The 5 Points of Mattie Ross … Good theology, a good read, or both?  You decide.  For me, I would have ridden into Indian Territory with her for the engaging conversation and theology lessons alone. Or, in the words of Mattie Ross, “There you have it.  It was good for Paul and Silas and it is good enough for me.  It is good enough for you too.”

A couple of months ago a friend and colleague of mine visited our church in Fort Smith.  In the middle of our meeting, he surprised me with a timely quote, regarding the Reformed doctrine of election, by Mattie Ross, the heroine of Charles Portis’ novel, True Grit.  He also reminded me that not only was the novel set in my lifelong home of Fort Smith but that Mattie Ross was also an ardent Southern Presbyterian.

So, I dug out my old copy of True Grit and began to read, immersing myself in the memory of a good story and the joy of the witty language of young Mattie Ross.  Not only was the fourteen-year-old Mattie a strong-willed and defiant young woman, but she was also well-versed in her doctrine and willing to let the reader know it!

Frankly, I was so enamored by Portis’ young and knowledgeable character that I went back and pulled out each of Ross’ theologically-packed quotes.  And, so, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, I offer to you what I call The 5 Points of Mattie Ross:

1.  Grace is unmerited and undeserved.  As Mattie observed the justice system of Fort Smith, the border town, she remarked, “You must pay for everything in this world one way and another.  There is nothing free except the Grace of God.  You cannot earn that or deserve it.”

2.  Preaching the Gospel is essential.  Frustrated with the minister chosen to preach her father’s funeral, and not present to do anything about it, Mattie grumbled, “If you want anything done right you will have to see to it yourself every time.  I do not know to this day why they let a wool-hatted crank like Owen Hardy preach the service.  Knowing the Gospel and preaching it are two different things.  A Baptist or even a Campbellite would have been better than him.”

3.  Christians are made for adversity.  When young Mattie disclosed to the horse trader, Stonehill, that she was planning on going after her father’s murderer into Indian territory, he cautioned her against such a trip.  But, Mattie would hear nothing of his fear and responded, “The good Christian does not flinch from difficulties.”

4.  Election is hard to understand but true.  As Mattie and Rooster Cogburn moved into the Indian territory, they visited an outpost where they met “an Indian woman” who “spoke good English.”  Mattie soon learned that the woman’s English could be attributed to Presbyterian missionaries who had taken the Word into “the highways and hedges.”  Seizing the opportunity to make a theological point and differentiate her denomination, Mattie observed, “Mrs. Bagby was not a Cumberland Presbyterian but a member of the U.S. or Southern Presbyterian Church.  I too am now a member of the Southern Church.  I say nothing against the Cumberlands.  They broke with the Presbyterian Church because they did not believe a preacher needs a lot of formal education.  That is all right but they are not sound on Election.  They do not fully accept it.  I confess it is a hard doctrine, running contrary to our earthly ideas of fair play, but I can see no way around it.  Read 1 Corinthians 6:13 and II Timothy 1:9, 10.  Also I Peter 1:2, 19, 20 and Romans 11:7.”

5.  Don’t be ashamed of being devoted to your church, work, and living your life:  Looking back on her life and acknowledging the criticism that decisive people encounter, Mattie reflected, “People love to talk.  They love to slander you if you have any substance.  They say I love nothing but money and the Presbyterian Church and that is why I never married.  They think everybody is dying to get married.  It is true that I love my church and my bank.  What is wrong with that?”

Mattie Ross may have become one of my favorite fictional characters of all time.  Don’t get me wrong.  Rooster Cogburn holds his own in True Grit.  But, a one-eyed gun-slinging drunk is no match for a young, well-educated Presbyterian from Yell County.

The 5 Points of Mattie Ross … Good theology, a good read, or both?  You decide.  For me, I would have ridden into Indian Territory with her for the engaging conversation and theology lessons alone. Or, in the words of Mattie Ross, “There you have it.  It was good for Paul and Silas and it is good enough for me.  It is good enough for you too.”

The Rev. John Clayton is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and is pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Ft. Smith, Ark. Covenant is one of the newer PCA congregations as it was formally particularized as a church on December 15, 2013. This article appeared on John blog and is used with permission.