Difference between revisions of "Miracle" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:San Giuseppe di Copertino 18th century engraving.jpg|thumb|250px|right|In order to become a [[saint]] in the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the candidate must have performed two miracles. Saint Joseph of Cupertino is considered to be a flying saint.]]
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[[Image:San Giuseppe di Copertino 18th century engraving.jpg|thumb|250px|right|In order to become a [[saint]] in the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the candidate must have performed two miracles. Saint Joseph of Cupertino (depicted here) is considered to be a flying saint.]]
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A '''miracle''' (from [[Latin]]: ''miraculum'', "something wonderful") refers to an act or event that goes against the ordinary laws of physics. These amazing and extraordinary events are often attributed to divine intervention by a supernatural being, or to the work of a demon (as in the case of [[Simon Magus]]). The reporting of miracles was common in the ancient world among Christians and non-Christains alike. Even today, the canonization of a saint in the [[Roman Catholic Church]] still requires two posthumous miracles.
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A '''miracle''' (from [[Latin]]: ''miraculum,'' "something wonderful") refers to an act or event that goes against the ordinary laws of physics, which are especially notable within the context of  religious belief and practice. Such amazing and extraordinary events are often attributed to divine intervention, or to the work of a demon (as in the case of [[Simon Magus]]). The reporting of alleged miracles was common in the ancient world among Christians and non-Christians alike. Even today, the canonization of a saint in the [[Roman Catholic Church]] still requires two posthumous miracles.  
  
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Although many [[religion|religious]] texts and people confirm witnessing "miracles", it is disputed whether or not such events are [[scientific method|scientifically confirmed]] occurrences. While some miracles have been proven to be fraudulent (Peter Popoff, for example) others (such as the Paschal Fire in Jerusalem) have not proven susceptible to analysis. Some groups are far more cautious about proclaiming apparent miracles genuine than others, although official sanction, or the lack thereof, rarely has much effect on popular belief.
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Although many [[religion|religious]] followers and texts confirm witnessing "miracles," it is disputed whether or not such events are [[scientific method|scientifically confirmed]] occurrences. While some miracles have been proven to be fraudulent, others (such as the [[Paschal Fire]] in Jerusalem) have not proven unverifiable. Some groups are far more cautious about proclaiming apparent miracles genuine than others, although official sanction, or the lack thereof, rarely has much effect on popular belief.
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In casual usage, "miracle" may also refer to any [[probability|statistically unlikely]] but [[good and evil|beneficial]] [[Phenomenon|event]] (such as the survival of a natural disaster), or even to anything that is regarded as "wonderful" regardless of its likelihood, such as [[birth]]. For example, some people speak of life itself as a 'miracle.'
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In casual usage, "miracle" may also refer to any [[probability|statistically unlikely]] but [[good and evil|beneficial]] [[Phenomenon|event]] (such as the survival of a natural disaster), or even to anything that is regarded as "wonderful" regardless of its likelihood, such as [[birth]]. For example, some people speak of [[life]] itself as a 'miracle.'
  
 
==Definition==
 
==Definition==
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According to the philosopher [[David Hume]], a miracle is "a transgression of a law of nature by a particular volition of the Deity, or by the interposition of some invisible agent."<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/miracles/ Miracles] on the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy</ref>  Some scientist-theologians like John Polkinghorne suggest that miracles are not violations of the laws of nature but "exploration of a new regime of physical experience".<ref>[[John Polkinghorne]] ''Faith, Science and Understanding'' p59</ref>
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According to the philosopher [[David Hume]], a miracle is "a transgression of a law of nature by a particular volition of the Deity, or by the interposition of some invisible agent."<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/miracles/ Miracles] in the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.'' </ref> For many religious practitioners, miracles represent actual real historical events, which affirm both the power of divinity as well as substantiate the veracity of their religious claims. Many adherents of [[Monotheism|monotheistic religion]]s assert that miracles are "proof" of the existence of an [[Omnipotence|omnipotent]], [[Omniscience|omniscient]], and benevolent god. However, while the existence of miracles may imply the existence of a supernatural miracle worker, that supernatural miracle worker need not be an omnipotent, omniscient, and all-benevolent god; it could be any supernatural being. Thus, miracles only prove that gods might exist, not that there is a monotheistic [[god]]. Secondly, miracles, if established, are evidence that a perfect god ironically violates his own laws of nature.
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The logic behind an event being deemed a miracle varies significantly. In most cases a religious text, such as the [[Bible]] or [[Qur'an]], states that a miracle occurred, and believers accept this as a fact.Therefore, there is probably a supernatural being (i.e., God) that performs what appear to be miracles.  However, some scientists criticise this kind of thinking a subversion, or perhaps deliberate misuse, of [[Ockham's Razor]].<ref>''The God Delusion''</ref>
 
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Many adherents of [[Monotheism|monotheistic religion]]s assert that miracles, if established, are [[logic]]al proof of the existence of an [[Omnipotence|omnipotent]], [[Omniscience|omniscient]], and benevolent god. A number of criticisms of this point of view exist:
 
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# While the existence of miracles may imply the existence of a supernatural miracle worker, that supernatural miracle worker need not be an omnipotent, omniscient, and all-benevolent god; it could be any supernatural being. That is, it only proves that gods might exist, not that there is a monotheistic [[god]].
 
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# Some argue that miracles, if established, are evidence that a perfect god does not exist, as such a being would not want to, or need to, violate his own laws of nature. However, [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] theologians do not accept this reasoning; they conclude that the miracles are from an omnipotent god, because they accept as already logically proven (through concepts like the [[Cosmological argument|prime mover]]) that there must be a single omnipotent, omniscient god, when speaking philosophically.
 
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# Laws of nature are inferred from [[empirical evidence]]. Thus if an accepted law of nature ever appeared to have been violated, it could simply be that the accepted law was an erroneous inference from an insufficient set of empirical observations, rather than a supernatural disruption of the true course of nature.
 
  
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To many Christians, miracles represent actual historical events, while liberal Christians may consider these stories to be figurative. Most Christians accept the resurrection of Jesus as fact, indeed defining being a Christian with a belief in the resurrection.
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Liberal believers in the world's religions often consider scriptural miracle stories to be figurative in nature.  
  
 
==Ancient World==
 
==Ancient World==
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Miracle workers were common in the ancient world. In fact, miracle workers were so common that miracles were not necessarily considered to be an authoritative sign of divine power. Indeed, some miracles were seen to be the work of magicians or demons, and religious texts contained warnings not to take all miracle workers seriously.<ref>See Biblical passages on Simon Magus</ref>  
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Miracle workers were common in the ancient world. In fact, miracle workers were so common that miracles were not necessarily considered to be an authoritative sign of divine power. Indeed, some miracles were seen to be the work of magicians or demons, and religious texts contained warnings not to take all miracle workers seriously.<ref>See Biblical passages on [[Simon Magus]]</ref>  
  
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Additionally, it was common for many figures in the ancient world to be associated with the miracle of a virgin birth. Jesus, therefore, was not the only figure to fall into this category. For example, the god [[Mithras]] was said to be miraculously born of a rock, known as the ''petra genetix.''<ref>de Riencourt, Amaury (1974). ''Sex and Power in History.'' pp. 135.</ref>
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Additionally, it was common for many figures in the ancient world to be associated with the miracle of a virgin birth. Jesus, therefore, was not the only figure in this category. For example, the god [[Mithras]] was said to be miraculously born of a rock, known as the ''petra genetix,''<ref>Amaury de Riencourt. ''Sex and Power in History.'' (Delacorte Press, 1974), 135.</ref> among many others.
  
