This week’s presentation is a bridge from providing evidence for God’s existence to the question: How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? If we have given adequate evidence for God’s existence, then it is reasonable to believe that miracles are possible. If miracles are possible, then it should be easy to accept that the Bible is God’s Word, and that we have today is what He intended us to have from the beginning!

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

Overview Notes From the Presentation

Christian Apologetics: More Conversations

Are Miracles Possible?

An Argument for Miracles:

If God exists, miracles are possible
God does exist
Therefore, miracles are possible

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

Philosophy
Cosmology
Teleology
Moral law
The Problem of Evil
If, from evidence in these areas we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that God exists, then miracles are possible – and we have already done that here 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, or something out of the ordinary. They ultimately follow a law of nature and have a pattern unique to themselves. 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 over a person or thing.
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.
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, healing the lame, parting the sea or walking on water.

For more on these categories read Norman Geisler and Frank Turek’s book, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist

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 – this would be a miraculous sign.
Miracles can be considered as a Seal (or sign) to confirm an authenticated message from God, and we find this message recorded in His Word, the Bible!

There are several ways God has communicated:

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

Biblical References:

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

Going Deeper

Books

“Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus,” by Nabeel Qureshi
Two volume set “Miracles,” by Craig Keener
“A Case for Miracles,” by Lee Strobel
“Miracles,” by Eric Metaxes
“Miracles,” by C.S. Lewis

Reflection

If you only had one minute for each question, to the best of your ability, give a quick answer in your own words, (note – these are building from the presentation notes each week):

What are the four important areas for Christian growth?
What are the twelve points that will help you tell the Bible’s Big Picture?
What are the two most important questions you can ask when someone makes a claim about Christianity, or a belief that they hold to be true that is in conflict with the Christian Worldview?
What is the Moral Law argument for the existence of God? Give an example.
How is evil defined from a Christian Worldview? Give an example.
What are the three factors in identifying sources of evil?
What three characteristics does Satan possess that he wants to bring out in us?
What does it mean for a Christian to have a proper perspective of eternity?
What is a miracle, and how is it different from natural occurrences?

Bible Study

Note: Basic answers to the questions are posted mid-week for your review, and to add to a leader’s guide for future studies!

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

1. Review of Class Topics:

With your table group, discuss today’s apologetics presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting, or asking any questions.

2. Review of Daily Devotional:

How is it going with your devotional? Are you having any difficulty with reading on a daily basis? Are there any questions you have, or anything that stands out to you as a life application that you’d like to share with your group?

Class Bible study: The Book of Colossians

Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions. Cite your sources to share with your group.

Read Colossians 3:1-24 with your group then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

3. What are the things we should be doing “if we have been raised up with Christ,” in other words, if we are professing Christians what are some things we should be seeking and why (3:1-4)?

4. Even though we once walked in the things that displease/anger God (things that will ultimately lead to God’s wrath in judgment), we are covered and forgiven by the blood of Jesus as true believers in Him. What are all the things we should consider as dead and put aside (3:5-9)?

5. What are all the things that we should put on as believers (3:10-14)?

6. What are all the things that should rule in our hearts and dwell within us (3:15-17)?

7. What does Paul say concerning family relations (3:18-21)? Discuss: How does our culture today react to the Christian Worldview on family relationships?

8. Remembering the context and culture of the first century (discuss if necessary), what does Paul say about the working relationship between slaves and masters, and how that relates to the idea of rewards and consequences in the spiritual sense (3:22-25)? Discuss: How can we apply this to our own work ethic today?

9. Discuss: What are some things, if any, from chapter three are being twisted in our secular culture today? For example, are there things that we should consider as “dead and put aside” that are acceptable or even promoted; or are there things that should “rule in our heart” that are looked down upon today?

10. Memory verses: Recite Philippians 1:9-10; Philippians 3:14; Philippians 4:6-8; Philippians 4:12-13; Colossians 1:16-17; Colossians 2:8 and add Colossians 3:12-13

Join us next week as we continue our study in Christian Apologetics with more conversations on the topic of the Bible!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15