Chapter 23. Vic, In Hot Pursuit
Vic appeared early at Transcendental Community Church Sunday morning Chapter. Without a doubt, he was the best dressed man there. Having settled in his mind that Moreno was no longer a threat, he was focused on winning Miriam. For sure, he had conquered every girl he had ever wanted, so he was certain he was on the verge of breaking the tie binding Miriam to Dan. He eagerly awaited her arrival, hoping to sit next to her during Sunday School. But, again, Miriam insisted on sitting between Dan and Jan. Vic was left to sit next to Jan.
Jan engaged Vic in a few words of polite conversation, waiting for class to begin. She formulated two impressions: Vic was, indeed, “movie-star handsome”, and, for some reason, his presence made her uneasy. She could not see the evil spirits swarming inside him, but the Holy Spirit in her urged her to avoid him.
Class began with a surprise. Dr. Angelo asked several fellows on the front row to distribute a sheet of paper to every member of the audience. When Jan got hers, she was shocked to see that it was a copy of the essay she had asked Chuck to review. She froze. She didn’t know what to do. She blushed. Suddenly, Miriam was hugging her enthusiastically, and Dr. Angelo was announcing, “I think this composition is fascinating. The author, Jan Diederman, is with us.” He grinned, looked at Jan, and continued, “Jan, please raise your hand. I want everyone to know who you are.” Meekly, she lifted her hand and exhibited a beautiful smile.
Dr. Angelo proceeded, “Even though you have this article in hand, I’m going to read it to you. I’ve practiced this over and over. I hope I can do the script justice.
by Jan Diederman
I just had a clever thought. It’s rather humorous. I think I’ll store it away in a corner of my mind and bring it out the next time I am in a social setting. Perhaps then, my friends will laugh with me and call me witty.
But, wait! Aren’t we all just the products of Evolution? Was that thought mine? Or, was it just time for that observation to evolve into the accumulated body of human knowledge?
Now that I am in this stream of consciousness, should we ever award praise and prizes to those who seem to have done something notable? Consider the Olympian who runs a mile in less than four minutes. I know he broke sweat racing around the track, but isn’t he simply the benefactor of superior parentage. He was born with strong, long legs and large lungs that instill oxygen into his blood efficiently. So, does he deserve a medal? That fellow behind him is trying just as hard to finish first, but, his legs are shorter and his heart is weaker. It’s a shame he can’t win. He isn’t evolved enough.
Then, there’s Einstein. His brain evolved to think unthought thoughts. I know that’s impressive, but should he get a prize for writing down the ideas that raced through his mind?
More generally, should anyone rejoice in their achievements? If you have a PhD in Physics, you just evolved in that way. If you are trim and attractive, you simply evolved in that fashion. If you have a marvelous voice, your parents passed it to you.
This is depressing. If I’m just evolving, why try to accomplish anything? My clever thoughts aren’t mine! I’m not sure I like this Evolution thing. When my friends laugh at my clever punch line, I will not think I deserve their approbation. Maybe, all the degrees and awards and prizes should go to Evolution!
As Dr. Angelo returned his copy of the essay to the speaker’s rostrum before him, the crowd burst into boisterous applause. Chuck looked to Jan, warmly, and said, “That’s a brilliant insight into the ramifications of the Theory of Evolution, Jan, and the whole class gets it. Congratulations! We don’t think Evolution put those thoughts in your head. We’ll credit you and the Holy Spirit.”
A chorus of amens echoed through the hall. Dan reached over and squeezed his Mother’s hand. Miriam voiced words of admiration, “Wonderful ... well done ... excellent!” Vic feigned approval, but he found the writing shallow and disturbing. He hoped to win important science prizes someday, and he did not want them chalked up to Evolution, but he could not believe that so many spurned such a basic tenet of modern science.
Vic found the ensuing class discussion ridiculous. Many enlarged on Jan’s theme. He took it as an irreligious attack on his religion, science. But, of course, he kept his thoughts to himself with Jan sitting next to him and knowing that Miriam agreed with her.