 
== Miracles in the Bible ==
 
== Miracles in the Bible ==
 
===In the Hebrew Bible===
 
===In the Hebrew Bible===
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The descriptions of most miracles in the [[TaNaK|Tanakh]] (Hebrew Bible) are often the same as the common definition of the word: God intervenes in the laws of nature.
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The [[TaNaK|Tanakh]] (Hebrew Bible) describes many alleged miracles in which God intervenes in the laws of nature. God may suspend or speed up the laws of nature to produce a supernatural occurrence; create matter out of nothing; breathe life into inanimate matter, or part the Sea of Reeds (in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] ''Yâm-Sûph''; often mistranslated as the "Red Sea"). The latter incident occurred when [[Moses]] and [[Israelite]]s fled from [[slavery|bondage]] in [[Egypt]], to begin their exodus to the promised land. The book of [[Exodus]] ''does not'' state that the Reed Sea split in a dramatic fashion. Rather, according to the text, God caused a strong [[wind]] to slowly drive the shallow waters to land. There is no claim that God pushed apart the sea as shown in many films; rather, the miracle would be that Israel crossed this precise place, at exactly the right time, when Moses lifted his [[Staff (stick)|staff]], and that the pursuing Egyptian [[army]] then drowned when the wind stopped and the piled waters rushed back in.
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A literal reading of the Tanakh shows a number of ways miracles are said to occur: God may suspend or speed up the laws of nature to produce a supernatural occurrence; God can create matter out of nothing; God can breathe life into inanimate matter. The Tanakh does not explain details of how these miracles happen.
 
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The Tanakh attributes many natural occurrences to God, such as the [[sun]] rising and setting, and [[rain]] falling.
 
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Today many [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Jews]], most Christians, and most Muslims adhere to this view of miracles. This view is generally rejected by non-Orthodox Jews, liberal Christians and Unitarian-Universalists.
 
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Many events commonly understood to be miraculous may not actually be instances of the impossible, as commonly believed. For instance, consider the parting of the Sea of Reeds (in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] ''Yâm-Sûph''; often mistranslated as the "Red Sea"). This incident occurred when [[Moses]] and [[Israelite]]s fled from [[slavery|bondage]] in [[Egypt]], to begin their exodus to the promised land. The book of [[Exodus]] ''does not'' state that the Reed Sea split in a dramatic fashion. Rather, according to the text God caused a strong [[wind]] to slowly drive the shallow waters to land, overnight. There is no claim that God pushed apart the sea as shown in many films; rather, the miracle would be that Israel crossed this precise place, at exactly the right time, when Moses lifted his [[Staff (stick)|staff]], and that the pursuing Egyptian [[army]] then drowned when the wind stopped and the piled waters rushed back in.
 
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Most events later described as miracles are not labeled as such by the Bible; rather the text simply describes what happened. Often these narratives will attribute the cause of these events to God.
 
  
 
In rabbinic [[Judaism]], many [[rabbi]]s mentioned in the [[Talmud]] held that the laws of nature were inviolable. The idea of miracles that contravened the laws of nature were hard to accept; however, at the same time they affirmed the truth of the accounts in the [[TaNaK|Tanakh]]. Therefore some explained that miracles were in fact natural events that had been set up by God at the beginning of time.
 
In rabbinic [[Judaism]], many [[rabbi]]s mentioned in the [[Talmud]] held that the laws of nature were inviolable. The idea of miracles that contravened the laws of nature were hard to accept; however, at the same time they affirmed the truth of the accounts in the [[TaNaK|Tanakh]]. Therefore some explained that miracles were in fact natural events that had been set up by God at the beginning of time.
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These views are held by both classical and modern thinkers.
 
These views are held by both classical and modern thinkers.
  
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In [[Book of Numbers|Numbers]] 22 is the story of [[Balaam]] and the talking [[donkey]]. Many hold that for miracles such as this, one must either assert the literal truth of this [[Old Testament|biblical story]], or one must then reject the story as false. However, some Jewish commentators (e.g. [[Saadiah Gaon]] and [[Maimonides]]) hold that stories such as these were never meant to be taken literally in the first place. Rather, these stories should be understood as accounts of a [[prophet]]ic experience, which are [[dream]]s or visions. (Of course, such dreams and visions could themselves be considered miracles.)
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In [[Book of Numbers|Numbers]] 22 is the story of [[Balaam]] and the talking [[donkey]]. Many hold that for miracles such as this, one must either assert the literal truth of this [[Old Testament|biblical story]], or one must then reject the story as false. However, some Jewish commentators (e.g. [[Saadiah Gaon]] and [[Maimonides]]) hold that stories such as these were never meant to be taken literally in the first place. Rather, these stories should be understood as accounts of a [[prophet]]ic experience, which are [[dream]]s or visions.
  
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Joseph H. Hertz, a 20th century Jewish biblical commentator, writes that these verses "depict the continuance on the subconscious plane of the mental and moral conflict in Balaam's soul; and the dream apparition and the speaking donkey is but a further warning to Balaam against being misled through avarice to violate God command."
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=== In the New Testament ===
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[[Image:Po vodam.jpg|thumb|right|An artist's depiction of the miracle of Jesus ''Walking on Water,'' by Ivan Aivazovsky (1888).]]
  
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=== In the New Testament ===
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The descriptions of most miracles in the Christian [[New Testament]] also usually involve God (incarnated as Jesus) intervening in the laws of nature. In St John's Gospel the "miracles" are referred to as "signs" and the emphasis is on God demonstrating his underlying normal activity in remarkable ways.<ref>John Polkinghorne. ''Faith, Science and Understanding.'' (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001), 59.</ref><ref> William Temple. ''Readings in St John's Gospel'', 33; Tom Wright. ''John for Everyone.'' (Westminster John Knox Press, 2004)</ref>
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[[Image:Po vodam.jpg|thumb|right|An artist's depiction of the miracle of Jesus ''Walking on Water'', by Ivan Aivazovsky (1888).]]
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The descriptions of most miracles in the Christian [[New Testament]] are often the same as the commonplace definition of the word: God intervenes in the laws of nature. In St John's Gospel the "miracles" are referred to as "signs" and the emphasis is on God demonstrating his underlying normal activity in remarkable ways.<ref> see eg John Polkinghorne op cit and any pretty well any commentary on the Gospel of John, such as William Temple ''Readings in St John's Gospel'' (see eg p 33) or Tom Wright's ''John for Everyone''</ref>
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Jesus turns water into wine; creates matter out of nothing by turning a loaf of bread into many loaves of bread. He revives the lives of people considered to be dead, and rises from the dead himself.
  
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Jesus can turn water into wine; Jesus can create matter out of nothing, and thus turn a loaf of bread into many loaves of bread, Jesus can revive the lives of people considered to be dead. Jesus can rise from the dead. The New Testament does not explain details of how these miracles happen.
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According to the canonical [[Gospel]]s, [[Jesus]] worked many miracles in the course of his ministry, which may be categorized into cures, [[exorcism]]s, dominion over nature, three instances of raising the dead, and various others. To many Christians, the miracles represent actual historical events, while Liberal Christians may consider these stories to be figurative. Critical scholars generally concede that empirical methods are unable to determine if a genuine miracle is historical, considering the issue theological or philosophical.  
  
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According to the canonical [[Gospel]]s, [[Jesus]] worked many miracles in the course of his ministry, which may be categorized into cures, [[exorcism]]s, dominion over nature, three instances of raising the dead, and various others. To many Christians, the miracles represent actual historical events, while Liberal Christians may consider these stories to be figurative. Critical scholars generally concede that empirical methods are unable to determine if a genuine miracle is historical, considering the issue theological or philosophical. [[Islamic]] scholars also believe in most of the miracles of healing and the miracles of resurrecting dead people to life.
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In most cases a religious text, such as the [[Bible]] or [[Qur'an]], states that a miracle occurred, and believers accept this as a fact. Most Christians accept the resurrection of Jesus as fact, indeed defining being a Christian with a belief in the resurrection.
  
