What, exactly, is a “miracle�?

[Zzyzx]

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What, exactly, is a “miracle�?

Many of these debates involve mention of “miracles�, and many decisions appear to be based upon “miracles�. So, it seems reasonable to ask exactly what constitutes a “miracle�.

[McCulloch]

A fact never went into partnership with a miracle. Truth scorns the assistance of wonders. A fact will fit every other fact in the universe, and that is how you can tell whether it is or is not a fact. A lie will not fit anything except another lie.
Robert Green Ingersoll

A miracle is an act or event out of the order of nature and unaccountable, as beating a normal hand of four kings and an ace with four aces and a king.
Ambrose Bierce

All the tales of miracles, with which the Old and New Testament are filled, are fit only for impostors to preach and fools to believe.
Thomas Paine

No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact which it endeavors to establish.
David Hume

They say miracles are past.
William Shakespeare

[EduChris]

What, exactly, is a “miracle�?...

In the Bible, miracles are primarily concentrated in three places: the exodus from Egypt, the Elijah-Elisha period of Israelite unfaithfulness to their God, and the time of Jesus and the apostles. Miracles are signs from God that demonstrate to particular people God's presence, God's power, and God's authority. In the case of Jesus, where the scale and scope of miracles are so great, they serve to demonstrate his uniqueness (summarized from The Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible, pp. 515-517).

[Flail]

What, exactly, is a “miracle�?

An uncommon beneficial occurance attributed by an indoctrinated believer to a particular favorite 'god'. An uncommon non-beneficial occurance is often attribted by the same folks as emanating from the same 'god' as punishment or from a monster 'god' as in evil spirits or devils.

[Skyangel]

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What, exactly, is a “miracle�?

Many of these debates involve mention of “miracles�, and many decisions appear to be based upon “miracles�. So, it seems reasonable to ask exactly what constitutes a “miracle�.

Dictionary definition
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miracle
Miracle
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin miraculum, from Latin, a wonder, marvel, from mirari to wonder at
Date: 12th century

1 : an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs
2 : an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
3 Christian Science : a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law

Biblical definition.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lex ... 4159&t=KJV
Miracle
Hebrew- mowpheth
1) wonder, sign, miracle, portent
a) wonder (as a special display of God's power)
b) sign, token (of future event)

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lex ... 1411&t=KJV
Miracle
Greek - dynamis
1) strength power, ability
a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
b) power for performing miracles
c) moral power and excellence of soul
d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
e) power and resources arising from numbers
f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lex ... 4592&t=KJV
Greek - sēmeion
1) a sign, mark, token
a) that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and is known
b) a sign, prodigy, portent, i.e. an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature
1) of signs portending remarkable events soon to happen
2) of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God's

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When you understand the word miracle in the bible has been interpreted from other languages then it makes sense to check the meanings of the word in the original languages.

The English meaning we attribute to the word miracle is not always the same as the original meaning of the word which was used.

I gather from the way most people use the word today that when they are referring to "miracles" or "challenging" Christians to do "miracles" they are talking about a supernatural event which cannot be explained by any natural means.

However, some "miracles" in the bible can be explained by natural means in the same way any magic trick can be explained by natural means. Others keep people wondering if they are tricks or not.

A metaphoric story can describe a "miracle" like a mustard seed growing into a tree and convey the message that a miracle is something is naturally impossible for anyone to do.

However, when you compare it to magic tricks and illusions, things like flying through the air or walking on water are also impossible in reality but are still possible to create in an illusion of reality.

The things that people considered miracles in bible stories can be reproduced in magic illusions by any good illusionist today.

If we go back to the 12th century Latin meaning from which our English word is derived. a miracle is simply something that causes you to wonder at it or stand in awe of it.

Personally I consider the creation of a human being in the womb and the process of birth and reproduction in general in the animals and plants of the world to be a miracle of Life which makes me wonder, stand in awe and amazement, at the power and ability of life to reproduce after its own kind.
Life in that sense is a miracle of reality not a magic trick.
Life is wonderful or full of wonder.

[Zzyzx]

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In the case of Jesus, where the scale and scope of miracles are so great, they serve to demonstrate his uniqueness

1. If the same or similar “miracles� are attributed to other “gods� or “godmen�, do those stories demonstrate their uniqueness? “Miracle� claims are not uncommon among stories told about other “gods� or “godmen�, agreed?

2. Are the “miracles� attributed to Jesus also associated with claims of “divinity�?

3. Without the “miracles� can Jesus be claimed to be anything more than a human preacher?

4. What evidence, aside from bible stories that make the claim, can be cited to show that “miracles� were performed as told?

5. Since the “miracles� were not reported / recorded until decades or generations after their reported occurrence (by people who cannot be shown to have been present), is it possible that they represent embellishments or exaggerations through retellings of the tale? Could they be similar to the legendary “feats� credited to other “gods�?

[Zzyzx]

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In my opinion, the term "miracle" is used with two very distinctly different applications / definitions (as per Merriam Webster Dictionary).

1 : an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs

This application of the term is generally associated with stories told about the various proposed "gods", "demigods", and “godmen� – perhaps to demonstrate or emphasize super-human capabilities and/or to justify worship.

