04:50,838 --> 00:04:53,535 I can change. I can be better. I want to be better. 53 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:56,408 Can't we fix this? Fix? 54 00:04:57,845 --> 00:05:00,848 When trust in a marriage has been broken, how do you fix that? 55 00:05:00,848 --> 00:05:04,417 You want to throw all this away because of one mistake? 56 00:05:04,417 --> 00:05:06,853 It was my fault. I get in my head sometimes. 57 00:05:08,464 --> 00:05:10,771 Can we at least talk to someone? Anyone? 58 00:05:10,771 --> 00:05:12,599 Hey, hey. 59 00:05:12,599 --> 00:05:15,863 Can we... Can we talk tonight? Please? Can we... 60 00:05:15,863 --> 00:05:18,996 I'm not sure I'll be here. I need to think. 61 00:05:18,996 --> 00:05:21,915 You're gonna be late for your interview, and I really have to get to work. 62 00:05:25,046 --> 00:05:26,525 Yeah. 63 00:05:46,807 --> 00:05:48,111 Good morning. 64 00:05:49,331 --> 00:05:50,550 Morning. 65 00:05:50,550 --> 00:05:52,638 Like clockwork, you two. 66 00:06:27,108 --> 00:06:28,630 I'll call you later. 67 00:08:12,343 --> 00:08:13,561 Good morning. 68 00:08:14,694 --> 00:08:16,521 Sorry I'm late. Uh... 69 00:08:17,566 --> 00:08:19,394 I had to... Sorry I'm late. 70 00:08:19,394 --> 00:08:21,135 Oh, only five minutes. 71 00:08:21,135 --> 00:08:24,921 Still leaves us 25 minutes as agreed. 72 00:08:24,921 --> 00:08:27,576 Uh, right. Thirty minutes today, tomorrow, and Friday. 73 00:08:27,576 --> 00:08:29,577 Mm-hmm. Everyone's, uh... 74 00:08:30,405 --> 00:08:32,929 Busy? 75 00:08:32,929 --> 00:08:35,278 That's right. Everyone's busy. 76 00:08:37,020 --> 00:08:38,151 Are you okay? 77 00:08:38,935 --> 00:08:40,763 Oh. Yeah. Sorry. I'm great. 78 00:08:40,763 --> 00:08:43,853 Sorry. Uh... Paul Asher. With The Herald. 79 00:08:43,853 --> 00:08:46,160 Uh, I know who you are. 80 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:49,032 I know all your work. I'm a fan.Thanks. 81 00:08:49,032 --> 00:08:51,208 Oh. 82 00:08:51,208 --> 00:08:52,818 Uh, sorry. Do you mind? 83 00:08:53,733 --> 00:08:55,343 Okay. A few ground rules. 84 00:08:55,343 --> 00:08:57,911 I'm recording this conversation for accuracy. 85 00:08:57,911 --> 00:09:00,827 Also three sessions... today, tomorrow, and Friday. 86 00:09:00,827 --> 00:09:04,439 When we're done I'll show you what I wrote, but I retain editorial control. 87 00:09:04,439 --> 00:09:05,875 Do you agree? Agreed. 88 00:09:05,875 --> 00:09:08,748 And I expect great things. 89 00:09:08,748 --> 00:09:10,663 Okay, but don't get your hopes up. 90 00:09:10,663 --> 00:09:12,534 I cover religion for a secular paper, 91 00:09:12,534 --> 00:09:15,102 and the stuff I write usually ends up in the Lifestyles section. 92 00:09:15,102 --> 00:09:18,279 You're just being modest. Horoscopes get better placement. 93 00:09:18,279 --> 00:09:22,022 Well, the reporting you did from Afghanistan was very impressive. 94 00:09:22,022 --> 00:09:25,242 You followed that? Every word. 95 00:09:25,242 --> 00:09:27,201 Christians in combat? 96 00:09:27,201 --> 00:09:29,203 That must have been a tough assignment. 97 00:09:29,203 --> 00:09:32,119 Tough on you. Tough on your family. 98 00:09:32,119 --> 00:09:33,947 Tougher for others. 99 00:09:33,947 --> 00:09:35,775 I was just there to write. 100 00:09:35,775 --> 00:09:37,864 But I met some amazing people. 101 00:09:37,864 --> 00:09:41,781 Well, I'd love to hear more about your personal experiences over there. 102 00:09:41,781 --> 00:09:43,825 Yeah. Maybe some other time. 103 00:09:44,784 --> 00:09:46,742 So, unless we're here to play chess, 104 00:09:46,742 --> 00:09:48,483 let's talk about you. 105 00:09:48,483 --> 00:09:50,746 Do you play? Me? No. 106 00:09:50,746 --> 00:09:53,531 Never? When I was a kid. 107 00:09:53,531 --> 00:09:55,794 Anyway... But not anymore? 108 00:09:57,492 --> 00:09:59,886 My father used to bring me here. 109 00:09:59,886 --> 00:10:01,887 I used to play a little back then. Anyway... 110 00:10:03,019 --> 00:10:05,108 Shall we? 111 00:10:05,108 --> 00:10:08,415 Okay. Today is June 1. Please say your name and spell it. 112 00:10:10,548 --> 00:10:13,812 I'm God. G-O-D. 113 00:10:15,989 --> 00:10:18,469 Okay. Great. 114 00:10:18,469 --> 00:10:20,080 Uh, let's start. 115 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:22,604 Thanks for agreeing to do this interview. 116 00:10:22,604 --> 00:10:24,432 Well, youagreed. 117 00:10:24,432 --> 00:10:26,216 But you're welcome.Oh. 118 00:10:26,216 --> 00:10:29,176 Can I get a shot of you? Sure. 119 00:10:29,176 --> 00:10:31,787 So, no problem you showing up in a photo? 120 00:10:31,787 --> 00:10:34,441 Well, I'm a deity, not a vampire. 121 00:10:42,406 --> 00:10:44,844 I've gotta say, you look human enough to me. 122 00:10:44,844 --> 00:10:48,107 And you know, you look godlike to me. 123 00:10:49,239 --> 00:10:51,633 I get that. Genesis. In his image. 124 00:10:51,633 --> 00:10:54,027 That's pretty funny. Thank you. 125 00:10:54,027 --> 00:10:57,073 So, uh, why did you agree to do this interview? 126 00:10:57,073 --> 00:10:59,466 I talk to my children all the time. 127 00:11:00,816 --> 00:11:03,514 I see. So I'm one of your children. Of course. 128 00:11:03,514 --> 00:11:07,083 Okay, well, there's a name for people you usually talk to like this. 129 00:11:07,083 --> 00:11:09,042 "Lucky"? 130 00:11:09,042 --> 00:11:12,045 I think I meant "prophets." Oh, sure. Yes. 131 00:11:12,045 --> 00:11:16,745 That's what they're called afterI speak to them, but before that... 132 00:11:16,745 --> 00:11:22,055 Many of them weren't too happy to see me when I showed up. At least not at first. 133 00:11:22,055 --> 00:11:23,578 Right. 134 00:11:23,578 --> 00:11:26,494 A burning bush, a pillar of fire. Pretty dramatic stuff. 135 00:11:26,494 --> 00:11:29,889 I'll bet people freaked out. Oh, they did, they did. 136 00:11:29,889 --> 00:11:32,282 But, uh, I got their attention. 137 00:11:32,282 --> 00:11:34,632 No burning bush today? 138 00:11:34,632 --> 00:11:36,634 Would you like that? 139 00:11:36,634 --> 00:11:38,461 Is that what you really want? 140 00:11:39,812 --> 00:11:41,727 Okay. 141 00:11:41,727 --> 00:11:46,253 Um... uh, what exactly would you like to see burst into flames? 142 00:11:46,253 --> 00:11:48,646 Something in this park perhaps? 143 00:11:48,646 --> 00:11:51,475 Uh, how about that pillar? 144 00:11:51,475 --> 00:11:53,476 Or maybe the tree, huh? 145 00:11:55,392 --> 00:11:56,785 No, of course not. 146 00:11:56,785 --> 00:11:58,831 Well, it's not necessary. 147 00:11:58,831 --> 00:12:00,919 You're here. I'm here. We're already talking. 148 00:12:03,879 --> 00:12:08,449 Getting back to my question, is that why you're here? Am I a prophet? 149 00:12:08,449 --> 00:12:10,451 Are you a prophet? 150 00:12:10,451 --> 00:12:11,494 Well... 151 00:12:12,714 --> 00:12:14,629 We're... We're talking. Okay? 152 00:12:14,629 --> 00:12:16,021 Th-That's a start. 153 00:12:16,805 --> 00:12:18,284 Okay. 154 00:12:19,503 --> 00:12:21,113 Circle back to that. 155 00:12:22,158 --> 00:12:25,553 Okay, so you're God. The God. 156 00:12:25,553 --> 00:12:28,643 The one who created everything. Heaven and earth in six days. 157 00:12:28,643 --> 00:12:31,820 Uh, yep. But, uh, then I rested. 158 00:12:31,820 --> 00:12:34,474 So, nice work. Thank you. 159 00:12:35,128 --> 00:12:37,391 I try. 160 00:12:37,391 --> 00:12:39,654 But i-is this really what you wanted to know, 161 00:12:39,654 --> 00:12:42,309 just some biographical information about my work? 162 00:12:42,309 --> 00:12:45,703 I'm sure you could read all about it in a book somewhere. 163 00:12:45,703 --> 00:12:49,011 Well, sure, but you know, my readers expect some fact-checking in my work. 164 00:12:49,011 --> 00:12:51,144 Facts. Yes.Mm-hmm. 165 00:12:51,144 --> 00:12:52,841 Yes, always the facts. 166 00:12:52,841 --> 00:12:54,669 Okay. Fine. 167 00:12:54,669 --> 00:12:56,322 Well, please continue. 168 00:12:57,977 --> 00:13:01,415 Uh... how old are you? 169 00:13:01,415 --> 00:13:04,026 Time is different for me than it is for you. 170 00:13:04,026 --> 00:13:07,116 I mean, I exist outside of time. 171 00:13:07,116 --> 00:13:09,248 After all, I created time. 172 00:13:10,511 --> 00:13:11,859 Right. 173 00:13:14,863 --> 00:13:16,734 Where do you come from? 174 00:13:16,734 --> 00:13:19,912 Paul, I think this interview would be more productive 175 00:13:19,912 --> 00:13:23,916 if we don't waste time on questions to which you already know the answers. 176 00:13:23,916 --> 00:13:26,179 Okay. Moving on. 177 00:13:26,179 --> 00:13:27,963 Paul, I'm not being difficult. 178 00:13:27,963 --> 00:13:30,531 I just... I just think you of all people 179 00:13:30,531 --> 00:13:33,708 should know why my answers might be confusing. 180 00:13:33,708 --> 00:13:37,319 I mean, if the, uh... if the nature of God were obvious... 181 00:13:38,974 --> 00:13:41,150 Well, look at the world around you 182 00:13:41,150 --> 00:13:43,500 and you will see that it is not. 183 00:13:43,500 --> 00:13:47,417 So we struggle here on earth to know you, but I assume you know all the questions and answers. 184 00:13:47,417 --> 00:13:48,810 Mm-hmm. Of course. 185 00:13:48,810 --> 00:13:50,812 Does that make you feel uncomfortable? 186 00:13:50,812 --> 00:13:54,468 But then you know the answer to that question too, right? Yes. 187 00:13:54,468 --> 00:13:57,558 But a divine perspective is not required. 188 00:13:57,558 --> 00:14:01,040 Try to see this from my point of view. This is not an easy process. 189 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:02,389 No, I get it. 190 00:14:02,389 --> 00:14:04,391 Knowing all the questions and all the answers 191 00:14:04,391 --> 00:14:07,394 must make human conversation kind of difficult. 192 00:14:07,394 --> 00:14:10,397 Well, no one likes a know-it-all. 193 00:14:10,397 --> 00:14:12,181 Right.Mm-hmm. 194 00:14:12,181 --> 00:14:15,837 All right, you said, "you of all people" a few moments ago. 195 00:14:15,837 --> 00:14:20,319 You said, "You of all people should know why my answers might be a little confusing." 196 00:14:22,148 --> 00:14:25,151 What do you mean by that? Why me of all people? 197 00:14:25,151 --> 00:14:28,023 Well, you have a degree in religious studies 198 00:14:28,023 --> 00:14:30,939 and a degree in journalism from Loyola University, 199 00:14:30,939 --> 00:14:33,289 where you graduated the top of your class. 200 00:14:33,289 --> 00:14:36,466 You started working at The Herald in their online division 201 00:14:36,466 --> 00:14:37,903 right out of college, 202 00:14:37,903 --> 00:14:41,080 where you write about matters of faith and theology. 203 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:43,430 So you memorized my online bio.Mm-hmm. 204 00:14:43,430 --> 00:14:45,692 And I also know about your marriage. 205 00:14:46,955 --> 00:14:48,957 Excuse me? 206 00:14:48,957 --> 00:14:50,958 I know about your marriage. 207 00:14:54,963 --> 00:14:56,355 Oh. 208 00:14:57,705 --> 00:14:59,663 You had me going for a second. 209 00:14:59,663 --> 00:15:02,188 Yes, I did, didn't I? 210 00:15:02,188 --> 00:15:05,017 You're waiting for me to ask. Ask what? 211 00:15:05,017 --> 00:15:06,844 For proof.Ah. 212 00:15:06,844 --> 00:15:09,630 Proof that you are who you say you are. 213 00:15:09,630 --> 00:15:11,501 Yeah, proof. 214 00:15:11,501 --> 00:15:13,025 Well, tell me, Paul, 215 00:15:13,025 --> 00:15:18,552 when you pray, do you ask for proof that God is listening? 216 00:15:18,552 --> 00:15:20,510 No. Of course not. 217 00:15:20,510 --> 00:15:23,426 Then this is your lucky day. How so? 218 00:15:23,426 --> 00:15:25,907 I'm here, answering your questions. 