The Edge of Darkness Read online

“Good morning. In our last class we spent some time looking at various pagan gods.”

  He had barely gotten started when the back door opened and in stepped the mysterious blonde beauty he had seen in his last class session. This time, her hair was down and a pair of sunglasses sat on the top of her head. She did not carry a purse or notebook. She found a seat and looked up and smiled. Murphy could see some of the men in the back row nudging one another and pointing at her. It was everything he could do to keep his train of thought.

  “The, uh, the belief in these gods strongly influenced the daily actions of the people, as evidenced not only by their sacrifices of crops, animals, and humans, but also by their art. Many ancient civilizations illustrated their gods in physical form by the making of idols, paintings, and reliefs on buildings, pottery, and coins. This was also true of their belief in angels. They would often place characterizations of angels on artifacts. The Ark of the Covenant is a classic example of this. On the top of the Ark there were two angels with their wings spread protectively above the chamber that held the Ten Commandments.”

  A voice chimed in. “Don’t forget that some countries use angels on television programs to increase their television ratings.”

  The class laughed and Murphy noticed the blonde smiling.

  “That’s a good example of the belief in the afterlife, Clayton. There are basically two types of angels: good angels and evil angels. Both of those types are displayed in television programs. Under the category of good angels they go by the following biblical names.”

  Murphy clicked on a slide.

  GOOD ANGELS

  Announcing Angel—his name is Gabriel

  Archangel—God’s lead angel, named Michael

  Celestial or Heavenly Beings—a general title

  Cherub or Cherubim—chiefly guardians of God’s Throne

  Heavenly Host—a general title for good angels

  Seraph or Seraphim—angels who lead Heaven in worship of God

  Thrones, Dominations, Principalities—ranking divisions

  “The two angels on the top of the Ark of the Covenant were called cherubim. In a number of passages in the Bible, angels are seen taking on a human form and conversing with men and women. This concept is also the basis for many modern television programs and movies.”

  Murphy clicked on another slide.

  GOOD ANGELS

  Angels punish God’s enemies.

  Angels execute God’s will among men.

  Angels do not get married to each other.

  Angels have been revealed in bodily form.

  Angels have great wisdom and strength.

  Angels guide the affairs of nations.

  There are a great number of angels.

  Angels seem to protect followers of God.

  “You will notice on the second-to-last point that there are a great number of angels. That concept comes from several different passages. One is found in Revelation where it states:

  Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

  “The last point suggests that angels protect the followers of God. This comes from the book of Psalms where it says, ‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.’”

  As Murphy continued he became aware that the striking blonde in the back row seemed to have her eyes riveted on him. On one hand it was exciting and on the other hand a little unnerving. He felt like he was having one of those Shirley MacLaine out-of-body experiences, giving a lecture and at the same time thinking about the beauty in the back of the room.

  Murphy expounded upon good angels and how they tied in with many biblical artifacts that had been found. At one point he reached down to advance to the next slide. As his eyes came back up to the students, he saw the blonde leaving the lecture hall and felt the sting of disappointment.

  Who was she?

  He glanced at the clock on the wall and realized that the bell would soon ring.

  “You may need all the help you can get from angels this next week,” he said with a grin. “On Tuesday, you will be tested on the material we have gone over during the last three weeks.”

  There was an audible groan from the class, followed by the ringing of the bell.

  He raised his voice a little. “After the test, we will begin to look at the influence of evil angels in various cultures.”

  As the class filed out, Murphy found his thoughts dwelling upon the mysterious blonde.

  SIXTEEN

  IT WAS MIDAFTERNOON when Murphy decided to get an ice-cold strawberry lemonade at the Student Center. He sat down at a table that was a good distance from the crowds of students. Sometimes it was good to just be alone and relax.

  He was sipping the lemonade when he heard a familiar but unpleasant nasal-tone voice behind him.

  “Just what kind of poppycock are you teaching now, Murphy?”

  Murphy turned to look into the pallid face of Archer Fallworth, dean of the Arts and Science faculty. He was as tall as Murphy but much thinner and looked like a walking mummy. He could use a little sun, thought Murphy. But then, vampires didn’t like to go out in the daylight.

  “‘Poppycock.’ That’s a pretty big word for you, Archer. Do you know how to spell it too?”

  Fallworth did not acknowledge the comment but went right on talking. “I understand that you’re now teaching about angels in your class. Next thing you’ll be teaching is that Satan is alive.”

  “That’s a good idea, Archer. Thank you. I’ll do that in my next lecture.” Murphy wasn’t trying to egg him on, just to knock him off his high horse. But he couldn’t. Fallworth was too good of a cowboy to dismount.

  “I’m getting tired of you always trying to promote some type of Christian viewpoint in your classroom.”

  “Why is that, Archer? Have you given up on freedom of speech for everyone except you and those who think like you? It’s only your atheistic views that must be accepted and not those of someone who believes in a Creator? Did you hear about the dial-a-prayer for atheists? You dial a number and no one answers. I was going to be an atheist, Archer, but I gave it up. They don’t have any holidays.”

