Max got out of his truck and walked toward the main entrance of Cedarbluff. It was almost dark, but the parking lot lights illuminated the area well.

  He had sat down with his parents and explained where he was going tonight. They seemed to feel more comfortable about Professor Stoner once they learned that he volunteered his time to hold Bible study for the students. Max was glad.

  He strolled into the student center a few minutes before 7:00 but suddenly slowed down. There were more than twelve people here and he couldn’t see Rollo or Julie anywhere. A sudden uneasy feeling washed over him like a wave of aversion, a sense of not belonging, like a person might have after walking into the wrong restroom. The idea of leaving quickly invaded his thought process and he just as quickly subscribed to that concept. He turned around and took a few steps toward the door but then stopped.

  This is crazy, he thought. I am an adult.

  He turned and walked back to where he was before and stood there. No one seemed to pay him any attention, so he huddled close to the wall. Most of them were gathered around the professor, and Max could hear the conversation and laughs, but wasn’t close enough to understand it.

  Someone grabbed him from behind and lifted him off the floor. There was little doubt that Rollo was in the building. He turned and greeted his large friend with a firm handshake and a smile. Rollo’s hands were huge and very strong. Max wondered just how strong his friend was.

  “Have you seen Jules?” Rollo asked, surveying the room.

  “Not yet.” Max’s eyes scanned around to be certain.

  “Okay, everyone,” the professor said. “Let’s take our seats.”

  Rollo motioned for Max to sit beside him, and he gladly accepted. The tables had been moved to the edges of the room and the chairs had been placed in a big circle. The professor was at the far wall beneath the clock. Julie came in as they were all sitting and realized there was no seat beside Max or Rollo, so she sat on the opposite side of the circle almost directly across from Max.

  “Thanks,” she whispered in their direction.

  Before they could apologize for not saving her a seat, the professor began. “Great to see a wonderful turnout tonight. I see two faces I don’t recognize, so let’s meet the new folks.”

  Max didn’t know if he was supposed to speak up, but he didn’t need to. He was, after all, sitting beside Rollo.

  “This here is Max, everyone. He’s the new big man on campus.” Rollo loved embarrassing Max who waved gingerly to the circle.

  Professor looked at a young woman sitting just to Max’s right and nodded to her.

  “Oh,” she gasped. She half stood as if not knowing the protocol, as if being half right was better than being all wrong. “My name is Jenny. Hey.” She quickly sat back down.

  The other students welcomed the two newbies.

  “Let me tell you how we do things,” the professor began, concentrating his entire attention in their direction. “At the end of each session, I randomly select three people to come up with a topic for the next study session. That’s why everyone has a notepad.”

  Max hadn’t noticed, but almost everyone had a notepad or notebook and a Bible. The NIV Bible seemed to be the most common in the room. Even the new girl to his right had a Bible with her. It hadn’t even dawned on Max to bring anything, and he began to feel a little foolish.

  The professor, in an honest effort to educate, continued his direct line of communication with the two newcomers. “Then, over the course of a week, you have time to research and make notes on your ideas on the topics. Try to always reference scripture in your agreements or arguments. It’s all pretty simple.” He paused to look at his own notes. “Last week, Brad here presented us with this question: ‘Is salvation from deeds or faith?’ Okay, Brad, the floor is yours.”

  Everyone focused on the guy directly to the professor’s left. Brad was about Max’s height, but with a lean, muscular build. He was very tan with spiked hair that began dark at the roots and gradually lightened until the tips were blonde, creating a completely yellowish surface. He was dressed in a polo shirt and pleated pants with what appeared to be very expensive shoes. He wore several gold rings. He was one of those guys who conveyed a supreme sense of confidence, as if he was wearing an invisible shield and no one could touch him.

  A very beautiful girl sat to his left, although it was hard to determine that they were actually using two chairs. She was tall with very long, straight-black hair and wore a very short dress that seemed to Max to be a little too tight and revealing for Bible study. Her legs were long and tan, the left one draped over the right one and over Brad’s left leg as well, leaving her left high-heeled shoe dangling off the floor. She was the only one besides Max not holding a Bible or notebook, as her hands were cupped around Brad’s left bicep. It seems they wanted to leave little doubt that they were there together.

  “This is a slam dunk,” Brad began. “Salvation is by faith alone. Paul made this perfectly clear in Ephesians 2:8-9.”

  Everyone with a Bible, including the new girl, began to flip through the pages.

  “Got it,” a girl yelled out and then proceeded to read the verse while the others focused their attention on her. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith―and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God―not by works, so that no one can boast.”

  “First of all, how many agree with Brad?” The professor watched as almost everyone in the room raised their hands, including the professor himself. Only Max and another guy did not raise their hands. “Okay, let’s start with you, Kenneth. What do you say?”