219 00:15:25,907 --> 00:15:28,823 I hope I'm being cooperative. 220 00:15:28,823 --> 00:15:30,302 You are. 221 00:15:34,742 --> 00:15:38,354 So, what do I tell the people who say you don't exist? 222 00:15:38,354 --> 00:15:41,270 You tell them that I understand, 223 00:15:41,270 --> 00:15:43,881 but the world they see is just that. 224 00:15:43,881 --> 00:15:47,493 Sometimes that's just the way it looks. 225 00:15:49,583 --> 00:15:51,019 That's a good answer. 226 00:15:51,019 --> 00:15:53,065 Good. I'm glad. 227 00:15:53,065 --> 00:15:55,502 You're a very good interviewer, Paul.Thanks. 228 00:15:55,502 --> 00:15:59,071 Yeah, you've established trust, established rapport. 229 00:15:59,071 --> 00:16:01,116 Yeah, you're not at all condescending, 230 00:16:01,116 --> 00:16:03,292 and you want the truth above all else. 231 00:16:03,292 --> 00:16:06,339 Yeah. The truth would be cool. 232 00:16:06,339 --> 00:16:08,514 Well, that's my specialty. 233 00:16:11,779 --> 00:16:14,608 Okay. Uh, the lightning round and in no order. 234 00:16:14,608 --> 00:16:17,089 Lightning round. That's cute. 235 00:16:17,089 --> 00:16:18,960 What is the meaning of life? 236 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:21,354 To live, to struggle, to serve God, 237 00:16:21,354 --> 00:16:24,531 and to ask questions like, "What is the meaning of life?" 238 00:16:24,531 --> 00:16:27,621 Are the Torah and the New Testament the word of God? 239 00:16:27,621 --> 00:16:32,930 Of course. But as understood by man and as translated by man. 240 00:16:32,930 --> 00:16:34,628 There's some wiggle room there. 241 00:16:34,628 --> 00:16:36,412 No. 242 00:16:36,412 --> 00:16:39,763 Well, everyone has their own journey, but there is only one path. 243 00:16:39,763 --> 00:16:42,679 Was there ever a time when God didn't exist? 244 00:16:42,679 --> 00:16:46,118 - Well, I could give you the answer I gave Moses. - Okay. 245 00:16:46,118 --> 00:16:49,077 I am that I am. 246 00:16:49,077 --> 00:16:50,513 Right. 247 00:16:50,513 --> 00:16:53,125 I should have known that.Yes. 248 00:16:53,125 --> 00:16:56,302 And it's as true today as it was back then. 249 00:16:56,302 --> 00:16:58,347 Is there a heaven? Oh, yes. 250 00:16:58,347 --> 00:17:01,089 But try not to think of it as just a place. 251 00:17:01,089 --> 00:17:03,395 So Satan is also real? 252 00:17:04,745 --> 00:17:07,835 Yes, but frankly, Satan is overrated. 253 00:17:07,835 --> 00:17:10,185 Overrated? That's a funny way to put it. How so? 254 00:17:10,185 --> 00:17:13,535 Well, he only has power to the extent that you give it to him. 255 00:17:16,278 --> 00:17:18,280 What happens to us after we die? 256 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:21,022 You are reunited with the everlasting. 257 00:17:21,022 --> 00:17:22,458 So my soul is immortal? 258 00:17:22,458 --> 00:17:25,112 Well, it wouldn't be much of a soul if it wasn't. 259 00:17:27,333 --> 00:17:30,249 Can an atheist be a moral person? Sure. Sure. 260 00:17:30,249 --> 00:17:34,557 And you can build a home on no foundation. 261 00:17:34,557 --> 00:17:38,473 But you just better hope that the earth never shakes. 262 00:17:42,609 --> 00:17:43,826 Is God love? 263 00:17:45,481 --> 00:17:48,832 He doesn't boast, but yes, absolutely. 264 00:17:48,832 --> 00:17:52,967 What's 2,427 times 648? 265 00:17:52,967 --> 00:17:57,275 1,572,696. 266 00:18:02,542 --> 00:18:03,846 For real? 267 00:18:06,154 --> 00:18:08,069 I'm sorry. Sorry. Sorry. 268 00:18:08,069 --> 00:18:10,419 No, that's all right. God forgives. 269 00:18:10,419 --> 00:18:13,161 But this is interesting. What's that? 270 00:18:13,161 --> 00:18:15,163 There's a lot of good questions here, 271 00:18:15,163 --> 00:18:20,081 but you haven't asked me the one question I get asked almost more than any other. 272 00:18:20,081 --> 00:18:22,865 No? What's that? Well, take a guess. 273 00:18:25,826 --> 00:18:27,871 Why do bad things happen to good people? 274 00:18:27,871 --> 00:18:30,570 That's the one. No, that's not on my list. 275 00:18:30,570 --> 00:18:33,660 And frankly, I don't like that question very much. No? 276 00:18:33,660 --> 00:18:35,227 Why not? 277 00:18:35,227 --> 00:18:39,448 Because it's not really a question, is it? It's a complaint. 278 00:18:39,448 --> 00:18:42,495 What it really means is, why do bad things happen to me? 279 00:18:42,495 --> 00:18:45,193 And the person asking is assuming they're a good person, 280 00:18:45,193 --> 00:18:46,977 which seems arrogant to me. 281 00:18:46,977 --> 00:18:49,371 But, Paul, 282 00:18:49,371 --> 00:18:52,678 bad things do happen to some very good people. 283 00:18:54,942 --> 00:18:56,812 It is a big question. 284 00:18:58,250 --> 00:19:00,121 Yes. I know. 285 00:19:00,121 --> 00:19:02,253 I'll answer it if you'd like. 286 00:19:05,257 --> 00:19:06,909 No. Let's move on. 287 00:19:07,998 --> 00:19:09,782 Okay. 288 00:19:13,569 --> 00:19:17,355 Does free will exist? And how do we reconcile it with God's will? 289 00:19:18,922 --> 00:19:20,968 Finally. 290 00:19:20,968 --> 00:19:23,188 Finally? What does that mean? 291 00:19:23,188 --> 00:19:25,538 It's an adverb meaning "at last." 292 00:19:25,538 --> 00:19:28,715 Cute. You know what I meant. 293 00:19:28,715 --> 00:19:31,935 No, finally you are asking me some questions you care about. 294 00:19:31,935 --> 00:19:34,547 I care about all the questions. Well, maybe. 295 00:19:34,547 --> 00:19:37,985 But you care about some of the answers more than others. 296 00:19:37,985 --> 00:19:40,161 Look, this is not about me. 297 00:19:40,161 --> 00:19:41,727 Really? 298 00:19:43,382 --> 00:19:45,601 Does free will exist? 299 00:19:45,601 --> 00:19:48,169 Did I force you to come to this meeting? 300 00:19:48,169 --> 00:19:49,996 Would I know it if you did? 301 00:19:51,651 --> 00:19:53,870 That reminds me of an old joke. 302 00:19:53,870 --> 00:19:55,872 A student goes to his rabbi and says, 303 00:19:55,872 --> 00:19:58,440 "Rabbi, why do you and the other rabbis 304 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:01,051 always answer my questions with another question?" 305 00:20:01,051 --> 00:20:04,576 And the rabbi replies, "So how should we answer?" 306 00:20:05,534 --> 00:20:08,363 Okay. You didn't laugh at God's joke. 307 00:20:08,363 --> 00:20:11,279 So what does that say about free will? 308 00:20:11,279 --> 00:20:14,151 Of course there's free will, Paul, 309 00:20:14,151 --> 00:20:16,110 and everybody knows this is true. 310 00:20:16,110 --> 00:20:20,679 The entire foundation of human law depends on the existence of free will. 311 00:20:21,333 --> 00:20:23,422 Try going before a judge 312 00:20:23,422 --> 00:20:25,380 when you've been charged with a crime. 313 00:20:25,380 --> 00:20:27,426 Blame your actions on God's will. 314 00:20:27,426 --> 00:20:29,297 See how that works out for you.Hmm. 315 00:20:29,297 --> 00:20:32,300 Now, does this mean that every human act is a matter of free will? 316 00:20:32,300 --> 00:20:33,997 Of course not. 317 00:20:33,997 --> 00:20:37,827 No more than you can use free will to grow back an amputated leg. 318 00:20:37,827 --> 00:20:40,700 So, stuff happens and God says, "Hey, man, don't look at me." 319 00:20:40,700 --> 00:20:42,136 No. No. 320 00:20:42,136 --> 00:20:46,314 You have to understand that my will and human free will 321 00:20:46,314 --> 00:20:47,924 are not contradictory 322 00:20:47,924 --> 00:20:50,449 because they are not two versions of the same thing, 323 00:20:50,449 --> 00:20:53,103 but they do fit perfectly together. 324 00:20:53,103 --> 00:20:55,062 I designed it that way. 325 00:20:55,062 --> 00:20:58,283 Yeah, but if I can't tell where one begins and the other ends... 326 00:20:58,283 --> 00:21:00,023 Do you see my problem? 327 00:21:00,023 --> 00:21:02,461 Hmm. Yeah, I think I see. 328 00:21:02,461 --> 00:21:03,984 Do you? Yeah. 329 00:21:03,984 --> 00:21:06,595 Is the problem that you don't trust God's plan, 330 00:21:06,595 --> 00:21:08,641 or that you don't trust yourself? 331 00:21:08,641 --> 00:21:11,948 Oh, great. So, if God's got a plan, I'm covered. Right? 332 00:21:11,948 --> 00:21:14,995 I should've just stayed in bed, because for all I know it's part of his plan. 333 00:21:14,995 --> 00:21:17,649 That's not what I'm saying and you know it. 334 00:21:18,651 --> 00:21:20,783 All right. Look here. Chess. Right? 335 00:21:20,783 --> 00:21:22,916 Pieces interact. There's rules.Mm-hmm. 336 00:21:22,916 --> 00:21:24,570 There's give and take. 337 00:21:24,570 --> 00:21:27,529 But no two pieces can occupy the same space at the same time. 338 00:21:27,529 --> 00:21:29,923 That's a lot like you and me. 339 00:21:29,923 --> 00:21:31,664 People make choices, 340 00:21:31,664 --> 00:21:34,101 and those choices have consequences. 341 00:21:34,101 --> 00:21:37,670 And if knowing my will were part of every human decision, 342 00:21:37,670 --> 00:21:39,845 how would anything ever happen, hmm? 343 00:21:40,847 --> 00:21:43,023 You'd be paralyzed every morning, 344 00:21:43,023 --> 00:21:46,983 trying to decide whether to brush your teeth vertically or horizontally. 345 00:21:46,983 --> 00:21:50,813 So, trying to know God's will is, what, a waste of time? No. Not at all. 346 00:21:50,813 --> 00:21:53,380 Paul, I'm only telling you what you already know. 347 00:21:55,514 --> 00:21:57,864 You have to make your own choices, 348 00:21:57,864 --> 00:22:00,214 and you have to live by those choices, 349 00:22:00,214 --> 00:22:02,825 no matter how you arrived at them. 350 00:22:02,825 --> 00:22:03,912 Hmm. 351 00:22:04,914 --> 00:22:07,047 Tell me, when you traveled to Afghanistan, 352 00:22:07,047 --> 00:22:09,223 which aspects of my will did you consider? 353 00:22:09,223 --> 00:22:12,879 Or did you just think it's all my will, so, hey, anything goes? 354 00:22:12,879 --> 00:22:17,144 Um, I think it was slightly more complicated than that. 355 00:22:17,144 --> 00:22:20,539 You traveled 7,000 miles into a war zone, Paul. 356 00:22:20,539 --> 00:22:23,106 War changes people. 357 00:22:23,106 --> 00:22:26,980 You had to have known a trip like that would have consequences for you, 358 00:22:26,980 --> 00:22:29,025 and for your family. 359 00:22:29,025 --> 00:22:31,984 Or did you think that you'd be different? 360 00:22:36,206 --> 00:22:39,427 I guess I was hoping God would look out for me. 361 00:22:39,427 --> 00:22:41,429 "Hoping"? 362 00:22:41,429 --> 00:22:43,038 Praying. 363 00:22:44,258 --> 00:22:46,042 I prayed for my own safety. 364 00:22:46,042 --> 00:22:49,263 I prayed God would watch over the soldiers I'd met and bring them home. 365 00:22:49,263 --> 00:22:51,961 I prayed my wife would be okay while I was gone. 366 00:22:51,961 --> 00:22:54,703 I prayed I didn't do anything stupid. I prayed a lot. 367 00:22:54,703 --> 00:22:56,879 Were your prayers answered? 368 00:22:56,879 --> 00:22:59,490 I don't know. Some, yes. Mostly, no. 369 00:23:00,622 --> 00:23:03,016 Would you like to talk about that? 370 00:23:03,016 --> 00:23:05,453 Are you the complaint department? 371 00:23:05,453 --> 00:23:08,064 I heard I was needed, so I came. 372 00:23:08,064 --> 00:23:10,502 So, I think I'm here to do an interview, 373 00:23:10,502 --> 00:23:13,113 but really what this is is an intervention. 374 00:23:13,113 --> 00:23:15,681 Yes, but not in the way you think it is. 375 00:23:15,681 --> 00:23:17,769 How do you know what I think? 376 00:23:21,774 --> 00:23:23,775 Let's save that for tomorrow. 377 00:23:25,604 --> 00:23:27,954 This is a weird interview.Yeah. 378 00:23:27,954 --> 00:23:30,826 Okay, let's just call it a conversation. Would that be better? 