A Case for Creation: Session 3, Part 1 – Are Miracles Possible?

Last week we finished session 2 on the existence and nature of God. Please go back and check that out if you missed it, because our case will flow from one session to the next as we give evidence for the truths of creation as found in the book of Genesis! This week we are beginning session 3 which will include the topic of miracles, an exploration of Genesis Chapters 1 and 2, the views of creation and the problems with evolutionary theory. This week we will cover the topic of miracles by answering the question…

Are Miracles Possible?

Here is the presentation from our Case for Creation Class, session 3, part 1 – Miracles, then the overview, reflection and Bible study follows below:

If God exists, miracles ARE possible

Evidence for the existence of God is overwhelming based on the evidence from the following categories:

• Philosophy
• Cosmology
• Teleology
• Moral law
• If, from evidence in these areas we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that God exists, then miracles are possible – and we have done that in this class!

What Are Miracles?

A miracle is something which would never have happened had nature, as it were, been left to its own devices.  -Antony Flew (former atheist)

Dictionary definition for the word miracle:

“A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.”

Miracles vs. Natural Law

Miracles can be described as:

“Special acts of God that interrupt the normal course of events.”

• In contrast, natural laws are laws that have been instituted by the Creator and the Creator can manipulate these laws to point His Creation towards Him and His purpose.
• Natural laws are only descriptive of what God has set in motion, not prescriptive of what must always happen.
• Natural laws describe what happens regularly by means of natural causes, whereas miracles describe what happens rarely by means of supernatural causes.

Miracles Are Evidence of God’s Existence!

If we admit God, must we admit Miracle? Indeed, indeed, you have no security against it. That is the bargain.  -C.S. Lewis 

What is and what is not a miracle?

Unique and unusual events can be classified as follows:

• Anomalies: These are freaks of nature. They come from nature’s power and are natural events with a pattern. Example: Bumblebee’s ability to fly. Their wings are too small for the size of their bodies yet scientists have found that their bodies are designed with a type of power packs.
• Magic: these are sleights of hand. They come from human power and are human controlled. Example: A rabbit appearing out of a hat, a card trick or the escape artist.
• Psychosomatic: This is mind over matter. It comes from our own mental abilities and require only belief. It is human controlled and fails often. Example: Psychosomatic illnesses or cures.
• Satanic signs: These are evil powers from the supernatural realm. They are limited powers and come in partial truths usually from the occult. Example: Demonic possession or influence.
• What is and what is not a miracle?
• Providence: These are prearranged events or interventions by God. They have divine power and a spiritual context but can be explained naturally. Example: Fog at Normandy or missing the plane that ends up crashing.
• Miracles: These are Divine acts that are supernatural occurrences. They happen rarely and are outside the realm of natural explanations. They never fail and they always give glory to God. Example: Raising the dead, parting the sea or walking on water.

(Reference: “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be An Atheist,” by Frank Turek and Norman Geisler)

If God exists could He communicate with us? If so how?

(This in itself would be a miracle)

The King’s Seal

• In ancient times a King’s Seal (or sign) authenticated their messages.
• A Seal (or sign) must be unique, recognizable, and something only the King possesses.
• God’s Seal (or sign) of authentication could be found in His ability to control Creation outside the established rules of nature, i.e. miracles.
• Miracles can be considered as a Seal (or sign) to confirm an authenticated message from God—we find this message recorded in His Word, the Bible.

There are several ways God has communicated

1. His Word: Special Revelation (see 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
2. His Creation: Natural Revelation (see Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1-4; Psalm 89:11-12; Romans 1:19-20)
3. His Son, Jesus: The New Covenant (see Psalm 89:3-4; John 3:16; Hebrews 9:15; 2 Peter 1:16-19)
4. His Holy Spirit: The Spirit of Truth (see John 14:15-16; John 15:26; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4)

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

1 Chronicles 16:11-13

(Jesus speaking) Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”  

John 10:37-38

–From C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape letters:

Screwtape, the senior demon, to his disciple Wormwood:  You must have wondered why the Enemy (God) does not make more use of His power to be sensibly present to human souls in any degree He chooses and at any moment. But you now see that the Irresistible and the Indisputable are the two weapons which the very nature of His scheme forbids Him to use. Merely to over-ride a human will (as His felt presence in any but the faintest and most mitigated degree would certainly do) would be for Him useless. He cannot ravish, he can only woo.

Going Deeper

Books:

• Get the two volume set “Miracles,” by Craig Keener
• “A Case for Miracles,” by Lee Strobel
• “Miracles,” by Eric Metaxes

Reflection

1. What makes a miracle unique?
2. Describe a miracle that has happened in your life, or in the life of someone you know (it can be in the category of providence).
3. PTRs: Prayer focus – the opportunity to share what you are learning with others.

Bible Study

Each week we will do a Bible study in the book of Genesis to practice our Bible study skills. This week read or re-read Genesis Chapter Two, then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

Always remember to pray before reading and studying Scripture.

1. In Hebrew literature the authors often give an overview of a story and then retell it with emphasis. Genesis chapter one is the overview. What is being emphasized in chapter two?
2. What did God do on the seventh day (2:1-3)? Cross-reference by reading Exodus 20:8-11—How does this passage support the Genesis Creation account?  Discuss: Is the concept of the seven-day week relevant, or important, to us today, if so why?
3. In chapter two, notice and reflect on the great relationship Adam had with God when they were in the Garden together, and God let Adam name all the animals (2:4-20)!  Discuss: Why is it important to know that we were made in the image of God compared to the rest of creation, and how might that apply to our culture, and its problems, today?

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Creation and A Study in Genesis – Session #3, Part 2 – Genesis Chapters 1 and 2 explored”