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=== List of miracles attributed to Jesus in various sources ===
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===List of Jesus' miracles ===
  
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It is not always clear when two reported miracles refer to the same event. An attempt has been made to indicate those that probably are related. Summarizing the table below, there are 47 miracles of Jesus recorded during his life-time, 40 of them recorded in the canonical Gospels and 7 recorded only in non-canonical sources<ref>This count includes his own resurrection, but excludes transubstantiation.</ref>.   The chronological order of the miracles is difficult to determine, so this list should not be viewed as a sequence.
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Summarizing the table below, there are 47 miracles of Jesus recorded during his life-time, 40 of them recorded in the canonical Gospels and 7 recorded only in non-canonical sources<ref>This count includes his own resurrection, but excludes transubstantiation.</ref>. The chronological order of the miracles is difficult to determine, so this list should not be viewed as a sequence.  
 
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|Healed a woman with a [[hemorrhage]] who touched the fringes of his garment <ref>[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=254&letter=J&search=Jesus Jewish Encyclopedia: Jesus]: "Jesus wore the Ẓiẓit (Matt. ix. 20)"; [http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/strongs.pl?strongs=2899 Strong's Concordance G2899]; [[Walter Bauer]]'s ''Greek-English Lexicon of the NT'', 3rd ed., 1979: "{{polytonic|κράσπεδον}}: 1. edge, border, hem of a garment - But meaning 2 is also possible for these passages, depending on how strictly Jesus followed Mosaic law, and also upon the way in which {{polytonic|κράσπεδον}} was understood by the authors and first readers of the gospels. 2. tassel (ציצת), which the Israelite was obligated to wear on the four corners of his outer garment, according to Num 15:38f; Dt 22:12." ... Of the Pharisees ... Mt 23:5.</ref>
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|Healed a woman with a [[hemorrhage]] who touched the fringes of his garment <ref>[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=254&letter=J&search=Jesus Jewish Encyclopedia: Jesus]: "Jesus wore the Ẓiẓit (Matt. ix. 20)"; [http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/strongs.pl?strongs=2899 Strong's Concordance G2899]; [[Walter Bauer]]'s ''Greek-English Lexicon of the NT'', 3rd ed., 1979: "{{polytonic|κράσπεδον}}: 1. edge, border, hem of a garment - But meaning 2 is also possible for these passages, depending on how strictly Jesus followed Mosaic law, and also upon the way in which {{polytonic|κράσπεδον}} was understood by the authors and first readers of the gospels. 2. tassel (ציצת), which the Israelite was obligated to wear on the four corners of his outer garment, according to Num 15:38f; Dt 22:12." … Of the Pharisees … Mt 23:5.</ref>
 
|{{bibleverse||Matt|9:20-22}}
 
|{{bibleverse||Matt|9:20-22}}
 
|{{bibleverse||Mark|5:24-34}}
 
|{{bibleverse||Mark|5:24-34}}
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|[[Transubstantiation]] of bread and wine<ref>This is viewed as a miracle only in Churches that believe in [[transubstantiation]], such as [[Roman Catholicism]]. [[Protestant]] churches do not view the [[Lord's Supper]] as a miracle.</ref>
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|[[Transubstantiation]] of bread and wine<ref>This is viewed as a miracle only in Churches that believe in [[transubstantiation]], such as [[Roman Catholicism]]. [[Protestant]] churches do not view the [[Lord's Supper]] as a miracle.</ref>
 
|{{bibleverse||Matt|26:26-30}}
 
|{{bibleverse||Matt|26:26-30}}
 
|{{bibleverse||Mark|14:22-26}}
 
|{{bibleverse||Mark|14:22-26}}
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The [[Roman Catholic Church]] is hesitant extending validity to a putative miracle. The Church requires a certain number of miracles to occur before granting [[sainthood]] to a putative saint, with particularly stringent requirements in validating the miracle's authenticity. [http://jcgi.pathfinder.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982807,00.html] The process is overseen by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints [http://www.30giorni.it/us/articolo.asp?id=3664].
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The [[Roman Catholic Church]] is hesitant about extending validity to a putative miracle. The Church requires a certain number of miracles to occur before granting [[sainthood]] to a putative saint, with particularly stringent requirements in validating the miracle's authenticity. [http://jcgi.pathfinder.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982807,00.html] The process is overseen by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.<ref>Stefania Falasca,  An interview with Michele Di Ruberto, "The Necessity of Miracles," ''30 Days.'' ''30giorni.it''. </ref>
  
 
==Miracles in Islam==
 
==Miracles in Islam==
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[[Muslims]] consider the the [[Qur'an|Holy Qur'an]] itself to be a miracle.<ref>F. Tuncer, "International Conferences on Islam in the Contemporary World", March 4-5, 2006, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A., p. 95-96 </ref> The Qur'an claims to be a [[revelation]] from [[Allah]] (God), as a perfect copy of what was written in heaven and existed there from all eternity.<ref>Wilson, Christy: "The Qur'an" in ''A Lion Handbook The World's Religion'', p. 315</ref> Therefore the verses of the book are referred to as ''ayat'', which also means "a miracle" in the [[Arabic language]].<ref>Wilson, ibid.</ref>
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[[Muslims]] consider the [[Qur'an|Holy Qur'an]] itself to be a miracle, as a perfect copy of what was written in heaven and existed there from all eternity.<ref>F. Tuncer, "International Conferences on Islam in the Contemporary World," March 4-5, 2006, (Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.), 95-96 </ref><ref>Christy Wilson, "The Qur'an." in Pat Alexander. ''[A Lion Handbook] The World's Religions.'' (Lion Hudson, 1996. ISBN 0745937209), 315</ref> The verses of the book are referred to as ''ayat'' ("sign" or "a miracle") in the [[Arabic language]].
  
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The Quran claims that Muhammad was illiterate and neither read a book nor wrote a book ({{quran-usc|7|157}}, {{quran-usc|29|48}}) and that he did not know about past events nor could he have possibly known the scientific facts that are mentioned in the Quran.({{quran-usc|3|44}}, {{quran-usc|11|49}}, {{quran-usc|28|44}}).<ref>F. Tuncer, ibid</ref> This is used as an argument in favor of the divine origin of the book. On the other hand, some scholars have stated that the claim about Muhammad's illiteracy is based on weak traditions and are not convincing.
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The Qur'an claims that Muhammad was illiterate and neither read a book nor wrote a book ({{quran-usc|7|157}}, {{quran-usc|29|48}}) and that he did not know about past events nor could he have possibly known the scientific facts that are mentioned in the Quran.({{quran-usc|3|44}}, {{quran-usc|11|49}}, {{quran-usc|28|44}}).<ref>Tuncer, 95-96 </ref> This is used as an argument in favor of the divine origin of the book. On the other hand, some scholars have stated that the claim about Muhammad's illiteracy is based on weak traditions and are not convincing.
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<ref>William Montgomery Watt, ''"Muhammad's Mecca"'', Chapter 3: ''"Religion In Pre-Islamic Arabia"'', p. 26-52</ref><ref>Maxime Rodinson, ''"Mohammed''", translated by Anne Carter, p. 38-49, 1971</ref>
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<ref>William Montgomery Watt. ''Muhammad's Mecca: History in the Qur'an'', Chapter 3: "Religion In Pre-Islamic Arabia" 26-52. (Edinburgh University Press, 1989)</ref><ref>Maxime Rodinson. ''Mohammed,'' translated by Anne Carter, (Pantheon Books, 1971.
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ISBN 0394509080), 38-49</ref>
  