379 00:23:30,826 --> 00:23:33,612 Sorry. That's not why they pay me. 380 00:23:33,612 --> 00:23:36,484 Oh. And that's why you're here. For money. 381 00:23:36,484 --> 00:23:38,617 Why are we here? 382 00:23:38,617 --> 00:23:40,749 I heard I was needed, so I came. 383 00:23:40,749 --> 00:23:43,143 A simple "thank you" would suffice. 384 00:23:43,143 --> 00:23:46,320 Why do I deserve your special attention? 385 00:23:46,320 --> 00:23:47,887 Don't you? 386 00:23:47,887 --> 00:23:50,324 So you're here to save me. 387 00:23:50,324 --> 00:23:52,021 Do you need saving? 388 00:23:52,021 --> 00:23:53,458 Doesn't everyone? 389 00:23:53,458 --> 00:23:56,156 Yes. 390 00:23:56,156 --> 00:23:58,898 But we're gonna do something a little different this time. 391 00:23:58,898 --> 00:24:00,639 Oh? I'm gonna help you. 392 00:24:00,639 --> 00:24:02,683 You're gonna help me? Mm-hmm. 393 00:24:03,555 --> 00:24:05,817 I don't understand. I know. 394 00:24:07,297 --> 00:24:09,212 I know. 395 00:24:09,212 --> 00:24:10,952 But, uh, you will. 396 00:24:12,912 --> 00:24:14,304 And so... 397 00:24:14,304 --> 00:24:15,827 We're out of time. 398 00:24:16,829 --> 00:24:18,960 All right. 399 00:24:20,136 --> 00:24:21,963 Uh, see you tomorrow? 400 00:24:22,748 --> 00:24:24,532 Sure. Same time and place? 401 00:24:24,532 --> 00:24:26,838 Well, to be determined. 402 00:24:31,974 --> 00:24:34,019 Seriously. What's all this about? 403 00:24:35,500 --> 00:24:37,675 Uh, let's talk tomorrow. 404 00:28:34,913 --> 00:28:37,002 - Yeah. - Um... Paul Asher. 405 00:28:37,002 --> 00:28:39,308 Hey, it's me. 406 00:28:39,308 --> 00:28:41,876 Oh, uh, hi. 407 00:28:41,876 --> 00:28:43,835 So, what happened this morning? 408 00:28:43,835 --> 00:28:45,226 Did she leave? 409 00:28:46,794 --> 00:28:49,754 I don't know. Um... I don't know. 410 00:28:49,754 --> 00:28:51,843 Oh. 411 00:28:51,843 --> 00:28:54,323 You sound a little, um... I'm sorry. I had... 412 00:28:54,323 --> 00:28:58,109 I just got into work. I had a weird, strange morning. 413 00:28:59,459 --> 00:29:01,503 Can I see you later? 414 00:29:02,941 --> 00:29:04,811 Paul? You there? 415 00:29:08,337 --> 00:29:09,817 Oh. Oh. 416 00:29:09,817 --> 00:29:11,776 Hey, uh, can I call you later? 417 00:29:11,776 --> 00:29:14,169 Oh, yeah, yeah. Okay. 418 00:29:14,169 --> 00:29:16,215 Promise? Yeah. Will do. Okay. 419 00:29:16,215 --> 00:29:18,304 Paul... Okay. Thanks. Talk to you soon. 420 00:29:18,304 --> 00:29:19,566 Okay. Bye. Bye. 421 00:29:19,566 --> 00:29:21,655 Hey. Gary. 422 00:29:21,655 --> 00:29:22,960 Yeah, hey. 423 00:29:25,702 --> 00:29:27,573 What are you doing here? 424 00:29:28,662 --> 00:29:31,143 Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, uh... 425 00:29:31,143 --> 00:29:33,274 And yet, here you are. 426 00:29:33,928 --> 00:29:36,670 You know, paid leave 427 00:29:36,670 --> 00:29:38,846 means we still pay you, right? 428 00:29:38,846 --> 00:29:41,631 Yes. HR explained that. 429 00:29:41,631 --> 00:29:45,069 And how much time have you taken off since you got back? 430 00:29:46,375 --> 00:29:48,160 Mmm... 431 00:29:48,160 --> 00:29:50,815 I think the answer you're looking for is "none." 432 00:29:50,815 --> 00:29:52,293 Paul. 433 00:29:55,515 --> 00:29:57,168 Hmm. 434 00:29:57,952 --> 00:29:59,911 So, you know 435 00:29:59,911 --> 00:30:02,391 there is no shame in taking some time. 436 00:30:02,391 --> 00:30:04,959 Right? 437 00:30:04,959 --> 00:30:06,526 Yeah. Thanks. 438 00:30:06,526 --> 00:30:09,050 Uh, but I needed to... Did you get my text? 439 00:30:09,050 --> 00:30:11,574 You trying to change the subject? Yeah. 440 00:30:11,574 --> 00:30:13,315 It work? 441 00:30:13,315 --> 00:30:15,665 Yeah, I got it. Everything okay? Yeah, all good. 442 00:30:15,665 --> 00:30:19,104 Just a crazy morning. I'm working on something. 443 00:30:19,104 --> 00:30:21,584 That's not what I meant. 444 00:30:21,584 --> 00:30:24,586 Oh, yeah, yeah. I'm good. Thanks. 445 00:30:26,372 --> 00:30:28,026 Mm-hmm. 446 00:30:28,026 --> 00:30:31,333 What about Sarah? Family? What's she up to? 447 00:30:31,333 --> 00:30:33,205 She's good. 448 00:30:33,205 --> 00:30:35,206 Yeah? Yeah. I'll tell her you asked. 449 00:30:37,209 --> 00:30:39,559 Hey, Gary, excuse me. Tell her I say hi. 450 00:30:39,559 --> 00:30:41,691 Can you just sign right here? 451 00:30:41,691 --> 00:30:43,214 Yeah. 452 00:30:44,477 --> 00:30:45,913 And here.Mm-hmm. 453 00:30:45,913 --> 00:30:47,523 Send it out. Thank you. 454 00:30:47,523 --> 00:30:48,960 Yeah. 455 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:51,440 So, what do you need? 456 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:52,920 What do you mean? 457 00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:55,618 Yeah... Oh. 458 00:30:55,618 --> 00:30:57,577 Your text this morning. 459 00:30:57,577 --> 00:30:59,187 Yeah. 460 00:30:59,187 --> 00:31:00,492 Um... 461 00:31:01,886 --> 00:31:04,758 I have this friend and he needs some help. 462 00:31:04,758 --> 00:31:06,499 Mmm. A friend. Really? 463 00:31:06,499 --> 00:31:10,459 Wow. No, it's not me. It's a guy I met overseas. 464 00:31:10,459 --> 00:31:12,984 He's having trouble since he got back. 465 00:31:12,984 --> 00:31:15,638 - PTSD? - I think so. 466 00:31:15,638 --> 00:31:17,989 Okay. Yeah. 467 00:31:17,989 --> 00:31:20,861 - Is he gonna be okay? - I hope so. 468 00:31:20,861 --> 00:31:24,212 I think sometimes it's just hard to see God's plan 469 00:31:24,212 --> 00:31:26,214 in the middle of a war, you know. 470 00:31:26,214 --> 00:31:28,389 Yeah. So, what can I do to help? 471 00:31:30,305 --> 00:31:33,656 He needs to talk to someone right away, someone professional. 472 00:31:33,656 --> 00:31:35,135 I told him I'd ask around. 473 00:31:36,268 --> 00:31:38,531 He's a good guy. A war hero. 474 00:31:38,531 --> 00:31:40,011 Do you know anyone? 475 00:31:40,011 --> 00:31:42,274 He can't go to the VA? 476 00:31:42,274 --> 00:31:44,537 Well... I mean, that's what it's there for. 477 00:31:44,537 --> 00:31:48,019 He's got a classified job now, so it could be a problem if people think he's... 478 00:31:48,019 --> 00:31:49,976 Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. 479 00:31:50,891 --> 00:31:52,632 Well... 480 00:31:52,632 --> 00:31:56,331 I know somebody over at the Interfaith Center who's pretty good. 481 00:31:56,331 --> 00:31:59,290 She's really good. I went to her myself when Ann left me. 482 00:32:00,857 --> 00:32:03,990 - When was this? - Last year. 483 00:32:06,211 --> 00:32:07,777 I didn't know. I'm so sorry. 484 00:32:07,777 --> 00:32:10,345 Ah, well, I didn't advertise, and you were... 485 00:32:10,345 --> 00:32:13,044 gone for most of it, so... 486 00:32:13,044 --> 00:32:14,567 You never said anything. 487 00:32:14,567 --> 00:32:16,743 You were fine. You... You seemed fine. 488 00:32:16,743 --> 00:32:18,310 Yeah, see, that's the thing. 489 00:32:18,310 --> 00:32:21,704 Sometimes there aren't signs when someone's in trouble. 490 00:32:21,704 --> 00:32:24,838 So it's really good that your friend, this, um... 491 00:32:24,838 --> 00:32:26,927 Matt.Matt... 492 00:32:26,927 --> 00:32:28,929 is reaching out to you like this. 493 00:32:28,929 --> 00:32:30,278 Yeah. 494 00:32:30,278 --> 00:32:33,542 - So I'll ask and get you a name. - Okay. Thanks. 495 00:32:33,542 --> 00:32:36,502 You know I got your back. Right? You know that? Yeah. I do. 496 00:32:36,502 --> 00:32:38,069 Okay. 497 00:32:38,069 --> 00:32:39,679 What are you working on? 498 00:32:39,679 --> 00:32:42,203 Oh. Uh, you're not gonna believe this. 499 00:32:42,203 --> 00:32:43,857 Um... I'm doing an interview. 500 00:32:43,857 --> 00:32:46,076 Okay. With who? 501 00:32:51,821 --> 00:32:53,213 With God. 502 00:32:56,783 --> 00:32:58,698 Really? 503 00:32:58,698 --> 00:33:00,525 Yeah. Yeah. Really. 504 00:33:02,832 --> 00:33:05,661 I love it. That's a great idea. 505 00:33:05,661 --> 00:33:08,577 You like it? Because I was starting to have second thoughts. 506 00:33:08,577 --> 00:33:11,493 No, no, no, no, no. For your blog? 507 00:33:11,493 --> 00:33:14,670 Or maybe this could be something bigger. 508 00:33:14,670 --> 00:33:16,672 I don't know. What do you mean, something bigger? 509 00:33:16,672 --> 00:33:20,894 Print edition, column four. Human interest, every Thursday. 510 00:33:20,894 --> 00:33:23,114 Yes. Yes. 511 00:33:23,114 --> 00:33:26,116 The front page. Y-Y... You're kidding. 512 00:33:27,074 --> 00:33:28,989 About time God made the front page. 513 00:33:28,989 --> 00:33:30,773 You disagree? 514 00:33:30,773 --> 00:33:32,079 No, of course not.Okay. 515 00:33:32,079 --> 00:33:33,689 But what will the office think? 516 00:33:33,689 --> 00:33:36,736 You don't think it'll cause some resentment around here? 517 00:33:36,736 --> 00:33:38,259 No, not really. 518 00:33:38,259 --> 00:33:40,522 I think they already resent you.Okay. 519 00:33:40,522 --> 00:33:42,916 Thank you. How many words? 520 00:33:42,916 --> 00:33:44,961 No idea. 521 00:33:44,961 --> 00:33:48,486 Okay, okay, uh... This is gonna be good. This is great. 522 00:33:49,140 --> 00:33:51,446 Okay, for now, 523 00:33:51,446 --> 00:33:53,579 we'll keep this between us, yeah? 524 00:33:53,579 --> 00:33:55,233 Yeah. No problem. Let me work on it. 525 00:33:55,233 --> 00:33:56,581 Okay. 526 00:33:57,931 --> 00:33:59,801 Interview with God. 527 00:34:01,369 --> 00:34:03,588 That's very cool. Very cool. 528 00:34:25,001 --> 00:34:26,960 Hi. This is Sarah. 529 00:34:26,960 --> 00:34:29,354 Leave a message at the beepy thing, and have a great day. 530 00:34:29,354 --> 00:34:31,833 Hey, Sarah, it's me. 531 00:34:33,009 --> 00:34:35,837 Um... I wanna finish our talk. 532 00:34:40,016 --> 00:34:41,843 I think we can fix this. 533 00:34:43,019 --> 00:34:45,152 Please call me back. 534 00:34:45,152 --> 00:34:46,805 Okay. Bye. 535 00:35:00,733 --> 00:35:02,777 Is God love? 536 00:35:05,216 --> 00:35:07,478 He doesn't boast, but yes, absolutely. 537 00:35:08,480 --> 00:35:12,092 What's 2,427 times 648? 538 00:35:12,092 --> 00:35:17,053 1,572,696. 539 00:35:17,053 --> 00:35:18,967 Six hundred... 540 00:35:21,928 --> 00:35:23,320 For real? 541 00:35:25,888 --> 00:35:29,630 1,572,696. 542 00:35:34,506 --> 00:35:35,636 Huh. 543 00:36:30,562 --> 00:36:31,736 Sarah? 544 00:37:10,819 --> 00:37:13,000 I know who you are. 545 00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:14,915 I know all your work. I'm a fan. 546 00:37:14,915 --> 00:37:18,500 Christians in combat? That must have been a tough assignment. 547 00:37:18,500 --> 00:37:20,676 Tough on you. Tough on your family. 548 00:37:20,676 --> 00:37:24,027 You traveled 7,000 miles into a war zone, Paul. 549 00:37:24,027 --> 00:37:27,421 War changes people. You're gonna help me? 550 00:37:27,421 --> 00:37:29,032 I don't understand. 551 00:37:29,032 --> 00:37:31,469 Getting back to my question, is that why you're here? 552 00:37:31,469 --> 00:37:33,035 Am I a prophet? But, Paul... 553 00:37:34,167 --> 00:37:36,692 bad things do happen to some very good people. 554 00:37:36,692 --> 00:37:39,869 I just think you of all people should know why my answers might be... 555 00:37:39,869 --> 00:37:42,045 Is the problem that you don't trust God's plan? 556 00:37:42,045 --> 00:37:45,526 Or is the problem that you don't trust yourself? 557 00:37:54,448 --> 00:37:56,929 I'm God. G-O-D. 558 00:37:56,929 --> 00:37:58,975 That reminds me of an old joke. 559 00:37:58,975 --> 00:38:00,803 Seriously. What's all this about? 560 00:38:00,803 --> 00:38:03,196 What exactly would you like to see burst into flames? Am I a prophet? 