Thursday, November 21, 2013

Quotes--Miracles

Do you believe in miracles? It is an interesting question to hear different people answer. Some will say "yes" because they want to believe that God is real and intervening in our lives. Some will say "yes" because they know that God is real and intervening in our lives. Some will say "no" because they believe God no longer intervenes in our lives and some will say no because they don't believe in God at all. Of course there are a million variations on these same themes.

If we are to have a discussion on this topic, I think we first need to define "miracle". Webster says a miracle is "an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs". Most would say a miracle is when something happens that "just shouldn't happen". The Bible has numerous examples. Many center around healing or raising the dead. Some center around providing sustenance. Still some others defy natural laws (walking on water) and prove God's dominion over the elements. I would say the vast majority of "modern miracles" center around health and healing. Doctors say someone won't make it and they make a full recovery, etc. Bottom line, a miracle is when something inexplicable happens that goes against reasoned, empirical, scientific knowledge and someone attributes it to divine intervention. 

It is curious that in order to be a miracle, a human has to attribute it to the divine. Or do they? Is it possible that miracles happen and we don't see them? I guess it depends on if and how God intervenes in our lives. If you don't believe in miracles as I've defined them, how do you explain the inexplicable?


“a discussion about the miraculous quickly devolves to an argument about whether or not one is willing to consider any possibility whatsoever of the supernatural” 
― Francis S. CollinsThe Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief

“I refer to them as miracles-although some may call them fortunate circumstances-because I believe there are no accidents or surprises with God.” 
― Don Piper with Cecil Murphey90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life

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