What is a Miracle?

 

Defining the objectivity of a miracle as to demonstrate the authenticity of miracles from a impartial perspective. A miracle can be defined unilaterally based on the objectivity of both a Christian perspective and a secular perspective by examining the key critical elements of each world view standpoint. Designating the primary arguments from both world view stand points to define a miracle will provide a foundation to define the authenticity of miracles and will affirm the true definition and the legitimacy of miracles as to provide supporting evidence to the reality of the supernaturality of miracles. Miracles from an atheist perspective by in large would have to be void of natural causes, moreover a miracle would presumably have to go against the laws of nature.[1] The claim of a miracle only being valid if it has been in violation of a law of nature would only display the ignorance of nature, and therefore placing limitations of nature. What then must be proven from an atheist perspective is the limitations of nature in order to presumably set the threshold for the supernatural. On the other hand, a Christian may supplement the definition of a miracle as an act of God with the purpose of impressing a significant message which bypasses the common expectation of the worldly experience.[2] The temporary suspension of nature by God to perform works would imply that God isn’t always in control of nature itself. Rather, nature is always under the domain and control of God, therefore all acts of nature would be a supernatural occurrence. God commanded the waters of the great deep to burst open.[3] The waters of the great by today’s definition would be an aquifer, which have been known to exist in ancient civilizations and have been studied for their expansive use.[4] In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life he, and along with many other civilizations, experienced flooding on a global scale.[5] While an atheist can return to the explanation of where water came from, what they cannot rationally explain is the simultaneous release of water across the earth. By examining the theory that God is not just on the side lines of nature. Furthermore, when God wants to prove a point, He steps in and changes the perceived normality’s that atheist believe to be the common law of nature to showcase His grandeur. God is always showcasing His grandeur. Nature is in complete obedience of God’s command. He is in direct control of the elements that He created. The natural elements are an extension of His being, like a conductor orchestrating, a small movement of His wrist to produce a desired result. He does this surreptitiously, so as not to bring attention to Himself. Perhaps He does this to leave the human creature stirring at the wonderment of who God is.

[1] Hume D. In: Beauchamp TL, ed. An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. New York, Oxford University Press, 1999, pp 169–186.

[2] Luck, Morgan. 2011. “Defining Miracles: Violations of the Laws of Nature.” Philosophy Compass 6 (2): 133–41. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pif&AN=PHL2169577&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

[3]  Genesis 7:11 (NIV)

[4] Foster SS, Chilton PJ. Groundwater: the processes and global significance of aquifer degradation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2003 Dec 29;358(1440):1957-72. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2003.1380. PMID: 14728791; PMCID: PMC1693287.

[5] Leeming, David A., ‘The flood’, World Mythology: A Very Short Introduction, Very Short Introductions (New York, 2022; online edn, Oxford Academic, 20 Oct. 2022), https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780197548264.003.0004, accessed 23 May 2024.