A Murder Mystery

How were the members of this group murdered? That was the question detective Spoudadzo, affectionately known as Spouda, had to solve immediately. The members’ dead bodies lay strewn about the room. Each of them showed signs of having been slain with an extremely sharp, double-edged blade. That was all that could be known at this time, except that there was no doubt that it was a precision instrument wielded with great skill. But what precisely was that instrument and who was responsible? Who were the members of this group and what was the motive for these deaths? These were the questions that needed answers fast.

Right away, detective Spouda knew who these victims were. He knew them well. He had run across them before in his past research and they all had well documented criminal pasts. The first victim was a Mrs. Porneia. She was well known around town for her lewdness and was often seen in the most undesirable places. Her picture was seen in many magazines and she was constantly advertising on television and the movies. Many people had been seen with her but she was especially known to keep company with a Mr. Aka Tharsia, who had a reputation for being involved in every unclean activity you could imagine. He could at times put up a good front, but his dealings were as dirty as the ground you walk on.

The third victim was a Mr. Pathos. He was an ugly, overwieght man with an insatiable appetite, an appetite that he was sure to satisfy no matter what the cost. He usually was known to work with two underworld associates. The first was the evil Epi Thumia. Like his mentor, Pathos, he wanted what he couldn’t have. He had been known to choke his vitims to death to get what he wanted. His second associate and the last victim was Pleo Nexia. He was a greedy man and involved in many shady deals, which he made by misleading others. His nickname was “The Idol.” All of these were bad characters and no decent person would miss them now that they were gone.

The lab work came back quickly and it was determined that the fatal wounds had been caused by a double-edged sword. That was an unusual instrument and was easy to trace. Spouda remembered another case similar to this when a double-edged sword was used to dispense with some other pretty unsavory characters, all members of the same outlaw gang. Their names were Orgay, who was always angry, Thumos who acted out his anger on others, and Kakia who was an extremely malicious individual. They hung around the final two victims, Aschro Logia, who was as foul-mouthed as anyone could be and his girlfriend, Blasphemia. They were always involved in various terrible crimes.

This last group had been put to death in the very same way as the first, with a sharp, two-edged sword. The person responsible was found innocent in the Court of Law. That person’s name was Christian. The Jury had determined Orgay and his gang were terrorizing Christian and Christian acted on grounds of self-defense. Spouda wanted to have a talk with him. Maybe he could provide a lead on the current case. He was known to frequent the church of Christ and that’s were Spouda headed.

When Spouda found him, Christian was reading his Bible. Christian was a devout man who attended worship and Bible study regularly. He helped those around him who were in need and he always stood up for the truth. His neighbors said he was a decent man who could be trusted to do the right thing.

Spouda confronted Christian. “Do you know anything about the death of Mrs. Porneia and her associates?”

“I do,” said Christian. “In fact, I am responsible.”

“But why Christian, why would you do such a thing?” Spouda said.

“Detective Spoudadzo,” Christian said, “Mrs. Porneia, Epi Thumia and all the others were choking the life out of me. I acted in defense of my own life. If I had not acted, I would be dead, spiritually dead. But now I am alive. Too many who profess to be followers of God get involved with the wrong crowd and are led into a life of sin. I walked with this crowd at one time, but no more. I will not be influenced by them anymore. Here, detective, read Col. 3:1-10. This will explain.”

“I’ll read it, but your case will have to be tried,” Spouda said.

Years later Christian stood before the Judge of all the earth. The Judge spoke with a thunderous voice, “Well done, My good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of thy Lord.”

Case closed.

Cast of Characters
Detective Spoudadzo – spoudadzo; to make effort, be prompt or earnest :- do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study. – II Tim. 2:15 – “Study”
Double edged blade – Sword of the Spirit, the word of God – Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17
Mrs. Porneia – fornication
Aka Tharsia – akatharsia – impurity (the quality), physical or moral :- uncleanness. Fornication and uncleanness are almost always grouped together in scripture.
Mr. Pathos – pathos – lust
Epi Thumia – epithumia – a longing (especially for what is forbidden); concupiscence, desire, lust (after). Jesus said the lusts (epithumia) of this world choke the word (Mark4:19).
Pleo Nexia – pleonexia – avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion; covetousness, greediness. Covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5).
Orgay – anger
Thumos – wrath
Kakia – badness, depravity, or (active) malignity, or (passive) trouble; evil, malice (-iousness), naughtiness, wickedness.
Aischro Logia – aischrologia – Vile, filthy communication.
Basphemia – Blasphemy
Christian – Represents the faithful child of God
Judge of all the earth – Christ

Summary: This fictional story is an allegory based on Colossians 3:1-10. Faithful Christians will remove from their life all those things that cause them to sin. The word of God is the instrument to use to bring about that end. As we follow the teachings of Christ, we must actively kill all the evil influences in our lives. When we stand in judgement before the Lord, He will welcome us in if we have remained faithful.
Eric L. Padgett