Authors: D. Brian Shafer
"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!" 177
The room broke out in applause. Clapping himself, Lucifer
looked around at the angels, and sensed the charged atmosphere.
He whispered to Kara, "These posturing angels! This could go
either way today but don't worry. Nothing can interfere with the
course we are on."
"At this event we are here primarily to discuss the issue of
freedom and choice among the Host," continued Crispin. "I know
many of you will be delighted to finally have opportunity to bring
me to book...eh, Berenius?"
Many angels laughed as they looked at Berenius. For his part
Berenius merely smiled at Crispin and nodded in agreement.
"Depends upon the book, dear master," Berenius replied, to the
delight of the crowd. Crispin laughed heartily.
"Well said, well said." He cast a serious look over the crowd.
"Now, there has been a school of thought which has surfaced from
time to time since we were first created. You all know to what I
refer. Nevertheless for the sake of the argument, I will outline
briefly the position of the Academy in terms of its traditional teach-
ing, and Pellecus will give you the...what version shall you give
today, Pellecus?"
"The correct one," Pellecus replied and smiled at Crispin.
"Oh yes, the enlightened version," Crispin said. "I do hope
we will be enlightened."
"It would be refreshing, dear Crispin," Pellecus answered.
----------------
The angels in the gallery were thoroughly enjoying this duel of
wits. Excitement swept the room with angel speaking to angel in
hushed delight. For his part, Gabriel was only here to observe and
support his friend. He found it difficult to follow the proceeding,
however, because he was still basking mentally in his visit to the Zoa.
He watched Lucifer, who stood on the other side of the room
next to Kara. The Zoa were completely certain that Lucifer would
not be allowed personal authority on earth. Was it because of the
way he had gone about it all? Or was there perhaps a greater plan
unknown to all--even to the Zoa--something the Most High was
178 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
holding in reserve for Creation's last and most pronounced act? He
wondered about Lucifer's ambitions--what was driving him to
make such an effort? And what would his reaction be when he dis-
covered that for all his maneuvers he would not govern earth?
What about all those angels to whom Lucifer had reportedly prom-
ised positions of authority in his new realm? Gabriel was amused
at the prospect that he might be defending Lucifer soon from
avenging angels who felt deceived and manipulated.
Gabriel looked over the crowded hall. How many of these angels
are aware of the extent of this drama that is being played out in Heaven's
most sacred chambers? he wondered. Though the Elders had decided
upon the nomination of Lucifer as steward, many did so with an
attitude of "better to do so and keep peace in Heaven."
But at what price? There were only a few dissenting voices in
that body and they had been reduced to mere distractions by the
determined majority. He wondered what the Host would think if
they knew that their leader of praises, the Anointed Cherub, was
using his high office for personal satisfaction and that the Elders
were, wittingly or unwittingly, carrying him forward. It was
unheard of and vile.
Yet the Zoa had urged caution. They had insisted that the
Lord Most High had all under control and would in His timing
deal with everything. Gabriel could not help but reflect upon how
he or Michael or even Crispin might have dealt with Lucifer--with
haste and great recklessness no doubt. How truly magnificent the
Most High must be to endure such events with such patience and
longsuffering--always knowing that an unpleasant conclusion
awaited those who opposed His will!
----------------
"Now if I understand correctly," Crispin continued, "the point
of this discussion centers on the idea of freedom and responsibility
to the Lord Most High. I have heard it argued countless ways in the
classroom--especially of late. But all of the questions essentially
are born out of one: Does an angel have the ability to choose freely?
Now this carries with it two subsequent ideas. If the answer is yes,
"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!" 179
then at what point does an angel transgress the lines of loyalty and
become opposed to the will of the Most High? And if the answer is
no, then what are we doing here?"
The room exploded with laughter.
"I mean, if we have no choices in what we do and who we are
then how did we arrive here at a point where we have chosen two
courses of very opposing thoughts? No brothers, the obvious solu-
tion is that we have choices and rights of choice given to us by the
Most High, and that bears with it much responsibility. It also rep-
resents an incredible risk on the part of the Creator--risk that those
whom He has created might go their own way--even outright
oppose Him. It is therefore a great act of love and faith on the part
of our Lord that He allows us such freedom of action!"