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Miracle in the [[Qur'an]] can be defined as a supernatural intervention in the life of human beings. <ref name="EoQ"> Denis Gril, ''Miracles'', Encyclopedia of the Qur'an </ref> According to this definition, Miracles are present "in a threefold sense: in sacred [[history]], in connection with [[Muhammad]] himself and in relation to revelation."<ref name="EoQ"/> The Qur'an does not use the technical [[Arabic]] word for miracle (''Muʿd̲j̲iza'') literally meaning "that by means of which [the Prophet] confounds, overwhelms, his opponents". It rather uses the term 'Ayah' (literally meaning sign). <ref name="EoI"> A.J. Wensinck, ''Muʿd̲j̲iza'', Encyclopedia of Islam </ref> The term ''Ayah'' is used in the Qur'an in the above mentioned threefold sense: it refers to the "verses" of the Qur'an (believed to be the divine speech in human language; presented by [[Muhammad]] as his chief Miracle); as well as to miracles of it and the signs( particularly those of creation).<ref name="EoQ"/><ref name="EoI"/>
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According to the [[Qur'an]], a miracle is a supernatural intervention in the life of human beings,<ref name="EoQ"> Denis Gril, "Miracles," ''Encyclopedia of the Qur'an.'' </ref> which are present "in a threefold sense: in sacred [[history]], in connection with [[Muhammad]] himself and in relation to revelation."<ref name="EoQ"/> The Qur'an does not use the technical [[Arabic]] word for miracle ''(Muʿd̲j̲iza)'' literally meaning "that by means of which [the Prophet] confounds, overwhelms, his opponents." It rather uses the term ''Ayah'' (literally meaning sign). <ref name="EoI"> A.J. Wensinck, "Muʿd̲j̲iza." ''Encyclopedia of Islam.'' </ref> The term ''Ayah'' is used in the Qur'an in the above mentioned threefold sense: it refers to the "verses" of the Qur'an (believed to be the divine speech in human language; presented by [[Muhammad]] as his chief Miracle); as well as to miracles of it and the signs (particularly those of creation).<ref name="EoQ"/><ref name="EoI"/>
  
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According to historian Denis Gril, Muhammad was not granted to perform miracles in their traditional sense "as they were not, [[ipso facto]], sufficient to convince unbelievers."<ref name="EoQ"/> Miracles in traditional sense, are however reported in the Muslim tradition. <ref name="EoI"/>
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According to historian Denis Gril, Muhammad was not granted to perform miracles in their traditional sense "as they were not, ''ipso facto,'' sufficient to convince unbelievers."<ref name="EoQ"/> Miracles in traditional sense, are still, however, reported in the Muslim tradition.<ref name="EoI"/>
  
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A systematic definition of Miracles performed by apostles can be found in the work of the [[List of Muslim scholars|Muslim scholar]] ''al-Īd̲j̲ī Mawāḳif'', historian A.J. Wensinck states.<ref name="EoI"/> The main purpose of miracle is to prove the sincerity of the apostle and has to satisfy the following conditions:<ref name="EoI"/>
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A systematic definition of Miracles performed by apostles can be found in the work of the [[List of Muslim scholars|Muslim scholar]] ''al-Īd̲j̲ī Mawāḳif,'' historian A.J. Wensinck states.<ref name="EoI"/> The main purpose of miracle is to prove the sincerity of the apostle and has to satisfy the following conditions:<ref name="EoI"/>
  
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# It must be performed by God
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# It must be performed by God.
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# "It must be contrary to the usual course of things"
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# "It must be contrary to the usual course of things."
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# It should be impossible to contradict it  
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# It should be impossible to contradict it.
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# "It must happen at the hands of him who claims to be an apostle
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# "It must happen at the hands of him who claims to be an apostle.
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# "It must be in conformity with his announcement of it, and the miracle itself must not be a disavowal of his claim"
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# "It must be in conformity with his announcement of it, and the miracle itself must not be a disavowal of his claim."
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# "It must follow on his claim"<ref name="EoI"/>
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# "It must follow on his claim."<ref name="EoI"/>
  
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The Qur'an does not mention any miracle for [[Adam]] as he was not supposed to convince anybody.<ref name="EoQ"/> Verses {{Quran-usc|11|40}} and {{Quran-usc|23|27}} mention miracles of [[Noah]], "The oven (tannur) out of which the water burst and announced the flood".<ref name="EoQ"/> Hud, the first of five Arabian prophets of the Qur'an, prophet for the ancient tribe of 'Ad does not have any particular miracle(thus according to historian Denis Gril prefiguring Muhammad).<ref name="EoQ"/> See {{Quran-usc|7|69}} for his response when he was rebuked for not producing a miracle. <ref name="EoQ"/>
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The Qur'an does not mention any miracle for [[Adam]] as he was not supposed to convince anybody.<ref name="EoQ"/> Verses {{Quran-usc|11|40}} and {{Quran-usc|23|27}} mention miracles of [[Noah]], "The oven ''(tannur)'' out of which the water burst and announced the flood".<ref name="EoQ"/> [[Hud]], the first of five Arabian prophets of the Qur'an, prophet for the ancient tribe of 'Ad does not have any particular miracle (thus according to historian Denis Gril prefiguring Muhammad).<ref name="EoQ"/> See {{Quran-usc|7|69}} for his response when he was rebuked for not producing a miracle. <ref name="EoQ"/>
  
 
==Hinduism and Buddhism==
 
==Hinduism and Buddhism==
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In the religions of Indian origin, such as [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]], the cultivation of mediataion can allegedly lead to powers (siddhi) which allow the practicioner to perform what appeart to be miracles to others such as levitation.
+
In the religions of Indian origin, such as [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]], the cultivation of [[meditation]] can allegedly lead to powers ''(siddhi),'' which allow the practitioner to perform miraculous abilities such as levitation and [[telekenisis]]. Followers of the Indian [[guru]]s Sathya [[Sai Baba]] and Swami Premananda claim that they routinely perform miracles. However, the dominant view among [[skepticism|skeptics]] is that these are predominantly sleight of hand or elaborate magic tricks.
−
 
 
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Followers of the Indian [[guru]]s Sathya [[Sai Baba]] and Swami Premananda claim that they routinely perform miracles. The dominant view among sceptics is that these are predominantly sleight of hand or elaborate magic tricks.
 
  
 
[[Image:Ganesh with flower.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A statue of [[Ganesha]].]]
 
[[Image:Ganesh with flower.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A statue of [[Ganesha]].]]
  
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The ''Hindu milk miracle'' was a phenomenon reported to have occurred on September 21, 1995.<ref name="Guardian">Suzanne Goldenberg, ''"India's gods milk their faithful in a brief 'miracle'"'', The Guardian, September 22, 1995.</ref> Before dawn, a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] worshipper at a temple in south New Delhi made an offering of milk to a statue of Lord Ganesha. When a spoonful of milk from the bowl was held up to the trunk of the statue, the liquid was seen to disappear, apparently taken in by the idol. Word of the event spread quickly, and by mid-morning it was found that statues of the entire Hindu pantheon in temples all over North India were taking in milk, with the family of [[Shiva]] ([[Parvati]], [[Ganesha]], and [[Kartikeya]]) apparently the "thirstiest".<ref name="Independent">Tim McGirk, ''"India's thirsty statues drink the nation dry"'', The Independent, September 22, 1995</ref> By noon the news had spread beyond [[India]], and Hindu temples in [[Great Britain|Britain]], [[Canada]], [[Dubai]], and [[Nepal]] among other countries had successfully replicated the phenomenon, and the World Hindu Council (an Indian Hindu organisation) had announced that a miracle was occurring.
+
One of the most famous example of miracles in Hinduism in modern times was the so-called ''Hindu milk miracle'' that occurred on September 21, 1995.<ref name="Guardian">Suzanne Goldenberg, "India's gods milk their faithful in a brief 'miracle'", ''The Guardian'', September 22, 1995.</ref> Before dawn, a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] worshipper at a temple in south New Delhi made an offering of milk to a statue of Lord Ganesha and the liquid was seen to disappear, apparently taken in by the idol. Word of the event spread quickly, and by mid-morning it was found that statues of the entire Hindu pantheon in temples all over North India were taking in milk, with the family of [[Shiva]] ([[Parvati]], [[Ganesha]], and [[Kartikeya]]) apparently the "thirstiest".<ref name="Independent">Tim McGirk, "India's thirsty statues drink the nation dry", ''The Independent,'' September 22, 1995</ref> By noon the news had spread beyond [[India]], and Hindu temples in [[Great Britain|Britain]], [[Canada]], [[Dubai]], and [[Nepal]] among other countries had successfully replicated the phenomenon, and the World Hindu Council (an Indian Hindu organization) had announced that a miracle was occurring.
  
