Miracles: Spinoza & Natural Law

The Argument: miracles (as defined) are possible events, which are identifiable and distinguishable from natural events, whose validity can be investigated by reason and historical inquiry. In other words, the contention I am defending in this series is that miracles are possible and that they are researchable via history and logic.

A Miracle is: "...a specific event that would not have happened if only the natural order had been operating, where the natural order is understood to involve physical entities, their interactions, and the actions and interactions of animals, humans, and beings with powers much like ours," (p. 596, Tim and Lydia McGrew, 2009), following the definition offered by Timothy and Lydia McGrew

Sources:
Audi, Robert. (1999). The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy (2nd Ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press

Craig, W.L., & Moreland, J.P. (2003). Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press

Craig, W.L. (2008). Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (3rd Ed.). Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books

Craig, W.L., & Moreland, J.P. (2009). The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Dembski, W. A. (1998). The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance Through Small Probabilities. Cambridge, NY: Cambridge University Press

Geivett, R.D., & Habermas, G.R. (1997). In Defense of Miracles: A Comprehensive Case for God's Action in History. Downer's Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press

Habermas, G.R., & Moreland, J.P. (1998). Beyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for Immortality. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers

Habermas, G.R., & Licona, M.R. (2004). The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications

Hume, D. (1777). An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.

Lewis, C.S. (1947). Miracles. New York, NY: HarperCollins

Licona, M. (2010). The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach. Nottingham, ENG: InterVarsity Press

Moreland, J.P. (1987). Scaling the Secular City. Grand Rapids: MI, Baker Book House

Spinoza, B. (1670). Tractatus Theologicopoliticus

Category:

Education

Tags:

• miracle
• spinoza
• impossible
• laws
• of
• nature
• natrualism
• miracles
• creation
• atheism
• theism
• jesus

[RealKeenan]

I always thought that miracles were neither provable nor usable in proving christianity since it happens outside of the the boundaries of natural law. if a miracle happened to an atheist or in such a way that it effected future events then it might be usable but miracles are God's intervention in the natural world. if they were permissible within natural law, then they would cease to be miracles.

[telemantros]

@RealKeenan If you look at the definition I provided on miracles it helps: an event that would not have occurred if only the natural order were operating. Within this definition you have the marrying of a supernatural cause inexplicable from natural law, with the natural laws subsuming the inception of the event and carrying it along. In other words, you have an event inexplicable (water turning into wine) that are then subsumed by laws (the wine is digestible, oxidizes etc).

[DasAmericanAtheist]

Interesting that Craig would invoke quantum indeterminacy in a context where it suits his theology...

[telemantros]

@DasAmericanAtheist Ya, he kinda 'points' towards it as an option, but doesn't commit to it. I have to be honest, the potential is important but too many people try to explain everything by quantum mechanics ... : /

[000whiterabbit]

water into Vodka now that would be a real miracle

[telemantros]

@000whiterabbit Water into wine man, water into wine

[matrixlone]

@telemantros thanks man very helpful

[RealKeenan]

@telemantros ah. I see

[DasAmericanAtheist]

@telemantros Yeah...I think there's WAY too much that's not understood about QM to use it as an argument. Likewise, I think there's way too little understood about cosmic origins to use it as an argument either.

[sweeetly]

I think, just like most other things, miracles need to be experienced first hand to be accepted.

The truth of it is then self evident.

It is more to be flexible enough to allow all possibilities.