Miracle Stories

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MUSINGS ON MIRACLES


Alleged miracles are one of the more controversial issues in Christian circles, which extends to others as well. It is not my purpose to stir up controversy, but provide some insights for the person perplexed by this claim and conflicting interpretations. Which recalls the saying, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.”
(1) “Human life—so ordinary, so familiar, so natural, and yet so extraordinary. Looking for mystery in things bizarre, we feel cheated when later we learn that a hoax or simple process explains it away. All the time while missing the awesome events occurring before, or even within our very eyes. The extraordinary within the ordinary” (David Myers, “The Mystery of the Ordinary,” Psychology of Religion—Malony ed., p. 412).
In quest for the extraordinary, we may fail to grasp it as expressed in the ordinary. Life is mind-boggling; since the more we know, the more we realize that we do not know. The awesome character of life is ever with us, and should be recognized as such.
(2) Conversely, there are the seemingly bizarre things that capture our attention. As when a friend observed that his wife had been healed. Knowing something of her prior condition, I asked whether the symptoms had disappeared. “No,” he replied, “but her attitude is greatly improved.” For which, we were both genuinely appreciative.
Although her physical condition remained unaltered, as if a protest against our inclination to focus on the extraordinary. Especially when it overlooks the wonder of life itself, and in all its aspects. With the result that we fail to live in God’s world, by his grace.;
(3) The miraculous when observed in context of salvation history seems to appear primarily in conjunction with critical stages, as if to alert us to God’s most recent initiative. Among these are the exodus, the struggle with Baalism, and the time of Jesus and the apostles. Then as a rule attributed to certain persons, as with the apostles in the early church.
It also seems that miracles appear more frequently in virgin missionary fields. As if to validate the gospel. Whether this is actually the case or perceived as such, it remains a matter for speculation.
(4) Some reason that if we have faith, we will without exception be healed. Paul does not appear to be convinced. “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it (a thorn in the flesh) from me,” he allowed. “But he told me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Cor. 12:8-9). As a result, he would rejoice in God’s sustaining grace.
This recalls a person who appeared to be incurably blind. In this condition, he displayed a remarkable confidence and resolve. But he was subsequently assured that if he had faith, his eyesight would be restored. When this did not occur, his mentors attributed this to a lack of faith, and left him to struggle on his own. A tragic result, even if well-meaning.
(5) Still we should not overlook those instances which appear to qualify as miracles. Such as a person who was said to have lacked the essential conditions for sight. But he was approached by a woman who felt impressed to pray for him. Incidently, this was an exceptional experience for her. When he arrived at her house, he found a group of friends had assembled. As they prayed, the room seemed electric. As the last person prayed, he was able to see.
This incident was written up in a medical journal. The article allowed that they did not know at this point how this was possible, but assumed that eventually it would be discovered. The author assumed that there was some natural explanation. Miracles do not occur if convinced otherwise.
While the topic could be explored at much greater length, this is calculated to provide food for thought. Persons interested in pursuing the topic further might consult a work I published some years ago entitled The Wonder of It All: Mystery and Meaning in Scripture (University Press of America). Be assured, our God is an awesome God.

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