I need to learn how to make proper illustration in sermons, as well as draw in the attention of young listeners. I think there has been some reluctance, that in order to do so would venture past the security and responsibility to preach God’s very words, but I’m hearing from other preachers that surrounding the main points with such material is helpful. Anyhow, this is one of those things I may use one day:
10. The Road Rage Argument – more people not succumbing to road rage is evidence of God existence. That I don’t succumb to road rage personally is evidence of His existence. Have you ever been stuck behind a long line of soccer moms creeping along in their SUVs drinking Starbucks and talking on their cell phones?
9. The “Stop Looking at Me” Argument – again, this is to do with mankind’s ability to constrain their wrath. How many times a day has a mom or dad heard one of their children say to another “Stop looking at me”? It isn’t simply the words said but the sound that accompanies it. That parents don’t lose their sanity completely from such things is evidence that God exists.
8. The “Stop Touching Me” Argument - this mimics the “Stop Looking at Me Argument”. (These two can be used interchangeably.)
7. The Post Office Argument – Standing in line at the post office as apathetic postal workers shuffle back and forth at a sloth like pace can try even the most patient of souls. That we can do this and still avoid jumping on the counter and wrapping their heads with packing tape and bubble wrap whilst screaming “WHY ARE YOU SO SLOW” is evidence God exist.
6. The Hammered Thumb Argument – at one point or another when one is engaging in their woodworking hobby, or hanging a picture, or taking the DIY approach to home improvement, they will invariably hit their thumb with a hammer. Upon this happening assent is always given to God to where His very name is called out. Moreover God is petitioned with a request to send damnation upon the situation. Not only does this evidence God’s existence it displays an inherent knowledge that God has the ability to damn things.
5. The “How Did They Miss That?” Argument – it would seem that even the most harden atheist finds himself looking upward when viewing (insert name of any given sporting event here) as to ask “why?!!” when a ball is fumbled, or a player fouls out, or gets the red card, or the clock runs down in the final game of the season leaving them with the harsh realization that they have to wait yet another year for it to be “their year”. One looks up as to ask “God, why did this happen. Is their no justice?!” The involuntary action of looking upwards for the answers points to God being there. He is there and He is not silent. (Not silent because He is laughing at the horrible defense in the game.)
4. The Britney Spears Argument – upon seeing the latest footage of Britney Spears on the news the words “Oh My God” are often spoken. This is not only an argument for God’s existence but one against Deism as the phrase “Oh My God” contains the possessive pronoun “my” which indicates a relational aspect between God’s existence and our own.
3. The Dial-Up Argument – For those in this world still on a dial-up internet connection, (yes I know you are out there and maybe reading this albeit 15 hours after clicking on the link that led to this blog) prayers to God for “it” (anything) to download faster are often heard. In some way people are aware of God’s sovereign hand on all situations, including sluggish downloads on slow internet connection and they plead with Him for whatever “it” is to hurry up already!
2. The Windows Argument –.this argument became somewhat outmoded when XP was introduced. However in a bygone era called B.XP (Before XP), the PC user would routinely be met with the now infamous “Blue Wall of Death” and end up calling out God’s name. And like those exampled in the Hammered Thumb Argument requests for damnation (on their computer [and Bill Gates]) were frequent.
*** With the advent of Vista however this argument is now more relevant than ever. Nothing works with Vista, and God is frequently called upon as a result. Requests for damnation at an all time high…
1. The Maxwell House Argument – This is probably my favorite argument. I once heard Greg Koukl I believe it was say that he is “an atheist before his first cup of coffee”. I can certainly identify with such a statement. I think coffee governs a lot of the situations found within the other arguments. So it is my contention that because coffee exist therefore God exist. “I drink, therefore I AM”.
These are just a few of the lesser known arguments for the existence of God. If you find that you have exhausted all efforts in presenting the more popular (as in the reasonable and sound arguments) from the former list, then go for the absurd with the latter.
