The Mark

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The ultimate sign of a God-led man was his zealousness for good works. Then he showed a video of the good works done in the world through various religious efforts. "Ultimately.," he said, "good works evidence a true relationship with God, no matter what belief system you hold." This roused the congregation to a brief applause.

When they quicted down, Blackmore finished his message. "Our Lord and Savior could return at any moment. When He returns, will He find you zealously serving? Or will He find you selfishly living to please yourself?"

Blackmore walked off the stage, leaving the congregation to pon der their actions.

The worship leader closed the service, saying, "Join with me as you consider your call to serve Christ." Then he began singing, "Reach out and touch... somebody's hand... make this world a bet ter place... if you can."

Henry sat stunned in his seat. He glanced at his watch and mar veled at how much damage a pastor could do in fifteen minutes. Sud denly, he realized Anna was standing, waiting for him to let her into the

aisle. He regrouped, remembered why he came, stood and faced her. "So, do you have lunch plans?" Henry blurted. What a jerk. I should have started with small talk first.

"What are you doing here, Henry?"

"Well, I didn't get a chance to see you this week, and knew I'd find you here, so... I..."

The response died, and he just looked at her, hoping she would bail him out.

She didn't.

Henry cleared his throat. "So I decided... since I accused your

church of poor teaching, I should come and hear for myself." As soon as he said it, he wished he could have taken it back. He'd set her up for the next question, as if he'd wanted her to ask... "So, what did you think?"

Henry tried to tread carefully. This wasn't the place to pick a fight. "I think I need some lunch." He flashed the smile again, hoping it would buy him some time. "Care to join me?"

Anna squinted her eyes and pursed her lips as she seemed to con

sider his offer.

"Fine. We'll go to Annie's Café just down Washington here. Fol low me."

As Anna worked her way to the door, Henry shrugged his shoul ders and followed. At least she didn't say no...

When they got to the door, Reverend Blackmore was shaking the congregants' hands as they left. Anna introduced Henry, and he made a quick compliment on what a big church the reverend had in his care, hoping to get away before anything deeper was discussed. The pastor let go of Henry's hand and reached for the man behind him, so Henry breathed a sigh of relief and continued on out the door. They made their way down to Annie's and engaged in small talk for half an hour while they waited to get a table. Before long, they sat in a booth by the window, a Caesar salad in front of Anna and a bacon double cheeseburger in front of Henry.

"So, here we are again," started Henry, "a second lunch date." He took a huge bite out of his burger and wiped his mouth with his napkin.

"Who said anything about a 'date'?"

"Well, I meant lunch 'meeting.' Don't be so quick to read into my words, or I'm afraid this lunch may end poorly, too." He raised his eyebrows. Would she laugh?

Anna wiped her mouth with her napkin but Henry was sure he saw

a twinkle in her eye. "So, what did you think about the service?"

"Before we get into that, I need to know if I've been forgiven for

last Monday."

"I doubt I would be sitting here if you weren't forgiven, so let's just move on."

Anna took another bite of her salad.

"It's just that I felt like you were avoiding me all week, and I didn't

know if..."

"It's fine. I was just busy. So, again, about church?"

"Well, where do I start?" Henry carefully chose his words and his tone so as not to put Anna on the defensive, though she was already there with his opening question. "I agree with Reverend Blackmore that God has brought salvation to all men." She smiled and nodded. "But that's where the agreement ends. I don't believe that all men are saved."

Anna put down her fork, and Henry watched as the smile faded from her lips.

"So you think that Buddhists are going to hell."

"Yes."

"As well as Muslims."

"Yes."

"So, only Christians go to heaven."

"Yeah, Anna. Hear me out on this. You understand what the Bible teaches about the sacrifice Christ made because of our sin, right?"

She nodded, sipping her Diet Coke.

"Okay, we'll start with sin as our foundation. Sin completely nul lifies our good works. Most other religions are based on winning fa vor with good works, but we do good works out of gratitude, not to win favor. That favor has already been bought by Christ."

"I'm with you." The tilt of her head indicated her interest was piqued.

"So to say that anyone who was zealous for good works, no matter which system they follow, pleases God-you have to believe that the Bible isn't accurate. Romans 8 says that because of our sin nature, any one controlled by it cannot please God. You also have to believe that Jesus wasn't being truthful when He said that no one can get to the Father unless they go through Him." Henry tried to keep his voice calm and not aggressive, but he couldn't help but think he was putting her on the defensive.

"It's not that Jesus was lying. That is the truth for Christians. And for Buddhists, they have their own truth system."

"But if Jesus' blood is not necessary to appease God's wrath on sin, then why in the world would He choose to die? Why would He even offer Himself when other methods of religion work just as well? I re ally think believing that all religions lead to God minimizes the cross as well as Christ Himself."