LO: I will know what is meant by contingency miraclesI will begin to revise what has been covered in the unit on Miracles so far

Hmk: Remember, assessment on Miracles is next Thursday 4th

Starter: What do these images all have in common?

Contingency miracles – Tillich Contingency definition: A miracle is a sign pointing towards God

(it has religious significance)

Active reading: Page 342-345Prepare answers to the following. Some will be asked to share

with the rest of the group: Tillich’s definition of miracles and what he says regarding the

nature and role of miracles What are the characteristics of miracles which Tillich

identifies? According to Tillich, how are contingency miracles different

from ordinary experiences?

AnalysisCriticism: Issue of interpretation. Can be varied and

mistaken.Criticism: Claims of miracles can be difficult to verify. E.g.

how do we know that an illness didn’t just heal itself?Response: Look at the effects of the miracle to help verify

(C.f. William James and Bertrand Russell from Religious Experience)

Response: Faith issue. God is pleased with people who have faith.

“I find your lack of faith

disturbing!”

Concluding commentsWhat is your view with regards to the topic of

miracles?

Key questionsWhat is a miracle?Do miracles happen?How at all, if possible, is the idea of miracles

reconciled with the idea of evil and suffering

Overview of moduleKnow and understand the main definitions given to the concept

of miracleExplain Hume’s views on miracles including criticisms of the

concept of miracleAssess whether Hume’s criticisms of miracles are successfulUnderstand the concept of miracle as presented in the BibleExplain and assess the view of Wiles that miracles would lead to

an arbitrary and partisan God.Explain modern views on the concept of miraclesAssess whether modern people can be expected to believe in

miraclesExplain the connection between miracles and the problem of

evilAssess whether a belief in miracles solves or adds to the

problem of evil

Terminology Guess who? Pair up Pick a scholar from the unit on Miracles for your opponent, write

it on the post it note, and stick it on your partners head WITHOUT THEM SEEING IT!

Take it in turns to ask questions about the views of this scholar. However, only ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers may be given.

If someone asks a question and the answer is ‘yes’ then they get to ask another question.

If the answer is no, then it is the other persons turn to ask questions

First person to guess correctly wins!

A chance to test each other http://www.teachit.co.uk/custom_content/timer/timer.html

Revision – Speed teach

Know and understand the main definitions given to the concept of miracle

Explain Hume’s views on miracles including criticisms of the concept of miracle

Assess whether Hume’s criticisms of miracles are successfulUnderstand the concept of miracle as presented in the BibleExplain and assess the view of Wiles that miracles would lead to an

arbitrary and partisan God.Explain modern views on the concept of miraclesAssess whether modern people can be expected to believe in miraclesExplain the connection between miracles and the problem of evilAssess whether a belief in miracles solves or adds to the problem of evil

Hot SeatingStudents take the ‘hot-seat’ and answer questions from the class