On Miracles

As I am continuing to read through Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, topics come up that really interest me and my wife, Misha.  One of the most recent has been the topic of miracles.  Given Misha's particular Christian upbringing, this was an area that she would like me to teach her what I was learning about miracles from Systematic Theology.  Therefore, as my gorgeous wife noted on her blog a couple of days ago, that's exactly what we did.  Here is the outline that I shared with her about what I have been learning about miracles from Dr. Grudem.

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Definition of Miracles

"A miracle is a less common kind of God's activity in which he arouses people's awe and wonder and bears himself to witness."

In the Bible, there are 3 different terms for miracles.

1. Sign - points to or indicates something else, especially God's activity and power
   
2. Wonder - event that causes people to be amazed
3. Miracle or Mighty Work - act displaying great power, especially divine power

What can be considered a miracle?

1. Jesus' incarnation and resurrection (this is central and most important to all of Christianity)
2. The events of the Exodus, the fall of Jericho, etc.
   
3. Jesus' activity while on earth such as healing people, cleansing lepers, and casting out demons
4. Unusual answers to prayer... However, Grudem does warn us not to water down "miracles" by saying that every answer to prayer is a miracle.  These answers to prayer can be attributed to the good providence of God.

Were miracles restricted to the apostles and can they still happen today?

While much can be said on either side of this question, it is worth noting three things.

1. Stephen & Philip (who were not apostles) both performed miracles.  (Acts 6:8 and Acts 8:6-7)
2. The church in Galatia and Corinth had miracle workers in them (Galatians 3:5 & 1 Cor 12:10,28)
3. Many cessationists (people who believe that miracles ceased when the cannon was closed) use 1 Corinthians 13:10 to prove that miracles no longer happen.  My only plead is that if you subscribe to the cessationist camp that you read 1 Corinthians 13:10 in context.  The "perfect" is not the bible.  The "perfect" is Christ!

So yes, I, as well as Wayne Grudem, believe that miracles still happen today and will continue to happen until Christ returns.

What's the purpose of miracles?

1. To authenticate the message of the gospel (John 4:29; Acts 8:6-8; Acts 9:35,42)
2. To bear witness to the fact that the kingdom of God has come and has begun to expand its beneficial results into people's lives, for the results of Jesus' miracles show the characteristics of God's kingdom (Matthew 12:28; Luke 4:18, 9:1-2; Matthew 10:7-8)
3. To help those who are in need (Matthew 20:30,34; Matthew 14:14)
   
4. To remove hindrances to people's ministries (Matthew 8:15; Phil 2:25-30)
5. To bring glory to God... This is the ultimate purpose for miracles (Matthew 9:8, John 9:3)

What about false miracles?

1. Pharoah's magicians worked them (Exodus 7:11, 22; Exodus 8:7)
2. Simon the sorcerer performed them (Acts 8:9-11)
3. The slave girls with a spirit of divination did them (Acts 16:16-18)

It must be noted that the "power of God is greater than the power of Satan to work miraculous sign, and God's people triumph in confrontations of power with those who work evil.  Furthermore, the identity of these workers of false miracles is always known through their denial of the gospel.  There is no indication anywhere in Scripture that genuine Christians with the Holy Spirit is them will work false miracles."

One distinction must be made.  Grudem only discusses false miracles.  False miracles would be actual miracles carries our in demonic power.  However, he does not discuss, what I would call, pseudo-miracles.  Pseudo-miracles are miracles that never actually happen.  I wish he would have discussed them further.

Should Christians seek miracles today?

The answer to this question depends on the purpose for which they are sought.

• If miracles are sought for power or fame, then the answer is no.
• If miracles are sought to be entertained, then the answer is no.
• If miracles are sought by an unbeliever simply to find ground to criticize believers, then the answer is no.
• However, there is nothing wrong in seeking miracles for the proper purposes for which they are given by God.

Conclusions

"We should not assume that an obviously miraculous answer to prayer is better than one that comes through ordinary means (i.e. medical help in sickness), and we must also realize that asking God for a particular need does not guarantee the prayer will be answered.  On the other hand, our faith that God will work in powerful and even miraculous ways may be far too small."