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REALIST APPROACH TO MIRACLES - Coggle Diagram
REALIST APPROACH TO MIRACLES
SCIENTIFIC
The best scientific theories have give us true descriptions of the world
These theories also give us true descriptions of things we believe to exist but cannot observe e.g quarks
The world is mind-independent- the world exists the wayit does regardless of what we think about the matter
MIRACLES
Are a real part of what happens in the world
They are brought about by God or by someone who is empowered by him e.g Moses, and are evidence of his existence and care for the world
Are objective(mind-independent)
MIRACLES AS AN EXTRAORDINARY COINCIDENCE OF A BENEFICIAL NATURE
Juliane Kopcke -survived a plane crash that killed all other 65 passengers, survived 9 day journey in jungle with severe injuries
Extraordinary odds against her survival
problems with describing these as miracles- why would god choose to save these people and ignore others,
West side baptist church- explosion demolished church and would have killed choir but all 15 members were late
MIRACLES AS AN EVENT BROUGHT ABOUT BY A SPIRITUAL POWER, WORKING THROUGH PEOPLE
Category significant religiously as bible contains number of accounts of god acting through individuals, e.g Moses (EXODUS 7:8)
demonstrates divine power and compassion (God saving Israelites through Moses)
the performance of at least 2 miracles is an essential precondition of canonisation
MIRACLES AS A VIOLATION OF NATURAL LAW
Natural law defines what is possible and not possible for nature to do on its own
miracle means something that couldn't have happened if nature alone was at work, Lois an event brought about by an intervention of a supernatural power(GOD)
HUME: his definition of a miracle- 'A transgression of a law of nature by a particular violation of the deity'
SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE VIEWS FOR RELIGION
BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE - VALUE OF MIRACLES FOR RELIGIOUS FAITH:
Gospels record many miracles brought about my Jesus himself including those of healing, exorcism, resuscitations and nature ones
described by New Testament writers as 'dunameis', 'terata' and 'semeia' (powerful deeds, wonders & signs)
all miracles performed by Jesus point to the resurrection, the foundation of christianity alone
ST PAUL- if christ was not raised, faith is futile (as there can be no resurrection for the dead)
GOD INTERVENES PROVIDENTIALLY AS A DEMONSTRATION OF POWER & LOVE:
doctrine of gods providence means he is believed to care for his creation
omnipotent & omnibenevolent means he has power and love to intervene through general and special revelation
Gods interventions match up to Humes definition of miracles , but he clearly believes they dont occur
MIRACLES AS ACTIONS OF OMIPOTENT/BENEVOLENT GOD RAISES PROBLEM OF EVIL:
inconsistent triad led wiles to reject realist understanding of miracles
big problem with miracles is the selectivity- why would god select some to be recipients of miracles and not others
why should some humans have the power to perform miracles
Keith Ward responds to this by saying miracles have a wider purpose than just being selective demonstrations of gods power
miracles have universal significance and not selective because it discloses to humanity Gods intentions for the universe (e.g resurrection of Jesus= fulfilment after death)
when a miracle is brought about through an individual, this is because the power to bring about miracles is always available in humans
they can only make use of it If they fully open themselves up to God
The power to perform miracles are therefore both natural and supernatural, but not interventionist
WARD therefore sees miracles as epiphanies of the spirit, meaning they show gods intentions for humanity, and NOT him tinkering with his creations
PROBLEMS WITH THIS APPROACH
Encourages 'god of the gaps' approach
Todays science doesnt accept this concept of violation, since it sees the laws of nature as:
descriptive(based on experience through observation)
probabilistic (showing what's likely to happen as opposed to what will definitely happen
Hick addresses this issue
If the concept of violation is accepted, then its likely that †he evidence to support the miracle will outweigh the evidence supporting the natural law that is said to be breached?
If such intervention is an act of Gods will, why is there so much suffering?