By Definition Miracles Do Not Occur

By Definition Miracles Do Not Occur

Even in this modern age, belief in the miraculous is widespread and is

a feature of many world religions, including the Christian faith where

miracles have played a significant role.

It is important attempt to define what a miracle is, as this in itself

is a source for debate. Today the term ‘miracle’ in many different

ways and the idea is open to many interpretations.

A miracle can be defined in a number of ways, firstly as an unexpected

change for the better. This centres miracles in people’s treatment of

each other, not necessarily demanding the idea of a creator God,

although it can be interpreted as being God’s action (here a change

can be deemed as a miracle by one, whereas another might not). This is

the only type of miracle that an anti-realist (e.g. Moore, Sutherland

etc) could believe in. in as we use the word is used in many

different ways and is open to many interpretations.

Miracles can also be defined as Religiously Significant ‘natural’

Events, where a believer interprets an event of being of Religious

significance, perhaps rare events like a total eclipse, or more common

one’s such as a rainbow. Events such as these could be caused by God,

either in accordance with natural laws or brought about through

another person. Philosopher John Hick believes that many O.T miracles

were probably natural events that were interpreted in a religious

manner. A difficulty of RSNE as miracles is that it is impossible to

make any claim for them as the element of proof is not there and thus

there is no way of proving it, it is a matter of faith and

interpretation.

Lastly a miracle ca...

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...ough this opens up the question whether such a

God does exist. Furthermore, if as Thomas Aquinas suggested, miracles

might occur within the system of natural activity, then how are we to

tell when a miracle has occurred. In addition to this it should be

pointed out that scientific explanations do not rule out theological

explanations.

I believe that the statement “By definition miracles do not occur” is

simplistic and problematic for many reasons, as there is great

difficulty in actually defining what a miracle is and the arguments

that attempt to prove this, such as Hume’s a priori argument, are

deeply flawed and open to much criticism. Thus I find it is impossible

to dismiss Miracles as false by definition, but believe that the

evidence must be looked at, “a good scientist looks at the evidence”

(Polkinghorne).