2 : an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment

This application has no “divine� or “superhuman� requirement (a “miracle� drug, for instance).


The distinction breaks down, however, when an “extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment� is attributed to supernatural causes or characters (such as when a person survives severe injury with medical care, and their survival is attributed to “goddidit�) OR when common natural occurrences are deemed “miraculous� (and usually attributed to some favorite supernatural being). For instance, humans giving birth is neither unusual nor outstanding, yet is labeled the “miracle of birth�, or a drug which is particularly effective in some situations is identified as a "miracle drug".

[Skyangel]

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In my opinion, the term "miracle" is used with two very distinctly different applications / definitions (as per Merriam Webster Dictionary).

1 : an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs

This application of the term is generally associated with stories told about the various proposed "gods", "demigods", and “godmen� – perhaps to demonstrate or emphasize super-human capabilities and/or to justify worship.

2 : an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment

This application has no “divine� or “superhuman� requirement (a “miracle� drug, for instance).


The distinction breaks down, however, when an “extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment� is attributed to supernatural causes or characters (such as when a person survives severe injury with medical care, and their survival is attributed to “goddidit�) OR when common natural occurrences are deemed “miraculous� (and usually attributed to some favorite supernatural being). For instance, humans giving birth is neither unusual nor outstanding, yet is labeled the “miracle of birth�, or a drug which is particularly effective in some situations is identified as a "miracle drug".

"Divine Intervention" is not necessarily extraordinary or supernatural. People who wait for the extraordinary or something supernatural to happen often "miss the boat" of divine intervention.
This little fictional story will give an example of someone missing the boat because they refused to acknowledge something ordinary as being the "miracle" they were waiting for.

There was an old man sitting on his porch watching the rain fall. Pretty soon the water was coming over the porch and into the house.

The old man was still sitting there when a rescue boat came and the people on board said, "You can't stay here you have to come with us."

The old man replied, "No, God will save me." So the boat left. A little while later the water was up to the second floor, and another rescue boat came, and again told the old man he had to come with them.

The old man again replied, "God will save me." So the boat left him again.

An hour later the water was up to the roof and a third rescue boat approached the old man, and tried to get him to come with them.

Again the old man refused to leave stating that, "God will grant a miracle & save him." So the boat left him again.

Soon after, the man drowns and goes to heaven, and when he sees God he asks him, "Why didn't you save me? I thought you would grand me a miracle and you have let me down."

God replied, "You idiot, I don't know what you're complaining about. I sent three boats after you!!"

[Zzyzx]

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"Divine Intervention" is not necessarily extraordinary or supernatural.

I disagree. The term "divine" is defined as: "of or relating to God : proceeding from God: of or relating to a god: having the nature of a god"

Your example, which WAS funny, implicates "god" in the "miracle" (or potential miracle) of rescue.

There is no evidence that "divine intervention" ever occurs -- let alone whether it is "extraordinary" or not (let alone "supernatural"). Can you cite ONE incident in which "divine intervention" can be DEMONSTRATED to have influenced human affairs?

Note that opinion, conjecture and unverified clam does NOT equate to demonstration.

[Skyangel]

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"Divine Intervention" is not necessarily extraordinary or supernatural.

I disagree. The term "divine" is defined as: "of or relating to God : proceeding from God: of or relating to a god: having the nature of a god"

I understand and agree with the definition. However, if you think about it, all people are divine according to that definition since all people have been created in the image of God/god with the nature of God/god and have the same nature as the God/god within them.
People make a huge mistake when they perceive God/god as something separate from themselves. The bible teaches that all Gods/gods children are part of God/god. We are gods. Ye are gods. Together in unity we make God/god, the family of God/god just like each body part makes up the body. We mortals are the physical body of God on earth, past present and future. God ( defined as Love, Life, Truth, Salvation, Righteousness, etc. ) works through mere mortals. All those aspects of Life are manifested inside people.

Your example, which WAS funny, implicates "god" in the "miracle" (or potential miracle) of rescue.

Yes it does but it is a joke, a fictional story which sends a message that God works through very ordinary people and those who can't "see it" or dont understand it are fools because they are looking for a different God/god which is in their imagination and outside of people. That imagination or imaginary God/god in their mind which is their own deception will one day be overcome with the Truth inside them which will tell them what idiots they have been to not see the obvious in front of them. People do wake up to reality after they "die" to their illusions or put their deceptions to "sleep".
Please excuse the offensive language in my post but I am merely explaining the joke which also uses the word idiot.

There is no evidence that "divine intervention" ever occurs -- let alone whether it is "extraordinary" or not (let alone "supernatural"). Can you cite ONE incident in which "divine intervention" can be DEMONSTRATED to have influenced human affairs?

I perceive "divine intervention" working through those who rescue others from the flood or save the lives of others in various ways. I perceive divine intervention working through divine people every day as people intervene in the lives of those who can't help themselves.

Note that opinion, conjecture and unverified clam does NOT equate to demonstration.

I have nothing else to offer anyone except the Truth and logic within me. All I have is myself to offer you. If that is unacceptable then I apologize for trying to share myself and my thoughts with you.
I am my own evidence. You are welcome to perceive me and the way I express myself any way you wish. I verify myself with my own words.