561 00:38:03,196 --> 00:38:05,895 This is not about me. Really? People make choices. 562 00:38:05,895 --> 00:38:08,071 Why are we here? Those choices have consequences. 563 00:38:08,071 --> 00:38:09,638 So, you're here to save me? 564 00:38:09,638 --> 00:38:12,684 If knowing my will were part of every human decision, 565 00:38:12,684 --> 00:38:14,425 how would anything get done? 566 00:38:14,425 --> 00:38:16,470 When you traveled to Afghanistan... Which aspects... 567 00:38:16,470 --> 00:38:19,517 You of all people should know... And I also know about your marriage. 568 00:38:19,517 --> 00:38:22,955 So, if God's got a plan, I'm covered, right? I also know about your marriage. 569 00:38:22,955 --> 00:38:25,262 - Can we talk later tonight, please? - I'm not sure. 570 00:38:25,262 --> 00:38:27,438 When trust in a marriage has been broken, how do you fix it? 571 00:38:27,438 --> 00:38:29,701 How many times do you want me to apologize? Stop apologizing. 572 00:38:29,701 --> 00:38:31,746 I don't care about the dishes! 573 00:39:03,692 --> 00:39:05,301 You never know. 574 00:39:15,138 --> 00:39:18,096 Sarah? 575 00:39:26,062 --> 00:39:27,149 Hello? 576 00:39:31,589 --> 00:39:32,807 Who's there? 577 00:39:38,291 --> 00:39:40,293 Hello? 578 00:39:40,293 --> 00:39:41,685 Hello! 579 00:39:43,340 --> 00:39:44,863 Who's there? 580 00:39:44,863 --> 00:39:46,995 Shut up! 581 00:39:57,528 --> 00:39:59,748 Morning. 582 00:39:59,748 --> 00:40:01,139 Morning. 583 00:40:02,707 --> 00:40:05,274 Sarah staying home today? Yeah. 584 00:40:06,537 --> 00:40:08,278 Under the weather? 585 00:40:08,278 --> 00:40:09,887 Uh, yeah, I think so. 586 00:40:11,237 --> 00:40:13,239 Echinacea. 587 00:40:13,239 --> 00:40:15,328 That's what I use. 588 00:40:15,328 --> 00:40:16,764 I'll tell her. 589 00:40:46,664 --> 00:40:48,491 Hello? 590 00:40:52,801 --> 00:40:54,758 Hello? 591 00:41:28,401 --> 00:41:29,532 You work here? 592 00:41:31,622 --> 00:41:33,231 Why do you ask? 593 00:41:36,279 --> 00:41:38,281 My mom worked here. 594 00:41:38,281 --> 00:41:39,411 Long ago. 595 00:41:41,806 --> 00:41:43,807 Should we even be in here? 596 00:41:44,766 --> 00:41:46,941 Come. Join me. 597 00:42:04,786 --> 00:42:07,396 Oh, you don't look so good today, Paul. 598 00:42:08,833 --> 00:42:11,400 Is everything okay? I'm fine. 599 00:42:13,751 --> 00:42:15,970 What happened to your hand? 600 00:42:17,537 --> 00:42:19,365 We should get started. 601 00:42:19,365 --> 00:42:24,109 Uh, we can skip today and finish tomorrow, if that would be better. 602 00:42:24,109 --> 00:42:26,590 No, that's okay. I'm here. You're here. 603 00:42:26,590 --> 00:42:29,548 Let's just, uh, pick it up where we left off and... 604 00:42:30,986 --> 00:42:32,639 make it a good interview. 605 00:42:32,639 --> 00:42:36,121 Actually, you didn't look so good yesterday either. 606 00:42:36,121 --> 00:42:37,992 I'm, uh... I'm a little worried. 607 00:42:38,950 --> 00:42:40,909 About yesterday, we got off track. 608 00:42:40,909 --> 00:42:44,042 I was trying to be professional, but we got off track. I apologize for that. 609 00:42:44,042 --> 00:42:45,696 No apologies necessary. 610 00:42:45,696 --> 00:42:48,742 You were incredibly professional, and I said so. 611 00:42:48,742 --> 00:42:51,267 Thank you, but somehow I became part of the interview, 612 00:42:51,267 --> 00:42:53,791 and that's not supposed to happen. 613 00:42:53,791 --> 00:42:56,707 So let's get back to you and, uh... 614 00:42:56,707 --> 00:42:58,577 make it a good interview. 615 00:43:09,633 --> 00:43:11,025 Shall we? 616 00:43:11,896 --> 00:43:13,898 Okay, recording. 617 00:43:13,898 --> 00:43:16,204 June 2. Paul Asher interviewing God. 618 00:43:22,211 --> 00:43:25,823 So, I think we covered most of the basics yesterday. 619 00:43:25,823 --> 00:43:28,782 Uh, where did we leave off? You were asking me why I was here. 620 00:43:28,782 --> 00:43:31,655 Right. Sorry. Uh, so why are you here? Why an interview? 621 00:43:31,655 --> 00:43:34,963 I'd like to talk to you about salvation, Paul. 622 00:43:34,963 --> 00:43:37,573 Okay. Good topic. This is progress. 623 00:43:38,575 --> 00:43:40,838 Salvation. 624 00:43:40,838 --> 00:43:44,406 What do you mean by that? What do you think I mean by that? 625 00:43:47,149 --> 00:43:48,977 I'm not trying to be difficult, 626 00:43:48,977 --> 00:43:52,284 but we should establish what you think it is before we can discuss it. 627 00:43:52,284 --> 00:43:55,418 Right? Salvation means different things to different people. 628 00:43:55,418 --> 00:43:57,072 Yes, it does. It's very personal. 629 00:43:57,072 --> 00:43:59,074 It is the most personal, and in the end... 630 00:43:59,074 --> 00:44:02,120 and I mean, literally in the end, 631 00:44:02,120 --> 00:44:04,688 there's nothing more personal than salvation. 632 00:44:04,688 --> 00:44:06,733 It's just you and your soul. 633 00:44:06,733 --> 00:44:09,345 Can't get more intimate than that. Hard to argue. 634 00:44:09,345 --> 00:44:12,043 So when I ask you, what do you think it is, 635 00:44:12,043 --> 00:44:14,741 it's only to help me answer your questions properly. 636 00:44:14,741 --> 00:44:18,657 That's why we're here. Right? You ask. I answer. 637 00:44:19,746 --> 00:44:21,444 Okay. 638 00:44:21,444 --> 00:44:24,447 Salvation means different things to different people.Mm-hmm. 639 00:44:24,447 --> 00:44:27,754 But I'm a Christian, so let me answer it from that perspective. 640 00:44:27,754 --> 00:44:30,409 Salvation is returning to a state of perfection with the Almighty 641 00:44:30,409 --> 00:44:32,150 and absolution from sin forever. 642 00:44:32,150 --> 00:44:34,631 Excellent. That's a very good definition. 643 00:44:34,631 --> 00:44:37,503 Yes, you got right to the heart of the matter. Thank you. 644 00:44:37,503 --> 00:44:40,289 But you sidestepped several thousand years of disagreement 645 00:44:40,289 --> 00:44:42,334 over how you actually get there. 646 00:44:42,334 --> 00:44:45,206 I'm with Jesus, so I'm covered, thanks.Oh. 647 00:44:46,382 --> 00:44:48,906 Are you sure about that? What does that mean? 648 00:44:48,906 --> 00:44:50,777 Nothing. I'm... I'm just asking. 649 00:44:50,777 --> 00:44:53,128 As I said, I'd like this interview to be about you. 650 00:44:53,128 --> 00:44:56,783 I answered your question, so... salvation. 651 00:44:56,783 --> 00:44:58,307 Salvation. Okay. 652 00:44:58,307 --> 00:45:01,832 So, for the sake of... for the sake of discussion, 653 00:45:01,832 --> 00:45:06,663 let's pretend that I am a manufacturer and you are a consumer, 654 00:45:06,663 --> 00:45:10,622 and you tell me, how would you rate the product. 655 00:45:14,323 --> 00:45:16,411 Salvation as the product? 656 00:45:17,848 --> 00:45:21,286 You've gotta be kidding me. No, I'm not kidding. 657 00:45:21,286 --> 00:45:23,680 Just pretend that it's market research. 658 00:45:23,680 --> 00:45:26,117 You've done this many times before, I'm sure. 659 00:45:26,117 --> 00:45:28,031 It's just another online survey. 660 00:45:29,077 --> 00:45:31,208 How do you rate the product? 661 00:45:34,343 --> 00:45:36,039 Okay. Let's find out. 662 00:45:37,302 --> 00:45:39,870 On the one hand, it's the greatest product ever. 663 00:45:39,870 --> 00:45:41,611 Redemption from sin? 664 00:45:41,611 --> 00:45:44,500 Reunification with God for eternity after a lifetime on earth? Wow! 665 00:45:44,500 --> 00:45:47,590 Who wouldn't want that product? If that doesn't sell itself, nothing ever will. 666 00:45:47,590 --> 00:45:50,201 Well, I'm glad you approve. 667 00:45:50,201 --> 00:45:53,074 On the other hand... On the other hand, what? 668 00:45:53,074 --> 00:45:55,511 On the other hand, it's the only product I can think of 669 00:45:55,511 --> 00:45:58,340 where proper use involves returning it to the maker. 670 00:45:58,340 --> 00:46:00,908 And there's really only one way that can happen. 671 00:46:00,908 --> 00:46:02,648 Everybody wants to get to heaven... 672 00:46:02,648 --> 00:46:04,868 But no one wants to die. Exactly. 673 00:46:04,868 --> 00:46:09,525 That slight complication is mitigated by the fact that everyone will die. 674 00:46:09,525 --> 00:46:12,745 So it's really just about the when... the product... not the what. 675 00:46:12,745 --> 00:46:14,835 Oh, I knew you'd be good at this. 676 00:46:14,835 --> 00:46:17,272 Yeah. I should've been a marketing major. 677 00:46:17,272 --> 00:46:20,013 So, moving on... But, uh, what else? 678 00:46:22,407 --> 00:46:23,887 Really? 679 00:46:23,887 --> 00:46:25,758 There's one aspect that you left out, 680 00:46:25,758 --> 00:46:28,674 the one that I mentioned in the first place... the how. 681 00:46:28,674 --> 00:46:31,764 Or we can call it instructions, just to stay with our metaphor. 682 00:46:31,764 --> 00:46:34,898 Okay, but really, after this, we have to move on. 683 00:46:34,898 --> 00:46:36,203 Okay. 684 00:46:38,510 --> 00:46:41,208 Okay, well, uh, the instructions. 685 00:46:42,601 --> 00:46:45,561 The instructions are widely available, so that's good. 686 00:46:45,561 --> 00:46:49,217 Um, the Bible's a best seller year after year, but... 687 00:46:49,217 --> 00:46:50,870 But... 688 00:46:52,263 --> 00:46:54,309 I think the instructions are a little confusing. 689 00:46:54,309 --> 00:46:57,312 Well, no one ever said knowing my will would be easy. Right. 690 00:46:57,312 --> 00:46:59,618 But knowing God's will isn't really the problem, is it? 691 00:46:59,618 --> 00:47:02,099 The scriptures are full of rules. Yes, they are. 692 00:47:02,099 --> 00:47:04,972 I can think of ten just off the top of my head. 693 00:47:04,972 --> 00:47:07,061 Right, but that's the Old Testament, the Torah. 694 00:47:07,061 --> 00:47:08,714 The New Testament is different. 695 00:47:08,714 --> 00:47:11,195 God gave us his son. That was a game-changer. Indeed it was. 696 00:47:11,195 --> 00:47:13,502 Jesus was super-clear. John 14:6. 697 00:47:13,502 --> 00:47:16,157 "I am the way. No one comes to the Father but through me." 698 00:47:16,157 --> 00:47:17,462 Seems very clear to me. 699 00:47:17,462 --> 00:47:19,073 But that can't be right. No? 700 00:47:19,073 --> 00:47:22,076 Because everyone's a sinner.Yes. 701 00:47:22,076 --> 00:47:25,949 If we're saved through faith and faith alone, why would anyone follow all the other rules? 702 00:47:25,949 --> 00:47:27,733 But is faith all it takes? 703 00:47:27,733 --> 00:47:30,258 You're a murderer. So what? Liar? No problem. 704 00:47:30,258 --> 00:47:32,260 Philanderer? Hey, everyone makes mistakes. 705 00:47:32,260 --> 00:47:35,262 So what's the problem? The problem is... 706 00:47:39,180 --> 00:47:40,658 The problem is... 707 00:47:41,834 --> 00:47:43,445 The problem is what, Paul? Sorry. 708 00:47:43,445 --> 00:47:46,013 This keeps happening. I'm not the story. We agreed. 709 00:47:46,013 --> 00:47:48,710 Check the record. I never agreed to that. 710 00:47:50,582 --> 00:47:53,890 What do you want? I mean, really. What is this all about? 711 00:47:53,890 --> 00:47:57,198 It seems like you want something from me. I have no idea what it is. 712 00:47:57,198 --> 00:48:00,853 Now you see why the burning bush worked so well. I talk, people listen. 713 00:48:00,853 --> 00:48:02,507 I agreed to meet with you 714 00:48:02,507 --> 00:48:05,467 because it was an intriguing prospect, an idea for an interview, 715 00:48:05,467 --> 00:48:08,035 and I think I have given you the benefit of the doubt. 716 00:48:08,035 --> 00:48:11,038 But it's clear to me now you had some other hidden agenda for this. 717 00:48:11,038 --> 00:48:14,867 This, whatever this is. Really, give me something. What do you want from me? 718 00:48:14,867 --> 00:48:17,044 My math skills didn't impress you? 719 00:48:17,044 --> 00:48:19,872 No, that was impressive, but there are people who can do that stuff. 