Questions tagged [miracles]
Actions of God not explained by normal laws of physics, chemistry, biology, or the natural sciences
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Why did Jesus send the man born blind to the pool of Siloam? [migrated]
When Jesus healed the man born blind in John 9, he sent him to the pool of Siloam:
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ...
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When is it rationally justified for a Christian to say that an anomalous event that has taken place is a miracle?
I've been engaged in a thought-provoking chat discussion with an atheist on the philosophy site. In our conversation, I've been advocating for the idea that there is evidence supporting the existence ...
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Why would Jesus turn water into wine - psychoactive, cancerogenous substance
It has been confirmed scientifically by Oxford Population Health researchers that there is direct link between alcohol consumption and significantly increased likelihood of developing malign types of ...
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According to Catholicism, why are there so few miraculous healings of amputees, if any?
According to Catholicism, why are there so few miraculous healings of amputees, if any?
This question is inspired from another post on this site: What are Christian apologetics refutations of the ...
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Are there any apocryphal writings on the apparent gap between Verses 4 and 5 of John 2?
We see in John 2:3-5, a prelude to the Miracle at Cana:
3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you ...
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What is the special significance of the term ' signs' in relation to the miracles of Jesus?
We read in Jn 6:26:
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
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What scriptural examples exist of people converting to righteousness from overt wickedness on account of a miraculous occurrence (e.g. Paul)?
A brief bit of context (feel free to edit it out if it's not appropriate for the site, but I think it'll help clarify exactly what I'm trying to achieve with this question): I am currently studying ...
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What does Origen mean in his response when Celsus accuses Christ' of using black magic when performing miracles? What is the actual argument?
From the Wikipedia page:
Origen responds to Celsus's accusation that Jesus had performed his miracles using magic rather than divine powers by asserting that, unlike magicians, Jesus had not ...
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Did Jesus work miracles before Cana?
We read in Jn 3:11 that the miracle Jesus worked at Cana was first of the signs that revealed his glory. That would imply that the first miracle done by Jesus in public , was at Cana. But is it not ...
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Which battle won by Judah or the United Kingdom of Israel that was won miraculously had the greatest number of enemy casualties?
Lots of battles were fought in the Bible. Some were won primarily by a miraculous act of God, such as the fall of Jericho in the days of Joshua or the defeat of Sennacherib's Assyrian army in the days ...
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Arius' death was it miraculous or was he poisoned?
Arius' death was it miraculous or was he poisoned?
Arius died in 336, at Constantinople of some gory intestinal disorder. Some believe that his death corresponded to the prayers of the Patriarch of ...
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What was the reason for Jesus choosing the purification jars for his miracle at Cana? [closed]
We read in John 2 how Jesus performed his first miracle :
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited ...
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What are Christian apologetics refutations of the objections posited by the site: Why Won't God Heal Amputees?
The site: Why Won't God Heal Amputees?
Relevant quotes:
Is God real, or is he imaginary?
Is God real, or is he imaginary? It is one of the most important questions you can ask yourself.
If God is ...
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Is it superstitious to have a worldview where supernatural interventions are not just possible but likely?
There was a quickly deleted S.E. post that responded to this question, "is there any way for a rational person to reach the conclusion that Christianity is definitely true?"
The post that ...
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Why was there a decline in the number of reported miracles in the first century?
In a related question, it is stated that the practice of apostolic gifts declined during the lifetimes of the apostles. For example, Norman Geisler in his book Signs & Wonders writes (p. 137):
......
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How do Continuationists rebut Tom Pennington's 7 arguments for Cessationism?
Here is a summarized version of the 7 arguments for Cessationism by Tom Pennington reiterated at the Strange Fire conference (source):
The unique role of miracles - For authentication of the ...
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How do continuationists view each different type of cessationism?
According to Monergism.com:
In Christian theology, cessationism is the view that the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as tongues, prophecy and healing, ceased being practiced early on in ...
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How do Continuationists explain the fact that the vast majority of Christians have never personally experienced "overtly miraculous" spiritual gifts?
As far as I'm aware, most Christians have never personally experienced anything "overtly miraculous", that is, no words of knowledge, no prophecy, no miraculous healings, no dreams, no ...
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Are there publicly accessible before-and-after medical records validating a testimonial of miraculous healing?
Let's say that a person testifies that they were miraculously healed of X. One way to validate their testimony is to have access to the medical records before and after the healing of X took place. ...
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Are there any Christians who are scientists and believe in modern miracles?
Are there any well-known Christian scientists who believe that miracles still happen today?
Of course a Christian scientist, by definition, must believe in at least one miracle -- the resurrection of ...
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What is the biblical basis for Concentric Cessationism?
According to Monergism.com:
In Christian theology, cessationism is the view that the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as tongues, prophecy and healing, ceased being practiced early on in ...
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Christian scholars who have investigated and published on miracles?
I'm mostly familiar with the work of Dr. Craig Keener (Wikipedia, personal website), who has done extensive research on modern miracle accounts. See for example:
Miracles: The Credibility of the New ...
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How do believers in present-day miraculous healings respond to skeptics requesting thorough scientific medical documentation accessible worldwide?
In my previous question Do any Christian groups pray for the sick to get healed of medically incurable diseases?, a user posted this answer. And in response, about some claimed healings, a skeptical ...
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What is the difference between "miraculous" and "supernatural"?
I already asked a question about whether a standard definition for the word miracle exists, but what about the word supernatural? Can something be supernatural and yet not miraculous? Are there ...
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What is the biblical basis for NOT expecting miracles (from God at least) after the apostolic age?
Essentially the opposite of this question: What is the biblical basis for expecting miracles after the apostolic age, including modern times?