  Kenneth was a tall, slender, black guy and the only one wearing a jacket and tie. He looked at the professor then at Brad, and finally at Max. He seemed uneasy as he finally looked down at his notes. “I didn’t really have time this week to research much, but I just think it’s important what you do in life as a Christian. I think deeds are a part of faith. Jesus did say to give to the needy.”

  “I think it’s important what we do in life as well,” a girl across from Kenneth said. “God wants us to do good works. But I still think salvation is by faith.”

  Others nodded in agreement. “Does the Bible actually say, ‘give to the needy?’” another asked Kenneth.

  “Of course, it does,” Kenneth offered as he defended his stance. “I’m sorry; I just don’t have the verse. Anyone know where that is?” he asked seeking help.

  “Matthew 6:2,” Max said, his voice so quiet that some in the room didn’t even hear him.

  Pages began to flip. The new girl beside him shouted out first and began to read. “So, when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”

  Kenneth smiled as if vindicated.

  “That only says when you give,” Brad countered, “not that you have to give to go to Heaven.”

  “Proverbs 19:17,” Max said, but this time in a louder voice.

  “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed,” someone read aloud.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  “Hebrew 13:26,” Max continued, looking mostly at Julie or the professor.

  Pages flipped and someone read, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

  “Okay, hold it. Hold it,” Brad commanded as if this was his production and people were suddenly adlibbing. “We’re getting way off track, Ron. No one is arguing that we shouldn’t do good works. The discussion is whether they are related to salvation. Am I right?”

  Max had noticed on the registration forms that the professor’s first name was Ronald, but it seemed inappropriate to use it, and especially an abbreviated form of it. But the professor didn’t seem to mind.

  The professor nodded to Brad in agreement. “He’s right. Just because the Bible speaks of doing good deeds, the question before us is―are they required for salvation?” Turning his attention then to Max, he smiled. “Well, Max. I see now why you didn’t bring a Bible. You were the only other one not to raise your hand, so are you saying that you believe that deeds are required for salvation?”

  All eyes were on Max, and he almost wished he had raised his hand with everyone else and had not spoken up. But he had and now he needed to explain why. “Yes. I believe that deeds are necessary to earn salvation.”

  “Are you a Mormon?” Brad asked with scorn.

  Max thought for a second. “I don’t think so.”

  The group erupted in laughter. Rollo poked him with his elbow and winked.

  The professor nodded to Max. “The floor is yours.”

  “Well,” Max began. His throat suddenly seemed very dry. “First, there are the Commandments. Six of the ten are based on deeds, and Jesus said to enter eternal life we must keep the Commandments. Then there’s—”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Brad interrupted. “I know you’re new, but the rules say you have to provide scripture to back up your words. Where does Jesus say you have to keep the Commandments to enter eternal life?”

  “Oh, sorry,” Max apologized. “Matthew 19:17.”

  Someone read. “‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the Commandments.’”

  “And if you read the next verse, you’ll see that Jesus only mentioned the ones regarding deeds.” Max was starting to gain a little more confidence.

  The same student continued. “’Which ones?’ he inquired. Jesus replied, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, love your neighbor as yourself.’”

  “What do you say, Brad?” the professor asked as if he was enjoying the debate.

  “No dice,” Brad said shaking his head. “Those are laws, not deeds.”

  Max didn’t pay him any attention. “Then there’s James 2:14-17.”

  The other students were beginning to enjoy this as each had their fingers ready, awaiting Max’s next words. This time it was Julie.

  “Got it. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well-fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

  “Oh yeah, baby,” Rollo chimed in. “In your face.”

  “Well, Brad,” the professor said with a wry smile. “What say you to that?”

  “First off,” Brad said smugly, “no one even knows for sure who wrote that book. It was obviously someone named James, but no one even knows which James it might have been. But it’s for sure that James doesn’t make Paul’s words null and void. Next.”

  Max’s eyes instinctively sought out those who seem to nod in agreement. “Revelation 20:12-13.”

  “Got it.” It was Julie again. “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.”

  “Interesting.” The professor grinned. “People are judged by what they have done. All very good points, Max. What do you say now, Brad?”

  Brad looked upset, which made the girl on his arm look upset also. They were both staring at Max like he had stolen from them. “I’m tired of being on the defensive here. Why doesn’t he explain Ephesians 2:8-9? Explain why he doesn’t believe that.”

  “Max?” the professor offered.

  “I’ll try,” Max said. “But I’ve never been able to explain it so that anyone can understand.”

  “What does that tell you?” Brad asked.

  Rollo chuckled. “It tells us that he’s smarter than anyone else he’s tried to explain it to. Don’t expect any different results with this crowd.”

  Everyone laughed. Well, everyone but Brad and his girlfriend, that is.