  “I’m not an atheist!”

  “What exactly are you, Archer?”

  “I’m… mmmm… I’m more of an agnostic.”

  “So you’d rather submit to a life of ignorance and uncertainty than accept the existence of a higher power? Seems pretty lame to me….”

  Fallworth’s usually ashen face was now turning red.

  “Murphy, your kind of teaching has to end.”

  “I get it, Archer. You can have a course in Greek Mythology, or lectures on the beauties of being a Wicca witch with white magic, or have health classes where you teach yoga and transcendental meditation, but the world will come to an end if the name of God or the Bible is mentioned. Have you forgotten that Harvard, Yale, Cambridge, Princeton, and many other universities were originally started as theological institutions?”

  “They are not that today!”

  “And that’s not something to be proud of, Archer. Look at what they have produced. People like you. People who talk about openness, acceptance, and intellectual interaction of ideas … but attempt to squelch it at every possible turn when it doesn’t agree with their point of view.”

  “I’m going to do everything in my power to shut down your stupid class on biblical archaeology. Do you hear me?”

  “You’re shouting … everyone in here can hear you. But you were the one who mentioned you were an agnostic. Do you know why atheists and agnostics cannot find God? They can’t find Him for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman. They don’t want to. You’re doing better than Satan himself. At least he believes there is a God.”

  Fallworth turned in a huff and walked off.

  Murphy let out a big sigh. I’m getting so tired of all of his flak.

/>   He did not like confrontation but met it head-on when it came. He would use pointed humor to throw his opponent off balance, and then support his argument with a more serious line of reasoning. He sat there, staring at the magnolia trees in the distance, trying to process what just had happened.

  Way to go, Archer. You certainly know how to ruin a perfectly good strawberry lemonade.

  “What was that all about?”

  Murphy’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft and feminine voice behind him.

  He turned and was somewhat startled to look into the deep blue eyes of the mystery woman who had been attending his lectures. Her warm smile caught him a little off guard.

  “Forgive me. Let me introduce myself. I’m Summer Van Doren.”

  She reached out her hand. Murphy stood up and shook it.

  “I’m Michael Murphy.” He couldn’t believe how firm a handshake she had. She must work out. “Please, sit. Is there something I can get you?”

  “No, thank you. I have a class starting in a few minutes.”

  “Did you recently enroll at Preston?”

  Summer laughed. “Thank you for the compliment. No, I’m the new women’s volleyball coach. I started a couple of weeks ago.”

  “I saw you in the Memorial Lecture Hall.”

  “Yes, I was just trying to get oriented to the campus and some of the classes. The title biblical archaeology caught my attention. I thought I would drop in and see what it was all about.”

  Mystery solved, thought Murphy. He felt complimented by the fact that she had shown up twice.

  “Please forgive me, but I couldn’t help hearing part of the conversation between you and the other professor. Who is he?”

  “That’s Archer Fallworth. He’s dean of the Arts and Science faculty. He sort of oversees my area of study.”

  “It doesn’t sound like he’s too happy with your class.”

  Murphy cocked his head back and laughed.

  “That’s putting it mildly. He doesn’t like anything that has to do with Christianity. He’s very outspoken against it.”

  “That’s good to know. I’m a Christian too.”

  Murphy perked up. “Really. Have you found a local church you would like to attend yet?”

  “I think so. I’ve gone to the Preston Community Church a couple of times.”

  “That’s where I attend,” said Murphy in surprise.

  “I know. I’ve seen you there. Pastor Wagoner seems to be a very good speaker.”

  “Yes, he is. He’s also a good friend.”

  Summer looked at her watch.

  “Excuse me, but I have to go. I don’t want to be late for my class. It was nice to meet you, Professor Murphy.” She rose to leave and Murphy stood up.

  “Call me Michael.”

  “All right. It was nice to meet you, Michael.”

  Murphy watched her as she walked away, and then downed the rest of his lemonade. Somehow, all the ice had melted.

  SEVENTEEN

  THE TRAFFIC BECAME extremely heavy the closer Murphy and Wagoner came to the large tent. Men with orange vests were directing cars to turn into a field that had become a temporary parking lot. People could be seen walking toward the site of J. B. Sonstad’s Faith in God Crusade. They parked and joined the hundreds who were headed toward the entrance.

  Along the way, signs were placed for everyone to see.

  COME EVERYONE WHO WANTS

  THEIR FAITH STRENGTHENED.

  GOD WANTS YOU TO BE WELL—

  THE DEVIL WANTS YOU TO BE SICK.

  GOD HAS ONLY GOOD PLANNED FOR YOUR LIFE.

  GOD WANTS TO BANISH POVERTY—

  HE WILL MAKE YOU PROSPEROUS.

  TURN YOUR ENEMIES INTO FRIENDS.

