Raising Lazarus from the Raising Lazarus from the deaddead

Moses parting the Red Moses parting the Red SeaSea

Jesus making a blind Jesus making a blind man seeman see

Richard Hammond Richard Hammond Surviving 280mph crashSurviving 280mph crash

Liverpool winning the Liverpool winning the Euro Euro

Miraculous events like these pose 2 Miraculous events like these pose 2 challenges to the believer: challenges to the believer:

1)1) is the idea of a miracle a coherent one? is the idea of a miracle a coherent one?

2)2) is it rational to believe in miracles?is it rational to believe in miracles? Miracles lie at the heart of Christian Miracles lie at the heart of Christian

Belief, 1st in the virgin birth of Jesus, and Belief, 1st in the virgin birth of Jesus, and 2ndly in his resurrection after his 2ndly in his resurrection after his crucifixion. Both of these events confirm crucifixion. Both of these events confirm that Jesus was not a mere prophet or that Jesus was not a mere prophet or spiritual leader but he was the son of spiritual leader but he was the son of God. God.

We must ask ourselves what is a miracle We must ask ourselves what is a miracle and what makes an event a miraculous and what makes an event a miraculous one. one.

In 1997 an unemployed Welsh miner dreamt of winning the In 1997 an unemployed Welsh miner dreamt of winning the lottery. The next week he correctly chose five numbers and the lottery. The next week he correctly chose five numbers and the bonus ball, earning £100,000.bonus ball, earning £100,000.

In 1936 a school prayed for the safe recovery of a fellow pupil who In 1936 a school prayed for the safe recovery of a fellow pupil who had recently developed cancer. The girl survived against all odds had recently developed cancer. The girl survived against all odds and lived well into her seventies. and lived well into her seventies.

In 1945 a British pilot was shot down over Germany and fell In 1945 a British pilot was shot down over Germany and fell 10,000 feet without a parachute. He landed with only a few minor 10,000 feet without a parachute. He landed with only a few minor injuries. injuries.

In 1917 in the Portuguese village of Fatima 2 children saw the In 1917 in the Portuguese village of Fatima 2 children saw the Virgin Mary. A crowd of thousands gathered in the afternoon and Virgin Mary. A crowd of thousands gathered in the afternoon and watched the sun spin violently and fall from the sky.watched the sun spin violently and fall from the sky.

In 1995 an effigy in India was seen to ‘drink’ milk, thus fulfilling a In 1995 an effigy in India was seen to ‘drink’ milk, thus fulfilling a 2,000 year old prophecy. 2,000 year old prophecy.

In Nebraska in 1950 the members of a church choir all arrived 10 In Nebraska in 1950 the members of a church choir all arrived 10 minutes late for their weekly practice, something that had never minutes late for their weekly practice, something that had never happened before. They found that just before they arrived the happened before. They found that just before they arrived the church had been destroyed by a huge explosion, which would church had been destroyed by a huge explosion, which would have killed them all if they’d been on time. have killed them all if they’d been on time.

““A Miracle occurs when the world is A Miracle occurs when the world is not left to itself, when something not left to itself, when something

distinct from the natural order as a distinct from the natural order as a whole intrudes into it”whole intrudes into it”

(Mackie, 1982)(Mackie, 1982)

There seems to be a broad agreement amongst scholars that a miracle must have the following three characteristics:It must break the laws of nature.

It must have a purpose and significance

It must have the possibility of a religious interpretation.

Miracles are a type of religious experience, in that they are attributed to the supernatural power of God.

Miracles have always had the power to convert people (revelation, St Paul, Muhammad, Bernadette) and to confirm religious belief, and there are thousands of testimonies given down the ages of people who have claimed to have experienced miracles.

For St Thomas For St Thomas Aquinas there were Aquinas there were 3 types of miracles.3 types of miracles.

Events done by God, Events done by God, which nature could which nature could never do.never do.

Events done by God, Events done by God, which nature could which nature could do, but not in that do, but not in that order.order.

Events done by God, Events done by God, which nature can which nature can do, but God does do, but God does without the use of without the use of natural laws. natural laws.

Events done by God, which Events done by God, which nature could never do !nature could never do !

Stopping the Sun (Joshua Stopping the Sun (Joshua 10:13)10:13)

Parting of the red sea Parting of the red sea (Exodus 14:21).(Exodus 14:21).

Moses stretched out his Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters into dry land. The waters were divided, and the were divided, and the Israelites went through Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on with a wall of water on their right and on their their right and on their left. left.

