EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 200+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
The question of whether the miracles within the Bible are believable is an important one that has been debated among scholars, theologians, and laypeople for centuries. Conservative Christians believe that the miracles described within the Bible are real and that they provide evidence of God’s intervention in the world. In this essay, we will explore the arguments of conservative Christian apologists who contend that the miracles within the Bible are believable.
One of the key arguments that conservative Christian apologists make is that the miracles within the Bible are historically attested. They argue that there is strong evidence to suggest that the events described within the Bible, including the miracles, actually took place. For example, the New Testament Gospels were written by eyewitnesses or by people who had access to eyewitness testimony, which gives them a high degree of historical credibility.
Conservative Christian apologists also point to the fact that the miracles within the Bible are not isolated incidents but are part of a larger narrative. They argue that the miracles are part of a larger story that is consistent and coherent, which adds to their credibility. The Bible presents a narrative of God’s relationship with humanity, which includes both miraculous interventions and natural events. The miracles are woven into this narrative and are consistent with the larger story.
Another argument that conservative Christian apologists make is that the miracles within the Bible are consistent with the nature of God. They argue that the miracles are consistent with what we know about God from other sources, such as the natural world and human conscience. For example, the Bible teaches that God is loving and compassionate and that he desires to heal and restore his creation. The miracles within the Bible, such as the healing of the blind man (John 9), are consistent with this view of God.
In addition, conservative Christian apologists argue that the miracles within the Bible are not simply arbitrary displays of power, but have a purpose and a meaning. They argue that the miracles within the Bible are not just intended to impress people, but are intended to communicate something about God and his relationship with humanity. For example, the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:30-44) is not just about the multiplication of bread and fish, but is intended to show that God provides for his people.
Conservative Christian apologists also point to the fact that the miracles within the Bible are often accompanied by a call to faith. They argue that the miracles are intended to elicit a response from people, namely faith in God. For example, in John 20:30-31, the purpose of the miracles described in the Gospel of John is explicitly stated to be that people may believe in Jesus and have life in his name.
Finally, conservative Christian apologists would argue that the miracles within the Bible are still happening today. They would argue that the same God who performed miracles in the Bible is still active and involved in the world today. They point to contemporary accounts of miraculous healings and other events as evidence of God’s continued activity in the world.
In conclusion, conservative Christian apologists believe that the miracles within the Bible are believable. They argue that the miracles are historically attested, consistent with the nature of God, have a purpose and a meaning, are accompanied by a call to faith, and are still happening today. While there are naturalistic explanations for many of the events described within the Bible, conservative Christian apologists would argue that these explanations do not account for the full picture. They would argue that the miracles within the Bible are evidence of God’s intervention in the world and that they provide a unique window into God’s character and relationship with humanity.
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BIBLICAL STUDIES / BIBLE BACKGROUND / HISTORY OF THE BIBLE/ INTERPRETATION
