Comfort and Affliction

by Michael Frosolono

  “There you go. How much has really changed?”

  “Too little, too slowly. What do you know about the Restorers?” Eric asked.

  “They’re a bunch of bigots, always trying to stir up trouble between the black and white folks.”

  “Mr. Whitfield belongs to the Restorers?”

  “The word on the street says he’s the head of the local unit, maybe even a state officer. They’re very secretive most of the time. I’m surprised he even mentioned them today.”

  “His anger at me probably led him to reveal his involvement in the Restorers, and to make threats against me.”

  “One more thing you need to know about the Restorers, Eric.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Some of our city police and county deputies may be members or, at least, sympathizers.”

  “How about the chief of police and sheriff?”

  “They seem too fair-minded for membership.”

  “Why don’t the chief and sheriff kick the Restorers out of law enforcement?”

  “Don’t know about Chief Holderfield. He’s appointed, not elected. On the other hand, Sheriff Brodman faces an election every four years; he might need all the votes he can get.”

  “The elected Vickery city council appoints Chief Holderfield?”

  “Yes, and the men and women on the city council don’t seem to be as prejudiced as many people out in the county. Big Al respects all the council members, the mayor, and the chief.”

  “Good. I look forward to meeting the two lawmen,” Eric said.

  “Will there be anything else?”

  “Your prayers.”

  “You’ll need all you can get. I heard about your sermon Sunday. When I find time today, I’ll watch the DVD of the service and see for myself what you said to upset so many folks.”

  “I saw the video camera in the balcony. What happens with the DVDs?”

  “I use the master to make duplicates for the Congregational Care Committee to give our shut-ins.”

  “Do all of the shut-ins have DVD players?”

  “The committee provides the players.” Mary smiled. “Miz Lizbeth funds the operation.”

  “She appears to be a mainstay in this church.”

  “She’s a wonderful Christian lady. Miz Lizbeth and Mr. Whitfield don’t see eye-to-eye.”

  “My respect for Mrs. Andrews has increased tenfold.”

  “I predict you two will become great friends.”

  “I look forward to the friendship.”

  Mary left the office, leaving her warm laughter hanging in the air.

  CHAPTER 8

  Sunday, 13 July

  Allison Stevens allowed the congregation a few moments to reflect upon the beautiful music and message of the choir’s anthem before standing behind the Gospel pulpit. “Reverend Jameson wants laypersons to read the Scripture lessons each Sunday. I volunteered for this worship service. I urge others to do the same.” She took a deep breath. “Hear now a reading from the Eighth Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel:

  ‘When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour.’”

  Allison ended the reading with the traditional affirmation, “The Word of God for the people of God.”

  Most of the congregants responded, “Thanks be to God.”

  Eric went to the center of the chancel. The congregation appeared to be about ten percent larger than for his first sermon at Aldersgate. He thought maybe more people had come to see for themselves how he might trample on their patriotism. “Thank you, Ms. Stevens. I do want laypersons of any age and gender to read the Scripture lessons each Sunday. The only requirement consists of the ability to read aloud before a group of friendly people.

  “I challenged, even irritated, some of you with my sermon last week. Indeed, one person expressed great anger directly to me. On the other hand, a few of you expressed agreement with the thrust of the sermon. For discerning Christians, God remains the controlling or supreme authority, not our government. Holy Scripture and the thoughts of many great theologians confirm God’s foundational authority, an authority we simply cannot ignore. With that divine authority in our minds, I want to talk about Christian patriotism, especially Christians serving in our armed forces.

  “Some of you last week may have mistakenly thought I disparaged the patriotism of our brave warriors, both men and women, who place themselves in harm’s way for this great nation. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Scripture Ms. Stevens read shows how Jesus marveled when a Roman centurion approached our Lord with great faith and a clear understanding of authority.

  “In the Roman Army, a centurion usually commanded sixty to eighty soldiers. Centurions, therefore, occupied important positions founded upon authority and respect. In response to the centurion’s statement of authority based upon faith, Jesus healed the servant. Important to the crux of this sermon, Jesus did not denounce the centurion’s career choice. Jesus acknowledged, through his actions and words, that men of faith could serve in the empire’s armed forces. I believe the same holds true today, provided men and women warriors in the military serve with a clear understanding of the ultimate chain of authority like the centurion.

  “I acknowledge the importance some Christians place upon what we might call Christian Pacifism. For the first three centuries after Christ’s resurrection, some Christian communities prohibited communicants from serving in any armed forces. Furthermore, persons wishing to join these communities had to swear never to kill another person for any reason whatsoever. This forbearance grew out of events, or lack of events, at the crucifixion.