Class was dismissed, and the worship service began. For Vic, the only redeeming aspect of the morning was that he got to stalk Miriam as she performed in the orchestra pit. He ignored the messages of the hymns and the sermon and spent the time fantasizing about holding Miriam in his arms and feeling her body melt into his. As the service ended and the crowd moved toward the exits, he lurked behind and slipped into the Orchestra Room, looking for Miriam. He approached her from the side as she was putting her instrument in its carrying case. He startled her by gripping her shoulder and saying, “Miriam, I’d like to take you to lunch at a fine restaurant, and then, for a drive in my new Ferrari.”
She stood up, moving in a graceful way that freed her from his grip. She blurted out, “You surprised me, Vic!” After a blink of furious thinking, not wanting to alienate a fellow-worker who was expressing an interest in Jesus, she added, “Nice of you to ask, but you know Dan and I are dating. We have an understanding. He’s not dating other girls, and I’m not dating other guys. Besides, we have plans for lunch and the rest of the day.”
With disappointment spread across his handsome countenance, he replied, “Fine ... but I want you to know that I admire you, and I would like to get to know you.”
“Well,” she said, “I’ll see you tomorrow ...” And, as she fled to the lobby to join Dan, she called back, “We can talk at lunch.” She felt a bit guilty. She was flattered by his advance. “Most girls would jump at the chance to date Vic,” she thought, “but he’s so worldly, and anyway, I’m happy with Dan.”
...
Monday morning, sitting at his desk, Vic was perplexed. All of Sunday and throughout the night, he had yearned for Miriam. “I’ve never been rejected like this. I outshine Dan in every way. What is his hold on her? I’ve got to keep trying. I’ll win ... I’ll win!”
So, when Dan stepped out of the room to confer with Dr. Angelo, he addressed Miriam, “Can I take you to the Fox Friday night? They’re redoing ‘Phantom of the Opera’. It should be great.”
“Vic, she asserted, “I don’t want to mess up my relationship with Dan.”
Vic stared at her and asked, “Just how many guys have you dated?”
“Just one,” she said. “Just Dan.”
“Don’t you think you should spend some time with other guys? How can you know you’re with the best if you don’t compare him to the rest?”
“I hear you,” she acknowledged, “but, I’m very satisfied with Dan. I don’t want to ruin our relationship. Besides, we’re going to a hoedown Friday night.”
Dan re-entered the room. Vic was quiet for a moment. Then, he said, “A hoedown? ... tell me about it.”
Dan jumped into the conversation. “Every year, our township sponsors the ‘Firefighters’ Hoedown’. My Mom’s on the planning committee. It’s held in Duke Damon’s huge barn. He has a large cattle operation out our way, and he uses the barn as a place for cattle auctions. But Friday, it will be decked out for square-dancing. The committee hires a square-dance caller and a bluegrass band. Admission is free, but everyone who can makes a contribution to the Township Volunteer Firefighters’ Association. The Firefighters are honored, and the money is used to improve their operations.”
“Sounds like fun,” Vic replied, “but I don’t know how to square-dance.”
“You will if you come,” Dan explained. “A space is reserved for beginners. Experienced dancers teach them how to execute the caller’s directions. People pick it up fast.”
“What do you wear there?” Vic asked, thinking he might get to dance with Miriam if he went.
“Well,” Dan answered, “the
gals are supposed to wear modest, ‘flour-sack’ dresses, and the guys, jeans and
loud, long-sleeved, plaid shirts.”
“I think I’ll give it a try,” Vic uttered as he tried to catch Miriam’s eyes with his.
She avoided his glance and
appeared to be resuming her work. Actually, she was thinking, “I hope he won’t
be at the hoedown. I can’t bring myself to tell Dan about Vic’s invitation to
Sunday’s lunch and his invitation to the Fox. I don’t want to bring strife
into our office.”