Events done by God, which Events done by God, which nature could do but not in nature could do but not in

that order.that order. Healing of Paralysis and exorcisms (Mark 1 : 31)Healing of Paralysis and exorcisms (Mark 1 : 31) Jesus Heals ManyJesus Heals Many As soon as they left the synagogue, they went As soon as they left the synagogue, they went

with James and John to the home of Simon and with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. to wait on them.

That evening after sunset the people brought to That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he the demons speak because they knew who he was. was.

Events which nature can Events which nature can do , but God does without do , but God does without the use of natural Laws.the use of natural Laws.

Healing by the forgiving of sins ( Mark 2:5)Healing by the forgiving of sins ( Mark 2:5) Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed ManJesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the

people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left. Some men came, large numbers that there was no room left. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man. Since they could not get bringing to him a paralyzed man. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" never seen anything like this!"

Such an event would take place in the natural order of things Such an event would take place in the natural order of things but the means by which God brings it about characterises as but the means by which God brings it about characterises as a miracle.a miracle.

Aquinas is Aquinas is suggesting an suggesting an Interventionist Interventionist God, God, who only acts who only acts on certain almost on certain almost random occasions.random occasions.

A God who is in A God who is in effect a little more effect a little more than a spectator of than a spectator of human affairs. human affairs.

The Problem of the Natural The Problem of the Natural Laws!Laws!

Aquinas’s argument is based on the idea Aquinas’s argument is based on the idea that God breaks the natural laws.that God breaks the natural laws.

Problem = we may not know all natural Problem = we may not know all natural laws, nor how they operate, we might not, laws, nor how they operate, we might not, therefore be able to tell if a natural law has therefore be able to tell if a natural law has been broken or not. been broken or not.

However Richard Swinburne says that the However Richard Swinburne says that the laws of nature are reasonably predictable laws of nature are reasonably predictable and that if an apparently ‘impossible’ event and that if an apparently ‘impossible’ event happens, then it is fair to call it a miracle.happens, then it is fair to call it a miracle.

Richard Swinburne:Richard Swinburne:

Swinburne believes that :Swinburne believes that :evidence does exist that evidence does exist that Miracles can occur Miracles can occur

evidence does exist that evidence does exist that Miracles can be the Miracles can be the result of a deity, of God result of a deity, of God

The event must be contrary to the laws The event must be contrary to the laws of nature and with no evidence that it of nature and with no evidence that it could be repeated under similar could be repeated under similar circumstances. circumstances.

The event must be seen as the result of The event must be seen as the result of the intervention or action of a God who the intervention or action of a God who is not a material being.is not a material being.

Swinburne concludes that there is no Swinburne concludes that there is no logical impossibility in there being an logical impossibility in there being an event that satisfies his conditions. event that satisfies his conditions.

He does not offer evidence that any He does not offer evidence that any such event has ever occurred. He only such event has ever occurred. He only argues that Miracles could occur.argues that Miracles could occur.

R.F Holland suggests that Miracles are R.F Holland suggests that Miracles are nothing more than an nothing more than an extraordinary extraordinary coincidence coincidence that are seen in a religious that are seen in a religious way.way.

According to Holland According to Holland ‘A coincidence can ‘A coincidence can be taken as a sign and called a miracle.’ be taken as a sign and called a miracle.’

However, this could make the However, this could make the interpretation of a miracle dependent on interpretation of a miracle dependent on personal experience, and therefore personal experience, and therefore subjective, which will vary from person to subjective, which will vary from person to person: Hick’s ‘bliks’.. person: Hick’s ‘bliks’..

Mel Thompson gives the following example:

‘In July 1995, a Roman Catholic priest suffered a severe stroke and was not expected to live. A fellow priest took the 300 year old mummified hand of an English Martyr (St Edmond Arrow smith) and placed it on his forehead while he was in hospital. The hand,

apparently hacked from St Edmond’s body in 1679 when he was hanged,

drawn and quartered, has long been regarded as able to bring about miracles. The priest recovered.’

In this example, there is no guarantee that the recovery of the priest is not simply a coincidence – and not even an exceptionally remarkable one at that. There is no sense in which what happened here is outside the bounds of nature.

Realists suggest that miracles are purely for the Realists suggest that miracles are purely for the faithful and that, if there is a God, he would faithful and that, if there is a God, he would indeed make them happen, to increase the faith indeed make them happen, to increase the faith of his people. of his people.

Anti realists, however, say that ‘coincidences’ and Anti realists, however, say that ‘coincidences’ and similar events are not miracles because God similar events are not miracles because God plays no part in them. plays no part in them.

