In “What about Miracles?” author John Polkinghorne seeks to define the concept of a miracle, and establish its existence through Christianity’s cornerstone miracle: the Resurrection of Jesus. At its root, a miracle is defined as an act or occurrence that inspires astonishment. Further exploration of miracles seems to attach significance to what may otherwise be simple coincidences. Polkinghorne explains that it is in the synchronization of two seemingly unrelated events that acts to cause amazement, leading some to believe “the course of nature has been violently interrupted” (Polkinghorne 99). Skeptics such as David Hume, who believes that because the concept of a miracle defies the laws of nature, its existence is impossible, reject this. Polkinghorne illustrates this with the example of Jesus’ words calming a threatening storm. Although one could see this as the storm settling to Jesus as merely coincidence, it is much more significant to view it in the lens of a miracle occurring, one that …show more content…
Existing outside of the realm of science and in the world of theology, many have difficulty accepting miracles as reality without quantitative evidence. In a world where we seek evidence to establish fact, it is difficult to rely on faith alone. Many also struggle with the idea that since miracles are an act of God, why would God act in a way that goes in opposition of established divine law? Would this not be contradictory? God must be consistent above all, and the idea of a contradiction appears to some as a flaw in what should be a perfect system. Polkinghorne sees miracles not as a change in divine law, which to some implies contradiction, but a change in the consequences of these laws, like the vaporization of liquid water at 100º C. In other words, miracles don’t “break” rules, but take place in ways that act differently in response to the
Hume defines the laws of nature to be what has been “uniformly” observed by mankind, such as the laws of identity and gravity. He views society as being far to liberal in what they consider to be a miracle. He gives the reader four ideas to support his philosophy in defining a true miracle, or the belief in a miracle. These points leads us to believe that there has never been a miraculous event established. Hume’s first reason in contradicting a miracle is, in all of history there has not been a miraculous event with a sufficient number of witnesses. He questions the integrity of the men and the reputation in which they hold in society. If their reputation holds great integrity, then and only then can we have full assurance in the testimony of men. Hume is constantly asking throughout the passage questions to support proof for a miracle. He asks questions such as this; Who is qualified? Who has...
Briggs, D. (2013). In age of Oprah, belief in miracles rises. Christian Century, 130(2), 15-16.
McGrew, Timothy, "Miracles", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2010 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = .
Hume strongly depends on the laws of nature to disprove miracles because it is something that he knows will hold up through experience. Even if something happens that is extremely rare, for example, snow in June, we can disprove this as a miracle because it has been our experience in life that the weather is never constant and under extreme conditions we can get very cold weather during the summer. He is so skeptical against miracles, that he says he cannot even believe someone claiming to have witnessed a miracle, without first examining their reason for making such a claim.
"The modern masters promise very little.. But these philosophers .. have indeed performed miracles.. They penetrate into the recesses of nature and show how she works in her hiding-places. They ascend into the heavens; they have discovered how the blood circulates, and the nature of the air we breath. They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers; they can command the thunders of heaven, mimic the earthquake, and even mock the invisible world of its own shadows"(47).
angston Hughes wrote “Salvation” which is a short essay where he explains how religion entered into his life in his Aunt’s church and briefly describes his beliefs based on that experience. This was an important event in his life because his Aunt told him that something happens inside of a person once they are saved. She told him that he would see, hear and feel Jesus! Hughes was thirteen at the time and believed that Jesus would appear to him in front of the church.
So why does the existence of miracles have any meaning at all? Belief in miracles helps to bring a sense of the divine existence of God to those who believe in a material way. Miracles are a way for signs from God to be transferred to mankind, in a way that we are able to understand. These miracles or signs from God can help to show divine favour, and to support our moral beliefs and ideology, to let us know that we are on the path of righteousness for those who believe. But what then, constitutes a miracle? A miracle, according to Hume, is a violation of the laws of nature, something that cannot happen, but does. (Hume, 1777,E10.12) I believe that Hume believes that the the laws of nature, cannot ever be violated, for if one believes that this is possible, then the laws of nature are fallible and belief in the laws of nature which should be unalterable, would no longer apply. It is therefore, far more reasonable to believe that the laws of nature, which have proven themselves over and over again, are in fact to be believed and accepted over any possiblity for the existence of a miracle.
