The Parable Of The Confident Preacher, by Scott Shirley

One night a preacher had a dream and was visited by 3 people. The first of the visitors was the Apostle Paul. The preacher introduced himself and Paul did likewise. The preacher immediately began telling Paul how he had been teaching his congregation about Paul’s wisdom for many years. Paul asked him, if he didn’t mind, to give a brief summary of what he had been telling his congregation. Of course the preacher didn’t mind. He thought for a while and, as quickly as possible, gave Paul an overview of his understanding of Paul’s teachings.

When the preacher was finished Paul smiled and told him that he did a fine job but was in error on many points. Paul began to tell the preacher exactly where his errors were but was interrupted. The preacher refused to let Paul continue because he knew that if this visionary Paul was trying to correct his understanding of Paul’s teaching (an understanding gleaned from many years of Bible study) then it must not be the real Paul. So, with a dismissive wave of the preacher’s hand, Paul disappeared.


The next to visit was Jesus Christ himself. The preacher was so excited. Could it really be Jesus? The preacher wanted to make sure this was the real Jesus and not just another visionary creation so he decided to ask him some deep theological questions. The preacher asked about worship and salvation, crucifixion and resurrection, gospel and parables. And Jesus answered them all. 

Much to the preacher’s disappointment, it was obvious he was in the presence of another phony. This wasn’t the real Jesus because this Jesus, like the phony Paul, didn’t seem to understand even some of the basics that any good Christian should know. This visionary Jesus must have read a different Bible. He is wrong about too many things. So like visionary Paul, visionary Jesus was dismissed.

The last visitor arrived surrounded by thunder and lightning, clouds and fire. It was God Almighty and the preacher fell on his knees out of fear and reverence. With all the hoopla surrounding His entrance, the preacher knew this had to be the real thing. Paul and Jesus had come into his dream with little fanfare. But God knew how to make an entrance. 

The preacher remained on his knees with his head bowed and asked God some questions. God started answering and the preacher was filled with confidence that this was the one true and living God. When he was finished answering, God asked the preacher to stand and look him in the eyes because he wished to tell him how much he loved him. 

Instantly the preacher knew he had been duped again. The Bible says that no man can look into the face of God and live. Like Paul and Jesus, this visionary God was a phony. The preacher told God he knew he was a phony and God looked very dejected. God told the preacher he was sorry for failing him. 

God then went on to explain that he was trying to give him the answers he thought he wanted to hear so he wouldn’t dismiss him like he had done with Paul and Jesus. God said, “I was afraid if I answered in a way that didn’t match up with your view of truth, you would wave me off too.   I didn't want to be responsible for turning you into an atheist."