They suggest miracles are events that help They suggest miracles are events that help believers to understand the nature of God, they believers to understand the nature of God, they may be symbolic rather than objectively real may be symbolic rather than objectively real events, and are only properly understood by the events, and are only properly understood by the religious believer.religious believer.

Doubt as to the existence Doubt as to the existence of Natural laws.of Natural laws.

Certain theists would argue that every Certain theists would argue that every single event in the world is totally and single event in the world is totally and directly dependent upon God.directly dependent upon God.

If this is the case it would not make If this is the case it would not make sense to speak of God as intervening.sense to speak of God as intervening.

However, this is not a serious criticism, However, this is not a serious criticism, since the majority of theists would since the majority of theists would accept that it is through natural laws accept that it is through natural laws that God continues to sustain the that God continues to sustain the world. world.

Is the concept of ‘miracle’ a Is the concept of ‘miracle’ a coherent one?coherent one?

The stubborn non-believer would suggest not. The stubborn non-believer would suggest not. There could be alternative explanations to There could be alternative explanations to

supposed miraculous events. supposed miraculous events. Miracles question the ‘omni benevolence’ of Miracles question the ‘omni benevolence’ of

God. Why does God intervene on some God. Why does God intervene on some occasions and not others? (Wiles).occasions and not others? (Wiles).

What criteria is God using to decide when, What criteria is God using to decide when, where and on whom to perform a miracle? where and on whom to perform a miracle?

Also if God is timeless or a temporal then how Also if God is timeless or a temporal then how can he act within time to cause miracles? can he act within time to cause miracles?

In response a believer is likely to say that In response a believer is likely to say that miracles are signs of God’s grace. To the miracles are signs of God’s grace. To the believer God really does act in ‘mysterious believer God really does act in ‘mysterious ways’.ways’.

The believer might also argue that God is in The believer might also argue that God is in time and is everlasting (this is known as God’s time and is everlasting (this is known as God’s immanence). This means God has always immanence). This means God has always existed, and will continue to exist, but it also existed, and will continue to exist, but it also means that he exists in time and hence is able means that he exists in time and hence is able to act upon the universe. to act upon the universe.

Secondly, the believer might argue that Secondly, the believer might argue that because God is omnipotent there are no because God is omnipotent there are no limitations on what he is capable of doing. limitations on what he is capable of doing. Through his omnipotence, God is able to act on Through his omnipotence, God is able to act on the world, and perform miracles, despite being the world, and perform miracles, despite being outside of time. outside of time.

David Hume defined a miracle as ‘David Hume defined a miracle as ‘A A transgression of a law of nature by a transgression of a law of nature by a particular volition of the deity’particular volition of the deity’ and claimed and claimed that that ‘nothing is esteemed a miracle, if it ever ‘nothing is esteemed a miracle, if it ever happen in the common course of nature.’happen in the common course of nature.’

Hume claims that it will always be impossible Hume claims that it will always be impossible to prove that a miracle has happened. to prove that a miracle has happened.

All questions of truth rely on evidence, and All questions of truth rely on evidence, and no testimony of a miracle will ever be no testimony of a miracle will ever be sufficient to establish its truth. sufficient to establish its truth.

““A wise man proportions his belief to the A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence”.evidence”.

ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS EXPLANATIONS

virgin birthvirgin birth – – a lie devised by Mary a lie devised by Mary and her cousin, perhaps with and her cousin, perhaps with Joseph's approval, to cover up Joseph's approval, to cover up becoming pregnant by boyfriend becoming pregnant by boyfriend Joseph.  A unmarried woman Joseph.  A unmarried woman pregnant would be scorned or worse pregnant would be scorned or worse by the Jewish community at that by the Jewish community at that timetime. .

wedding feast-water into winewedding feast-water into wine –Jesus –Jesus innocently discovers there are other urns innocently discovers there are other urns filled with wine during the wedding filled with wine during the wedding reception.  reception. 

  Jesus indicates there is more wine.  Jesus indicates there is more wine.  Bride’s father didn’t want to admit that he Bride’s father didn’t want to admit that he

was keeping his best wine hidden away  was keeping his best wine hidden away  and then said it was just water only to be and then said it was just water only to be found out by Jesus instructing servants to found out by Jesus instructing servants to bring the urns for inspection and so the bring the urns for inspection and so the bride's father lied to cover up his bride's father lied to cover up his cheapness and said it was a miracle.  cheapness and said it was a miracle. 

Jesus would not want to embarrass him by Jesus would not want to embarrass him by claiming it was otherwiseclaiming it was otherwise. .