720 00:48:19,872 --> 00:48:21,178 Okay. Savants, I guess. 721 00:48:21,178 --> 00:48:24,138 Right. Okay. I'll give you something. 722 00:48:24,138 --> 00:48:27,706 But you may not like it. Ah, finally. 723 00:48:27,706 --> 00:48:29,708 Okay, hit me. All right. 724 00:48:29,708 --> 00:48:34,844 No offense, but I think you have a misunderstanding about the nature of faith. 725 00:48:34,844 --> 00:48:38,369 I don't think that's true. I told you I've always had faith. 726 00:48:38,369 --> 00:48:39,717 There it is. 727 00:48:41,546 --> 00:48:43,287 You see? 728 00:48:43,287 --> 00:48:46,812 "I've always had faith." 729 00:48:46,812 --> 00:48:49,206 Paul, do you see what I mean? 730 00:48:49,206 --> 00:48:51,164 No, not really. What are you saying? 731 00:48:52,079 --> 00:48:54,471 Okay, we'll get back to that. 732 00:48:56,126 --> 00:48:58,520 Paul, do you... do you ever think 733 00:48:58,520 --> 00:49:01,739 of what the world is like from my perspective? 734 00:49:04,439 --> 00:49:07,745 From God's perspective? Mm-hmm. 735 00:49:08,747 --> 00:49:10,314 Frankly, no. 736 00:49:10,314 --> 00:49:12,577 How would I even do that? How would that be possible? 737 00:49:12,577 --> 00:49:14,884 Well, fair enough. 738 00:49:14,884 --> 00:49:19,715 But, uh, try to imagine knowing every human deed, 739 00:49:19,715 --> 00:49:25,198 every thought, aspiration, uh, depravity. 740 00:49:26,374 --> 00:49:29,768 But also knowing all the, uh, isolation 741 00:49:29,768 --> 00:49:33,771 and the... the pain and the emptiness of life. 742 00:49:35,383 --> 00:49:39,560 Now, multiply that times every human soul that ever existed. 743 00:49:41,215 --> 00:49:44,086 I wouldn't want that job. Why not? 744 00:49:47,090 --> 00:49:49,614 Because it would be overwhelming. 745 00:49:49,614 --> 00:49:52,704 The world is full of such terrible things. 746 00:49:52,704 --> 00:49:55,533 I work for a newspaper. I see it every day. 747 00:49:55,533 --> 00:49:56,969 Horrible things. 748 00:49:56,969 --> 00:50:00,756 Things that come crashing down on decent people. 749 00:50:00,756 --> 00:50:04,934 People with dignity who only want to know why it's happening to them. 750 00:50:04,934 --> 00:50:06,675 What would I say to them? 751 00:50:06,675 --> 00:50:08,764 "Trust me"? 752 00:50:08,764 --> 00:50:10,766 "I have a plan"? 753 00:50:10,766 --> 00:50:13,421 No, thanks. 754 00:50:13,421 --> 00:50:17,947 All that misery in the world would break my heart. 755 00:50:17,947 --> 00:50:19,905 Mm-hmm. 756 00:50:19,905 --> 00:50:22,169 But tell me, 757 00:50:22,169 --> 00:50:23,821 why would you care? 758 00:50:26,260 --> 00:50:28,175 All right, what do you mean, why? 759 00:50:28,175 --> 00:50:30,089 Why would it break your heart? 760 00:50:31,091 --> 00:50:33,180 Because I care. 761 00:50:33,180 --> 00:50:35,660 I have compassion for my fellow human beings. 762 00:50:35,660 --> 00:50:38,184 And where does that morality come from? 763 00:50:39,447 --> 00:50:41,884 I'm sure the answer you're looking for is "from God," 764 00:50:41,884 --> 00:50:44,060 but, really, I have no idea. 765 00:50:44,060 --> 00:50:48,108 Free will perhaps, Paul? Hmm? 766 00:50:48,108 --> 00:50:50,849 Free will exists. 767 00:50:50,849 --> 00:50:54,157 And it wouldn't be much of a morality if I forced you to have it, Paul. 768 00:50:54,157 --> 00:50:56,290 Okay. Good to know. It's all me. 769 00:50:56,290 --> 00:50:59,596 So, when do we get to the part I won't like? 770 00:51:01,033 --> 00:51:03,123 Paul, if you think faith is enough... 771 00:51:03,123 --> 00:51:06,213 I mean, it's not, but if you do, 772 00:51:06,213 --> 00:51:08,998 would you just start being an immoral person? 773 00:51:08,998 --> 00:51:11,827 How do you know I'm not an immoral person? Because you just told me. 774 00:51:11,827 --> 00:51:14,176 You said you have compassion, and I believe you. 775 00:51:15,570 --> 00:51:17,441 So, what could you possibly do 776 00:51:17,441 --> 00:51:20,313 that would be beyond my powers to forgive you? 777 00:51:32,500 --> 00:51:35,503 Paul, I just asked you a very important question. 778 00:51:35,503 --> 00:51:38,375 I, uh... I don't want to talk about this. 779 00:51:38,375 --> 00:51:40,202 Can we change the subject, please? 780 00:51:40,986 --> 00:51:41,985 Why? 781 00:51:47,297 --> 00:51:48,864 Why? Because it's personal. 782 00:51:48,864 --> 00:51:50,605 But you have no secrets from me. Yeah, I do. 783 00:51:50,605 --> 00:51:53,042 No, you don't.Yeah, I do. 784 00:51:53,042 --> 00:51:55,218 And my life is not the topic of this conversation. 785 00:51:55,218 --> 00:51:58,613 But it really is, Paul. I don't know how many more ways I can say this. 786 00:51:58,613 --> 00:52:00,789 But you need to start hearing me.Okay. 787 00:52:00,789 --> 00:52:03,270 We've done enough for today. Thank you. All right, all right. 788 00:52:03,270 --> 00:52:05,228 You can ask me anything you want. 789 00:52:05,228 --> 00:52:08,579 That's what I've been doing, but it doesn't really get me anywhere. 790 00:52:08,579 --> 00:52:11,103 I've been more than deferential to your claim of who you are, 791 00:52:11,103 --> 00:52:14,237 but I keep asking questions, and you keep giving me these evasive answers. 792 00:52:14,237 --> 00:52:15,804 You've been asking very good questions, 793 00:52:15,804 --> 00:52:17,414 and I'm trying to answer them as best I can. 794 00:52:17,414 --> 00:52:19,677 Best for who? For you, of course. 795 00:52:19,677 --> 00:52:21,984 If that's what you think, then we did get to the part I don't like. 796 00:52:21,984 --> 00:52:24,987 Well, it can get a lot worse than that. I really don't see how. 797 00:52:24,987 --> 00:52:29,078 Well, how about we talk about your marriage? No! 798 00:52:29,078 --> 00:52:33,300 No, we really can't, and it's inappropriate you would bring that into the conversation! 799 00:52:33,300 --> 00:52:35,519 My personal life is off-limits, 800 00:52:35,519 --> 00:52:37,260 and that goes double for my marriage. 801 00:52:37,260 --> 00:52:39,915 Oh, and you're sure about that? 802 00:52:39,915 --> 00:52:42,004 Are you... 803 00:52:42,004 --> 00:52:44,267 Did someone put you up to this? Is that...? 804 00:52:44,267 --> 00:52:46,008 Paul, you're just being paranoid. 805 00:52:46,008 --> 00:52:49,272 - I'm just here to help. - Thanks, but I can manage my own affairs. 806 00:52:49,272 --> 00:52:51,927 Oh, you can? I can manage! 807 00:52:51,927 --> 00:52:56,410 Why are you doing this? Is this what you do to people? 808 00:52:56,410 --> 00:52:59,326 Is this what you do? Go around talking crap? 809 00:52:59,326 --> 00:53:02,242 Why am I here? 810 00:53:02,242 --> 00:53:05,114 Oh, I get that question too many times. I mean, here. 811 00:53:05,114 --> 00:53:07,203 In this theater. Why am I here? 812 00:53:07,203 --> 00:53:10,424 'Cause I would like to help you if you will let me. 813 00:53:10,424 --> 00:53:12,861 Thanks. I've got it covered. Everything's under control. 814 00:53:12,861 --> 00:53:16,560 Oh, okay then. Yeah. Well, that's... that's very good to hear 815 00:53:16,560 --> 00:53:19,563 because, uh, you are about out of time. 816 00:53:19,563 --> 00:53:22,958 Oh, I had five more minutes, but I'm happy to forfeit that time to the next prophet. 817 00:53:22,958 --> 00:53:26,439 No, Paul. I mean, you are about out of time. 818 00:53:27,702 --> 00:53:29,877 - What are you saying? - Just that. 819 00:53:31,445 --> 00:53:34,316 Out of time. That's cryptic. What does that even mean? 820 00:53:48,500 --> 00:53:51,589 - You're saying... - Yes. 821 00:54:01,470 --> 00:54:03,646 - Are you saying...? - Yes. 822 00:54:03,646 --> 00:54:06,126 I'm very sorry. 823 00:54:09,304 --> 00:54:12,610 - This is a joke. - No. No joke, Paul. 824 00:54:13,743 --> 00:54:14,873 I'm sorry. 825 00:54:16,137 --> 00:54:18,181 Sick joke. 826 00:54:20,184 --> 00:54:21,663 Why would you tell me that? 827 00:54:24,014 --> 00:54:27,409 Because you said so yourself, Paul. 828 00:54:27,409 --> 00:54:30,412 Dying is just about the when. 829 00:54:30,412 --> 00:54:32,675 So why can't the when be now? 830 00:54:32,675 --> 00:54:35,243 This interview is over. Well, we... we still have tomorrow. 831 00:54:35,243 --> 00:54:36,983 There is no tomorrow! 832 00:54:36,983 --> 00:54:39,334 I'll let you know where, just in case you change your mind. 833 00:54:39,334 --> 00:54:43,773 I'm pretty sure I won't. I don't even know why I agreed to this. 834 00:54:43,773 --> 00:54:46,036 You prayed, Paul. You asked for help. 835 00:54:46,036 --> 00:54:48,734 That's why I'm here, and I thought an interview would be a place 836 00:54:48,734 --> 00:54:50,910 where a journalist would be comfortable. 837 00:54:50,910 --> 00:54:54,087 Well, congratulations. You got that exactly wrong. 838 00:54:54,087 --> 00:54:55,959 I'm not comfortable at all with this. 839 00:54:55,959 --> 00:54:58,396 Salvation is real, Paul, 840 00:54:58,396 --> 00:55:00,355 and it can still happen for you, 841 00:55:00,355 --> 00:55:04,359 but you need to understand something very important. 842 00:55:04,359 --> 00:55:06,622 Faith isn't something that you can just have. 843 00:55:06,622 --> 00:55:08,493 Not in the conventional sense. 844 00:55:08,493 --> 00:55:12,062 Because faith isn't the goal. 845 00:55:12,062 --> 00:55:14,456 Faith is the process. 846 00:55:14,456 --> 00:55:16,327 It's a lot like a marriage. 847 00:55:16,327 --> 00:55:19,982 The vows you take aren't the end. They're just the beginning. 848 00:55:21,289 --> 00:55:24,857 It takes time and dedication... every day. 849 00:55:24,857 --> 00:55:28,295 Wow. 850 00:55:32,256 --> 00:55:33,735 Paul? 851 00:55:35,259 --> 00:55:36,825 Paul! 852 00:55:38,480 --> 00:55:41,438 Would you like to know when it will happen? 853 00:55:45,226 --> 00:55:46,748 No. 854 00:57:14,227 --> 00:57:16,491 Wh-What... What are you doing here? 855 00:57:16,491 --> 00:57:18,319 You never called me back. 856 00:57:18,319 --> 00:57:20,190 Uh, yeah. 857 00:57:20,190 --> 00:57:23,846 I'm... I'm sorry. I had a bad day yesterday, and... 858 00:57:23,846 --> 00:57:25,847 I know. That's why I called you. 859 00:57:27,328 --> 00:57:30,765 Hey. Hello. It's nice to see you. 860 00:57:32,115 --> 00:57:33,682 I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Hi. 861 00:57:33,682 --> 00:57:37,512 Uh, can we... can we take this... 862 00:57:37,512 --> 00:57:39,949 Okay. 863 00:57:39,949 --> 00:57:42,386 Nobody knew where you were, and you didn't answer your cell. 864 00:57:42,386 --> 00:57:45,693 I was in a meeting. I had it turned off. I'm sorry. Uh... 865 00:57:54,529 --> 00:57:56,313 Do you want to talk about yesterday? 866 00:57:56,313 --> 00:57:58,707 No, not really. 867 00:57:58,707 --> 00:58:00,838 Don't you think we should? 868 00:58:01,579 --> 00:58:03,014 Okay, what's on your mind? 869 00:58:04,408 --> 00:58:06,497 Why are you talking to me like that? 870 00:58:06,497 --> 00:58:09,021 Like I'm other people. She just left me yesterday. 871 00:58:09,021 --> 00:58:11,000 Can I get a... some breathing room? Please? 872 00:58:11,000 --> 00:58:13,786 I know. I'm... I'm just worried about you. 873 00:58:13,786 --> 00:58:16,658 I know. I'm sorry. I know you are. 874 00:58:16,658 --> 00:58:18,137 It's just... 875 00:58:19,879 --> 00:58:22,142 Do you want me to leave? 876 00:58:22,142 --> 00:58:24,797 Paul, you know this wasn't your fault, right? 877 00:58:24,797 --> 00:58:27,582 It wasn't anyone's fault. 878 00:58:27,582 --> 00:58:29,976 Of course, it's my fault. 