Gary Varvel: An open letter to Scott Adams

Plus a memorial to Jim Irsay

VIDEO - Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams announced on his podcast, Real Coffee with Scott Adams, that he has only months to live.

Dear Scott Adams,

I’m so sorry to hear of your terminal cancer diagnosis. But I was so glad to hear on Sunday (06-29-25) that a new treatment has relieved your pain and may prolong your life a while longer. Fantastic.

Scott, the purpose of this letter is to share an even greater treatment that will prolong your life.

I read that you don’t believe in a traditional afterlife, such as heaven or hell, but rather, you view death as a transformation of energy.

Question: How did you come to that conclusion? What is your source?

The only source I know that describes life after death is the Bible.

LIFE AFTER DEATH

Jesus said there are only 2 locations after physical death. He told a story in Luke 16 about a poor beggar named, Lazarus and a rich man. Both died and angels took Lazarus to paradise. But the rich man died and opened his eyes tormented by flames in Hades. I encourage you to read the account for yourself.

THE GIFT OF KNOWING

Scott, you said, "I have to say that everybody has to die, as far as I know. And it's kind of civilized that you know about how long you have, so you can put your affairs together and make sure you've said your goodbyes and done all the things you need to do."

But an even greater gift is knowing where you will spend eternity. So making your reservation for heaven should be on top of your to-do list before you leave Earth.

PREPARE TO MEET YOUR MAKER

The Bible warns: “Just as man is destined to die once and after that, to face judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

Here’s the bad news: This judgment will be based on the moral law (Ten Commandments). Breaking the law is called sin. You may think you are a good person but look at God’s standard for goodness:

• Have you ever told a lie?

• Have you ever stolen anything?

• Have you ever look at a woman with lust in your heart?

• Have you ever used God’s name as a cuss word? This is blasphemy and it is very serious in the eyes of God.

The Bible says “All have sinned…” And “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a). On judgment day everyone is guilty and faces the death sentence (separation from God in a place called hell). EXCEPT:

YOUR CASE CAN BE DISMISSED

Here’s the good news: The Bible says, “God demonstrated His great love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

In order to satisfy God’s justice, He sent His Son to Earth to pay for our death sentence. Then, because He is God, Jesus rose to life again and proved it by appearing to over 500 witnesses over 40 days.

Scott, on judgment day, the only way the case against you and me can be dismissed, is if we accept Jesus’ payment for our sin. Jesus said in John 3:18, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

Romans 6:23b says, “…The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus is the free prescription for eternal life.

And we can receive this gift by faith—“Confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

THE REAL GIFT OF SUCCESS

You have had a storied career drawing cartoons. But Jesus said, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Your body is just the house where your soul lives. So please consider the words of Jesus in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

I have trusted in that promise and I hope you will too.

In conclusion, I have been a fan of your work for many years. You and I are about the same age. I, too, had prostate cancer but I caught it early and was treated with Proton beam radiation therapy. I’m cancer-free now. Though we’ve never met, I care about you and I pray for you to accept Jesus and his gift of eternal life.”

I hope this letter finds its way to you,

Gary Varvel, editorial cartoonist

(If you have Scott Adams’ contact information, please share this with him)

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JIM IRSAY’S DEATH

Indianapolis mourned the death of Colts owner, Jim Irsay who passed away in his sleep on May 21st at the age of 65.

As IndyStar’s cartoonist during Irsay’s years, I drew him several times but never met him personally. However, in 2009, I produced a game-by-game summary of the Indianapolis Colts nearly perfect regular season with the help of Indy Star sports writer, Phillip B. Wilson.

I sent signed copies of the full page (the top half shown above) to Coach Jim Caldwell, G.M. Bill Polian and owner Jim Irsay. And they signed a copy back to me which now hangs in my home office.

Bill Polian wrote, “Great likeness. Great fun. Thank you.”

Irsay humorously wrote, “The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get” which is the title of rock star Joe Walsh’s 2nd album.

Support my work by visiting my online store at garyvarvel.com/store