  “The Gospels tell us Christ could have summoned twelve legions of angels to save him from the cross through violent action. That is, based on a Roman Army legion usually having 5,000 to 8,000 soldiers, Jesus could have commanded between 60,000 and 96,000 angels.” Eric paused for effect. “We’re talking about an overwhelming force of warriors. According to the Books of Isaiah and Second Kings, one of God’s angels killed 185,000 Assyrians preparing to fight against Israel. Despite the military force Christ could have applied, some Christians use Christ’s refusal to engage in deadly violence as the basis for pacifism.” Eric paused once more to look across the congregation. “Bear with me a little longer.

  “Christian Pacifists in today’s world get a free ride on the sacrifice, the blood, of people like me.” Eric observed the increased attention many people exhibited. “I entered the West Point Military Academy at the tender age of eighteen. I remained in the U.S. Army for a total of twenty years. I led brave comrades into and out of battle. I and all too many of my brothers and sisters in arms paid with our blood, some with their lives, in service to this country. Warriors always pay the butcher’s bill for the decisions our political leaders make, and also for the moral choice Christian Pacifists make to refrain from fighting evil with necessary violence. Yes, Christian Pacifists maintain they fight with weapons other than violence and war. God help me, I have never understood why Christian Pacifists can stand by while other Christians bleed and die fighting against evil and our country’s enemies.

  �
��In times of war and danger, Christian Pacifism—no matter how principled—‘neither scans nor parses,’ as one of my high school English teachers proclaimed to counteract illogical statements. Nevertheless, I don’t intend today to go any deeper into the tension Christians face between the principles of military service and pacifism. No, my point rests upon the fact of my military service providing the foundation for my remarks last Sunday concerning patriotism and allegiance to this great country. I repeat: My comrades-in-arms and I, as well as some members of this congregation and other local citizens, paid with blood in allegiance to this country. This fact cannot be tossed aside. True patriotism and allegiance transcend, and do not belong exclusively to, any political party or doctrine—Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, conservative, or liberal.”

  The force of Eric’s challenging words quieted the restlessness in some parts of the audience. Almost enough for today, he thought. Eric looked directly and unblinkingly at Whitfield. “I have firmly established my right—my claim—to speak as I did last Sunday and as I have today. Decide who best can speak about patriotism and allegiance: Warriors like me or chicken hawks who never served in our armed forces, never shed blood for this county. Talk is cheap payment; blood reflects a high price. Yes, we’re talking about a question of authority.

  “We’ll close this worship service with a great hymn that primarily refers to spiritual warfare, not physical battles like those I and other people in this congregation fought in.” Eric nodded toward a man, with close-cropped gray-flecked black hair, who sat ramrod straight in his pew. “Even so, I often heard the music and words in my head during combat.”

  Eric let his eyes bore into random individuals. “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

  Whitfield jumped from his pew, anger flushing his face. “Let’s get out of here,” he said to his family. The Whitfields and a few other persons rushed out of the sanctuary.

  Miz Lizbeth motioned to the people sitting with her to stand. A few other people also stood in response. She said in a voice resounding throughout the sanctuary, “Real preaching, Reverend Jameson, real preaching. Thanks be to God. Amen!”

  Scattered applause sounded in the sanctuary as John Carlyle signaled the organist and pianist to introduce “Soldiers of Christ, Arise”. Carlyle instructed the congregation, “Sing out now with gusto and vigor.” The walls of the sanctuary seemed to vibrate from the resonance of strong voices supported by the enthusiastic organist and pianist:

  Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armor on, strong in the strength which God supplies thru his eternal son; strong in the Lord of Hosts, and in his mighty power, who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror.

  Stand then in his great might, with all his strength endued, but take to arm you for the fight the panoply of God; that having all things done, and all your conflicts passed, ye may o’er come thru Christ alone and stand entire at last.

  Pray without ceasing, pray, (your captain gives the word) his summons cheerfully obey and call upon the Lord; to God your every want in instant prayer display, pray always, pray and never faint, pray, without ceasing pray.

  From strength to strength go on, wrestle and fight and pray, tread all the powers of darkness down and win the well–fought day. Still let the Spirit cry, in all his soldiers, “Come!” till Christ the Lord descends from high and takes his conquerors home.

  Eric pronounced the benediction and marched to the narthex while the choir once again closed the service with the Sevenfold Amen. Eric thought more people stopped to greet him than on previous Sundays. Some of these congregants had a military bearing. Eric knew many former service personnel had retired to the Lake Hartwell area.

  CHAPTER 9

  Tuesday, 15 July

  George Hannover called to order the hastily scheduled meeting of the SPRC in a classroom across the hall from Eric’s church office. “We’re here tonight to discuss an issue of great concern to—”

  Eric interrupted. “Mr. Hannover, shouldn’t we begin with a prayer to remind us to be in harmony with what God wants us to do?”

  “Definitely,” Miz Lizbeth said. “Reverend Jameson, the duty falls to you.”