At lunch, Vic re-ignited his efforts to convince Miriam that he was seriously considering the claims of the Bible. He got her attention and asked, “Why did Jesus let the Romans and the elite Jews beat him and crucify him? He could have numbed their minds and walked away.”
“Well,” Miriam disclosed pensively, “the Scriptures state, ‘the wages of sin is death’, meaning that every sin earns a death sentence for the sinner and condemns him to Hell. But, God wants everyone to be saved from that fate. So, He designed a system for erasing the penalties of sins. Its basic principle is stated in the book of Hebrews: ‘Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.’ By combining these Biblical statements, we understand that to erase a given sin someone or something must die, fulfilling the death sentence. And, in that act of dying, blood must be shed.
“In Old Testament times, a guilt-stricken sinner would select a sacrifice victim from his flocks: a lamb or a goat or a bull. He would place his hands on the victim’s head and ask God to transfer his sins to the animal. Then, he slit its throat, spilling its blood, and placed its edible parts on a fiery altar. When the victim died, the sinner’s sins died with it. He consumed the roasted flesh, thanking God that the sacrifice victim had died in his place.
“In this New Testament era, there is only one Sacrifice Victim, Jesus Christ. John the Baptist called Him the ‘Lamb of God’. His Sacrifice was so perfect that none other will ever be needed. Willingly, He went to the Cross in our place. We should be punished for our sins, but He has already paid our penalty with His battered body and shed blood. When a man becomes a believer, he reaches back through time and space and lays his sins on the Crucified Christ, and that Sacrifice erases that man’s sins. Today, when we Christians gather to re-enact the Last Supper in remembrance of Christ’s heroic deed, we consume the emblems of His flesh and blood, thanking Jesus for dying in our stead.”
“I’m glad Jesus didn’t walk away from the Cross,” Dan added. “Only the sinless Son of God could have made that ultimate Sacrifice.”
Despite the protests of the demons in his heart, Vic was moved by the beauty of Miriam’s answer. He didn’t believe the Cross had that kind of power, but he wasn’t going to pick at her elegant thoughts. He wanted her to think he was close to believing what she believed.
...
After the Tuesday Morning Meeting, Vic announced, “I’m going house hunting!” He rose, whirled into the space before Miriam’s desk, and, as he executed a few dance steps, grinned and rapped, “I’m on a mission to buy a mansion!”
Miriam giggled. Taking that as a sign of approval, Vic waltzed out the door.
Dan was disgruntled. “He’s making a big play for you, Miriam, and I think you’re enjoying it. I feel like you’re slipping away from me.”
“Dan!” she exclaimed, “don’t be silly. Vic can be cute and charismatic, but you’re the one I’m dating.”
“Well,” Dan declared, “I don’t trust the guy. He gives off the wrong vibes. I wish I hadn’t told him about the hoedown.”
Miriam quickly crossed the room. She hugged Dan and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Let’s go to lunch a little early. We can take a long walk on the way and enjoy each other’s company.”
...
By Wednesday morning, Vic had devised a new ploy for winning Miriam. When Dan left the office to meet with some professors in the Physics Department, Vic sprang it on her. Pretending bewilderment, he said, “Miriam, I need your help. As you know, I’m about to buy a stately residence for me and my future family. I’ve found three I like, but I can’t decide between them. I’m just a guy. I need your feminine perspective. Would you look at them and tell me which one you would prefer?” Silently, as Miriam formulated a response, he fantasized, “She’ll fall in love with one of these homes ... take me and it as a package deal ... I’ll have time alone with her while we look them over ... She’ll see what I can do for her ... Her heart will warm ... She’ll forget Dan and melt into my arms.”
“No,” she responded quietly.
Miriam was flattered that Vic was seeking her opinion, but, in her heart, the Holy Spirit was sounding alarms, “Beware! ... Don’t go! ... You shouldn’t be alone with this guy!”
Hesitantly, she explained, “That would upset Dan. And besides, I can’t pick out a house for another girl.”
