By My Hands (37 page)

A few in the audience applauded. Someone shouted,
“Right on!”

“In other words,” Adam said, his voice even and
controlled, “you only believe in what can be perceived through the
five senses.”

“Exactly. All things are rational and
measurable.”

“Well,” Adam said smiling, “I don’t think you really
believe that. In fact, I think you believe in many
intangibles.”

“Such as?”

“Such as emotion,” Adam said matter-of-factly. “You
see, Dr. Cruden, not all things are measurable. Take love, for
example. Not even the most ardent empiricist would deny that love
exists, yet it defies measurement. Can one have a quart of love?
Or, a pound of anger? Could you, for example, amass fifty yards of
joy? Of course not, yet each of us has experienced these
qualities.”

Many in the audience laughed. Dr. Cruden’s face
turned crimson red.

“Wait a minute,” Dr. Cruden said pointedly. “I can
measure anger. When a person becomes angry their heart rate
increases, the amount of adrenaline in their system increases too
and, if they’re angry enough, their face may become red as the
capillaries expand and raise the skin’s surface temperature.”

“But you’ve not measured anger,” Adam countered.
“You’ve described only the physical results of the emotion, and
that is the true role of experimental science, describing results.
Really, all that science does through its observations and
experimentation is to describe the fingerprints of God.”

“But I’ve already told you that I don’t believe in
God.”

“What you believe is immaterial to truth. Disbelief
does not change reality. You and I may drive down the road in my
car and, at great speed, head directly for a large tree. Now you
and I could sit in that car as it speeds toward the tree and say
that we don’t believe we will get hurt; but the truth of the matter
is that when we slam into the tree, we will probably die. At which
point your belief in God will be of particular importance.”

A few in the audience applauded again.

“Before we go on,” Phillips said, turning to the
camera, “we need to take a commercial break.” The red light on the
camera went off. “Excellent, people, excellent. Keep up this
intensity, and we will have an exceptional show.”

Cruden said nothing.

“Ten seconds to air time,” Margo said. Ten seconds
later one of the camera’s red lights came on.

“We’re back with a fascinating discussion on
miracles,” Phillips said to the camera. “In a few moments, we will
be going into the audience to hear what they have to say; but for
now, let’s return to our panel. Reverend Bridger, perhaps you could
tell us exactly what a miracle is.”

“I suppose there are many definitions that could be
used, but a good definition would be something like this: A miracle
is a supernatural event that achieves some useful purpose and
reveals the presence and power of God.”

“So there is purpose to a miracle?” Phillips
asked.

“Yes. Take the miracles of Jesus. The Bible records
thirty-five miracles that Jesus performed. This is not to say that
Jesus performed only thirty-five miracles, but that of the miracles
He performed, thirty-five were recorded. Of those rec, nine showed
power over nature: walking on the water, turning water into wine in
the city of Cana, stilling a storm on the Sea of Galilee, and so
on. He also performed six exorcisms, and three times He raised the
dead. The vast majority of Jesus’ miracles dealt with healings.
Seventeen times it is said that Jesus healed. Almost all of Jesus’
miracles dealt with human suffering.”

Cruden remarked, “I’m sure you know that many of the
miracles in the Bible have been shown to be impossible.”

“They’re all impossible,” Adam said. “That’s why we
call them miracles.”

The audience roared with laughter.

“What I’m saying, Reverend Bridger, is that certain
miracles can scientifically be shown to have never occurred.”

“I’d like to hear this,” Phillips said.

Cruden continued, “Take, for example, the story of
Joshua’s prayer that the sun would stand still in the sky so that
he might carry on a battle. As we all know, it is the earth’s spin
on its axis that makes the sun appear to rise and set. So, for the
sun to stop in the sky, the earth must cease its rotation.”

Cruden was speaking as though he were lecturing a
class of freshmen in basic astronomy.

“Suppose that this God of yours decides to help
Joshua out by stopping the earth’s rotation. What would we find?
Well, first of all, since the earth spins at a little over 1000
miles per hour at the equator, if the earth were to stop its
spinning suddenly, then all those things not securely attached
would fly off at the same speed. We call that inertia. Your Joshua
and everyone else on the planet would go careening into trees,
mountains and the like. Also, things like cave stalagmites and
stalactites, many of which date past the age of Joshua, would be
broken off in their caves; but when we visit the caves of the
world, we find those geological formations resting comfortably in
their places.”

