In the gospels we're told that the miracles of Jesus manifested his glory and encouraged faith in his followers. That is the miracles (healing etc.) were not just to meet the immediate need but had a theological purpose. I think the same could be said for many (if not all) of the miracles in the OT. But what about more recent miracles?
For the sake of argument let us accept that at least some more recent healings are genuine. These may encourage faith in those affected but don't have the same kind of theological significance as, say, the parting of the Red Sea or the feeding of the 5000.
But then there are many occasions where bad things happen to people even if much prayer has been made. Doesn't this make God seem arbitrary and even unfair? Does this cast doubt on the genuineness of modern miracles?
I realize that Job was told, in effect, not to question God's actions, but non believers sometimes point to this apparent arbitrariness as a stumbling block to faith. What is the answer?
For the sake of argument let us accept that at least some more recent healings are genuine. These may encourage faith in those affected but don't have the same kind of theological significance as, say, the parting of the Red Sea or the feeding of the 5000.
But then there are many occasions where bad things happen to people even if much prayer has been made. Doesn't this make God seem arbitrary and even unfair? Does this cast doubt on the genuineness of modern miracles?
I realize that Job was told, in effect, not to question God's actions, but non believers sometimes point to this apparent arbitrariness as a stumbling block to faith. What is the answer?