Crispin began walking the platform as he spoke. "But there
are far more disturbing issues involved in all of this. Freedom and
choice are simple matters of reality. The darker side of this becomes
what an angel might do with such freedom and so many choices. I
submit that we serve the Lord as a decision of our wills--not out of
compulsion--but out of intention. And I further submit that any
angel might--if he so chooses--turn from the Lord Most High and
not serve Him. It's really all a matter of your choice and my choice.
"Now I have anticipated some of your questions, chiefly the
idea that if an angel can oppose the will of God, what does that say
about God's ability to control His creation? There are some who
believe that our Lord sleeps--that they can go about their dark
excursions --if such excursions exist--and the Lord will only blink
an eye. Others maintain that because the Lord Most High is a God
of perfect order, the risk of a chaotic conflict in Heaven would force
a compromise rather than risk disorder. Let me assure my brethren
that our Lord neither sleeps nor compromises!"
The room erupted in enthusiastic applause. Lucifer was unset-
tled inwardly but maintained a casual interest in appearance. Kara
whispered to him that Crispin was certainly performing well, to
which Lucifer returned an angry glare.
"Nevertheless, freedom is not to be taken lightly, my brothers.
The choice to love and serve the Lord is the most noble choice we
180 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
can make. But...it is not the only choice. When we do choose to
serve Him, we do so for our love for Him, not because we are
forced by some inherent nature to do so. Nor because we are creat-
ed in slavery...."
Lucifer could hear some of the very dialog from his Council
discussions being attacked point by point. He felt that Crispin was
directing this line of reasoning at him personally. "I blame myself
for this, Kara," Lucifer whispered. "I should never have permitted
Sangius in the Council. I thought his weakness would serve me, not
betray me!" Kara nodded in agreement as they continued listening.
"Do angels then, by their submission to the Lord, cause the
Kingdom to remain orderly? Such nonsense! I maintain that even
should every angel in Heaven march to the very Throne and state
their opposition to the Lord, and threaten violent overthrow of the
Kingdom, the Lord would merely shake His head in wonder that
creatures would ever presume upon their Creator. No brothers,
Heaven is not maintained by the obedience of angels, but by the
steadfastness of our Lord. And it is in giving us these freedoms that
the Most High demonstrates His omnipotence--that is, brothers,
He not only gives us the choice to serve Him, but can deal with
those who would not!"
Crispin sat down to a roar of applause from his students.
Many of his colleagues in the Academy also burst out in joyful
uproar. Pellecus took his place at the dais and the room once more
was quiet. He looked at Crispin and said in a humorous vein, "Well
done, angel! You are a very credible proponent of your viewpoints.
It is unfortunate that your viewpoints are not credible!" Some of
the angels howled with delight as Pellecus then began in earnest to
present his case. Crispin laughed as hard as anyone at Pellecus'
remarks.
Pellecus looked sharp and ready. Lucifer felt better knowing
that a friendly gallery often yields positive results. He hoped Pelle-
cus was at his best. Crispin was a worthy adversary--particularly
in these settings. Lucifer leaned into Kara and said, "Angels are so
easily swayed--particularly if the argument is concise and sensible.
Now we shall see a true master at work and I guarantee, Kara, we
"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!" 181
shall leave here more greatly supported than when we arrived.
Michael will regret ever having suggested this debate!"
"Dear brothers--I may still call you that, may I not?--even
though in its wisdom the Academy has sought to keep me out of
these chambers! As you can see, and to prove Crispin's well made
point concerning choice, I have chosen to come back!"
Laughter and howling among the angels erupted as Polias
sought to regain control. "Please brothers! Order!"
"Thank you, dear Polias," Pellecus continued. "Such disorder
in such a sacred place! It seems, Crispin, that because these angels
choose to be noisy rather than remain bound by tradition, they cre-
ate disorder in an ordered environment! How like the scenario you
painted." He looked accusingly at Crispin. "You have me dangling
chaos in the face of the Most High in order to achieve some wicked
goal. I tell you that true freedom is not chaotic as long as it is not
unrestrained. You accuse myself and others of being totally without
discipline, as if we were wild, raving angels set loose on an unsus-
pecting Heaven in order to promote chaos! That is preposterous!
Do you sincerely believe that we have no restraint? No ability to
refrain from excess? That is an insult to every angel who loves free-
dom and wishes to advance the Kingdom!"
