The Fate of Prophets
by Philip Ekstrom
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Table of Contents parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
part 3
Third Meeting
“A secular salvation, then, for one only. All the rest left behind,” said Paul.
“A salvation is always for one only; sacred or secular, nobody gets to ride along. But anyone could imagine being Raymond. So, the lesson could be for anyone. Or so it seems to me. I guess you would be the expert on salvation.”
“I have seen it. Some of my patients report a wonderful flood of peace as it begins, an immediate experience of God’s presence. Born again.”
“But people in every religion, or no religion, also have these experiences,” said Andrew. “The meaning they find in it depends on their mental furniture.
“It is not always even religious. I have had something similar myself, in physics class, no less. When I really absorbed the way we represent large numbers and realized how big the universe is in comparison to us, and how small atoms are, the sudden sensation of broadened horizons is like nothing else. Some of my classmates got the same thing from the same lecture and came away calling it a religious experience.”
“Oh, yes. As a psychologist, I know where these things come from. Still, I would like to have one. But salvation is not an experience. It is a life change, sometimes punctuated by an experience.”
Both took a sip of beer. Paul continued: “I do like that Raymond’s life change did not turn on a particular kind of experience. That makes his example available to folks like me with a narrower emotional range. But what are you going to do next?”
“Next? Go back to my thesis work, of course. I’m not a writer.” He looked narrowly at Paul. “I suppose you have another assignment for me.”
“Well... I see you beginning a valuable new religious work. I’d like to read more, and maybe if you wrote more it could help people like me and... and like you. How about carrying on as a hobby? Write when the fit is upon you.”
“Two passable one-off efforts do not a writer make, or a theologian. What more would I have in me to say?”
“You seem to have an active moral compass. Write that.”
Andrew glowered and drank. Paul sipped and watched him. The scowl slowly faded. “Maybe, I guess.”
“You will have to send it, or them as the collection grows, attached to e-mails. They found me out. I’ve been invited to stop volunteering.”
“Sorry to hear that. But why e-mail?”
“I’d like to try starting a small church. Couldn’t do it here.”
“But what would you preach? I know at least something about what you believe and don’t believe.”
“You have shown me part of the way, and that is why I’m so eager to see more. I hope you won’t mind if I use some of your ideas.”
“Now wait a minute. My stuff is for you to see, not anyone else.”
“But why not? No one will know it is yours. Don’t get stage fright; no one can see you. That’s one reason for me to leave, so they have no way to make the connection. In any case, I’d just quote little bits.”
“I’ll think about it. But I’ll not write anything more very soon. I really have to get that thesis finished and reviewed by the 28th.”
“Any time you get to it will be much better than never. I really appreciate this.”
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Copyright © 2025 by Philip Ekstrom