Cruden continued. “But that’s not all. We can show
through mathematics and physics that if the earth stopped spinning
on its axis, it would generate enough heat to boil water. No one
could live through such temperatures.”

Phillips turned to Adam. “Well, Reverend Bridger,
what do you make of that? Do you dispute Dr. Cruden’s
conclusions?”

“No.” Adam said flatly.

Phillips was surprised. “So you agree that such a
miracle could not have taken place?”

“Not at all. It is not his conclusions that are at
fault, but, rather, his initial assumption.” Adam turned his
attention to Cruden. “You see, Dr. Cruden, you began your
discussion with the assumption that there was a God who was
powerful enough to stop the earth’s spin, and that that same God
was motivated to do so. Is that not true?”

“Yes,” Cruden said tentatively.

“I’m afraid you don’t give that God much credit. If
God is capable of doing such a great feat, and reasonable enough to
want to do so, then doesn’t it also follow that God would take into
account the problems such an act would create? You see, the Joshua
miracle is more than one miracle. God not only stopped the earth’s
spin, but also allowed for the results of such an act and accounted
for them. The God of the Bible would not stop the earth from
spinning and then snap His fingers and say, ‘Oops’ when people
began crashing into trees and hills. If you allow a God powerful
enough and intelligent enough to be able to perform such a feat,
then you also must allow for a God who is intelligent enough to
compensate for difficulties caused by His act of power.”

The stage was silent. A moment later Phillips said,
“We’ll be right back after these messages.”

Phillips directed questions to the psychiatrist, Dr.
Robert Jennings, who spoke of the mind’s ability to make one well
or ill, and insinuated that the healings were a result of
psychological processes. Phillips asked how so many occurrences
could happen in the same hospital and at about the same time.
Jennings had no answer. Phillips further asked how surgical scars
and scorched flesh could be simply willed away, and again Jennings
had no answer.

Adam had to agree with Phillips. “We’re not dealing
with psychosomatic illnesses. The people healed have had dramatic
reversals of illness and trauma.”

“The mind is a powerful thing, Reverend Bridger,”
Jennings said. “Certain Eastern mystics are able to control their
breathing and heart rate in an incredible fashion. I have
personally witnessed a practitioner of Eastern meditation enter a
three-foot-square acrylic box, place himself in a hypnotic
suspended animation, and then have the box anchored and submerged
in a swimming pool for nearly half an hour. When brought back to
the surface, he slowly climbed out of the cube and was none the
worse for wear. Now, those who lack training might assume that the
man worked a miracle.”

“I’ll agree that the mind is a wonderful and
powerful thing,” Adam replied. “I also agree that we have much to
learn about its operation and powers, but all your mystic did was
control certain biological functions—granted to a marvelous
degree—but he did not exchange scorched flesh for whole. He did not
turn a body rendered nearly useless by disease into a normally
functioning one as we have seen recently. No, we are not dealing
with psychosomatic workings; we are seeing a genuine miracle. These
are miracles I can’t explain, but they are miracles.”

“That’s superstitious, hogwash,” Cruden snapped.
“And if I weren’t on television and in the presence of ladies, I
would describe in more colorful terms.”

Amelia Larsons spoke for the first time: “Don’t
restrain yourself on my account. Not only could I endure your
colorful language, I might even be able to use enough of my own to
put a tinge of red in your cheeks.” The crowd laughed uproariously.
Adam had to work at not laughing out loud himself.

“Tell us, Ms. Larsons,” Phillips said, “just what is
your take on all of this?”

Smiling, Amelia responded, “Well, I have to agree
with Reverend Bridger: miracles can and do happen. You see, the
universe is filled with energy, and each of us can tap into that
energy. By learning some of the ancient principles taught to us by
spiritual people of eons ago, plus what we learn new every day, we
can harness the healing force of the universe. It hinges on getting
in touch with ourselves and our past selves—I mean our former
lives. The people in San Diego have learned to let the tides of the
universe flow through them: ebb and flow and flow and ebb. Perhaps
this is the dawning of a new and enlightened age.”