879 00:58:29,976 --> 00:58:32,892 Why does it have to be someone's fault? 880 00:58:32,892 --> 00:58:35,329 Things happen in the universe, Paul, in life. 881 00:58:35,329 --> 00:58:37,984 Well, you know, I have a slightly different perspective on that. 882 00:58:37,984 --> 00:58:42,292 I know, and it's one of the things I've always loved about you. 883 00:58:42,292 --> 00:58:45,513 You have a strength and a certainty that I've never had. 884 00:58:45,513 --> 00:58:47,732 But this... 885 00:58:47,732 --> 00:58:49,473 This was my fault. 886 00:58:49,473 --> 00:58:50,473 How? 887 00:58:51,736 --> 00:58:54,478 I never should have gone away. 888 00:58:54,478 --> 00:58:56,089 Where? To Afghanistan? 889 00:58:56,089 --> 00:58:58,700 It was stupid. I never thought it through, what might happen. 890 00:58:58,700 --> 00:59:00,049 I was stupid. 891 00:59:00,049 --> 00:59:02,921 - Is that what you think? - Yes, it's what I think. 892 00:59:03,836 --> 00:59:05,838 No, Paul. 893 00:59:05,838 --> 00:59:07,012 What? 894 00:59:08,579 --> 00:59:09,929 What? 895 00:59:09,929 --> 00:59:12,017 Sarah had the affair before you left. 896 00:59:24,378 --> 00:59:26,467 Oh, God. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. 897 00:59:26,467 --> 00:59:28,643 I thought you knew. Give me a minute, please. 898 00:59:28,643 --> 00:59:31,733 Give me a minute. Just give me some space! Please. 899 00:59:31,733 --> 00:59:33,866 Sorry. Oh! 900 00:59:33,866 --> 00:59:36,346 What's happening here? Call you back. 901 00:59:36,346 --> 00:59:38,653 Whatever it is, why is it happening in my office? 902 00:59:38,653 --> 00:59:41,569 I-I'm sorry. Hi. I'm-I'm Grace. 903 00:59:41,569 --> 00:59:45,050 I'm Paul's sister-in-law. Uh, Sarah's sister. 904 00:59:47,053 --> 00:59:48,793 Hi.A fan of your sister. 905 00:59:48,793 --> 00:59:51,840 Thanks. Uh, I'm sorry. 906 00:59:51,840 --> 00:59:53,755 We totally stole your office. 907 00:59:53,755 --> 00:59:55,409 Yes, you did. 908 00:59:55,409 --> 00:59:57,759 Would you mind giving us a couple of minutes? 909 00:59:57,759 --> 01:00:00,153 I'm sorry. Paul? 910 01:00:00,153 --> 01:00:02,198 Is that all right, Gary? 911 01:00:02,198 --> 01:00:06,246 All right. Hey, I got that name for your friend, okay? 912 01:00:06,246 --> 01:00:09,248 Number's right here. They'll see him today if he can make it. 913 01:00:10,293 --> 01:00:13,121 - I'll leave it here. - Thank you. 914 01:00:16,778 --> 01:00:20,259 He doesn't know, huh? 915 01:00:21,435 --> 01:00:22,697 No. 916 01:00:22,697 --> 01:00:25,004 It might help if you start talking to someone. 917 01:00:25,004 --> 01:00:26,788 If not me, someone else. 918 01:00:26,788 --> 01:00:31,619 I want to talk to Sarah about it, but she's not returning my calls. 919 01:00:31,619 --> 01:00:35,188 I don't even know where she is. For all I know, she could be with that other guy. 920 01:00:35,188 --> 01:00:37,277 No, she's... she's not. She's not. 921 01:00:37,277 --> 01:00:39,500 That's over. How do you know? 922 01:00:39,500 --> 01:00:41,153 'Cause she's staying with me. 923 01:00:42,285 --> 01:00:43,591 What? Why didn't you tell me? 924 01:00:43,591 --> 01:00:45,506 Paul, please. 925 01:00:45,506 --> 01:00:47,334 Could you please get her to call me back? 926 01:00:47,334 --> 01:00:49,423 I can't. I'm sorry. 927 01:00:49,423 --> 01:00:51,686 - You've got to be patient. - Why? 928 01:00:51,686 --> 01:00:54,472 You just have to give her time. Give her time? 929 01:00:54,472 --> 01:00:57,736 How much time? A day? A week? A month? 930 01:00:57,736 --> 01:01:00,173 Paul, come on. I've known you since I was 18. 931 01:01:00,173 --> 01:01:03,393 Sarah marrying you was the best thing she ever did. 932 01:01:03,393 --> 01:01:05,570 And we will always be family. 933 01:01:05,570 --> 01:01:07,702 That's why I'm here today. 934 01:01:07,702 --> 01:01:10,008 I-I don't know why this happened, but... 935 01:01:11,401 --> 01:01:14,230 You should really talk to someone. 936 01:01:14,230 --> 01:01:15,841 Yeah, I will. 937 01:01:15,841 --> 01:01:19,192 - Promise? - I promise. Yeah. 938 01:01:19,192 --> 01:01:22,499 Yeah. I appreciate you coming by. Thank you. 939 01:01:24,153 --> 01:01:25,937 - Hug? - Yeah. 940 01:01:42,258 --> 01:01:44,696 Hey, Matt. It's me. 941 01:01:44,696 --> 01:01:46,698 Yeah, that's why I'm calling actually. 942 01:01:46,698 --> 01:01:48,613 You know what? I'm going to text it to you. 943 01:01:48,613 --> 01:01:52,137 They said if you can make it, they'll see you right away. Today. 944 01:01:54,357 --> 01:01:55,880 Yeah. Mm-hmm. 945 01:01:57,970 --> 01:02:01,103 Okay. Good luck. Let me know how it goes. Give me a call after. 946 01:02:01,103 --> 01:02:02,888 Okay? 947 01:02:02,888 --> 01:02:06,500 Um, can I ask for a favor? A big favor? 948 01:02:06,500 --> 01:02:09,198 I'm doing this interview, and it's getting kind of weird. 949 01:02:09,198 --> 01:02:10,765 Um... 950 01:02:10,765 --> 01:02:13,072 Well, that's the thing. I-I don't know. 951 01:02:13,072 --> 01:02:15,596 If I send you a head shot, could you check it out, 952 01:02:15,596 --> 01:02:17,380 run it through the database or something? 953 01:02:17,380 --> 01:02:19,077 Is that possible? 954 01:02:20,253 --> 01:02:22,516 Really? 955 01:02:22,516 --> 01:02:25,432 No, that's perfect. Tomorrow's fine. 956 01:02:25,432 --> 01:02:26,998 Okay. Bye. 957 01:02:28,783 --> 01:02:31,219 What's going on? 958 01:02:32,744 --> 01:02:34,788 Look, I'm sorry, Gary. What's wrong? 959 01:02:36,486 --> 01:02:38,313 Is there a problem with the story? 960 01:02:41,448 --> 01:02:43,231 Talk to me. 961 01:02:44,277 --> 01:02:46,366 Sarah just left me. 962 01:02:46,366 --> 01:02:47,933 Yesterday. 963 01:02:47,933 --> 01:02:50,762 I'm sorry. Why didn't you say something? 964 01:02:50,762 --> 01:02:52,720 It's been bad since I got back. 965 01:02:52,720 --> 01:02:55,593 I should have said something. 966 01:02:55,593 --> 01:02:58,247 I don't know why. 967 01:02:58,247 --> 01:03:00,293 This about Afghanistan? 968 01:03:00,293 --> 01:03:05,603 I thought so, but now I think it might be a bigger problem, an older problem. 969 01:03:05,603 --> 01:03:07,474 I'm trying to figure it out. All right. 970 01:03:07,474 --> 01:03:11,521 Well, maybe it's time you take that break we talked about, huh? 971 01:03:11,521 --> 01:03:13,697 Yeah. 972 01:03:14,524 --> 01:03:17,005 Yeah. I might. Okay, good. 973 01:03:17,005 --> 01:03:19,312 You think you can fix things with her? 974 01:03:19,312 --> 01:03:22,532 I don't know. Maybe I think she's better off without me. 975 01:03:22,532 --> 01:03:24,491 Don't say that. 976 01:03:24,491 --> 01:03:26,361 Never think that. 977 01:03:34,849 --> 01:03:38,157 You know, when Ann left me, I, uh... I went a little crazy. 978 01:03:38,157 --> 01:03:40,986 I had thoughts I'd never had before. 979 01:03:40,986 --> 01:03:44,990 Crazy, weird thoughts. 980 01:03:44,990 --> 01:03:47,645 And then, you know, maybe some of it was from, 981 01:03:47,645 --> 01:03:49,647 like, the body blow, the hurt feelings. 982 01:03:49,647 --> 01:03:54,608 But the worst part of it for me was... was this crushing disappointment. 983 01:03:54,608 --> 01:03:56,262 Gary, I don't need you to-to-to... 984 01:03:56,262 --> 01:03:58,132 No, listen to me. Listen to this. 985 01:03:59,221 --> 01:04:02,616 I always had all kind of bad thoughts 986 01:04:02,616 --> 01:04:05,532 about what my life was gonna be like, 987 01:04:05,532 --> 01:04:07,099 like... like what could happen. 988 01:04:07,099 --> 01:04:10,189 I mean, poverty, horrible illness. You name it. 989 01:04:10,189 --> 01:04:14,541 But I never once imagined that my marriage might fail. 990 01:04:14,541 --> 01:04:16,586 What is that, naive? 991 01:04:16,586 --> 01:04:18,023 Is it? 992 01:04:18,023 --> 01:04:22,375 I mean, really, why couldn't it happen to me? 993 01:04:22,375 --> 01:04:24,377 Because I have faith? 994 01:04:24,377 --> 01:04:26,553 Does that make me special? 995 01:04:26,553 --> 01:04:28,772 Well, doesn't it? Yes. 996 01:04:29,774 --> 01:04:32,690 That's exactly it. It does. 997 01:04:32,690 --> 01:04:36,781 And it was faith that rescued Ann and me. 998 01:04:36,781 --> 01:04:39,784 Sure, we needed help, and it took time, 999 01:04:39,784 --> 01:04:42,786 but he was there for us when we needed him. 1000 01:04:43,875 --> 01:04:47,052 So, you've just got to get right. 1001 01:04:47,052 --> 01:04:49,183 Yeah, I know. I'm trying. 1002 01:04:52,492 --> 01:04:54,755 You still love Sarah? 1003 01:04:54,755 --> 01:04:57,584 You know I do.Okay. Okay. 1004 01:04:57,584 --> 01:05:00,761 Then find your hope and fix this. 1005 01:05:00,761 --> 01:05:02,370 You can do it. 1006 01:05:03,459 --> 01:05:05,070 What if time were a factor? 1007 01:05:05,070 --> 01:05:07,942 What? What is it? What are you talking about? 1008 01:05:07,942 --> 01:05:09,770 I'm sorry. Forget I said that. 1009 01:05:09,770 --> 01:05:11,990 It's just... Gary, this interview. 1010 01:05:11,990 --> 01:05:14,340 It's... I don't know. 1011 01:05:14,340 --> 01:05:16,950 It's... eating me up. 1012 01:05:18,823 --> 01:05:22,914 Is that where you've been the past couple days? Yeah. It is. 1013 01:05:22,914 --> 01:05:25,481 It's really an interview? 1014 01:05:25,481 --> 01:05:27,395 Yeah. It is. Yeah. 1015 01:05:28,310 --> 01:05:30,355 With God? 1016 01:05:42,324 --> 01:05:43,848 Okay. 1017 01:05:43,848 --> 01:05:46,500 You already pitched it to the print edition, didn't you? 1018 01:05:46,500 --> 01:05:48,851 Yes. 1019 01:05:48,851 --> 01:05:52,158 - And they loved it. - Come on, Gary. Look at me. 1020 01:05:52,158 --> 01:05:55,379 My wife just left me. I'm crying my eyes out in your office. 1021 01:05:55,379 --> 01:05:58,208 It's possible I might need to deal with some stuff right now. 1022 01:05:58,208 --> 01:06:00,645 Listen, you sort it out. 1023 01:06:00,645 --> 01:06:02,734 You take care of you first. 1024 01:06:02,734 --> 01:06:04,605 And remember what I said. Get right. 1025 01:06:06,477 --> 01:06:08,130 Thanks, Gary.Yeah. 1026 01:06:36,725 --> 01:06:38,813 Come on, pick up, pick up. 1027 01:06:42,426 --> 01:06:45,864 I just nearly picked up. I wanted to speak to him. 1028 01:06:45,864 --> 01:06:48,040 Then why didn't you? 1029 01:06:48,040 --> 01:06:49,911 Because I destroyed my marriage. 1030 01:06:54,177 --> 01:06:55,657 Sarah. 1031 01:06:55,657 --> 01:06:58,224 Sarah, I'm struggling here, okay? I have to talk to you. 1032 01:06:58,224 --> 01:06:59,791 Could you call me back right away? 1033 01:06:59,791 --> 01:07:01,793 It's important. 1034 01:07:01,793 --> 01:07:03,752 Please call me back. 1035 01:07:03,752 --> 01:07:05,143 Okay. Bye. 1036 01:07:06,537 --> 01:07:08,277 Wait. What the...? 1037 01:07:10,759 --> 01:07:13,848 How many men take back a wife that cheated? 1038 01:07:15,372 --> 01:07:18,330 He was either working or at the theological library. 1039 01:07:20,682 --> 01:07:24,773 He stopped going to church and his men's group because he lost faith. 1040 01:07:24,773 --> 01:07:27,123 I made it about me. 1041 01:07:27,123 --> 01:07:28,515 He was gone. 1042 01:07:28,515 --> 01:07:31,474 - You don't know what I did. - I know you're human. 1043 01:07:44,444 --> 01:07:47,360 You know me, right? 1044 01:07:47,360 --> 01:07:51,887 You know I don't believe in all that pray-to-Jesus crap, 1045 01:07:51,887 --> 01:07:55,454 but... maybe you should. 1046 01:07:56,413 --> 01:07:58,893 You're telling me to pray? 1047 01:07:59,546 --> 01:08:01,679 Can't hurt. 1048 01:08:01,679 --> 01:08:03,419 It can't reverse what I did. 1049 01:08:07,337 --> 01:08:09,904 There's no going back from what I've done, ever. 1050 01:08:55,864 --> 01:08:57,516 All right. 