Tuesday
Jan142014
Theological Term of the Week
Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 6:27PM 
This is not an easy term to define. Theologians I respect define “miracle” differently, and all have reasons for their particular definition.
miracle
“[T]hose [events] not explainable solely by natural processes but which require the direct causal agency of a supernatural being, usually God”1; “an out-of-the-ordinary direct and divine intervention in the world”2; “any event within the sphere of human observation which is brought about by the direct volition of God, normally, but not always, as distinguished from the ordinary manifestations of divine power operating according to intelligible laws … “3; see other definitions under Learn more below.
- From scripture, one of Jesus’ miracles:
Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her andsaid to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. (Luke 7:11-17, ESV)