Her comment was greeted with silence. After a moment
Phillips said to Adam, “So you and Amelia are in basic
agreement?”

Adam looked at Amelia, then at Phillips. He then
looked at Dr. Cruden who surrendered a small smile. Adam blinked
several times trying to make sense of Amelia’s statements, then
said, “I don’t think we are in agreement. We both believe in
miracles, but my belief is in biblical miracles: God using His
power to achieve a holy end. The source of the miracle is not an
impersonal force to be tapped into like someone harvesting syrup
from a maple tree. Besides, these people who have been healed were
healed unexpectedly. Two were unconscious at the time and the other
two were awakened from a sleep and saw a man standing over them.
No, someone is the Healer.”

Cruden spoke up, “It all sounds like nonsense to me.
It’s all basically the same mumbo jumbo.”

“We are all spiritual beings,” Amelia said.
“Reverend Bridger’s views may be a little narrow and biased, but he
is right when he says that miracles happen.”

Adam looked at Amelia for a moment. She gave him a
quick smile and a knowing wink. He guessed she was trying to be
helpful and to divide the panel into “those wooden-headed
scientists” against “we enlightened spiritual leaders,” but he
didn’t want his words and beliefs confused with hers. To some they
must have seemed very much alike, when they couldn’t have been any
further apart.

Phillips stepped into the audience for questions and
comments. The crowd seemed evenly divided between rationalists and
believers. One man accused Adam of propagating myth and preying on
the weak-minded for pecuniary gain; he was booed into silence.

Several questions were directed to the other guests,
but center stage clearly belonged to Adam and Dr. Cruden, with
Cruden dominating the taping with rapid-fire questions and a
fountain of facts. Fifty minutes and six commercial breaks later,
Phillips turned to face the camera: “Reverend Bridger has asked for
a few moments at the end of the program to deliver a very special
message. We now allow him that time.”

Adam looked directly into the camera and spoke in
even, somber tones.

“Regardless of the various views put forth here, one
fact remains concerning the healings at Kingston Memorial Hospital:
someone is abducting patients who have been healed. My statement
today is short and very simple. If the abductor of these innocent
people is listening, I plead with you; please release them.

“By now, I’m sure you are aware that they can tell
you nothing of value. Their healings are as mysterious to them as
they are to the rest of us. I don’t know what it is you want, but
surely these people can be of no service to you. Please, I beg of
you, release the hostages.

“If need be, you can contact me at Maple Street
Community Church in San Diego. I will do whatever I can to obtain
the release of those you hold. Call me. You can trust me.”

Adam sat back in his chair signaling the end of his
speech. The set was quiet for a moment. Then Phillips spoke. “I
think we all can say ‘Amen’ to that, Reverend.” Then, to the
camera, “This has been the
Milt Phillips Show.
Thank you for
joining us.”

The show’s theme played in the background. A moment
later the red light on the camera blinked out.

“That’s it, folks,” Margo shouted to the workers.
“Let’s wrap it up.”

Dr. Cruden walked to Adam and shook his hand. “Well,
Reverend, you have made a worthy opponent. It is obvious that we
have some serious disagreements, but those notwithstanding, I hope
you get your people back.” Despite Cruden’s kind words, it was
obvious that he was angry.

“Thank you,” Adam replied simply.

The others gathered around to offer support and best
wishes. Then, one by one, they left to go back to their own worlds.
Adam wondered if all of this had done any good. Alone, he left the
stage and the studio and began the two-hour drive home.

Wednesday, April 1, 1992; 4:00
P.M.

ADAM ARRIVED HOME SHORTLY after 4 that afternoon.
The taping of the
Milt Phillips Show
was done earlier than
usual, allowing Adam to start home while the other guests attended
a post-show party. Adam had been in no mood to party. He had taken
his time driving back, allowing his mind to mull over the events of
recent days. Wearied from his trip to Los Angeles and still
depressed over the exchange with Rachel the night before, Adam
desired only a quiet evening and a good night’s sleep.