−
The apparent miracle had a significant effect on the areas around major temples; vehicle and pedestrian traffic in New Delhi was dense enough to create a gridlock lasting until late in the evening. Many stores in areas with significant Hindu communities saw a massive jump in sales of milk, with one Gateway store in [[England]] selling over 25,000 [[pint]]s of milk,<ref name=Sun>David Wooding, ''"Cow do they do that?"'', The Sun, September 22, 1995.</ref> and overall milk sales in New Delhi jumped over 30%.<ref name="Independent"/> Many minor temples struggled to deal with the vast increase in numbers, and queues spilled out into the streets.
+
The apparent miracle had a significant effect on the areas around major temples; vehicle and pedestrian traffic in New Delhi was dense enough to create a gridlock lasting until late in the evening. Many stores in areas with significant Hindu communities saw a massive jump in sales of milk, with one Gateway store in [[England]] selling over 25,000 [[pint]]s of milk,<ref name=Sun>David Wooding, "Cow do they do that?", ''The Sun,'' September 22, 1995.</ref> and overall milk sales in New Delhi jumped over 30 percent.<ref name="Independent"/> Many minor temples struggled to deal with the vast increase in numbers, and queues spilled out into the streets.
  
−
Seeking to explain the phenomenon, scientists from India's Ministry of Science and Technology travelled to a temple in New Delhi and made an offering of milk containing a food colouring. As the level of liquid in the spoon dropped, it became obvious that after the milk disappeared from the spoon, it coated the statue beneath where the spoon was placed. With this result, the scientists offered capillary action as an explanation; the [[surface tension]] of the milk was pulling the liquid up and out of the spoon, before gravity caused it to run down the front of the statue.<ref name="Guardian"/> This explanation did nothing to reduce the numbers of faithful rushing to the temples, however, and queues of people carrying pots, pans, and buckets of milk continued to gather.  
+
Seeking to explain the phenomenon, [[scientist]]s from India's Ministry of Science and Technology travelled to a [[temple]] in [[New Delhi]] and made an offering of milk containing a food coloring. As the level of liquid in the spoon dropped, it became obvious that after the milk disappeared from the spoon, it coated the statue beneath where the spoon was placed. With this result, the scientists offered capillary action as an explanation; the [[surface tension]] of the milk was pulling the liquid up and out of the spoon, before [[gravity]] caused it to run down the front of the statue.<ref name="Guardian"/> This explanation did nothing to reduce the numbers of faithful rushing to the temples, however, and queues of people carrying pots, pans, and buckets of milk continued to gather.  
  
−
To those who believed in the miracle, further proof was offered when the phenomenon seemed to cease before the end of the day, with many statues refusing to take more milk even before noon.<ref name="Asian Age">Meenhal Baghel, ''"Awed devotees witness Shiva miracle across country"'', The Asian Age, September 22, 1995.</ref> A small number of temples outside of India reported the effect continuing for several more days, but no further reports were made after the beginning of October. However, skeptics hold the incident to be an example of [[mass hysteria]], and when reports of the [[Monkey-man of New Delhi]] began to appear in 2001, many newspapers harked back to the event. The story was picked up, mostly as a novelty piece, by news services around the world, including [[CNN]], the [[BBC]], the ''New York Times'' and the ''The Guardian''. Alternative theories about how the phenomenon began have since been raised; including that Nemi Chand Jain, also known as Chandraswami, spread the rumour to take public attention away from the criminal charges that were being levelled at him at the time for harbouring a murderer.<ref name="Independent"/>
+
To those who believed in the miracle, further proof was offered when the phenomenon seemed to cease before the end of the day, with many statues refusing to take more milk even before noon.<ref name="Asian Age">Meenhal Baghel, "Awed devotees witness Shiva miracle across country", ''The Asian Age,'' September 22, 1995.</ref> A small number of temples outside of India reported the effect continuing for several more days, but no further reports were made after the beginning of October. However, skeptics hold the incident to be an example of [[mass hysteria]].
  
−
The "miracle" occurred again on 20-21 August 2006 in almost exactly the same fashion, although initial reports seem to indicate that it occurred only with statues of Ganesh, [[Shiva]], and [[Durga]]. The first reported occurrence was on the evening of the 20th in the city of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, from where it spread throughout India like wildfire.<ref>Shaveta Bansal, ''[http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7004605758 "Devotees Throng Temples To See Hindu Deities Drinking Milk"]'', All Headline News, August 21, 2006</ref> However, rationalists are heavily skeptical about the issue, attributing it to [[capillary action]] yet again.<ref>[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/science-behind-milk-drinking-gods/19175-11.html "Milk-drinking gods just plain science"], Press Trust of India, August 21, 2006</ref>
+
The "miracle" occurred again on August 20-21, 2006 in almost exactly the same fashion, although initial reports seem to indicate that it occurred only with statues of Ganesh, [[Shiva]], and [[Durga]]. The first reported occurrence was on the evening of the 20th in the city of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, from where it spread throughout India like wildfire. <ref>Shaveta Bansal, August 21, 2006, all headline news, [http://www.wayodd.com/devotees-throng-temples-to-see-hindu-deities-drinking-milk/v/3878/ "Devotees Throng Temples To See Hindu Deities Drinking Milk"]'', ''Wayodd.com''. Retrieved November 15, 2008.</ref> However, rationalists are heavily skeptical about the issue, attributing it to [[capillary action]] yet again.<ref>[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/science-behind-milk-drinking-gods/19175-11.html "Milk-drinking gods just plain science"], ''Press Trust of India,'' August 21, 2006</ref>
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The phenomenon had reappeared only days after reports of 2006 Mumbai "sweet" seawater incident|sea water turning sweet that led to mass hysteria in Mumbai.  
+
The phenomenon had reappeared only days after reports of 2006 Mumbai "sweet" seawater incident in which sea water turning sweet that led to mass hysteria in Mumbai.
  
 
==Types of miracles==
 
==Types of miracles==
 
=== Cures ===
 
=== Cures ===
−
The largest group of miracle stories mentioned in the New Testament are those concerning disease and disability. The Gospels give varying amounts of detail for each episode, sometimes Jesus cures simply by saying a few words, or laying on of hands, and at other times employs elaborate rituals using material (e.g. spit or mud). Generally they are recorded in the [[Synoptic Gospels]] but not John.  
+
The largest group of miracle stories mentioned in the New Testament are those concerning [[disease]] and [[disability]]. The [[Gospel]]s give varying amounts of detail for each episode, sometimes Jesus cures simply by saying a few words, or laying on of hands, and at other times employs elaborate rituals using material (e.g. spit or mud). Generally they are recorded in the [[Synoptic Gospels]] but not the [[Gospel of John]]. (Fever, [[Leprosy]], ''Long term bleeding,'' ''Withered hands'' Dropsy, Deafness, [[Blindness]], [[Paralysis]])
  