1051 01:09:20,802 --> 01:09:24,630 Why is he showing himself rather than being hidden from me? 1052 01:09:28,418 --> 01:09:31,334 What am I to myself? No one loved me. 1053 01:09:31,334 --> 01:09:33,814 Who am I? 1054 01:09:35,860 --> 01:09:37,426 Okay. 1055 01:09:38,123 --> 01:09:39,167 Okay. 1056 01:10:05,107 --> 01:10:06,890 Can you hear me? 1057 01:10:13,071 --> 01:10:15,030 Why? Because it's personal. 1058 01:10:15,030 --> 01:10:16,770 But you have no secrets from me. 1059 01:10:16,770 --> 01:10:18,468 Yeah, I do. No, you don't. 1060 01:10:18,468 --> 01:10:21,950 Yeah, I do. My life is not the topic of this conversation. 1061 01:10:21,950 --> 01:10:23,995 But it really is, Paul. 1062 01:10:23,995 --> 01:10:26,780 I don't know how many more ways I can say this, but you need to start hearing me. 1063 01:10:26,780 --> 01:10:28,173 Okay. 1064 01:10:28,173 --> 01:10:30,172 We've done enough for today. Thank you. All right. 1065 01:11:30,061 --> 01:11:31,975 - Welcome back. - Thank you. 1066 01:11:38,026 --> 01:11:40,723 I have some more questions. 1067 01:11:42,813 --> 01:11:45,642 Today is our last interview, 1068 01:11:45,642 --> 01:11:48,036 and I want to come to some conclusions. 1069 01:11:48,036 --> 01:11:50,124 Good. So do I. 1070 01:11:52,605 --> 01:11:54,564 I got it. All right. 1071 01:11:54,564 --> 01:11:55,999 Thank you. 1072 01:11:59,395 --> 01:12:01,658 Okay, recording. Friday, June 3. 1073 01:12:01,658 --> 01:12:03,311 Last interview. 1074 01:12:09,971 --> 01:12:13,061 Your Italian is very good. Loyola Rome, junior year abroad. 1075 01:12:13,061 --> 01:12:15,672 Well, that's time well spent. 1076 01:12:15,672 --> 01:12:18,588 You gave me some pretty disturbing news yesterday. 1077 01:12:18,588 --> 01:12:20,851 Was it news? 1078 01:12:20,851 --> 01:12:23,854 You keep saying that you're here because I prayed, that you're here to help. 1079 01:12:23,854 --> 01:12:26,074 That's right. And yet you told me I'm gonna die. 1080 01:12:26,074 --> 01:12:28,641 How does that help me? You're a journalist. 1081 01:12:28,641 --> 01:12:31,383 Surely you appreciate the value of a deadline. 1082 01:12:31,383 --> 01:12:33,168 Hmm. 1083 01:12:33,168 --> 01:12:37,302 Sorry. I knew it would get you back here. So it was just manipulation? 1084 01:12:37,302 --> 01:12:41,176 No, motivation is the word I'd use, and here you are. 1085 01:12:41,176 --> 01:12:42,742 You were pushing me? Yes, of course. 1086 01:12:42,742 --> 01:12:44,614 Like you've been pushing me from the start? 1087 01:12:44,614 --> 01:12:47,834 - Well, maybe you needed a push. - Is that your job? 1088 01:12:47,834 --> 01:12:52,883 Paul, I told you, I play an active role in the lives of all my children. 1089 01:12:52,883 --> 01:12:56,452 So let's stop wasting time on things you already know, and let's move on. 1090 01:12:56,452 --> 01:12:58,541 Shall we? 1091 01:12:58,541 --> 01:13:01,108 And you can cross that first question off your list. 1092 01:13:06,070 --> 01:13:08,551 Is God just a clockmaker? 1093 01:13:08,551 --> 01:13:10,204 Now you know. 1094 01:13:12,294 --> 01:13:14,600 So, this is how it works when God answers your prayers? 1095 01:13:14,600 --> 01:13:17,168 I never said I was here to answer your prayers.Right. 1096 01:13:17,168 --> 01:13:20,041 You said you came because I prayed, so maybe you can see my confusion. 1097 01:13:20,041 --> 01:13:23,000 But apparently it was just to deliver some bad news, right? 1098 01:13:23,000 --> 01:13:25,177 - 'Cause, you know, I feel fine. - Oh? 1099 01:13:25,177 --> 01:13:27,265 Oh, are you here to bargain with me? 1100 01:13:28,223 --> 01:13:30,878 No.Well, good. 1101 01:13:30,878 --> 01:13:33,445 Good. Then let's move on. 1102 01:13:34,186 --> 01:13:36,101 Sure. 1103 01:13:36,101 --> 01:13:39,582 Let's talk about salvation. That's not on your list for today, is it? 1104 01:13:39,582 --> 01:13:42,150 No.Anyway, we discussed it yesterday. 1105 01:13:42,150 --> 01:13:45,458 I have more questions. Oh, I think we covered it pretty well. 1106 01:13:45,458 --> 01:13:47,286 It's a big topic. Oh, I know. 1107 01:13:47,286 --> 01:13:49,462 A big topic for my readers. Mine too. 1108 01:13:49,462 --> 01:13:51,768 Okay. So, what's the problem? 1109 01:13:51,768 --> 01:13:54,206 Apparently, we didn't delve deeply enough. 1110 01:13:54,206 --> 01:13:56,991 Well, you know, now it feels just a little more personal to me. 1111 01:13:56,991 --> 01:13:58,644 I thought it might. 1112 01:14:00,516 --> 01:14:03,911 Really? That's all you got for me? 1113 01:14:03,911 --> 01:14:06,565 What more do you want? Oh, I don't know. Some answers. 1114 01:14:08,481 --> 01:14:10,222 What was the question again? 1115 01:14:10,222 --> 01:14:13,747 Oh, that's just perfect. See, this is what drives good people nuts. 1116 01:14:13,747 --> 01:14:15,662 We try to be good people, try to please you, 1117 01:14:15,662 --> 01:14:17,838 and we need some answers, and where did you go? 1118 01:14:17,838 --> 01:14:21,102 Do you have any idea how that feels... like you're being judged every single day? 1119 01:14:21,102 --> 01:14:23,060 All we want is some peace of mind, 1120 01:14:23,060 --> 01:14:25,237 but it's like you're... I don't know... some cosmic killjoy. 1121 01:14:25,237 --> 01:14:28,240 Good, good. Well, now we're getting somewhere. 1122 01:14:28,240 --> 01:14:30,546 Doesn't really seem like it. 1123 01:14:30,546 --> 01:14:32,373 Paul, you think salvation is a burden? 1124 01:14:33,723 --> 01:14:36,813 Yes. But it's not. It's a gift. 1125 01:14:36,813 --> 01:14:41,688 You and I remember my Sunday school education a little differently. 1126 01:14:41,688 --> 01:14:44,473 All right. Let me try to clear it up for you. Please do. 1127 01:14:44,473 --> 01:14:46,736 You're one of my children. So you said. 1128 01:14:46,736 --> 01:14:49,174 Now, when you're a child, your parents have rules, right? 1129 01:14:49,174 --> 01:14:50,740 Of course. 1130 01:14:50,740 --> 01:14:52,568 Now, as you grow up, what happens? 1131 01:14:52,568 --> 01:14:57,269 You mean, with my parents? Yes. What changes for you, with your parents? 1132 01:14:57,269 --> 01:15:00,359 Uh, I don't know. Less rules, more responsibilities. Is that what you mean? 1133 01:15:00,359 --> 01:15:02,491 Yes, and more freedoms too, right? Sure. 1134 01:15:02,491 --> 01:15:05,146 So... I mean, do you see? 1135 01:15:05,146 --> 01:15:08,280 No! What do you... I'm sorry. Are we... 1136 01:15:08,280 --> 01:15:10,282 We're still talking about salvation or...? 1137 01:15:10,282 --> 01:15:12,762 All right. Let me put it in a biblical context. 1138 01:15:12,762 --> 01:15:14,808 In the early days, men were wicked. 1139 01:15:14,808 --> 01:15:16,766 Yes, and that didn't work out too well for them. 1140 01:15:16,766 --> 01:15:19,421 No, salvation wasn't possible then like it is now. 1141 01:15:19,421 --> 01:15:22,163 But I gave you another chance. A new set of rules. 1142 01:15:22,163 --> 01:15:23,556 Moses. That's right. 1143 01:15:23,556 --> 01:15:25,558 Now, the law was clear, 1144 01:15:25,558 --> 01:15:28,735 but still the path to me was indirect and difficult. 1145 01:15:28,735 --> 01:15:31,738 But all that changed one day long ago in Bethlehem. 1146 01:15:31,738 --> 01:15:34,958 And it was good news. But it was also the start of a new covenant. 1147 01:15:34,958 --> 01:15:37,483 A new way.Yes. 1148 01:15:37,483 --> 01:15:40,486 For example, Moses had ten commandments, 1149 01:15:40,486 --> 01:15:42,705 but later Jesus only mentioned six on two occasions. 1150 01:15:42,705 --> 01:15:44,925 I know the controversy.Yes. 1151 01:15:44,925 --> 01:15:49,103 Now, when asked how a man can enter heaven, Jesus said, "You shall not murder. 1152 01:15:49,103 --> 01:15:52,541 You shall not steal. You shall not commit adultery. 1153 01:15:52,541 --> 01:15:54,761 You shall not bear false witness. 1154 01:15:54,761 --> 01:15:57,590 Honor thy father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself." 1155 01:15:57,590 --> 01:15:59,809 In Matthew and Mark. Yes, I know. 1156 01:15:59,809 --> 01:16:02,682 He left four off the list. The first four. Yes, I know. 1157 01:16:02,682 --> 01:16:05,598 Yes, the four that deal with man's relationship to God. 1158 01:16:05,598 --> 01:16:08,644 Now, what does that tell you? 1159 01:16:08,644 --> 01:16:11,908 I'll assume it's not a typo. Now come on. Think about it. 1160 01:16:11,908 --> 01:16:15,825 What's more likely... Jesus just forgot four of the Ten Commandments, 1161 01:16:15,825 --> 01:16:18,959 or Jesus knew the world was changing, that he was changing it, 1162 01:16:18,959 --> 01:16:21,396 and he didn't feel he needed to remind his followers 1163 01:16:21,396 --> 01:16:25,705 that the Sabbath Day is holy, or that there is only one true God? 1164 01:16:25,705 --> 01:16:28,490 And was he right? About what? 1165 01:16:28,490 --> 01:16:30,449 God. Well, look around. 1166 01:16:30,449 --> 01:16:32,798 Know many polytheists these days? 1167 01:16:36,977 --> 01:16:40,458 And you can cross that question off your list as well. 1168 01:16:42,069 --> 01:16:43,896 Are you the one true God? 1169 01:16:45,464 --> 01:16:47,639 Are we clear? 1170 01:16:49,206 --> 01:16:52,471 This is all very interesting, but I still don't see the me in it. 1171 01:16:52,471 --> 01:16:55,822 Okay. How's this for a headline? 1172 01:16:55,822 --> 01:16:59,826 Your life is not an audition for the afterlife, 1173 01:16:59,826 --> 01:17:02,394 and if you can stop worrying about that, 1174 01:17:02,394 --> 01:17:04,613 you just might have time for other things. 1175 01:17:04,613 --> 01:17:07,442 Things like loving one another and living your life. 1176 01:17:07,442 --> 01:17:09,618 However long that is. Yeah. 1177 01:17:09,618 --> 01:17:12,012 Paul, I've given you a great gift. 1178 01:17:12,012 --> 01:17:15,189 A new justification, a new responsibility. 1179 01:17:15,189 --> 01:17:19,411 But it's up to you to receive my gift before it's too late. 1180 01:17:19,411 --> 01:17:21,238 See, right there. 1181 01:17:21,238 --> 01:17:23,937 You say you're here to help me, but that kind of sounds like a threat. 1182 01:17:23,937 --> 01:17:26,373 Why can't I do two things at the same time, hmm? 1183 01:17:27,854 --> 01:17:29,812 For thousands of years, Paul, 1184 01:17:29,812 --> 01:17:32,859 I have been trying to help you find your way to me. 1185 01:17:32,859 --> 01:17:36,253 Now, did I always succeed? Well, ask Noah. 1186 01:17:36,253 --> 01:17:38,691 Was I too vengeful back then? Maybe. 1187 01:17:38,691 --> 01:17:41,868 But there's never a real threat without a real consequence. 1188 01:17:41,868 --> 01:17:43,739 So, you are here to threaten me. 1189 01:17:43,739 --> 01:17:45,437 Is that what you really think? 1190 01:17:45,437 --> 01:17:48,570 Either way, I'm hoping for a better outcome than in Noah's day. 1191 01:17:48,570 --> 01:17:52,008 Oh, me too. Back then, it took a flood. 1192 01:17:52,008 --> 01:17:56,099 Now it's just you and me in this room with that digital recorder. 1193 01:17:56,099 --> 01:18:00,015 Not what comes to mind when you think divine intervention, is it? 1194 01:18:04,978 --> 01:18:06,892 No, not really. 1195 01:18:10,940 --> 01:18:13,726 You know, my editor was worried that I'm in danger. 1196 01:18:13,726 --> 01:18:15,771 I have the same concern. 1197 01:18:15,771 --> 01:18:18,643 I think he... I think he means danger from you. 1198 01:18:19,949 --> 01:18:21,560 Am I in danger? 1199 01:18:21,560 --> 01:18:25,128 What have we been talking about for the past three days, Paul? 1200 01:18:25,128 --> 01:18:26,129 You.Stop. 1201 01:18:26,129 --> 01:18:27,392 You.Please. 