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I've encountered quite a mixed bag of held beliefs on this subject. Some track from the NT onwards, some from Genesis 1:1 (my view) and there are various views in-between.
So what say you fellow Christian? Do you have some 'cut off' or 'start point' where the Miracles recorded in the Bible are believable or unbelievable to you?
And for purposes of the OP so we are all on the same sheet of paper...
Edit added a quote from @Tree of Life which elaborates on the definition of Miracle:
The Poll will have some definition which can drive the discussion. If someone wants to recommend adding a response please do and I will consider it.
God Bless you all!
So what say you fellow Christian? Do you have some 'cut off' or 'start point' where the Miracles recorded in the Bible are believable or unbelievable to you?
And for purposes of the OP so we are all on the same sheet of paper...
Miracle
A miracle, broadly defined, is any action in time where the normal operation of nature is suspended by the agency of a supernatural action.
Further definitions
An interference with Nature by supernatural power. -- C. S. Lewis
An event in which God temporarily makes an exception to the natural order of things, to show that God is acting. -- Richard Purtill
A miracle is an event which is not producible by the natural causes that are operative at the time and place that the event occurs. -- William Lane Craig
https://www.theopedia.com/miracleA miracle, broadly defined, is any action in time where the normal operation of nature is suspended by the agency of a supernatural action.
Further definitions
An interference with Nature by supernatural power. -- C. S. Lewis
An event in which God temporarily makes an exception to the natural order of things, to show that God is acting. -- Richard Purtill
A miracle is an event which is not producible by the natural causes that are operative at the time and place that the event occurs. -- William Lane Craig
Edit added a quote from @Tree of Life which elaborates on the definition of Miracle:
I would say that a miracle is an extraordinary manifestation of God's Lordship. While what we call the "natural order" is really an ordinary manifestation of God's Lordship.
To say that a miracle suspends or breaks a law of nature or to divide the world into "natural" and "supernatural" risks suggesting that God is not immediately involved in "natural" stuff. This can trend in the direction of deism.
For example, we talk about natural laws like gravity and magnetism as if these are forces that God put in place and then let them spin without his immediate help. But I'm not sure this can be biblically supported. The Bible teaches that it's God who sends rain and snow and causes the sun to rise. We are planted on the earth not because of an impersonal law of gravity, but because we have a loving God who is consistent and who keeps us planted on the ground.
God is immediately involved in everything. But sometimes he peels back the curtain and shows us that he is immediately involved. God was always present with Moses in the wilderness and Moses was always standing on holy ground. But God brought about the miracle of the burning bush to reveal his presence to Moses.
For example, we talk about natural laws like gravity and magnetism as if these are forces that God put in place and then let them spin without his immediate help. But I'm not sure this can be biblically supported. The Bible teaches that it's God who sends rain and snow and causes the sun to rise. We are planted on the earth not because of an impersonal law of gravity, but because we have a loving God who is consistent and who keeps us planted on the ground.
God is immediately involved in everything. But sometimes he peels back the curtain and shows us that he is immediately involved. God was always present with Moses in the wilderness and Moses was always standing on holy ground. But God brought about the miracle of the burning bush to reveal his presence to Moses.
And please let's avoid semantics. I think the above outlines what we are talking about that is Miracles.The Poll will have some definition which can drive the discussion. If someone wants to recommend adding a response please do and I will consider it.
God Bless you all!
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