−
*[[Fever]] - The Synoptics describe Jesus as healing the mother-in-law of [[Simon Peter]] when he visited Simon's house in [[Capernaum]], around the time of Jesus recruiting Simon as an Apostle (Mark has it just after the calling of Simon, while Luke has it just before). The synoptics imply that this led other people seeking out Jesus, and him traveling over the whole of Galilee to preach to them.
+
===Exorcisms===
−
*[[Leprosy]] - The Synoptics state that, early in [[Ministry of Jesus|Jesus' ministry]], he healed a leper, whom he then instructed to offer the requisite ritual sacrifices as proscribed by the [[Deuteronomic Code]] and [[Priestly Code]]. Jesus instructed the ex-leper not to tell anyone who had healed him, but the man disobeyed, increasing Jesus' fame, and thereafter Jesus withdrew to ''deserted places'', but was followed there. Luke also states that later, while on his way to [[Jerusalem]], Jesus sent ten lepers, who had sought his assistance, to the priests, and that they were healed as they went, but that the only one that came back to thank Jesus was a [[Samaritan]].
+
According to the [[Synoptic Gospels]], Jesus performed many [[exorcism]]s of [[demonic possession|demoniacs]]. These incidents are not mentioned by the Gospel of John.
−
*''Long term bleeding'' - The Synoptics state that while heading to Jairus' house (see the section below on ''power over death''), Jesus was approached by a woman who had been suffering from ''bleeding'' for 12 years, and that she touched Jesus' cloak ([[Tzitzit|fringes of his garment]]: {{bibleverse||Matt|9:20}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Matt|14:36}}), and was instantly healed. Jesus turned about and, when the woman came forward, said "Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace." The bleeding is sometimes interpreted as [[menorrhagia]], but most scholars consider that the duration, 12 years, makes it more plausible that something more like [[hemophilia]] is being referred to.
 
−
*''Withered hands'' - The Synoptics  state that Jesus entered a [[synagogue]] on the Sabbath, and found a man with a ''withered'' hand there, whom Jesus healed, having first challenged the people present to decide what was lawful for a Sabbath - ''to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill'' . The Gospel of Mark adds that this angered the [[Pharisees]] so much that they started to plot about killing Jesus.
 
−
*[[Dropsy]] - Luke alone states that, during a Sabbath, Jesus ate in the house of a prominent Pharisee, opposite someone who suffered from dropsy, and Jesus asked the Pharisees that were present if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, but, after getting no reply, healed the man. Jesus then challenged the Pharisees to say that they would not immediately pull out an ox, or a son (or a donkey, according to some ancient manuscripts of Luke), if it fell into a well during a Sabbath.
 
−
*[[Deafness]] - Mark alone states that Jesus went to the Decapolis and met a man there who was deaf and mute, and cured him. Specifically, Jesus first touched the man's ears, and touched his tongue after spitting, and then said Ephphatha!, an Aramaic word meaning ''Be opened''
 
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*Blindness - The Synoptics state that Jesus met a beggar (Mark gives the name: ''bar-Timai'' or ''son of Timai'') who, though blind, still identified Jesus as the Jewish Messiah; Jesus said that the man's faith has healed him, and he ''received his sight'', and was allowed to follow Jesus. This happened when Jesus was leaving [[Jericho]], and Matthew adds that there was another healed at the same time.   John mentions as similar event that happened near the [[Pool of Siloam]], with the following details:
 
−
** The disciples first questioned Jesus whether the man's curse was for his own sins, or those of his parents.  Jesus said it was for neither reason, "but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
 
−
** Jesus healed him by spitting on the ground, mixing his spit with mud, and putting the mixture into his eyes, then sent him to wash in the Pool of Siloam
 
−
** The event happened on a Sabbath, and the Pharisees said, "this man is not of God, because he does not keep the Sabbath."  They asked the formerly blind man concerning Jesus, who said, "he is a prophet."
 
−
** The Jews did not believe that the healed man was the same person as the man who had been blind from birth, and asked his parents if the healed man was their son, and the parents responded that he was, and had been born blind
 
−
** Jesus identified himself as the ''Son of God'', and the cured man worshiped him
 
−
:Additionally, Mark alone states that Jesus went to Bethsaida and met another man there who was blind, and then cured him. Specifically, Jesus is described as spitting in the man's eyes, to which the man responded that his vision is now blurred, and then Jesus touched the man's eyes, and the man responded that he can see clearly now. John's account of the healing of has been argued by some scholars to be a conflation of the account of bar-Timai in Mark, together with the healing method given by Mark's account of the second healing of a blind man.
 
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*[[Paralysis]] - The Synoptics state that a paralytic was brought to Jesus on a mat; Jesus told him to ''get up and walk'', and the man did so. Jesus also told the man that his sins were forgiven, which according to the Synoptics irritated the Pharisees, and according to John irritated the people in general. Jesus is described as responding to the anger by asking whether it is easier to say that someone's sins are forgiven, or to tell the man to ''get up and walk''. The Synoptics state that this happened in Capernaum, Luke adding that Jesus was in a house at the time, and that the man had to be lowered through the roof by his friends due to the crowds blocking the door.  A similar account is given in John and occurs at the Pool of Bethesda; some have argued this is another version of the event described in the synoptics, rather than a separate cure.
 
−
*''Unspecified sickness'' - All four Canonical Gospels state that Jesus was asked by an official to heal a person important to them, and although Jesus is somewhat annoyed at being constantly asked to perform miracles, rather than being asked for teachings, he says that the person would be healed, and the official returned home to find that this has happened. The Synoptics state that official was one of royalty, originating from [[Canaan]], and that it was his son who was sick, while the Gospel of John states that the official was a centurion, and that it was the centurion's servant that was sick.
 
  
−
=== Exorcisms ===
+
===Controlling nature===  
−
According to the [[Synoptic Gospels]], Jesus performed many exorcisms of [[demonic possession|demoniacs]].  These incidents are not mentioned by the Gospel of John.
 
−
 
 
−
===Controlling nature ===
 
 
The Gospels tell another group of stories concerning Jesus' power over nature:
 
The Gospels tell another group of stories concerning Jesus' power over nature:
 
*The Feeding of ''the 5000'' and of ''the 4000'' men - Jesus, praying to God and using only a few loaves of bread and fish, feeds thousands of men, along with an unspecified number of women and children; there are even a number of baskets of leftovers afterward.
 
*The Feeding of ''the 5000'' and of ''the 4000'' men - Jesus, praying to God and using only a few loaves of bread and fish, feeds thousands of men, along with an unspecified number of women and children; there are even a number of baskets of leftovers afterward.
 
*The Cursing of the Fig Tree - Jesus cursed a fig tree, and it withered.
 
*The Cursing of the Fig Tree - Jesus cursed a fig tree, and it withered.
−
*Turning Water into Wine - at a wedding, when the host runs out of wine, the disciples of Jesus fill vessels with water, but the waiter pronounces the content of the vessels as the best wine that has been served that night.
+
*Turning Water into Wine - at a wedding, when the host runs out of wine, the disciples of Jesus fill vessels with water, but the waiter pronounces the content of the vessels as the best [[wine]] that has been served that night.
 
*[[Walking on water]] - Jesus walked on a lake to meet a boat.
 
*[[Walking on water]] - Jesus walked on a lake to meet a boat.
 
*[[Transfiguration of Jesus]] - Jesus climbed a mountain and been ''changed'' so that his face glowed.
 
*[[Transfiguration of Jesus]] - Jesus climbed a mountain and been ''changed'' so that his face glowed.
 
*The Catch of 153 fish - Jesus instructed the disciples to throw their net over the side of the water, resulting in them hauling in the huge catch (for hand fishing) of 153 fish.
 
*The Catch of 153 fish - Jesus instructed the disciples to throw their net over the side of the water, resulting in them hauling in the huge catch (for hand fishing) of 153 fish.
 
*Calming a storm - during a storm, the disciples woke Jesus, and he rebuked the storm causing it to become calm. Jesus then rebukes the disciples for lack of faith.
 
*Calming a storm - during a storm, the disciples woke Jesus, and he rebuked the storm causing it to become calm. Jesus then rebukes the disciples for lack of faith.
−
*[[Transubstantiation]] during the [[last supper]]; disputed by some denominations.  
+
*[[Transubstantiation]] during the [[Last Supper]]; disputed by some Christian denominations.  
  
