You know Reeves, educated, scripturally-informed atheists such as yourself are a secondary reason it is so important for believers to be versed in scripture and live according to their professed faith and all it teaches. It's the reason I publically admitted my wrongs of the past, prayed for forgiveness and moved away from that lifestyle after Christ brought me back into the fold. It's unfortuanate, but it's almost a little game atheists play with Christians: be more knowledgeable about the bible than they are and do all you can to trip them up at every turn. The ole King James version of the bible is a playground for atheists when speaking to the unprepared Christian. It doesn't change anything about the truth of Christ, but it does expose some nominal believers and publically tarnish their credibility (and that of the body of Christ that they represent) which in turn impacts others that may be listening/reading. Unfortunately the "bad apples" in the church are sometimes some of it's loudest, uninformed voices. Or sometimes they're loud, informed voices that criticize and insult other believers and nonbelievers alike. Either way the atheist wins almost every time. You can't successfully share the love of Christ with others if others can't see Christ shining through you. I can't tell you number of times atheists and agnostics reply to me and say, "you know MOS, you sound like a nutjob, but a really happy nutjob that truly beliefs what he says." Virtually every comment is a compliment wrapped in an insult. I don't respond to the insults. It's not that they don't annoy me, but they serve no positive purpose if I allow them to get to me and in turn lash out. I shed the "holier than thou" attitude a long time ago and fully admit that I don't have all the answers, but I'm getting better. It's amazing how often the questions of the atheist or agnostic that I can't answer often privately resolve into a situation of me drawing even closer to Christ because I honestly and earnestly seek out an answer and find that answer in scripture, online, at a bookstore, at church, from another person or in prayer. All I want is for others to come to know the love of Christ that I've come to know. You know all about scripture so you have a tremendous headstart. I encourage you to reconcile your heart with Christ and pray about it. Allow Christ to bridge that gap between your intellect and your heart. If it's of any consolation, I'll pray for you also.