Skip to main content

Part 2 ~ Miracles: Impossible?

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 
Miracles: Impossible? Remembering David Hume's definition of a miracle from the last post: "[a] violation of the laws of nature; and because firm and unalterable experience has established these laws, the case against a miracle is--just because it is a miracle--as complete as any argument from experience can possibly be imagined to be." 1 If we take a look at Hume's definition of miracle, at first glance, it would seem as if he is declaring miracles to be an impossibility because they cannot violate the laws of nature. Is this really what Hume is attempting to argue? Hume taught "that what we call the laws of nature are simply an account of what has happened up to the present plus a belief that the future will continue to be like the past."2 According to Hume, we observe what has happened and we believe, or shall we say, take a step of faith to believe that what we have observed over and over again will continue.

photo credit: Waiting For The Word via photopin cc
How can this be, since I am a virgin? Luke 1:34b

Miracles: Improbable? According to Hume, he would not think it impossible for a miracle to occur, but rather he would think it unreasonable to believe that a miracle had ever occurred.3 His rationale hinged upon the laws of nature acting in accordance with their "regular pattern and function" were more probable to function normally than for an exception to occur causing the normal function to cease for a period of time. Hume believed that an exception to the natural order of things, natural law, was not likely to occur, it was not probable. "Perhaps being contrary to nature would make God's special presence the more conspicuous." 4Just because an 'act' is not probable or less likely to occur, does it make the act less believable? It it is not likely that if you buy a lottery ticket that you will win the lottery. The odds are not in your favor. Is it unreasonable to believe that you might win even though it's not likely that you will? 


Does something immediately become less credible and unreasonable to believe because it is not likely to happen?





David Hume, "An Enquiry of Understanding," Harvard Classics Volume 37 [P.F. Collier & Son, 1910]: Section X.

2 Ronald H. Nash, Faith & Reason: Searching for a Rational Faith [Grand Rapids:            Zondervan Publishing House, 1988], 228.  

3 Nash, 231.

4 R.C. Sproul, John Gerstner, and Arthur Lindsley, Classical Apologetics [Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984], 145.

Comments

  1. You made me think with this post! Thank you for sharing with all of us on the Oh My Heartsie Girls Wordless Wednesday.

    Wishing you a wonderful week.
    xx
    Lysa ~ Co-Host

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Lisa. Have a wonderful Christmas week!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Backed Into A Corner -- Thank God

The capacity to respond to adversity with faith and gratitude is not limited to spiritual "superheroes." Choosing Gratitude - Nancy Leigh DeMoss Precarious Position. Many times we find ourselves in a place where we would rather not be and our desire may be to run and hide. However, running and hiding may not be viable options and are probably not what God is asking of us in the current situation. The problems and issues we will face in life vary greatly from health, to relationship/marriage, finances, to the stress of looking for a job, or maybe like Job, we might have lost everything -- family and possessions. Often, it is when we have done everything in our human power to ameliorate our situation and fail miserably that we remember God. photo credit:  cindy47452  via  photopin   cc Powerful Response. When we find ourselves in situations and recognize our only choice is to look up to God we can have victory and relief. When we take the time to thank the Fathe

For Your Information

Dear Readers and Subscribers, I am in the middle of an extremely busy semester and finishing papers and projects this week. I just wanted to let you know that over the next two weeks the posts might be delayed but we will be on a regular schedule after the end of these two weeks. Blessings to you as we pursue the Savior in our daily walk. God Bless, Jennifer Joy

Common Ground: The Road Less Traveled

The Presence of God.  Ruth and Naomi found themselves in very trying circumstances after each suffered the loss of a husband and the inescapable grief that accompanies death. Scripture gives us a snapshot into their lives and we get a glimpse of the strong bond of friendship that took place between Ruth and Naomi. Was it the deep sense of   grief that brought these two women together in a way they had never experienced before? Perhaps these women were drawn to each other because they knew they were “alone” in the world.  More importantly, the presence of God is evident by Ruth's response to her mother-in-law.  Ruth reminds us and reminded Naomi of God's presence. The presence of God is the bond that unites our hearts as brothers and sisters in Christ. The Road Less Traveled photo credit:  B Gilmour.  via  photopin   cc Mutual Commitment. Naomi urged Ruth to go home to her mother in Moab hoping that Ruth would find another husband. Ruth refused to leave Naom

BG Badge

BG Badge
Bible Gateway Blogger