 
===Power over death===
 
===Power over death===
 
The [[Biblical Canon|Canonical]] Gospels report three cases where Jesus calls a dead person back to life:
 
The [[Biblical Canon|Canonical]] Gospels report three cases where Jesus calls a dead person back to life:
−
*Jairus' daughter - Jairus, a major patron of a [[synagogue]], asks Jesus to heal his daughter, but while Jesus is on his way, men tell Jairus that his daughter has died. Jesus says she was only sleeping and ''wakes'' her up with the word Talitha koum!.
+
*Jairus' daughter - Jairus, a major patron of a [[synagogue]], asks Jesus to heal his daughter, but while Jesus is on his way, men tell Jairus that his daughter has died. Jesus says she was only sleeping and ''wakes'' her up with the word ''Talitha koum!.''
 
*The son of the widow at Nain - A young man, the son of a widow, is brought out for burial in Nain. Jesus sees her, and his pity causes him to tell her not to cry. Jesus approaches the coffin and tells the man inside to get up, and he does so.
 
*The son of the widow at Nain - A young man, the son of a widow, is brought out for burial in Nain. Jesus sees her, and his pity causes him to tell her not to cry. Jesus approaches the coffin and tells the man inside to get up, and he does so.
 
*The raising of [[Lazarus]] - a close friend of Jesus who has been dead for four days is brought back to life when Jesus commands him to get up.  
 
*The raising of [[Lazarus]] - a close friend of Jesus who has been dead for four days is brought back to life when Jesus commands him to get up.  
−
*Jesus' own resurrection from the dead.
+
*Jesus' own [[resurrection]] from the dead.
  
 
While the raising of the daughter of Jairus is in all the [[Synoptic Gospel]]s (but not in the [[Gospel of John]]), the raising of the son of the widow of Nain appears only in the [[Gospel of Luke]], and the raising of Lazarus appears only in the Gospel of John. It has been argued by several scholars and commentators that the story of the raising of Lazarus and that of the Nain widow's son really refer to the same event, considered to derive from the raising of the youth in the original Mark.
 
While the raising of the daughter of Jairus is in all the [[Synoptic Gospel]]s (but not in the [[Gospel of John]]), the raising of the son of the widow of Nain appears only in the [[Gospel of Luke]], and the raising of Lazarus appears only in the Gospel of John. It has been argued by several scholars and commentators that the story of the raising of Lazarus and that of the Nain widow's son really refer to the same event, considered to derive from the raising of the youth in the original Mark.
  
−
===Flying Saints===
+
===Flying saints===
−
There are numerous [[saints]] to whom the ability to fly or [[levitation|levitate]] in spite of their weight has been attributed. Most of these ''flying saints'' are mentioned as such in literature and sources associated with them.
+
There are numerous [[saint]]s to whom the ability to fly or [[levitation|levitate]] has been attributed. The ability was also attributed to other figures in early [[Christianity]]. The apocryphal ''[[Acts of Peter]]'' gives a legendary tale of [[Simon Magus|Simon Magus']] death. Simon is performing [[magic]] in the forum, and in order to prove himself to be a [[god]], he flies up into the air. The apostle [[Saint Peter|Peter]] prays to God to stop his flying, and he stops mid-air and falls, breaking his legs, whereupon the crowd, previously non-hostile, stones him to death.<ref>[http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/actspeter.html Early Christian Writings- The Acts of Peter].''earlychristianwritings.com''. Retrieved November 15, 2008.</ref>
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The ability was also attributed to other figures in early [[Christianity]]. The apocryphal ''[[Acts of Peter]]'' gives a legendary tale of [[Simon Magus|Simon Magus']] death. Simon is performing [[magic]] in the forum, and in order to prove himself to be a [[god]], he flies up into the air. The apostle [[Saint Peter|Peter]] prays to God to stop his flying, and he stops mid-air and falls, breaking his legs, whereupon the crowd, previously non-hostile, stones him to death.<ref>http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/actspeter.html</ref>
 
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The church of Santa Francesca Romana claims to have been built on the spot in question (thus claiming that Simon Magus could indeed fly), claims that [[Paul the Apostle|Saint Paul]] was also present, and that a dented slab of marble that it contains bears the imprints of the knees of Peter and Paul during their prayer.
 
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The phenomenon of levitation was recorded again and again for certain saints.  [[Saint Francis of Assisi]] is recorded as having been "suspended above the earth, often to a height of three, and often to a height of four cubits." St. Alphonsus Liguori, when preaching at Foggia, was lifted before the eyes of the whole congregation several feet from the ground.<ref>Montague Summers, Withcraft and Black Magic, (Courier Dover, 2000), 200.</ref> Liguori is also said to have had the power of [[bilocation]]. 
 
  
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Flying or levitation was also associated with [[witchcraft]]. When it came to female saints, there was a certain ambivalence expressed by theologians, canon lawyers, inquisitors, and male [[hagiography|hagiographers]] towards the powers that they were purported to have.<ref>Caroline Walker Bynum, ''Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987), 23.</ref>  As Caroline Walker Bynum writes, "by 1500, indeed, the model of the female saint, expressed both in popular veneration and in official canonizations, was in may ways the mirror image of society’s notion of the [[witch]]."<ref>Caroline Walker Bynum, ''Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987), 23.</ref> Both witches and female saints were suspected of flying through the air, whether in saintly levitation or bilocation, or in a witches’ [[Sabbath (witchcraft)|Sabbath]].<ref>Caroline Walker Bynum, ''Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987), 23.</ref>
+
The phenomenon of levitation was recorded again and again for certain saints. [[Saint Francis of Assisi]] is recorded as having been "suspended above the earth, often to a height of three, and often to a height of four cubits." Saint [[Alphonsus Liguori]], when preaching at Foggia, was lifted before the eyes of the whole congregation several feet from the ground.<ref>Montague Summers. ''Witchcraft and Black Magic.'' (Courier Dover, 2000), 200.</ref> Liguori is also said to have had the power of [[bilocation]].  
  
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== Interpretations ==
+
Flying or levitation was also associated with [[witchcraft]]. When it came to female saints, there was a certain ambivalence expressed by theologians, canon lawyers, inquisitors, and male [[hagiography|hagiographers]] towards the powers that they were purported to have. As Caroline Walker Bynum writes, "by 1500, indeed, the model of the female saint, expressed both in popular veneration and in official [[canonization]]s, was in many ways the mirror image of society’s notion of the [[witch]]."<ref>Caroline Walker Bynum. ''Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women.'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987), 23.</ref> Both witches and female saints were suspected of flying through the air, whether in saintly levitation or bilocation, or in a witches’ [[Sabbath (witchcraft)|Sabbath]].<ref>Bynum, 23.</ref>
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Many people believe that miracles do not happen and that the entire universe operates on unchangable laws, without any exceptions. [[Aristotle]] rejected the idea that God could or would intervene in the order of the natural world. [[Jew]]ish neo-[[Aristotelian]] [[philosophy|philosophers]], who are still influential today, include [[Maimonides]], [[Samuel ben Judah ibn Tibbon]], and [[Gersonides]]. Directly or indirectly, their views are still prevalent in much of the religious Jewish community.  
 
  
−
''Littlewood's Law'' states that individuals can expect a miracle to happen to them at the rate of about one per month.
+
==Skepticism ==
 +
''Littlewood's Law'' states that individuals can expect a miracle to happen to them at the rate of about one per month. The law was framed by [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]] Professor J. E. Littlewood, and published in a collection of his work, ''A Mathematician's Miscellany''; it seeks (among other things) to debunk one element of supposed supernatural phenomenology and is related to the more general ''Law of Truly Large Numbers,'' which states that with a sample size large enough, any outrageous thing is likely to happen. Thus, Littlewood's law states that individuals can expect miracles to happen to them, at the rate of about one per month. By its definition, seemingly miraculous events are actually commonplace. In other words, miracles do not exist, but are rather examples of low [[probability]] events that are bound to happen by chance from time to time.
  
