Are Miracles Possible?
The primary objection to the possibility of miracles comes from the belief that miracles cannot be explained by science. It is correct to say that science cannot explain miracles, but it does not follow that miracles, therefore, are impossible. Science deals with the natural world in which events can be repeated and tested. Miracles, however, are not natural, they are supernatural.
Definition of Miracles
In answering this question “Are miracles possible?” we should first understand what a miracle is. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines a miracle as “an extraordinary event manifesting divine origin in human affairs.”
A Story
Let me tell you a story that will illustrate this point. This is the story of a flower, a dog, a man, and God. A flower and a dog were sunning themselves one day in a field. The dog was thirsty and said, “I think I am going to run over to the brook to get a drink.” The flower said, “There is no such thing as running. You have to bloom where you are planted.” The dog hops up and runs over to the brook. The flower says, “It’s a miracle.”
Now if a flower were to run over to the brook to get a drink that would be a miracle. But it is perfectly normal for a dog to do so.
A few months later, a dog overhears his master say, “I want to go duck hunting tomorrow. I think I will look into the newspaper to see what the weather will be like tomorrow.” The dog thinks, “There is no such thing as finding out what the weather will be before it happens.” And newspapers are only good for potty training. But lo and behold, the man opens the newspaper which indicates that the weather will be sunny tomorrow. And he plans to go duck hunting. The next day, as the dog is sitting besides the man and the weather is sunny, he realizes that the weather report was correct and says, “It’s a miracle.”
While the weather was beautiful, the lake temperature hovered barely above freezing. This caused a great deal of discussion when the duck fell 50 yards offshore. Neither the dog nor the man wanted to get wet. Suddenly God shows up. He says, “No body needs to get hypothermia today. I’ll just walk on the water and get the duck for you.” The man protests, “Nobody can walk on water. That’s impossible.” As God walks on the water to retrieve the duck, the man cries out. “That is a miracle.”
Now if the man managed to escape gravity and walked on water, that would be a miracle. But it is perfectly natural for God to do it.
Miracles Rest on Belief in God
The point of my telling this story is that what seems like a miracle to us is not a miracle to God. God is all powerful. The question of miracles rests on belief in God. If there is a God and more specifically if the God of the Bible is real, then miracles are possible.
God and Miracles
If miracles are possible, the question is, “Did God perform miracles?” Although miracles are not common, the Bible recounts several miracles at special times in history. Some of the better known miracles occurred at the time of Moses, like the parting the sea and at the time of Jesus — His walking on the water and healing the blind and the sick. But the most important miracle is the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection is the central point of Christianity. By rising from the dead, Jesus overcame death and showed us that we also can have eternal life in heaven.
Overcoming the Barrier of Miracles – An Example
Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Michael Yang, struggled with the concept of miracles. Before his faith was real, Yang states:
I could not believe the virgin birth, did not understand how water could be turned into wine and had many other questions.
After experiencing significant personal setbacks, however, Yang was able to overcome his doubts about miracles.
I studied the Bible, engaged in church and with other believers and repented. One day, at a revival meeting at my church, I felt the Holy Spirit come into me. It was an amazing experience. For the first time, I committed to follow Jesus as my Lord not just a savior. I became a “born again” Christian.
Why Does God Perform Miracles?
If miracles are real, the next question is. “Why does God perform miracles?” It is evident from the Bible that God performs miracles for two reasons: 1) to authenticate the message as something God deems is important for us humans to understand and 2) to authenticate the messenger as acting on God’s behalf.
From the many miracles performed by Christ and from the words He spoke, God’s message is clear. Christ is divine. We can be reconciled with God by putting our faith and trust in Him.
John 20:30-31 sums it up this way:
Jesus did many miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
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