Polkinghorne describes as “…see[ing] the world as creation is to believe that the mind of God lies behind its marvelous order and the will of God behind its fruitful history.” (555). He also believes that it is the human mind that makes the necessary and sometimes illogical leaps that has made science possible, and although science cannot explain the mind, it can be explained because humans are made in God’s image. These leaps are made so that humans can have some understanding of the world they live in, and even to see the universe as a creation and see the intelligent design woven into its fabric is not establishing that the divine being that created the universe plays with each part separately. Polkinghorne sees this as assuming God as a “grand Ordainer”, which does not control everything, but instead gives it the potential, within
In the excerpt, “Salvation” by Langston Hughes, the narrator evaluates his religious experience in chronological order from an event that occurred in his life when he was just 12 years old. The young narrator who is 12, attended a religious resurgence with his aunt in the hope to accept Jesus into his life. Langston did not have any religious coming to god moments like the other children and pretended to be “saved” due to the pressure of being the last child. This forced him to not believe in Jesus since he didn't come to help him.
The primary set of contradictions present in the Christian Science are that though God's creations including human beings are flawless and appear to be the spiritual likeness of the Divine, yet evils such as disease, death, and sin are not a part of fundamental reality. The faith further teaches that the said evils are the result of staying away from the original teachings of God. To overcome such a dilemma, the Christian Science offers prayer as the primary and...
Writer and member of the 1920’s literary movement, Langston Hughes, in his autobiographical essay, Salvation, elucidates the loss of innocence and faith due to the pressure of accepting a concept that he has yet to acknowledge. Hughes’ purpose is to describe his childhood experience of the burden to be saved by Jesus, resulting in his loss of faith. He adopts a solemn, yet disappointing tone to convey his childhood event and argues the unqualified religious pressure.
“Humour is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it”. The story “Salvation” was written by Langston Hughes. "Salvation," was published as a chapter in his autobiographical work “The Big Sea”, and first published in 1940. The main characters in the story are Aunt Reed, Westly, Minister and Langston. In this story Hughes describe that his religious aunt took him to a special church meeting when he was twelve years old. ". Aunt Reed who is the nun of church, has taken him to the church for "Salvation" purpose. Salvation is the process of saving from sins which is the belief of Christians . It was a congregational prayer ceremony, all the young ones sit on the benches. Westly and himself sat on the same benches. Aunt Reed told
Faith and imagination is all about truth and the belief in a higher power beyond man himself. Faith and imagination binds the power of God’s existence. However, in lack of evidence and that which is unforeseen; consequently, if we know the value of life and understand that which is right and wrong; it truly acknowledges God’s presence among us. when people reference a “miracle” has happened; most people that hold faith as a powerful source don’t just assume the miracle came out of nowhere without some concept of a divine attribute connected to faith. A miracle is not an act based purely on a violation of natural law, but an act of God’s law and his true existence. And if man is to find his true purpose of his existence and fulfilling his life, he must adopt faith and reason.
Let me ask you a question, do you believe in miracles? Or, more appropriately, do you consider, that in today’s scientific era, it is illogical to relate a fact out of common sense, to one that would establish a witness for the intervention of a supernatural being? Here’s a moment to think a about it. Let me guess, you’re sitting there trying to make up your mind. Don’t worry; you’re not the first person that does not believe in miracles. In the past, some two centuries ago, Scottish philosopher David Hume did not believe either. And probably you have good reason not to either. But, let’s not diverse.
Taliaferro, C. (1990). Water into Wine: An Investigation of the Concept of Miracle. Modern Theology, 6(4), 414-415. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.