  “Almighty God, whom we worship as Parent, Son, and Holy Spirit: Thank You for the opportunity to gather tonight to be about your work. May all we think and discuss, and the actions we take be for the furtherance of Your Kingdom here on earth, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord of all. Amen.”

  The SPRC members responded with their own Amens.

  Hannover immediately returned to his purpose for the meeting. “Reverend Jameson, we called you to meet with us tonight because of the concerns some—no, many—of our members have expressed about the content and style of your sermons.”

  “What’s the matter, George, do you have buyer’s remorse?” Miz Elizabeth asked.

  “Not exactly,” Hannover said. “Reverend Jameson, we’re accustomed to having our ministers preach from the Bible, not on liberal social issues.”

  “George,” Miz Lizbeth said, “you know Clarence Mason preached on social issues in agreement with your conservative politics. He frequently contorted what the Bible said to suit his and your friends’ politics.”

  “Miz Lizbeth, the Bible instructs us to be conservative, not liberal. The Bible tells us God provides for those who help themselves, not people who live like parasites off of society, people who expect handouts from the rest of us.”

  Eric placed the Bible he had brought with him in front of Hannover. “Mr. Hannover, I studied the Bible in great detail in seminary. I never saw a verse to support what you’ve espoused. Can you show the verse to me?”

  “I don’t recall the exact reference right now.”

  “The verse doesn’t exist, George,” Miz Elizabeth said.

  “It must be in the Bible somewhere,” Hannover said.

  “You’d better read your Bible more carefully,” Miz Lizbeth said.

  “Mr. Hannover, can you tell me specifically how my sermons have not been based on Holy Scripture? Haven’t I provided a Scriptural basis for each of my sermons?” Eric asked.

  “Give us some specifics, George,” Miz Lizbeth said. “Exactly how has Reverend Jameson preached outside of, or in contradiction to, the Gospel?”

  Hannover flushed. “He says the United States is not a Christian nation, and was not founded on Christian principles.”

  “I offer my copy of the Constitution to you,” Eric said. He laid the document in front of Hannover. “Can you show me the precise Constitutional references defining the United States as a Christian nation?”

  Hannover pushed the document aside. “The founders of this great nation were Christians, and they based our Constitution on Christian principles.”

  “Show me where the Constitution states Christian principles undergird the United States.”

  “While it’s not necessarily stated, everyone understands the origin of the Constitution, what it means.”

  “I’d like to see some proof of your contention.”

  “So would I,” Miz Elizabeth said. “Got you there, George. You can’t defend your positions. What else troubles your mind?”

  “His confrontational preaching style. Our people don’t like the way he preaches.”

  Before Eric could respond, Miz Lizbeth said, “You and your people, George; not me and my people. Reverend Jameson challenges you to think, something you’re not accustomed to doing.”

  “An unfair statement of our position,” Hannover said, “terribly unfair!”

  Eric held up a hand to stop the conversation. “Before any of us says something we’ll regret, let’s review the situation. I have introduced each of my sermons with a passage from Holy Scripture. You cannot provide me with the evidence I’ve requested to support your critiques.”

  “You’re preaching a liberal social gospel, not the true Gospel based upon the Bible,” Hannover said.

  Eric gently
shook his head at Miz Lizbeth to indicate he would take the lead. “Mr. Hannover, how well do you know your early church history?”

  “I know the Bible.”

  Miz Lizbeth laughed aloud. Eric kept his face impassive. “How many people whom we could call Christians existed at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion?”

  “Probably only a few.”

  “Church historians estimate perhaps 5,000, a vanishingly small percentage of the Roman Empire’s population.”

  “The Christian church soon grew in numbers.”

  “You’re correct about the growth. How long did it take for Christians to account for fifty percent of the population within the empire?” When Hannover hesitated, Eric said, “About three hundred and fifty years, soon after the Emperor Constantine through the Edict of Milan declared Christianity a legally accepted religion within the empire and stopped the persecutions.”

  “What’s your point?” Hannover asked.

  “Such a phenomenal growth rate has never before or since been duplicated in the absence of military force.” Eric saw he had the interest of many SPRC members. “What did Jesus, his Disciples, and the early Christians do to account for the growth, for the conversion?”

  “They told the truth about Christ.”

  “Exactly, and the truth was preached as a social gospel. Christians became known as those people who love each other by implementing Christ’s great commandment to love God and their brothers and sisters through direct action, by taking care of each other’s spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. Again, I repeat, through a social gospel. What you derisively call the social gospel forms the heart of United Methodism. Are you familiar with the doctrines of our denomination?”

  “Liberals like you contaminate our denomination. We don’t want your contaminating liberal influence in this church.”

  Murmurs of disapproval came from a few of the SPRC members before Miz Lizbeth slammed both hands hard on the table. “What’s with this ‘we’ you keep mentioning, George?” She quickly looked around the table. “Not all of us in this committee, and not all of the congregation, agree with you.”