Twelve Points That Show Christianity is True Owning Your Worldview Considers: By: Dr. Norman Geisler

Building Foundations Apologetics Logical Foundation (Points 1 and 2) Supernatural Foundation (Points 3 through 5) Point 4: Miracles are Possible Historical Foundation (Points 6 through 12) This session will cover point 1 of 12.

Session Goals (Point 4) Review Why are miracles important? Define what miracles are not. Define what miracles are. What is the purpose of a miracle? How are miracle possible? Objections to the idea of miracles.

Review: We are building a case for the Christian worldview. We are using logical and rational tools to explore the exclusivity claims of the Christian worldview. We are also applying those tools to opposing worldview. We reviewed a summary of Apologetic arguments. From philosophy, science, history, morality, etc.

Why are miracles important?

Without Miracles: The Bible cannot be the word of God. The Bible makes explicit claims that miracles occurred. If they didn't occur the Bible is not credible. If any part of the Bible is in error it is no longer inerrant and infallible.

Without Miracles: Jesus cannot be the Son of God (not divine). Jesus performed miracles to prove His claim of deity. Matthew 12:40 Mark 2:10-11 If the miracles are not true then His claims cannot be verified? If His claims are false, He is a deceiver.

Without Miracles: Salvation cannot be an act of God. Without the miracle of the resurrection there can be no salvation (in the Christian sense). 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 & 17 Romans 1:16 & 10:9 The resurrection wouldn't be an act of God, only a made up myth or legend.

Why are miracles important? Without miracles the Christian worldview falls apart!

Define what miracles are not.

Miracles are not: Anomalies An anomaly is an event with an unusual and unknown natural cause. Often anomalies are an indicator of a scientific discovery awaiting a solution.

Miracles are not: Acts of providence. An unusual but known natural cause. Often perceived as coincidence or good luck. May be seen as God acting to meet our needs (providing) before we are aware we have a need.

Miracles are not: Psychological. An unusual but known natural (cognitive) event. The cause is the mental state, perception, or genuine belief of the person who is experiencing the event. Examples would include hypnosis, false pregnancy, the placebo effect, mind-over-matter phenomena, etc.

Miracles are not: Magic. An unusual and secret natural cause. An event which exploits natural weaknesses in vision, perception, or mental processing.

Miracles are not: Satanic. An unusual and supernatural event caused by a spiritual agent, in opposition to God's perceived will. Satan can only perform deceptions, trickery, and possibly advanced science. By definition a miracle can only be performed by God.

Attributes of a Satanic Sign Evil Spirits and the Use of Mediums: Deuteronomy 18:11 Evil intentions: Genesis 3-5 & Thessalonians 2:9 Evil Actions: 1 Timothy 4:3-4 & Jude 7 False Teaching: Colossians 2:8-9 & 1 John 4:1 False Predictions: Deuteronomy 18:21-22 Use of Idols or Images: Exodus 20:3-4 Use of Physical Objects (divination): Deuteronomy 18:11

Miracles are not: Anomalies Providence Psychological Magic Satanic

Define what miracles are.

A Miracle is: A divine intervention into the natural world. An event that can not be explained by natural causes. The dividing of the Red Sea - giving sight to the blind - multiplying the loaves and fishes - turning water into wine - walking on water - resurrection of the dead

What is the purpose of a miracle?

This man [Nicodemus] came to Him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him.” –John 3:2 (HCSB)

"Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. –Acts 2:22 (HCSB)

For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. –Hebrews 2:2-3 (HCSB)

What is the purpose of a miracle? Miracles confirm God's messengers and the message being delivered.

How are miracles possible?

For Miracles to be Possible: There must be a supernatural realm. There must be a personal creator God who takes an interest in creation. There must be an overall plan that creates a reason for communicating with creation. There must be personal created beings capable of communicating with their creator and understanding the message being communicated.

Objections to the idea of miracles.

Why Object to Miracles: One of the most effective ways to destroy a theistic worldview would be to disprove miracles. Although this wouldn't rule out a supernatural realm, it would destroy the idea of a personal God. It would remove any moral obligations. It supports humanism, secularism, and naturalistic materialism.

The Objection of David Hume Natural Law is by definition a description of a regular occurrence. A miracle is by definition a rare occurrence. The evidence for the regular is always greater than that for the rare. Wise persons always base their belief on the greater evidence. Therefore, wise persons should never believe in miracles.

The Objection of David Hume Natural Law is by definition a description of a regular occurrence. A miracle is by definition a rare occurrence. The evidence for the regular is always greater than that for the rare. Wise persons always base their belief on the greater evidence. Therefore, wise persons should never believe in miracles.

David Hume can't believe in: Any unique historical event, since it isn't repeatable. The beginning of the universe. The origin of first life on planet Earth. The founding of the United States. The birth of David Hume.