Walking on waterWalking on water – mirage or low tide – mirage or low tide Cures of the blind, deaf, lepersCures of the blind, deaf, lepers – –

psychological effect- placebo effect psychological effect- placebo effect Multiplication of the loaves and the Multiplication of the loaves and the

fishesfishes – people had the food hidden in the – people had the food hidden in the garments and bags and didn’t want to garments and bags and didn’t want to share with the others as was the custom of share with the others as was the custom of the day.  When they began to offer the few the day.  When they began to offer the few loaves and fishes available people took out loaves and fishes available people took out their own concealed food and even offered their own concealed food and even offered some into the baskets for general some into the baskets for general distribution. distribution.

Raising the dead-LazarusRaising the dead-Lazarus – mistaken – mistaken pronouncement of death-Jesus enters the pronouncement of death-Jesus enters the cave and finds Lazarus with a pulse and cave and finds Lazarus with a pulse and revives him. revives him.

Resurrection--Jesus found in cave by his Resurrection--Jesus found in cave by his followers after the crucifixion.  He was followers after the crucifixion.  He was presumed to be dead.  When they arrived presumed to be dead.  When they arrived they find that he is not.  Fearing that the they find that he is not.  Fearing that the Romans will kill him if they find out they Romans will kill him if they find out they remove him from the cave and he is taken remove him from the cave and he is taken away to another town by followers and away to another town by followers and given another identity- Story of his given another identity- Story of his resurrection and ascension made up by his resurrection and ascension made up by his followers to gain more supporters and followers to gain more supporters and avoid the Christ  being hunted and killed.  avoid the Christ  being hunted and killed.  

Hume proposed 4 grounds for disbelieving the evidence we have for miracles:

There is not to be found in all history, any miracle attested by a sufficient number of men, of such unquestioned good sense, education and learning, as to secure us against all delusion.

The passion of surprise and wonder, arising from miracles…gives a tendency towards belief of those events…A religionist may be an enthusiast and imagines he sees what has no reality.

It forms a strong presumption against all supernatural and miraculous relations, that they are observed chiefly to abound amongst ignorant and barbarous nations.

In matters of religion, whatever is different is contrary...every miracle, therefore, pretended to have been wrought in any of these religions…destroys the credit of those miracles.

1) Hume’s 4 points are too general to be regarded as convincing evidence.

2) Hume does not explain what would constitute a sufficient number or what unquestioned good sense, education and learning actually mean.

3) Do ONLY religious people see miracles? If so does the fact that they are religious make them unreliable?

4) Hume claims miracles are mainly observed in ‘ignorant and barbarous’ nations, yet even in Hume’s time the countries that reported the most miracles were France and Italy. Did he consider them ignorant and barbarous?

5) Is it not possible for God to work miracles for all people, not just Christians?

Modern Philosophers such as Swinburne, have been prepared to consider the possibility that the best explanation for an event which defies the laws of nature is indeed a miracle.

It is wrong simply to assume that miracles do not occur, because they cannot be scientifically proven.

Principle of Okham’s Razor can be applied here – this principle argues that the simplest explanation for an unusual event is generally the most philosophically viable explanation.

Swinburne also argues that as a principle of credulity, we should normally accept what people tell us to be the truth, unless we have good evidence that they are mistaken.

Assuming that we have established that it is possible for miracles to occur, there remain 3 criticisms as to whether or not any miracles have in fact occurred:

•Some miracle accounts appear pointless.

•Other miracle accounts should be rejected on moral grounds.

•Others are not supported by sufficient evidence.

Certain miracles may be incompatible with the justice and love of God.

Many miracle accounts involve God intervening in the world to bring about some benefit to those who worship him.

If God is all loving and just, however, surely he would wish to help his followers equally.

Why does he then choose to intervene by answering the prayers of some, yet not others?

Unless it can be proved that Miracles are only effected for the benefit of the righteous, God would seem to be acting unfairly.

Regarding Judaism, can it be that all those who were rescued in the Exodus (people who were portrayed in the Bible as sinful) were morally superior to the 6 million who died in the holocaust.

There is no certain answer as to whether or not miracles actually occur and given their unverifiability, there is no decisive reason why it may not even be possible that miracles are the work of unseen beings or aliens, or are the result of undiscovered powers within the human mind. In the light of this, then, perhaps the most that can be said is that a miracle is an event that is interpreted within the context of religious belief and faith as an act of God. This definition is sufficiently inclusive to cover events that are not violations of a natural law but are understood by religious believers to have religious significance and to be, in some way, the result of God’s direct, personal and interventionist action in the world, or in the lives of believers.