  ENJOY EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

  WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE—

  ONLY BELIEVE!

  Murphy turned to Wagoner as they walked along.

  “Well, Bob, I can see why some of the people of your church are coming to these meetings. Those are some pretty big claims.”

  “I know, Michael. Everything is me focused. It’s what can God do for me? How can God help me? It has a strong appeal, especially if you are in ill health, need more money, or want everyone in the world to love you.”

  “That sounds better than winning the lottery.”

  “That would be funny if it weren’t so tragic. There are many people around the world who are living in desperate conditions. There are wars, famines, crippling diseases, and political unrest. In some countries, tribes of people are slaying other tribes of people. Is it because the believers don’t have enough faith? I don’t think that Sonstad’s message is completely legitimate.”

  “Well, Bob, you know that statement Error always rides the back of truth. The truth is, God does care for people but He hasn’t always given them an escape route or a free pass on trouble. Think of the Christians eaten by lions in the Roman arenas.”

  As they approached the tent, they could see a number of large, brand-new semi trucks painted with the words: J. B. SONSTAD—FAITH IN GOD CRUSADE. One even had its own generator setup. Another had antennas and aerials placed on the roof.

  “Look, Bob, they have their own television recording and broadcasting truck. I’ll bet that cost a pretty penny.”

  “Yes, they broadcast his various crusades on one of the TV networks. He seems to have the ability to draw large crowds. And today we’ll be part of the crowd.”

  The tent, large enough to hold at least five thousand people, was absolutely filled to capacity. Rousing organ music played as people found their seats. Large television monitors were placed at various locations for those who were quite a distance from the platform. Murphy noticed a special section that seemed to be reserved for those in wheelchairs and those with crutches or canes.

  A lively song leader began to engage the crowd in singing, which went on for at least a half hour. Most of the time, the people were on their feet swaying back and forth with their arms in the air. They sang choruses that repeated themselves over and over with an almost mesmerizing effect.

  The people were asked to sit down and the music changed. Stage lights were turned on and smoke machines cranked up. With great fanfare, J. B. Sonstad made his entrance. Everyone was on their feet, yelling and clapping.

  “It reminds me of the entrance of one of those wrestlers in the World Wrestling Federation,” said Murphy as Wagoner nodded. “And this is just as phony.”

  Sonstad was wearing a bright white suit, in contrast with his tanned complexion, jet-black hair, and deep blue eyes. He raised his hands and the people grew silent. He had on a microphone that hung over his ear and was almost invisible as it came alongside his face.

  For the first thirty minutes, his message sounded quite common. It was similar to almost any minister with a radio program or a pastor in a local church. It was filled with quotations from the Bible. He talked about God and Jesus and living a godly life. The audience became involved, laughing at his illustrations, clapping and praising God when he made a point, and responding with the occasional “Amen!” and “Preach it, brother.”

  Then there was a transition. As he kept on speaking, the organ music started to play. The volume seemed to increase as he made various points. The audience was beginning to get worked up emotionally. Sonstad began to raise his voice and shout.

  “Are you tired of being sick? Do you want to be healed?”

  The audience cheered and clapped in approval.

  “Do you want to get the bill collectors off your back and have extra money to spend?”

  Again the crowd hooted and yelled.

  “God wants to protect you from trouble. He has sent His angels to protect you. You have all heard about Michael the archangel and Gabriel the announcing angel, but there are other special angels that will minister to your needs. There are the angels of protection and guidance … and also the angels of success and energy. You may need the angels of happiness and good times to bring y
ou joy and satisfaction. Or you may be feeling very lonely tonight. God has the angels of love, romance, and good relationships to encourage you and satisfy your heart’s longings. Or you may be saying I need wisdom and knowledge as how to improve my financial condition. God has angels that will help you to become prosperous.”

  The crowd was on its feet again, yelling and clapping and dancing up and down.

  Murphy had to raise his voice for Wagoner to hear him.

  “It’s a shame that he’s distorting the truth about angels.”

  As Murphy looked around, he could see the men behind the television cameras hard at work. He noticed that some of Sonstad’s other workers were getting the disabled people organized to go up on the platform.

  Soon Sonstad began to talk of God as a God of miracles. He shared one story after another with the crowd, preparing them for the healing service that would soon follow.

  “God is going to do great miracles here in Raleigh tonight like he did last week in Greensboro. Why, we had a man come into the service who had a terrible problem with cavities in his teeth. Some kind of disease had affected him. He came to the service and was healed. His teeth were transformed. Just to confirm it, he went to his dentist the next day. The dentist was shocked as he looked into his mouth and saw that all the cavities in his teeth had been filled with gold. The dentist told the man that he had never seen gold as pure as this in his entire life. He asked the man who put the gold into his teeth. The man shared with him that he had been healed, and his cavities filled by God. Do you know why the dentist had never seen gold like that before? Because it came from the heavenly city—where the streets are paved with gold.”