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Four pastors were in the habit of meeting together to discuss their beliefs, doctrine, and overall theology. For whatever reason, it was always three pastors in agreement against the fourth. One morning, after the usual 3-to-1 “majority rules” discussion, the odd pastor out decided he would appeal to a higher authority.
“Oh, God!” he cried. “I know without a doubt that I’m right and they’re wrong! Please give me a sign to prove it to them, now!” All of a sudden, the beautiful, sunny sky was harshly interrupted by a storm cloud that seemed to build in an instant over the four pastors’ heads. Lightning cracked and thunder peeled across the heavens. Then, as quickly as it materialized, it disappeared.
“If ever there was a sign from God, that was it! See, I knew I was right! I knew it!” But the other three pastors were unrelenting. After all, they pointed out, storms build quickly on hot days.
Undeterred, the chastised pastor prayed again, “Sovereign Lord, I need a bigger, grander sign to show that I am right and they are wrong. Please, O Great God, give me a bigger sign.” Within an instant, four separate storm clouds, very menacing in appearance raced toward one another from separate directions. They formed into one massive cloud and discharged a deafening explosion of lightning that uprooted and inflamed a nearby tree.
“I told you! I told you! I told you! That was an unmistakable sign from God,” hailed the pastor. Once again, the other three pastors dismissed the incident as nothing more than a natural phenomenon.
The poor pastor was incredulous. He fell to his knees and was about to pray again, asking God for an undeniable sign from Heaven when all of a sudden, a voice like the sound of many rushing waters shook the earth and declared with a deafening roar, “He’s right, and you three are wrong!”
The fourth minister looked to the sky with an expression of gratitude. He confidently stood to his feet and placed his hands on his hips. Looking at the other three pastors, he said, “Now what do you have to say?”
“So, what,” shrugged one of the other pastors. “It’s still 3 to 2.”
Topics Illustrated Include:
Argument
Beliefs
Democracy
Doctrine
Evidence
Faith
Miracle
Nature
Pastor
Signs
Theology
Unity
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
