What is a Miracle Essay examples - 716 Words

(a) What is meant by the term miracle? (4 marks) A miracle can be defined as, `a transgression of a law of nature by a particular violation of a deity, Hume. It describes supernatural events, which defy the universal laws of nature. This could be a man rising from the ground against the law of gravity. J.L. Mackie has a similar point of view and suggests that miracles occur when the world is interfered with, by something that is not of natural order. Some doctors have said that a particular event would not be a miracle, unless the impossible has taken place. I would agree with the doctors point of view, that if a man was terminally ill and then suddenly 100% healthy the next day when he woke up from his sleep, and that would†¦show more content†¦There is empirical evidence, evidence that people have suddenly regained health after visiting Lourdes, a renowned place where several miracles have occurred. Some of those have had their health checked by a medical doctor before visiting Lourdes. Then after, if and when a mi raculous change has happened, they go to the doctors to be examined again and it has been recorded that there have been cases when they have suddenly regained one hundred percent health straight after the visit. This is surely strong evidence for the existence of miracles. On the other hand, Hume has made several criticisms in his book, Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding and the Principle of Morals. He believes that miracles are transgressions of the law of nature but says that we cannot be sure what a natural law is. According to Hume, to prove that a miracle has occurred, there needs to be as much evidence for the miracle as there are for natural laws. However if there was so much evidence that miracles occur, then it would not be a miracle at all, but a law of nature. So it would be impossible to prove miracles occur to Hume. But one vital aspect of miracles is that it is meant to be an exception to a rule. Hume also disregards the testimonies in the Bible. No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle unless the person concerned is of unquestionable good, sense, education, and learning, as to secure us against all delusion inShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Mark Twain s Huckleberry Finn 1480 Words   |  6 Pagess gospel seems to be the one most focused on Jesus’s miracles. This paper will be looking at the purpose and meaning of these miracles. First, what is a miracle? A miracle is, â€Å"a special act of God that interrupts the natural course of events.† There are three different kinds of miracles that Jesus does: exorcisms, nature miracles, and healings. Just as there are three kinds of miracles, there seem to be three different purposes for His miracles. These are to attract people, to prove Jesus was theRead MoreThis paper will demonstrate why Hume thinks accepting testimony about a miracle is unreasonable and800 Words   |  4 Pagesaccepting testimony abou t a miracle is unreasonable and why he is incorrect. It will do so by first presenting Humes argument as to why miracles are improbable. Second it will present Humes four main justifications for not accepting miracles. Finally it will present how Humes justifications are incorrect. Hume believes that accepting testimony about miracles is unreasonable because there is no imperative reason to believe in miracles. Our knowledge of miracles comes from the testimony of othersRead MoreHume on Miracles Essay689 Words   |  3 PagesHume on Miracles It is evident in David Humes writing of An Equity Concerning Human Understanding that he does not believe that miracles take place. Hume is a man of logic, who believes in experience over knowledge. Of course it is hard for such a man to believe in extraordinary claims without being there to witness them. Especially when such events require a lot of faith. In order for an event to be deemed a miracle, it must disobey the laws of nature. However, it is these same lawsRead MoreEssay Miracles849 Words   |  4 PagesMiracles From the Latin word miraculum meaning â€Å"object of wonder† enters the word miracle. Many definitions have been formed for the notion of a miracle but most would agree that it is most commonly an unexplainable extraordinary event, inspiring awe and wonder unto its witnesses. Similar definitions state that it is a â€Å"supernatural event, contrary to the established constitutionRead MoreEssay about Lukes Gospel - Miracles965 Words   |  4 PagesLukes Gospel - Miracles Section A (i) The definition of a miracle is: An event or effect contrary to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event, or one transcending the ordinary laws by which the universe is governed. However, other definitions claim that a miracle is simply a wonderful or amazing event. Today we use the term miracle colloquially to mean the latter, however traditionallyRead MoreEssay about Of Miracles by David Hume936 Words   |  4 PagesOf Miracles by David Hume In David Hume?s paper ?Of Miracles,? Hume presents a various number of arguments concerning why people ought not to believe in any miracles. Hume does not think that miracles do not exist it is just that we should not believe in them because they have no rational background. One of his arguments is just by definition miracles are unbelievable. And have no rational means in believing miracles. Another argument is that most miracles tend to come from uncivilizedRead MoreAccounts of Miracles and Their Support of Belief in God Essay549 Words   |  3 PagesAccounts of Miracles and Their Support of Belief in God The definition of a miracle is a violation of the laws of nature, it is an exception that is beyond all naturalistic explanations, meaning they must be explained supernaturally. So do accounts of miracles support the belief in God? Firstly, one must decided whether there is sufficient evidence to prove the existence of miracles, something that people have disagreed aboutRead MoreBy Definition Miracles Do Not Occur Essay1398 Words   |  6 PagesBy Definition Miracles Do Not Occur Even in this modern age, belief in the miraculous is widespread and is a feature of many world religions, including the Christian faith where miracles have played a significant role. It is important attempt to define what a miracle is, as this in itself is a source for debate. Today the term ‘miracle’ in many different ways and the idea is open to many interpretations. A miracle can be defined in a number of ways, firstly asRead More Jesus Christ: The Importance of his Miracles Essay examples1233 Words   |  5 PagesJesus Christ: The Importance of his Miracles Throughout history many people have given messages. They were trying to make people consider the messages. They would say that they would do something with out actually backing it up, or they would say they are someone with out proof. Jesus had made many messages that said that he was â€Å"the messiah†, the son of god. The performance of miracles had strengthened Jesus’ message. Because Jesus had done miracles to back up his message, people actually believedRead MoreThe Existence Of Miracles By David Hume1350 Words   |  6 Pagesthe case of miracles. Consequently, the authors included in the book, In Defense of Miracles, each considers different important details as the defining factors in the debate of the existence of miracles. Of those, some focus more heavily on the likelihood of miracles themselves such as Hume, others focus on the existence of God such as Flew and Beck, and others focus on a particular example of a miracle such as Craig. Against Miracles: David Hume David Hume argues against miracles and states that