Miracles in the Gospels

Paper Summary:

In this essay the writer looks at the problems which arise from miracles and what the ramifications of these problems are. The paper addresses scientific, philosophical, theological and textual issues. It also considers several miracles in some depth including the resurrection. The writer discusses some of the ways in which Christians have dealt with these problems and the helpfulness that this has when considering the issues at hand.

From the Paper:

"Miracles hold an undeniably important role within Christianity. They can be seen as a firm indication of the power and divinity of Jesus, God is seen as giving him the power to perform miracles. Certainly in John's gospel miracles are essential in demonstrating that Jesus is the Christ. Not only do miracles enhance the divinity of the figure of Jesus and the overall authority of Christianity but they also fulfill a position as a significant theological vehicle which frequently allows the evangelists to advance their own theological agenda. Furthermore the resurrection of Jesus, undeniably the most significant of all miracles in the gospels, is absolutely central to Christian theology and doctrine as it is in the present day. Despite the important role which miracles hold in both doctrine and the "hearts and minds" of believers, however, it is undeniable that the interpretation of them has changed through the advance of scientific knowledge and method. The scientific enlightenment devised several theories which seriously questioned the traditional way in which the Church had always maintained the world functioned. The theories of scientists such as Galileo and Copernicus began to demonstrate that the Earth was not as central to the universe as the Church had always held. As scientific method advanced the superstitious thought of many people began to destabilize and with it the claims for miracles decreased. In the twentieth century the former stance of accepting miracles and other paranormal phenomena has decreased. Many twentieth century Christians, nevertheless, argue that the miraculous content of the biblical narratives did indeed happen exactly as the evangelists recorded them. Some might argue that the events happened but the emphasis on them has been altered slightly to fit the agenda of the evangelists. Some contemporary liberal Christians, however, including David Jenkins, one-time Bishop of Durham, might argue that in fact the miracles as recorded did not happen at all. The accounts exist for reasons other than historical accuracy. Through an examination of the various problems which confront the twentieth century reader of the gospels and judging the efficacy of efforts to solve these problems it is, perhaps, possible to judge how the miracle accounts of the gospels might best be read and whether such a liberal reading is appropriate."

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• Comparison Essay # 113888 : "The Gospel of John versus the Synoptic gospels"

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