Lucifer was delighted with Pellecus. "He is making Crispin
look like an absolute fool," he said to Kara. "How embarrassed I
would be if I was a teacher at this Academy!"
"However, let me address those concerns later, " Pellecus went
on. "For now I wish only to portray a true picture of what I am
advocating. Dear brothers, I am not promoting any action that goes
against the sacred teachings given to us from the very hand of God.
We live in concert with those laws. In the entire span of the creation
of the angels until now there has never been even a hint of a rebel-
lious action taken by an angel. I do not advocate such action."
"So what are you advocating, dear Pellecus?" asked Crispin. "If
the astonishingly poor attitude I have witnessed in my classroom of
late does not smack of a rebellious spirit, then what have I witnessed?"
"Something you have not witnessed for some time at the
Academy, Crispin," said Pellecus. "Thinking. True thought. And to
182 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
one who fears thinking, new ideas might appear as rebellious. You
are witness to freedom."
"Freedom? Freedom from what?" asked Crispin.
"From...forgive me, Crispin...tiresome presentations of the
Lord's teachings to angels," replied Pellecus. "You seem to forget,
Crispin, that our Lord's words are living, vital and therefore fluid.
You make no provision for the possibility that the Most High
expects us to think through what He has taught us and to make
application as needed."
"As needed? By whom?!" asked Crispin loudly. "By you?
Must we apply the honored tradition of God's holy law of Heaven
to your academic whims? Or to the dubious ambitions of other
angels?" (He suppressed the temptation to look at Lucifer as he
spoke these words.) "Of course we are to reason...to think. But
within the parameters of truth--not outside of its scope."
"Truth has no parameters, Crispin. What you call parameters
I call chains! Are you so miniscule in your scholarship that you can-
not realize the depth of our Lord and that His words have no
parameters? So vast is His mind, that His truth is unending, ever
evolving. I choose to progress, Crispin, and so teach along those
lines of progression."
"And what do you teach, Pellecus?" said Crispin. "Please
enlighten us. What is it that you, and other highly placed angels so
strongly advocate?"
"Merely this. Our Lord is much greater than you give Him
credit, Crispin. You and these other teachers act as if He must be
protected--surrounded by a sacred shell that somehow preserves
His integrity. How dare you!? How dare you intimate that our
God--who is even now creating a vast and varied new universe--
must be represented by your narrow view? I suggest, Crispin, that
our Lord is bigger even than the Academy--and therefore can be
represented in many ways!"
"But where is truth in all of this?!" demanded Crispin. "If you
or I decide to teach some pet doctrine we will always find a way to
justify its existence. So long as there is no permanent basis of
truth--something binding and eternal--then all else drifts and
"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!" 183
obscures truth! I could teach that Lucifer is God and many might
believe! I beg your pardon, Lucifer, for the illustration!" Crispin
said, bowing slightly to Lucifer.
"Quite alright, dear teacher," said Lucifer, uncomfortable at
being drawn into the discussion in such terms. "It is the greatest
promotion I have ever had!" The room filled with laughter.
"But," continued Crispin, "eventually truth will reveal that
great as he is, Lucifer is not God...nor you...nor I."
"What is your point?!" shouted someone from the gallery in
the area where Berenius was seated. Several angels echoed the
words.
"My point? That truth is not something to be played with and
tossed about and changed with every idle thought--truth is rooted
ultimately in the Most High!"
"I am not questioning the origin of truth," said Pellecus.
"Only your stagnant claim upon it!"
"I claim nothing save loyalty to the teachings of the Most
High God!" shouted Crispin. "It is you and your teaching that is
bringing disgrace to the Host!"
The crowd was getting tense as Pellecus and Crispin began
raising their voices and gesturing with great emotion. The tension
spilled out into the gallery as angels took sides and began arguing
back and forth.
"I bring disgrace?" retorted Pellecus. "It is your antiquated
teachings which bring disgrace, Crispin. You have lost the ability to
think clearly and therefore forfeit the right to interpret the sacred
teachings!"
"And you have so interpreted the sacred teachings that you
have forfeited the ability to think clearly--your eyes have been
veiled, Pellecus, by something dark!"
With that the room exploded. Some angels stood as if ready to
fight, while others watched in amazement. Everyone was shouting.
Berenius was leading a section of angels across the room, verbally
attacking those who opposed Pellecus. Lucifer was delighted with
the scene. Kara tried to regain some order but was shouted down.