  “Okay, when Paul mentions ‘works’ here,” Max began as if trying to make sure to use the right words, “I don’t think he’s referring to an individual’s deeds in their lifetime. And when we talk about faith earning us salvation, we’re talking about our own faith, right?”

  Almost everyone nodded, not wanting to make a sound so as not to interrupt him.

  “But this verse is not talking about our faith. It actually says, ‘through faith and this is not from yourselves.’”

  The ones who were not already on that page quickly flipped through their Bibles to find it.

  Max continued. “This is talking about God’s faith and God’s grace so; therefore, it must be talking about something else than what our faith can bring. So, what I believe Paul to be saying here is that he is explaining where salvation comes from, not how to achieve it. He’s saying that salvation is a gift from God, by His faith, through His grace, and no works of man could ever create something like this, so we can never boast of it. No matter what we could ever construct, no matter what technology we could ever develop, we could never create something as grand as salvation. Only God can. That’s what I believe Paul is referring to by ‘not by works.’”

  The room was silent as everyone was reading and pondering.

  “And to further prove this is not explaining that works aren’t important, you need only read the very next line.” Max looked over to Rollo.

  Rollo read, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

  Max added his summation. “The way I’ve always looked at it is this. Why do we not steal? Is it because it’s wrong or because it’s against the law? It we don’t steal simply because it’s against the law, is that the right reason? Or if you mow your lawn, are you cutting the grass or is the mower cutting the grass? I think you are cutting the grass, and the mower is simply the tool.”

  There were blank looks all around the room.

  “The point is,” Max continued, “we don’t do good deeds simply because the Bible requires it. And we cannot do good deeds as if it’s a checklist to enter eternal life. We have to make ourselves an instrument of God. That’s why it says we were created to do good works. Just like the lawnmower was created to cut the grass, it cannot do it alone. Neither can we. But if we let God work through us, good deeds will be automatic. And that coincides with what James said as well.”

  The room was still silent. Several seconds passed.

  “Well, guys. Anyone have any comment?” the professor asked the room.

  No one answered.

  “I have never heard anyone explain that verse this way,” he continued amidst the quiet. “I don’t know if it’s accurate, but I can clearly see that it is not talking about our faith, and it clearly says we are created to do good works. Very interesting. Okay, show of hands, how many here think Max the Mormon is correct and that deeds are required for salvation?”

  Kenneth raised his hand while displaying more confidence this time, but it was still just he and Max, still two against the entire room. Then Julie raised her hand.

  Max smiled as he wondered if she truly understood what he was saying or was just being supportive. He may not have convinced anyone, but there was little doubt in the room that he came prepared.

  “If you don’t mind my asking, Max,” the professor said, “how is it you know the Bible so well?”

  “His dad’s a preacher,” Rollo said as he put his arm around Max’s shoulder.

  Max wondered how he knew that.

  “How big is your dad’s church?” asked Brad.

  “Oh, it’s a small church,” replied Max.

  “No, come on. Seriously. How many members?” Brad seemed upset and Max was wondering what this had to do with the discussion.

  “About thirty.”

  Brad laughed. It was a forced, rude, maniacal laugh. “My dad has seventy-five thousand members in his church alone. And he has three hundred branches throughout the world and has over twenty million followers.”

  Max remembered Rollo’s story. “Oh, you’re the paper bullet guy?”

  Rollo looked over and nodded with a big grin on his face.

  “Don’t distract from the discussion,” Brad snapped.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand where the discussion is going,” Max admitted.

  “Yeah,” Julie sided with Max. “What’s your point?”

  Brad smirked. “He’s taking these things out of context. Only a fool would do that or believe it. You guys don’t see the danger here. If this is the kind of thing his dad preaches, I would warn of wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

  “What’s my dad have to do with it?” asked Max calmly.

  “Because that’s where you got this drivel,” Brad said.

  “Not true.” Max remained calm. “My dad actually agrees with you.”

  “You disagree with your dad on this?” The professor seemed shocked.

  “Yes. We actually disagree on several points in the Bible. We have discussions about them all the time, just not as… uh….” Max searched for a delicate word. “Not as passionate as this one.”

  Rollo smiled and then looked at Brad. “You ever disagree with your dad?”

  “No, of course not,” Brad answered. “It would be disrespectful. Besides, my dad is always right.”

  “Oh, my goodness!” Julie screamed and then started wiping at her shoes. She actually made several people in the room jump, and the two girls sitting on either side of her raised their legs as everyone searched the floor to see what had made Julie suddenly scream.

  The professor’s eyes were wide open. “What was it, Julie?”

  Julie continued wiping at her shoes as she looked up at the professor. “You should have told us to wear waders tonight. It’s getting deep in here.”

  Everyone laughed, except, of course, Brad and company. But that was okay; Rollo made up for them.

  When the professor stopped laughing, he said, “Okay, I think we need to take a break here.”