Finally, brethren, whatever
things are true,
whatever things
are noble,
whatever things are just,
whatever things
are lovely,
whatever things
are of good report,
if there is any virtue
and if there is anything
praiseworthy--Meditate
on these things.
Philippians 4:8
I may have introduced a blog with the above Scripture or used in in the body of the blog, but no matter for there is truth to be found and that truth is that we are to think upon things, to meditate on those truths. Before we can meditate properly upon things we must not just acquiesce and accept whatever is told us; that includes me and my blog, question what is said, test by Scripture, what is said, do not give tacit approval. Why? Paul in writing to the Philippians wrote: "For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:21). We saw the truth in that statement when I wrote and displayed the ghastly wealth accumulated by preachers who prey upon those seeking truth with an emphasis upon the "sign" gifts. So, as we test, and meditate our thoughts are to those objections, whatever they are, and to examine them and to find the truth from Scripture. Do not shrink back from objections, be proactive and search out what God has revealed to us in His word.
Miracles have been reported among all people, Christians and non-Christians. The pagan religions explain what they do not understand, things that seem to decry understanding, to a god(s). Christians say that miracles are also from God. Some would object that miracles do occur, and especially from God. Is that true? We first must understand the objections. It is objected to the definition: A miracle may be defined to be an event, in the external world, brought about by the immediate efficiency, or simple volition of God. Those objectors cavil at the thought that God would set aside, or violate, the laws of nature. Some will only admit that this setting aside or violation of the laws of nature is impossible. Reason they give is that if the Law of Nature be the will of God, then that law cannot be violated or set aside. The objectors cannot conceive or imagine any interruption of the natural order or some suspension of the laws of matter. They will admit that those supposed "miracles" should be investigated by science, and that science due to the constancy of nature is only admitted, forms a basis for study and to be able to reach a conclusion. This study of science and even taught in some Churches is called "natural theology." This thought, natural theology, even effects how they view and teach the creative days as outlined in Genesis. Furthermore, many scientist are uniformitarians, that is all things occur today as they did in the past. These objectors to miracles believe in a cosmical philosophy, and that there is a universal causation, but that causation is not to be conjoined to God as though God changed His laws, and the laws of nature are always due to His will that they exist and His will cannot be changed or He is a mutable God. They further believe that the truth, understood by those cosmical philosophers, and those scientist who hold to uniformity, is that the universe is self-sustaining, and has self-evolving powers which pervades all nature.
An English clergyman in 1860, in the writing: "Recent Inquiries in Theology, or Essays and Reviews" pg. 151; concluded: "if miracles were in the estimation of a former age, among the main difficulties and hinderances to its acceptance." His argument is this, miracles, as usually defined, involve a suspension, or alteration, or violation of the laws of nature; but those laws are absolutely immutable, therefore that definition must be incorrect, or, in other words, miracles in that sense must be impossible.
Many today will not believe in miracles, even if they cannot express their reasons for not believing in them as do some scientists and even some theologians, and scholars. They just cannot come to any understanding of those unexplainable events, only that they occurred because of the laws of nature, even if we do not know or understand those laws. Maybe you have trouble understanding miracles. Some just accept them because they find miraculous events in the Bible, or that they go to Churches that place great emphasis on miracles, whether it be healing, or "tongue" speaking, or visions; things that are held to be of God. Many just accept that there are miracles and that those miracles are caused by God. But, to just accept them is to do nothing more than what pagan religions believe; that is, assign the unknown to a god(s).
To have objections is good, and necessary if a person is to come to truth. Answers are better, and the only way to obtain an answer is to know the objections, and to meditate, and study in order to find the truth and to not be misled by those who would gain by misrepresenting the truth, that is lie, and rob a person of the truth. I have attempted to do just that; to dig deep and to come to an understanding, by the use of Scripture, and to use rational common sense, to know history, to understand the reason for events, so that the truth can be known and objections be answered. Healing, the ability to speak a language unknown and unlearned by the speaker, etc.; are such as would be considered a miracle.
