How can miracles happen? - Confident Christianity Module 14

Summary

This video script explores the significance of miracles in Christianity, highlighting their biblical foundations and their role in confirming Jesus' divinity. The script addresses common objections to the belief in miracles, such as lack of evidence, natural explanations, and conflict with scientific laws, providing compelling responses rooted in faith and reason. It emphasizes the importance of the resurrection as a central miracle and encourages interactive exercises like group discussions and role plays to help learners defend their beliefs and engage with challenging questions about miracles and Jesus' divine nature.

Takeaways

• 😀 Miracles are essential to Christianity and are deeply embedded in both the Old and New Testaments, from creation to the resurrection.
• 😀 Jesus’s miracles are key proof of His divinity, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah performing miraculous acts.
• 😀 The resurrection of Jesus is the central miracle in Christianity and is foundational to the Christian faith.
• 😀 Addressing objections to miracles is important for defending the credibility of biblical events and the authority of Scripture.
• 😀 One objection is that there is no evidence for miracles, but eyewitness testimony and historical accounts provide strong support.
• 😀 Some people argue that natural explanations exist for some miracles, but this doesn't negate the possibility of God's involvement through natural events.
• 😀 Science is descriptive, not prescriptive, and scientific theories can be disproven or adjusted when confronted with new evidence, including miracles.
• 😀 A true scientist, upon encountering evidence of a miracle, would adjust their understanding to fit the facts, possibly considering the existence of God.
• 😀 The claim of never having witnessed a miracle doesn’t disprove their existence, as many historical or scientific facts are accepted on testimony, not personal experience.
• 😀 Miracles in the Bible are rare and occur in specific contexts, such as during the ministries of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, which reflects God's divine timing and purpose.
• 😀 The core question regarding miracles is whether one believes in an all-powerful Creator; if so, miracles become an expected part of the Christian worldview.

Q & A

Why are miracles important in Christianity?

Miracles are essential in Christianity because they are a significant part of the Bible, from the creation story to the new heaven and earth. They serve as signs of God's power, affirm the divinity of Jesus, and are central to the resurrection, which is key to the Christian faith.

How do miracles contribute to the authority of the Bible?

Miracles contribute to the authority of the Bible by being integral to its narrative. They show God's active involvement in the world, affirm the truth of the Bible, and serve as proof of divine intervention, making the Bible more credible and authoritative.

What role do miracles play in Jesus's divinity?

Miracles are key proof of Jesus's divinity. The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would perform miracles, such as restoring sight to the blind and making the lame walk. These miracles confirm that Jesus is the Messiah and God in the flesh.

What objections do people have to the concept of miracles?

There are four major objections to miracles: 1) No evidence they happened, 2) Natural explanations for the events, 3) Miracles go against the laws of science, and 4) Personal disbelief due to never having witnessed a miracle.

How can we address the objection that there is no evidence for miracles?

The evidence for miracles is found in biblical accounts, where many miracles convinced even hardened skeptics. Eyewitnesses who had reasons to disbelieve accepted them as facts, indicating the reliability of the testimony.

What is the response to the objection that natural explanations can account for miracles?

While natural explanations may be possible for some events, this does not negate the role of God. A biblical understanding sees God as the sustainer of the universe, who works through natural events. Furthermore, some miracles defy natural explanations entirely, such as Moses's staff turning into a snake.

Can scientific laws explain miracles?

Scientific theories are descriptive, not prescriptive, meaning they describe what typically happens, not what must happen. Since science cannot explain all phenomena, a true scientist may accept that miracles can occur, especially when there is strong eyewitness evidence.

Why do some people claim they’ve never seen a miracle, and how does this challenge the concept of miracles?

Some argue they've never seen a miracle, but this claim is not a valid objection. Many historical and scientific truths are accepted based on compelling testimony, not personal observation. Miracles are rare in both scripture and history, and their rarity doesn't disprove their occurrence.

What is the central issue raised by the question of whether miracles can happen?

The central issue raised is whether Jesus is God. Belief in an all-powerful God who created and sustains the universe makes miracles, including the virgin birth, healing miracles, and the resurrection, seem plausible and not an intellectual problem.

How can role-playing exercises help in understanding and defending the concept of miracles?

Role-playing exercises allow individuals to practice answering difficult questions about miracles. By taking on roles such as the devil's advocate, participants can develop and refine their ability to defend their beliefs about miracles, enhancing their confidence and understanding.