The Atua Man: A Novel

The Reverend Cyrus Germaine sat behind his elaborately carved desk below a stained-glass window of Satan tempting Christ. Germaine was pastor of Hope Chapel in the Southwark area of London, and was known for his conservative evangelical beliefs and his controversial sermons. He was a powerful-looking man in his mid-forties with close-cropped blond hair. He was astonished when his assistant interrupted his sermon preparation that Tuesday afternoon to tell him that Gary Howell from the St. John Ministries was waiting to see him.

“What does he want?” Pastor Germaine asked.

“He wouldn’t say.”

The pastor thought a moment. “Tell him it’s his lucky day and send him in.”

Pastor Germaine didn’t get up when Gary entered, but directed him to one of two chairs facing his desk.

“It’s very kind of you to see me without an appointment.” Gary took a seat.

“I’m always ready to convert the heathen,” Germaine said without humor.

“I know I’m interrupting, so I’ll get right to the point.” Gary looked intently at the pastor and asked, “I’d like to understand what’s behind all the Antichrist signs and protests in front of our ministry. You seem to be an expert on the Antichrist.”

“You know him quite well. He goes by the name of Jason St. John.”

Gary held Germaine’s eyes until the pastor looked down. “I know that’s what you believe, Cyrus, but theologically, what does the Antichrist mean?”

Pastor Germaine closed his eyes a moment to think. His voice took on a different timbre when he spoke. “The Antichrist is the Sinner masquerading as the Savior. The Bible has many references to false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing… that sort of thing. What makes the Great Deceiver so insidiously evil is that he performs miracles and appears to be an agent of God, drawing people to him and away from true redemption—exactly what your master does. When the Judgment comes, all those who have been misled will suffer the agonies of hell. Can you think of anything more evil, or more sinister? Your whole ministry, and I use that term very loosely, is based on a lie that one day will be exposed, and for which the people will be punished. Would you like me to cite the biblical references for this?”

“No. I’ve read them. What about the children healed on the brink of death? That can’t be evil.”

“It’s not only evil to take a soul about ready to enter heaven and shove it back into the world of sin, it’s exceedingly cruel. Why are you asking me this?”

“I’ve tried talking to your people on the streets, the ones demonstrating, but I don’t think they know why they’re there.”

“They’re confronting the devil to save their souls. Eternal salvation is through Jesus Christ and only Jesus Christ.” The pastor looked firmly at Gary. “I could save your soul right now if you would repent.”

“My soul has already been saved.” Gary shook his head, trying to keep to his point. “The world isn’t going to end any time soon, so why not tone down your rhetoric?”

“Many of the signs have been fulfilled—one of them being the arrival of Lucifer.” The pastor rubbed his chin.

“You’re comparing Jason St. John to Lucifer?”

Germaine continued, “God’s army defeats Lucifer and we enter the Rapture. The saved are separated from the damned and remain on Earth to live under the government of the Christ.”

“Doesn’t the prophecy predict that the Antichrist will be assassinated?”

Germaine jumped up and pushed away from his desk. “Nobody’s going to assassinate your little medicine man.”

Gary calmly replied, “The way you’ve been preaching, somebody might. People have a way of taking what you say literally.”

“So that’s why you’re here.” Germaine sat back down, confident in his righteousness. “I can tell you right now that I’m not changing my sermons. The Bible is very clear on the sequences of the End Times. But I am not advocating the murder of anyone.”

“If it should happen, you could be culpable.”

“I think this conversation is over. Thank you for coming, but I have a sermon to write and you’ve just given me some fresh ammunition.”

Gary stood and leaned over the pastor’s desk so that Cyrus Germaine could feel his breath. “My job is to protect Jason St. John, and I’m very good at my job, Cyrus. I just want you to know that.”