Frustrated, Vic wanted to scream, “That girl could be you!” But, he decided that might drive a wedge between himself and her. Instead, he said, “I see ... but, if you change your mind, let me know.” He tried to concentrate on his work. But, he kept eyeing Miriam, greedily, and his mind kept churning, “Doesn’t she see that I can give her a fabulous future? What can Dan offer? I’ve got to pry them apart. I’ve got to offer her even more.” Brooding, he waited for lunch, his next opportunity to woo her.
...
At lunch, Vic decided to soften his approach to Miriam. He charmed her with a few funny stories about mishaps in campus Chemistry Labs. When he had her in a cheerful mood, he brought up another religious issue. Looking into her eyes as if he was sincerely seeking truth, he said, “It seems the whole of Christianity rests on one event, the Resurrection of Jesus. I know of no history books, written in the first century, that treat this as a fact. How do you know that Jesus came back from the dead?”
“You think of the Bible as one Book,” Miriam noted. “I see it as a library. It is many books, written by many authors. The Old Testament Books predicted that Jesus would rise from the dead. The New Testament Books affirm that He did. So, there are many Books written in the years immediately following Christ’s life that mention the Resurrection. The scholars that chose which ancient Books should be in the Bible, picked those they were sure were penned by men who were inspired by God. I believe the Bible is the Word of God. It clearly teaches that Jesus rose from the dead.”
With an air of excitement, Dan interjected, “Ask yourself this, Vic. Would the Apostles and other early Christians have quit their jobs, left their homes, and carried the Gospel to the ancient world, if they had known the Resurrection account was a myth? Many history books teach that the early Christians took the Gospel to Europe, Asia and Africa very quickly. They had seen Jesus alive after he rose from the dead, and they wanted to tell the world about the Resurrection. Many of them were martyred, but even that did not stop the others from spreading the Gospel.”
Vic regarded the answers of Miriam and Dan as childish superstition. But, he wanted Miriam to feel he was coming over to her point of view. So, he said, “Let me meditate on that ... I think I’m beginning to see things your way.”
Of course, Vic was lying, and the demons living in him rejoiced, “Great work! ... You’ve got her fooled ... Soon she’ll be yours.”
Miriam beamed. “At last, we seem to be making progress. Maybe, Vic can be saved,” she thought.
...
At lunch, Thursday, Vic tried to elicit sympathy from Miriam by feigning confusion. He remarked, “I’ve seen so many movies and TV shows about the AntiChrist, I’m bewildered. Who or what is AntiChrist?”
“We have to distinguish between the ‘spirit of antiChrist’ and the man the Bible calls ‘The AntiChrist’,” Miriam explained. The ‘spirit of antiChrist’ is the conviction that Christ’s teachings are very wrong, even harmful. The ‘worldly’ among us feel this way. They celebrate their vices, deny there is a Heaven or a Hell, and reject the commandments of Christ.
“Now, the Bible predicts that the ‘spirit of antiChrist’ will swell until it inundates the human race. Worldwide, society will become violent and lawless. In an effort to control the mayhem, people will surrender their privacy and freedoms to overbearing governments, and finally, to a one-world government. At the head of this empire will be a wicked, ruthless dictator, ‘The AntiChrist’. He’ll begin his assent to power promising peace and safety, but after he takes control of all the armies and police agencies of the world, he’ll become mad with power. Three and a half years into his reign, he’ll outlaw all religions and declare, ‘I am god!’ Those who refuse to worship him will be slaughtered.”
“Do you believe all that?” Vic queried with an air of skepticism.
“All that and much more. The Bible has a lot to say about the AntiChrist,” Miriam concluded.
“Look how fast it’s happening, Vic,” Dan declared. “Morality is collapsing. Movies, books and television programs are full of filth. Governments are spying on their own citizens; intercepting their communications and watching them with drones and surveillance cameras. The UN is determined to disarm everyone on Earth. Then, its ‘peacekeeping troops’ will be the only forces with armaments. It’s amazing. The Bible predicted all this thousands of years ago.”
