Chapter 2
1346 Words
2
Pastor Dave was in the midst of guiding the study. She could hear his booming yet friendly southern voice echoing down the halls of the church basement.
She heard Pastor Dave say: "You can be in the world but not of the world - that's the message of this very important passage."
He was new to Our Savior's. And new to Des Moines. One time she overheard him telling Father that he was from a town called Vestavia Hills.
"It's in Alabama, sir," said Pastor Dave, adding, "just outside of Birmingham."
"They have some good football down that way," Father replied.
"Roll tide!" Said Pastor Dave with a Colgate white smile.
Pastor Dave was handsome but Faith chose not to think about him in that way. He was engaged to a pretty brunette named Carly who was a cheerleader for the Tennessee Titans for one season before she followed her fiance to Iowa.
They're so glamorous! Faith thought as she smiled at Carly and Pastor Dave who were sitting next to each other in the study hall.
A small group was seated in a circle on the floor. Most of the members of this Bible Study group were just a few years older than Faith. This was the group called "College Crusaders" after all. Father's lay-off meant she wouldn't be going to college right away, so Faith decided to join the study group to still feel connected to the types of young adults she would have met at the University of Iowa in Ames.
Vanessa had started to go on-and-off to Bible Study that summer too, and Faith had made it a point to always encourage her old friend to attend.
"Oh, hi, Faith - thanks for coming tonight. We were a little worried about you," said Pastor Dave smiling.
"I'm sorry, I was just late bringing Mother back from therapy."
"How is she doing?" Carly asked lovingly.
"Better, but every day is a struggle," Faith replied as she sat next to Vanessa.
"Let's lift your mom in prayer," said Carly as she flashed a toothy grin.
The group closed their eyes, while bowing their heads. As Carly began to pray, Faith felt a hand start at the small of her back and slowly work its way up her spine. The touch sent tingles throughout her entire body. Without thinking she flashed an eye open to learn Vanessa was giving her the loving touch. Vanessa's eyes were now closed as she focused on Carly's prayer.
She's so pretty! Faith thought as she looked intently at Vanessa's face.
"Amen!" Carly said as she finished the prayer.
"Amen," replied the group.
"Thanks, honey!" Pastor Dave said as he quickly gave Carly a peck on the cheek.
"You two are so adorable!" said Vanessa.
The group all giggled awkwardly.
They were a striking couple. Pastor Dave with his chiseled farm-boy good looks, and Carly - a true Southern belle with a toned body, modestly dressed and flawless makeup.
"Well, let's get back to God, what do y'all think about that verse?" said Pastor Dave, bringing the Bible Study group back to the task at hand.
"I think that Paul's guilt was responsible for most of what he wrote," said Vanessa.
"Paul's guilt?" asked Pastor Dave.
"Yes, I think so. Why else would Paul call himself a 'wretched man'?" asked Vanessa knowingly.
"He was a wretched man because he was referring to the time of his life before he was saved - and because once saved he learned he indeed was a sinner." said Pastor Dave.
"Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me, y'all!" added Carly in a thick southern drawl.
Billy, one of the young men seated in the circle, asked: "What do you think Paul was guilty about?"
"That's a good question," guided Pastor Dave. "Vanessa, you brought up Paul's guilt - what do you think he was guilty about?"
Faith took a deep breath. She had a hunch where this could be going.
Faith said, "I think what she means because when Paul was Saul, he - "
Vanessa interrupted, her hand quickly leaving Faith's back. "What I mean is that Paul felt guilty because he was gay."
More awkward giggles from the group.
"Now, just a second," said Pastor Dave. Despite being clearly offended, his thick Alabama accent and friendly demeanor hid most of his clear anger. "Why in the world do you think Paul was a homosexual?"
"He never married, he called himself a wretched man, he said that wives must submit to their husbands," Vanessa said, adding, "just that idea of submission shows he had hostility towards women."
"What do y'all think about that?" asked Pastor Dave, bringing the entire group into the conversation.
Billy said, "I'm sorry, that makes no sense - I just don't think that Paul was a fag."
Most of the group nodded and murmured in agreement, while a few sat in awkward silence.
"I didn't use that word - and neither should you," snapped Vanessa.
"I agree, let's keep this all PG and PC!" Joked Pastor Dave.
"We don't need to keep things PG and PC," snapped Vanessa, "we just need to not use derogatory words that only a redneck moron would use!" She said forcefully, staring at Billy.
"Hey!" stammered Billy.
Faith could feel her chest tighten at the conflict within the group.
Oh Lord, please give me the words to get through to her! She prayed silently.
"I think we should move on," said Pastor Dave. "Let's all agree to disagree. I think it's pretty obvious that Paul wasn't a homosexual. If he was, he wouldn't be in the Bible. And, besides, I think we're all mostly in agreement that wives should submit to their husbands - "
"Now, wait just a minute!" Carly interrupted. "What do you mean by that, mister? I want to know what I'm getting myself into?"
The group looked around at each other awkwardly.
Oh no! I hope bringing Vanessa here tonight doesn't lead to Pastor Dave and Carly having a fight - I don't want them to split up before they even are married! Thought a panicked Faith.
"I, I, I just mean that the Word of God was written for us to obey, honey - " said Pastor Dave, flashing a toothy grin.
"Didn't Jesus say to love everyone?" interrupted Vanessa before Carly or Pastor Dave could take their squabble further.
"Of course. Where are you going with this?" asked Pastor Dave.
"I'm saying that we should be like Jesus - and just love everybody. Gays. Rednecks. Whatever." Vanessa said matter-of-factly.
"Yeah we should love everybody, but we shouldn't love fags - sorry, gays - actions!" said Billy.
"Love the sinner, hate the sin." Pastor Dave added.
"Why not just love everything?" asked Vanessa.
Billy started to laugh, "sorry - but if some queer decides to grab a little boy and take him out back and - "
"Stop!" Said Vanessa. "This is exactly what I'm talking about. You hear 'homosexual' and you think 'pedophile'. That's highly offensive. There's statistics that prove that there are more heterosexual pedophiles than homosexual pedophiles."
"No one is saying gays are pedophiles," said Pastor Dave.
"Billy is. That is what he just said, and that's offensive to me." Vanessa snapped back.
The room was getting tense.
Faith decided it was time to join in. Give me strength, oh Lord.
"Vanessa, I love you in Christ. And I love how spunky you are. Billy, you are a brother in Christ to me. Pastor Dave, Carly - I love you both too. I love all of you. Everyone in this room." Faith was surprised at how confidently she was now speaking.
She added, "I don't think homosexuals are child molesters. That's a sad stereotype that the Church needs to fight. But I also do think that being gay is a sin - and I think it's ok to hate sin. I do think it's possible to love the sinner, and hate the sin."
Vanessa stood up and said, "I'm sorry, you guys - I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just don't think this is where I need to be right now."
She turned around and left the room.
"Let's take five, y'all. Things got heated. Let's get some fresh air - and then let's get back to the Word," Pastor Dave said holding up his Bible.
"Amen!" said Billy.
Faith looked around the circle and noticed a strange look on Carly's face.
- Writer