Some Christians believe that miracles ceased after the ...
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How do believers in modern-day miracles interpret John 20:29 & 2 Corinthians 5:7 (faith without sight)?
John 20:29 (ESV)
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (ESV)
6 So we are always of ...
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How do Cessationists distinguish between miracles and spiritual gifts? What is the biblical basis for such discernment?
I've heard Cessationists say many times that there is a difference between spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12) and healings & miracles from God.
I have two questions:
On Discernment. How do Cessationists ...
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What is the Catholic view of water being turned into wine at Cana?
What is the Catholic view related to the wedding of Cana being a type of foreshadowing of pre-consecrated wine being turned into the blood of Christ at the time of Eucharistic consecration?
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How do Cessationists who believe in modern-day miracles judge the credibility of modern miracle claims?
Some "hardcore" Cessationists deny all possibility of modern godly miracles. Other Cessationists, who are a bit more open, do believe in the possibility of modern miracles -- it's just that ...
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Do Latter-day Saints expect miracles from their Apostles to authenticate their callings?
2 Corinthians 12:11-12 (ESV):
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. ...
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What is the biblical basis for expecting miracles after the apostolic age, including modern times?
According to believers in modern miracles, what is the biblical basis for expecting modern miraculous / supernatural interventions by God? Are there any passages in Scripture that can justify one's ...
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Are there any peer-reviewed scientific publications lending credence to Christian miracles?
Are there any publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals lending credence to any Christian miracle? For example, a peer-reviewed publication validating some "unexplainable" healing ...
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Do any Christian groups pray for the sick to get healed of medically incurable diseases?
The practice of praying for the sick, anointing them with oil, is based on James 5:13-18 (ESV):
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone ...
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Have any healings during modern revivals been medically confirmed?
Introduction
My question is inspired by the fascinating phenomenon of revivals and the testimonies of
supernatural healings that usually accompany them.
Just to give you an idea, the Wikipedia article ...
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What is the Protestant view on Eucharistic miracles?
From the Wikipedia article on Eucharistic miracles:
In Christianity, a Eucharistic miracle is any miracle involving the Eucharist. In the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, ...
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Is there a standard definition of the word 'miracle' in Christianity?
Simple question: What does the word 'miracle' mean in Christianity? Is there a standard definition, and if so, what is the biblical basis? Or on the contrary, are there multiple definitions, and if so,...
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Is the Holy Spirit more effective at restoring people's mental health than secular therapeutic approaches and treatments?
Mental health is an essential component of a person's well-being and, as everything else in life, it is subject to a plethora of potential maladies, some of which are quite difficult to cure even for ...
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How do Christian apologists defend the credibility of the miracles reported in the gospel accounts?
I'm reading Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy's article on Miracles, and it has an interesting section that presents several objections to the credibility of witnesses that may justify one's being ...
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Are there any accounts of former Pagans being supernaturally reached by God (or an angel) with the Gospel before any human missionary arrived?
Continuing with a series of questions on the eternal fate of the unreached (see here, here, here and here), I would like to ask a question now about the possibility of God Himself reaching unconverted ...
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How do Cessationists interpret Matthew 7:21-23?
Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB):
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me ...
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Which denominations believe in modern angelic interventions?
The Bible has tons of accounts where angelic beings paid a visit to our physical realm to carry out specific assignments. Concerning angels, Satan himself, while tempting Jesus in the desert, cited a ...
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Are there instances of miracles that are officially recognized by non-Catholic denominations?
The Catholic Church is well-known for its strictness in evaluating before officially accepting concrete instances of miracles. According to Wikipedia:
The Catholic Church believes miracles are works ...
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Do Cessationists reject Lee Strobel and Craig S. Keener's books collating modern-day miracle reports?
By books collating modern-day miracle reports I concretely mean Lee Strobel's book The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural (amazon link) and Craig S. Keener's ...
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What is the basis for the different epistemologies of continuationists, cessationists and atheists regarding eyewitness testimonies of miracles?
Preliminaries
From the Wikipedia article on Epistemology:
Epistemology [...] is the branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge. Epistemologists study the nature, origin, and scope of knowledge, ...
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Do any Christian groups or denominations believe that miracle-working faith can be cultivated through prayer and fasting?
I've been putting together an answer to my own question What is an overview of conditional Biblical promises for truth seekers that can be empirically tested in their lifetime?. While doing this ...
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What miracles were reported during the transferral of St. Monica's relics to Rome?
St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, died at Ostia in 387. Her relics are now held in the Basilica of St. Augustine (mother church of the Order of Saint Augustine); they and the sepulchre that ...
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How do continuationists explain the absence of video recordings of undeniable miracles?
A common objection to the belief in the continuation of miracles is the absence of undeniable evidence, such as video recordings, going viral in social media, which is kind of strange given the almost ...
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What are historical examples of (alleged) miracles that were attested to by two or more (self-proclaimed) eyewitnesses?
The resurrection of Jesus is the most famous and obvious one, with the apostles being the eyewitnesses. Latter-day Saints would probably put forth the 3 & 8 witnesses to the miraculous golden ...
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What are the strongest apologetic arguments for the existence of miracles and the supernatural gifts of the Spirit during the apostolic age?
The four gospels, the book of Acts and the epistles by the apostle Paul affirm very clearly that the early Church was endued with power from on high. Christians during the apostolic age had access to ...
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Have a message in tongues and its interpretation ever been verified by an outsider fluent in both languages?
Let's say someone speaks a message in tongues (in language X) to a whole congregation at a church service, and then someone else stands up and speaks the interpretation (in language Y, understood by ...