Vic was amused by the outlandish convictions of his associates. One evil spirit within him shouted, “Poppycock!” And, Vic agreed, but he hid his true feelings. He wanted Miriam to think he agreed with her. He opined, “It does seem we’re moving to a one-world government.”
...
Vic was ebullient Friday morning. He had a grandiose plan for gaining control of Miriam. He waited for Dan to leave the room. Then, he spoke, “I’m looking forward to the hoedown. Now, promise me that you will let me be your dance partner from time to time.”
“Vic,” she replied, “I’m sure I’ll be dancing with Dan. There’ll be plenty of single girls there. They’ll want to dance with you.”
“What if Dan chooses to sit out a dance? Will you dance with me, then?”
“We’ll see,” she said. “We’ll see.”
“Please don’t make a few dances such a big deal. We need to break the ice. You need to share your charms, because I have a wonderful idea. Listen! One of the charities that raises money for the care of seriously ill, poor children is staging a lavish ball in October. To attend, one must make a large contribution to the charity. I want you to go with me and help this worthy cause. It will be the high-society event of the year. Can I count on you?”
“Vic, I’m dating Dan. Besides, I don’t own an evening gown. You better ask some rich girl to accompany you.”
“Miriam, I have lots of cash. I’ll set up an account at a local formal-wear shop, and you can have them make a splendid gown for you. Spare no expense. The sky’s the limit! You’ll be the most beautiful princess there, and I’ll be your prince. I’ve already bought an elaborate tuxedo.”
“I would not be comfortable in that setting. It’s just not me, and besides, I don’t want to lose Dan.”
“Well, you don’t have to say, ‘Yes’, today. Dream about it. It’s your chance to be on the high-society page of the local paper.”
One of the demons in Vic assured him, “She’ll say, ‘Yes’. Every girl wants to be Cinderella. How can she pass up this deal?”
Miriam cogitated, “Vic is
persistent. He’s remarkably handsome, very wealthy, brilliant, charismatic and
determined to date me. How flattering. Just this one date would cost him
dearly. Something in me wants to go to the ball ... That’s my ‘wild side’. If
I ever want to ‘go wild’, Vic would be the perfect partner. Mom always said,
‘Be careful who you date ... They may become your mate.’ But, would one night
out be a terrible thing?”
Dan returned. His pleasant face and adoring glances brought Miriam back to reality. She felt guilty ... like she had wronged Dan. She thought, “I can’t tell Dan about Vic’s advances. That would cause a row in the research office.” On the way to lunch she gripped Dan’s hand, tenaciously, as Vic tried to monopolize her attention.
Miriam was uneasy. The atmosphere at the table seemed thick. She said very little until Vic raised another religious question. He asked, “What is this thing called the rapture?”
“It’s the resurrection of the ‘just’,” Miriam replied. “Just before the AntiChrist takes over the world, Jesus will enter the upper atmosphere and summon the saved to join Him there in the clouds. All believers who have died, prior to that moment, will be resurrected. They will ‘fly away’ to meet the Lord in the air. Then, all the living believers on Earth will fly up to join them. The word ‘rapture’ is not in the Bible, but Christians believe that will be a rapturous event.”
“Think what a shock it will be to those who are left behind on the Earth, Vic,” Dan pointed out. “The houses of believers will be empty. Their bank accounts and personal effects will be unclaimed. Church buildings will be deserted. It will be an amazing time.”
“Will anyone be saved after that happens?” Vic asked.
“Yes,” Miriam answered. “Those who are saved during the seven year reign of the AntiChrist are called ‘Tribulation Saints’, because that will be a time of great tribulation. Most of them will be slaughtered by the AntiChrist. But, they’ll go to Heaven immediately, when that occurs. So, if you’re left behind when the Rapture takes place, it’s time for some very serious meditation and Bible study.”
Vic was stunned by these assertions. “How can any intelligent person believe this stuff?” one of his demons asked. “You’re too smart to fall for this crazy teaching. Smile. Act interested. You’ve got to bamboozle Miriam.” Vic complied.