1202 01:18:27,392 --> 01:18:29,785 You're the one... Stop. Please, stop. 1203 01:18:29,785 --> 01:18:33,267 Pardon me? Please stop! 1204 01:18:33,267 --> 01:18:36,836 - You're upset. - Yes! It's been three days. Of course I'm upset. 1205 01:18:36,836 --> 01:18:38,751 What did you think my reaction would be? 1206 01:18:38,751 --> 01:18:41,710 - But you knew that, didn't you? Didn't you? - Yes. 1207 01:18:41,710 --> 01:18:45,583 - So you admit it. - I'm amazed you lasted this long. 1208 01:18:46,454 --> 01:18:48,935 Paul. 1209 01:18:48,935 --> 01:18:51,938 You thought you had an interview with the Almighty. 1210 01:18:51,938 --> 01:18:54,636 No one in their right mind would believe that. 1211 01:18:54,636 --> 01:18:58,031 But here you are, day three, back for more? 1212 01:18:58,031 --> 01:19:01,687 And please, don't hand me, "I thought it would be a good story," please. 1213 01:19:01,687 --> 01:19:03,819 Yeah, well, I did.Paul. 1214 01:19:03,819 --> 01:19:06,822 You are clearly in the midst of a personal crisis. 1215 01:19:06,822 --> 01:19:09,999 So, I come along, I offer you an interview with God, 1216 01:19:09,999 --> 01:19:12,567 and that's all it takes for you to bite? 1217 01:19:12,567 --> 01:19:15,831 Really? Paul, what does that tell you about yourself? 1218 01:19:15,831 --> 01:19:17,964 That's not fair. Fair? 1219 01:19:17,964 --> 01:19:20,575 I've been doing you a favor these past few days, Paul. 1220 01:19:20,575 --> 01:19:23,622 I've given you something to think about other than your own life. 1221 01:19:23,622 --> 01:19:25,885 So what, this is some big, elaborate con? 1222 01:19:25,885 --> 01:19:28,540 Oh, would that really surprise you? 1223 01:19:28,540 --> 01:19:30,585 I can't believe this. You told me you were God. 1224 01:19:30,585 --> 01:19:32,544 That's right. 1225 01:19:32,544 --> 01:19:35,763 And if you didn't want it to be true, you and I would not be here right now. 1226 01:19:37,810 --> 01:19:40,943 You forgot to turn off your phone.Yeah. 1227 01:19:40,943 --> 01:19:43,510 And now you're leaving.Yes. 1228 01:20:18,415 --> 01:20:19,982 Oh, excuse me.Hey. 1229 01:20:19,982 --> 01:20:21,810 Hi.Hi. Yes. What do you need? 1230 01:20:21,810 --> 01:20:25,161 - Uh, I was in this room, 22. - Uh, sorry. In that room? 1231 01:20:25,161 --> 01:20:27,599 Yeah, do you know whose office this is? 1232 01:20:27,599 --> 01:20:29,991 I thought that was storage. No? 1233 01:20:31,167 --> 01:20:32,690 Uh... 1234 01:20:36,608 --> 01:20:38,566 What do you know? 1235 01:20:38,566 --> 01:20:40,568 Uh, who are you looking for? 1236 01:20:40,568 --> 01:20:42,047 Maybe they have the keys. 1237 01:20:43,310 --> 01:20:45,137 Uh, never mind. Thank you. 1238 01:21:07,334 --> 01:21:10,380 Who are you? Have a seat, Paul. Let's talk about it. 1239 01:21:10,380 --> 01:21:12,731 - No. Tell me who you are. - I really think you should... 1240 01:21:12,731 --> 01:21:15,560 - Who are you? - You know who I am. 1241 01:21:15,560 --> 01:21:18,737 - The prince of lies? - Think back over the past three days, Paul. 1242 01:21:18,737 --> 01:21:21,696 - Have I told you one lie? - Yes. 1243 01:21:21,696 --> 01:21:23,959 No. I don't know. Well, which is it? 1244 01:21:23,959 --> 01:21:26,266 I don't know! Everything you said could have been a lie. 1245 01:21:26,266 --> 01:21:28,573 But every word was true, and you know it. 1246 01:21:28,573 --> 01:21:30,487 You told me you were God.Yes. 1247 01:21:30,487 --> 01:21:32,098 - TheGod. - That's right. 1248 01:21:32,098 --> 01:21:34,927 Bad news. According to my friend, you're dead. 1249 01:21:34,927 --> 01:21:37,756 I understand, but sometimes that's just how it looks. 1250 01:21:37,756 --> 01:21:40,454 I promise you, God lives. 1251 01:21:40,454 --> 01:21:43,588 I can't believe I agreed to this. Why did you even contact me? 1252 01:21:43,588 --> 01:21:45,677 You contacted me. 1253 01:21:45,677 --> 01:21:47,809 What are you talking about? You did. 1254 01:21:47,809 --> 01:21:50,943 What? You contacted me. Three days, three interviews, three locations. 1255 01:21:50,943 --> 01:21:53,902 - And how did I do that? - What? You contacted me! 1256 01:21:53,902 --> 01:21:56,165 And how did I contact you? 1257 01:21:56,165 --> 01:21:59,255 Did I call you or send you a letter? Was it an e-mail? Snapchat? 1258 01:21:59,255 --> 01:22:00,778 How? 1259 01:22:02,345 --> 01:22:04,782 You-You... You s... 1260 01:22:06,567 --> 01:22:07,872 I don't know. 1261 01:22:08,830 --> 01:22:10,614 Paul, think about it. 1262 01:22:12,834 --> 01:22:15,576 No, this can't be happening. 1263 01:22:15,576 --> 01:22:17,317 But it is. 1264 01:22:17,317 --> 01:22:20,059 So please, why don't you sit down, and we can talk about it. 1265 01:22:20,059 --> 01:22:22,278 - I'm just here to help you. - Help? 1266 01:22:22,278 --> 01:22:24,803 Yes. That's a laugh. How have you helped? 1267 01:22:24,803 --> 01:22:28,545 By stopping you from making a very bad decision, by keeping you safe. 1268 01:22:28,545 --> 01:22:29,808 Safe? Yes. 1269 01:22:29,808 --> 01:22:32,071 You told me I was gonna die.Yes. 1270 01:22:32,071 --> 01:22:34,682 - You were gonna tell me when. - Yes, but you already knew. 1271 01:22:34,682 --> 01:22:37,554 What are you talking about? How could I know? How could I possibly know? 1272 01:22:37,554 --> 01:22:40,035 You knew exactly when. How could I know? 1273 01:22:40,035 --> 01:22:43,995 Because it was going to happen by your own hand, Paul. 1274 01:22:46,172 --> 01:22:48,260 No. 1275 01:22:49,871 --> 01:22:53,570 No, you don't know that. 1276 01:22:53,570 --> 01:22:57,444 There aren't always signs when someone is in trouble. 1277 01:22:57,444 --> 01:22:59,184 But you can't hide from me. 1278 01:23:00,708 --> 01:23:02,710 Why are you doing this to me? 1279 01:23:02,710 --> 01:23:05,147 You've just lost your way. 1280 01:23:05,147 --> 01:23:08,281 No, you let this happen to me. How so? 1281 01:23:08,281 --> 01:23:10,065 I prayed. I prayed. 1282 01:23:10,065 --> 01:23:11,763 I know. I begged you for help. 1283 01:23:11,763 --> 01:23:15,070 And you think bad things happen to you because I don't care? 1284 01:23:15,070 --> 01:23:18,073 You didn't listen. Bad things happen all the time. 1285 01:23:18,073 --> 01:23:22,295 Every day. Every minute of every day. 1286 01:23:22,295 --> 01:23:24,906 You know that. You said it yourself. 1287 01:23:24,906 --> 01:23:27,082 And it's very sad. 1288 01:23:27,082 --> 01:23:29,737 But the truth is, most people only seem to notice bad things 1289 01:23:29,737 --> 01:23:32,740 when they happen to them. 1290 01:23:32,740 --> 01:23:35,220 And maybe that's the saddest part of all. 1291 01:23:36,352 --> 01:23:38,790 You really need to sit. 1292 01:23:38,790 --> 01:23:40,879 Why don't you help us? 1293 01:23:40,879 --> 01:23:44,012 I hear you. I hear it all. 1294 01:23:44,012 --> 01:23:46,928 Why is there war, starvation, poverty, 1295 01:23:46,928 --> 01:23:49,409 disease, fire, flood, 1296 01:23:49,409 --> 01:23:52,717 a child goes missing, a man loses hope? 1297 01:23:52,717 --> 01:23:54,414 Do something! Yes, do something. 1298 01:23:54,414 --> 01:23:57,547 You have more power than you know, Paul. 1299 01:23:57,547 --> 01:24:02,248 Food can be grown. Diseases can be cured. Wars ended. 1300 01:24:02,248 --> 01:24:04,598 A troubled veteran can be helped 1301 01:24:04,598 --> 01:24:07,470 and a marriage saved. 1302 01:24:07,470 --> 01:24:11,605 So, when you ask me why all this is happening, 1303 01:24:11,605 --> 01:24:13,563 start by looking to each other. 1304 01:24:13,563 --> 01:24:16,915 And that's where I'll be. No, I need a miracle. 1305 01:24:16,915 --> 01:24:19,569 Well, miracles happen every day. And sometimes... 1306 01:24:19,569 --> 01:24:21,049 Please. 1307 01:24:21,049 --> 01:24:23,485 Sometimes the miracle is you. 1308 01:24:24,487 --> 01:24:26,097 Wh-What's happening? 1309 01:24:26,968 --> 01:24:28,361 You never know. 1310 01:24:28,361 --> 01:24:30,579 No. 1311 01:24:33,105 --> 01:24:34,236 No. 1312 01:24:34,236 --> 01:24:37,152 My salvation. Give it time. 1313 01:24:37,152 --> 01:24:39,285 I told you, 1314 01:24:39,285 --> 01:24:44,463 sometimes bad things do happen to some very good people. 1315 01:25:53,272 --> 01:25:56,317 Guess I'm walking. 1316 01:26:28,176 --> 01:26:30,917 Hey, Matt. What happened today? 1317 01:26:32,920 --> 01:26:34,748 Great. 1318 01:26:34,748 --> 01:26:37,359 Wow, great! 1319 01:26:37,359 --> 01:26:40,100 No, no. It's fine. Just a phone number. 1320 01:26:41,581 --> 01:26:45,237 Okay. 1321 01:26:45,237 --> 01:26:47,761 Okay. 1322 01:26:47,761 --> 01:26:49,458 It was a miracle. It was a miracle. 1323 01:26:49,458 --> 01:26:51,633 Who am I to say it wasn't, right? 1324 01:26:52,984 --> 01:26:55,072 No, you were due. 1325 01:26:56,204 --> 01:26:58,250 Sarah? 1326 01:26:58,250 --> 01:27:00,992 Yeah, okay, I'll tell her. 1327 01:27:00,992 --> 01:27:03,123 Yeah, I will tell her. Yeah. Yeah. 1328 01:27:04,430 --> 01:27:07,084 I'm glad. I'm very happy for you. 1329 01:27:08,303 --> 01:27:10,653 Of course. 1330 01:27:10,653 --> 01:27:12,481 All right, brother. Bye. 1331 01:27:12,481 --> 01:27:14,091 See you soon. Bye. 1332 01:27:39,769 --> 01:27:41,553 Hi. 1333 01:27:42,816 --> 01:27:44,948 Hi. 1334 01:27:48,778 --> 01:27:50,954 It's good to see you. 1335 01:27:52,782 --> 01:27:55,002 Where's your bike? 1336 01:27:55,002 --> 01:27:57,700 No idea. 1337 01:27:57,700 --> 01:28:00,225 What happened? 1338 01:28:00,225 --> 01:28:02,313 It's just, uh, gone. 1339 01:28:05,621 --> 01:28:08,232 - You love that bike. - It's just a bike. 1340 01:28:09,408 --> 01:28:12,019 What happened to your hand? 1341 01:28:12,019 --> 01:28:15,849 Oh, uh... I broke one of the jadeite cups. 1342 01:28:15,849 --> 01:28:18,242 Are you okay? Yeah, it'll heal. 1343 01:28:21,159 --> 01:28:24,597 Sorry about the cup. 1344 01:28:24,597 --> 01:28:26,511 It was just a cup. 1345 01:28:32,866 --> 01:28:34,345 Are you okay? 1346 01:28:40,526 --> 01:28:42,048 Yeah. 1347 01:28:44,791 --> 01:28:46,270 Listen, I... 1348 01:28:49,143 --> 01:28:51,188 I just came to apologize. 1349 01:28:52,886 --> 01:28:54,365 I'm sorry. 1350 01:29:02,765 --> 01:29:04,679 I'm so ashamed. 1351 01:29:32,491 --> 01:29:34,100 I loved you. 1352 01:29:36,756 --> 01:29:39,801 I still... love you. 1353 01:29:47,593 --> 01:29:49,333 I forgive you. 1354 01:30:08,831 --> 01:30:10,702 I should get going. 1355 01:30:14,620 --> 01:30:16,621 Bye.Stop. 1356 01:30:23,237 --> 01:30:25,456 May I ask you something? 1357 01:30:29,765 --> 01:30:31,985 Do you think that you coming back here today 1358 01:30:31,985 --> 01:30:34,292 is a... 1359 01:30:34,292 --> 01:30:36,467 was some sort of sign? 1360 01:30:44,302 --> 01:30:48,088 Sarah! You're back. Told ya. 1361 01:30:48,088 --> 01:30:51,222 Echinacea. Stuff's great. 1362 01:30:51,222 --> 01:30:54,138 Echinacea? Yep. It's the miracle cure. 1363 01:30:54,138 --> 01:30:58,228 Miracles. Hey, they happen every day. 1364 01:31:06,106 --> 01:31:07,889 Can we talk? 1365 01:31:09,109 --> 01:31:10,631 Inside? 1366 01:31:12,199 --> 01:31:15,506 Uh... yeah. 1367 01:31:16,290 --> 01:31:18,204 I'd like that. 1368 01:31:25,560 --> 01:31:26,559 Sarah. 1369 01:31:30,086 --> 01:31:31,957 I love you too. 1370 01:32:04,947 --> 01:32:08,560 Having faith isn't worth much if you don't really believe. 1371 01:32:08,560 --> 01:32:10,605 I kept praying, sure, 1372 01:32:10,605 --> 01:32:14,217 but I stopped looking or even listening. 1373 01:32:30,364 --> 01:32:34,585 What could you possibly do that would be beyond my powers to forgive? 1374 01:32:41,243 --> 01:32:44,031 So, yeah, I see it now. 1375 01:32:46,814 --> 01:32:48,688 Definitely a sign.