[pinkpanther]

Ali, given that you're theologically astute, you knew full well that I used 'ransom' as a metaphor for the blood of Jesus Christ that provides the payment for our sin debt and not using it in monetary terms. His blood is the only 'spiritual detergent' that can remove the stain of sin.

The cross of Jesus Christ represents the intersection of God's love and God's righteousness. The willingness of God to sacrifice in order to reconcile us to Himself is a demonstration of His love and spiritual amnesty for us. But the cross also represents God's righteousness, which demands a payment for our sins. Someone has to pay for our sin, and the cross is the place where Someone did.

As Paul wrote, 'Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him' (Rom 5:9) The unbeliever who has rejected or simply neglected God's offer of salvation through Christ first of all callously dismissed God's desire for a relationship. He's also 'trampled underfoot the Son of God.' (the phrase means to treat as worthless) 'Not believing the right things about Jesus' isn't some minor offence but is tantamount to rejecting and declaring Christ's death to be worthless.

'Spiritual detergent'   Nice way to describe it! I prefer Spiritual correction fluid...

Whenever Paul is brought up, Moslems tend to get stirred up and have a lot to express.... while Alice remains surprisingly silent, which is out of character for her...Maybe she  realises that she has misunderstood Paul all along..