Before I attempt to answer objections to miracles, I must necessarily give the two most objections so that there is clear understanding what is being taught and believed by some and to know if what they believe is truly Scriptural.
Objection #1. The objection presented is by those who would make nature the will of God, and the answer to that objection is that nature is not the will of God in any other sense that that He ordained the sequence of natural events, and established the laws or physical causes by which that regular sequence is secured. The answer just given that the will of God in regards to nature and His will cannot be set aside, is that the answer to that objection assumes that nature and its laws are subject to God, and that God at anytime that He so wills, they can be suspended or counteracted, at His good pleasure. Objection #2. This objects assumes that the laws of nature are in themselves immutable, and therefore cannot be suspended.
I will address those objections in the next blog(s). This study will give confidence in miracles, that miracles are due to God and not to some uniformity, or by any other means, but we will not assume their validity until we address those objections. Objections require an answer and that we will do. The answer(s) will come be way of Scripture and by our own common sense. Once we understand miracles, then we will have knowledge that miracles are from God and are to fulfill His purpose, the reason(s) for assigning the Gifts of the Spirit to anyone.
We are of God.
He who knows God
hears us; he who is
not of God does
not hear us. By this
we know the spirit
of truth and the
spirit of error.
1John 4:6
God's Children Have God's Spirit
Richard L. Crumb
Many today will not believe in miracles, even if they cannot express their reasons for not believing in them as do some scientists and even some theologians, and scholars. They just cannot come to any understanding of those unexplainable events, only that they occurred because of the laws of nature, even if we do not know or understand those laws. Maybe you have trouble understanding miracles. Some just accept them because they find miraculous events in the Bible, or that they go to Churches that place great emphasis on miracles, whether it be healing, or "tongue" speaking, or visions; things that are held to be of God. Many just accept that there are miracles and that those miracles are caused by God. But, to just accept them is to do nothing more than what pagan religions believe; that is, assign the unknown to a god(s).
To have objections is good, and necessary if a person is to come to truth. Answers are better, and the only way to obtain an answer is to know the objections, and to meditate, and study in order to find the truth and to not be misled by those who would gain by misrepresenting the truth, that is lie, and rob a person of the truth. I have attempted to do just that; to dig deep and to come to an understanding, by the use of Scripture, and to use rational common sense, to know history, to understand the reason for events, so that the truth can be known and objections be answered. Healing, the ability to speak a language unknown and unlearned by the speaker, etc.; are such as would be considered a miracle.
Before I attempt to answer objections to miracles, I must necessarily give the two most objections so that there is clear understanding what is being taught and believed by some and to know if what they believe is truly Scriptural.
Objection #1. The objection presented is by those who would make nature the will of God, and the answer to that objection is that nature is not the will of God in any other sense that that He ordained the sequence of natural events, and established the laws or physical causes by which that regular sequence is secured. The answer just given that the will of God in regards to nature and His will cannot be set aside, is that the answer to that objection assumes that nature and its laws are subject to God, and that God at anytime that He so wills, they can be suspended or counteracted, at His good pleasure. Objection #2. This objects assumes that the laws of nature are in themselves immutable, and therefore cannot be suspended.
I will address those objections in the next blog(s). This study will give confidence in miracles, that miracles are due to God and not to some uniformity, or by any other means, but we will not assume their validity until we address those objections. Objections require an answer and that we will do. The answer(s) will come be way of Scripture and by our own common sense. Once we understand miracles, then we will have knowledge that miracles are from God and are to fulfill His purpose, the reason(s) for assigning the Gifts of the Spirit to anyone.
We are of God.
He who knows God
hears us; he who is
not of God does
not hear us. By this
we know the spirit
of truth and the
spirit of error.
1John 4:6
God's Children Have God's Spirit
Richard L. Crumb
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