Chapter Six of the Erwin Story. (If anyone can think of a concise name other than The Erwin Story, please let me know!)

Pastor Davies felt entirely unprepared to address his congregation, but he knew he must. Today was Thursday, then he still had Friday and Saturday to write a new message. What on earth would he say? He had no ideas. He just knew that he had been missing something vital to his spiritual life, and his flock was missing it as well.

Pastor Davies grabbed a yellow legal pad, his Bible, and a Clickster pencil. After informing his seceretary that he was leaving early for the day, he sauntered out into the church parking lot. Finding a comfortable nook among the garden arbouritums, he threw himself onto the green grass.

"Alright, God," he said. "What do I say now that I've had my third conversion? What will my people think? Please help me as I guide them into all truth."

And this is what Pastor Davies said to his congregation a few short, thrilling days later.

"I'm about to say things to you that had never entered my mind before. Not even Laurie has heard what God has laid on my heart to say to you this morning. If you have fallen asleep during all my messages, do not fall asleep during this one.

"I have been a terrible pastor to you all. I was not teaching and feeding you the whole council of God, for I myself didn't know it all.

"I have mostly failed to defend the hope that lies within me, and there is one paramount reason I have failed to do so. I didn't know if hope truly lay within me. I was not sure I was saved. I was not sure anyone could know if they were saved. I was not sure that a saved person would be saved forever. But now I know.

"Many of you no doubt recognize this song. The title is "I Give You Freedom," and we have sung it as a congregation many times. This song, and many others, I have come to realize, depict a God far different from the God of the Bible. They describe Jesus as the author, but not the finisher, of our faith.

"I have, to my shame, condemned from this pulpit those who teach the doctrine of election. I did so out of total ignorance of the Scriptures and of the truth. I was blinded by liberalism and the devil. I stand before you today reformed . . . and a Calvanist."

A quiver went through the audience. Whispering voices ruffled and disturbed the reverential hush that had prevailed in the amphotarium. An interested listener loudly "Shhh"-ed the whole lot, and order was regained.

"I would like to request something from you. It is now the beginning of October. I'd like to request a leave of absence for the months of November and December. I need to think, to study, and most importantly, to pray. I need to seek the Scriptures to find if these things are so. I need time. . . . I don't know yet who will replace me. I have an individual in mind, but I have not yet discussed my choice with the deacons, so I will wait before announcing his name. In the mean time, I would like you as a congregation to pray for me, and with me. My whole theology has been shaken from it's decaying foundation, and there is nothing left but what the Bible says. I hardly know where to begin. I have so much to re-learn and learn for the first time, but I want to know that my church stands behind me.

"I conclude with the words of Martin Luther of old. 'Hier stehe ich; ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir! Amen. Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.'

Pastor Davies did not wait for any feedback, positive or negative. He immediately made his way home where he met his wife. Laurie's Bible was open on her knees to Ephesians, and tears streaked her face. Through her sobs, she whispered "I love you, my brave husband! I will be your Katy as you stand like Martin Luther."

Pastor Davies smiled, greatly releaved, and kissed away his wife's tears. "I was hoping you would see things this way, Laurie. You are a woman to be blessed!"

--To be continued.