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The law was framed by [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]] Professor J. E. Littlewood, and published in a collection of his work, ''A Mathematician's Miscellany''; it seeks (among other things) to debunk one element of supposed supernatural phenomenology and is related to the more general ''Law of Truly Large Numbers'', which states that with a sample size large enough, any outrageous thing is likely to happen.
+
Others have suggested that miracles are the products of creative art and social acceptance. In this view, miracles do not really occur. Rather, they are the product of creative story tellers. They use them to embellish a hero or incident with a theological flavor. Using miracles in a story allow characters and situations to become bigger than life, and to stir the [[emotion]]s of the listener more than the mundane and ordinary. It has been suggested that]] the reports of alleged miracles were actually intended just as [[allegory|allegories]], not as factual events. ''Healing the blind'' has been argued to be a metaphor for people who previously could not, or would not, see the [[truth]] being shown it; ''healing the deaf'' has been interpreted as simply meaning that people who could not, or would not, listen to true teachings were made to; similarly, ''healing paralysis'' has been interpreted as an allegory for rectifying inaction; and ''healing leprosy'' for removing the societal stigmatism associated with certain stances. It has also been argued that ''bar-Timai'' is a direct reference to [[Plato]]'s [[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]], a philosophical work, and that ''bar-Timai'' symbolizes the [[Hellenistic civilization|hellenic]] audience of Mark's gospel, and that curing ''his'' blindness is a [[metaphor]] for the Gospel giving a revelation to the audience.<ref>[[Mark 10]]</ref>
  
−
Littlewood's law, making certain suppositions, is explained as follows: a miracle is defined as an exceptional event of special significance occurring at a frequency of one in a million; during the hours in which a human is awake and alert, a human will experience one thing per second (for instance, seeing the computer screen, the keyboard, the mouse, the article, etc.); additionally, a human is alert for about eight hours per day; and as a result, a human will, in 35 days, have experienced, under these suppositions, 1,008,000 things. Accepting this definition of a miracle, one can be expected to observe one miraculous occurrence within the passing of every 35 consecutive days -- and therefore, according to this reasoning, seemingly miraculous events are actually commonplace. Thus, Littlewood's law states that individuals can expect miracles to happen to them, at the rate of about one per month. By its definition, seemingly miraculous events are actually commonplace.  In other words, miracles do not exist, but are rather examples of low probability events that are bound to happen by chance from time to time.
+
Some modern scholars dismiss [[exorcism]]s as simply being cases of [[mental illness]] and afflictions such as [[epilepsy]]. Some scholars typically see these ''exorcisms'' of such illness as allegorical, representative of Jesus' teachings clearing even the most troubled mind. Out of the Canonical Gospels, Matthew adds several other episodes of Jesus healing people who are blind, deaf, mute, lame, or some combination of these four; many scholars see this as an example of the common trait of Matthew trying to portray Jesus as fulfilling an [[Old Testament]] [[prophecy]], in this case {{bibleverse||Isaiah|35:5-6}}.  
  
−
Others have suggested that miracles are the products of creative art and social acceptance. In this view, miracles do not really occur. Rather, they are the product of creative story tellers. They use them to embellish a hero or incident with a theological flavor. Using miracles in a story allow characters and situations to become bigger than life, and to stir the emotions of the listener more than the mundane and ordinary.
+
A study by the [[Jesus Seminar]] of what aspects of the Gospel accounts are likely to be factual, held that while the various cures Jesus gave for diseases are probably true, since there were many others in the ancient world credited with healing power, most of the other miracles of Jesus are nonfactual, at least in their ''literal'' interpretation from the Bible.  
  
−
Aside from literal interpretations, and assumptions of them being fiction, numerous other explanations of the events have been put forward throughout history. Beginning with the [[Gnosticism|Gnostics]], [[Gnosticism and the New Testament|it has been suggested that]] the reports of alleged miracles were actually intended just as [[allegory|allegories]], not as factual events. ''Healing the blind'' has been argued to be a metaphor for people who previously could not, or would not, see the truth being shown it; ''healing the deaf'' has been interpreted as simply meaning that people who could not, or would not, listen to true teachings were made to; similarly, ''healing paralysis'' has been interpreted as an allegory for rectifying inaction; and ''healing leprosy'' for removing the societal stigmatism associated with certain stances. It has also been argued that ''bar-Timai'' is a direct reference to [[Plato]]'s [[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]], a philosophical work, and that bar-Timai symbolizes the [[Hellenistic civilization|hellenic]] audience of Mark's gospel, and that curing ''his'' blindness is a metaphor for the Gospel giving a revelation to the audience. <ref>[[Mark 10]]</ref>
+
Concerning the resurrection, most non-Christian scholars point to the paucity of evidence, as well as the lack of evidence for other people having come back from the dead, and so reject the resurrection's historicity. The Jesus Seminar concluded: "in the view of the Seminar, he did not rise bodily from the dead; the resurrection is based instead on [[vision hypothesis|visionary experiences]] of [[Simon Peter|Peter]], [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]], and [[Mary Magdalene|Mary]]." [http://www.westarinstitute.org/Polebridge/Title/Acts/acts.html] [[Raymond E. Brown]] however argued that the seminar used an [[A priori and a posteriori (philosophy)|a priori]] bias against the supernatural and that events such as the resurrection had no chance of being admitted by the group as historical.<ref>Brown, 820-821</ref>
  
−
Other scholars have suggested that the Bible is more literal than that, but that the events can be scientifically explained by arguing that Jesus had a high knowledge of [[herbalism]], as was common amongst the teachers of many [[mystery religion]]s, and [[ascetic]] groups like the [[Essenes]], and simply applied quite ordinary and scientific cures for the symptoms described. Though things like ''blindness'' and ''deafness'' may seem incurable without very modern medicine, it has been argued by these scholars that it is not true ''blindness'', ''deafness'', etc., being referred to, but more easily curable illness such as [[conjunctivitis]], and [[glue ear]]. Out of the Canonical Gospels, Matthew adds several other episodes of Jesus healing people who are blind, deaf, mute, lame, or some combination of these four; many scholars see this as an example of the common trait of Matthew trying to portray Jesus as fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy, in this case {{bibleverse||Isaiah|35:5-6}}.  Those who believe the miracles happened as literally stated also sometimes think there is a reference to this part of Isaiah, though in their case, these believers argue that Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy, rather than the author editing Jesus to fit it.  
+
Many people believe that miracles do not happen and that the entire universe operates on unchangeable laws, without any exceptions. [[Aristotle]] rejected the idea that God could or would intervene in the order of the natural world. [[Jew]]ish neo-[[Aristotelian]] [[philosophy|philosophers]], who are still influential today, include [[Maimonides]], [[Samuel ben Judah ibn Tibbon]], and [[Gersonides]]. Directly or indirectly, their views are still prevalent in much of the religious Jewish community.
−
 
 
−
Some modern scholars dismiss exorcisms as simply being cases of [[mental illness]] and afflictions such as [[epilepsy]].  Some scholars typically see these ''exorcisms'' of such illness as allegorical, representative of Jesus' teachings clearing even the most troubled mind. Some critical scholars, however, have suggested that the events could have been real, though with the scientific explanation of the illnesses, and that the cures given were really just [[Psychopharmacology|psychological drugs]] that Jesus, like many others in the era, would have been aware of; for example, [[Common sage|Sage]] and [[Mistletoe]] were used in early times to treat epilepsy, and [[Snakeroot]] was used to treat schizophrenia.  
 
−
 
 
−
A study by the [[Jesus Seminar]] of what aspects of the Gospel accounts are likely to be factual, held that while the various cures Jesus gave for diseases are probably true, since there were many others in the ancient world credited with healing power, most of the other miracles of Jesus are nonfactual, at least in their ''literal'' interpretation from the Bible.  The veracity of [[exorcism]]s carried out by Jesus is questioned among some scholars, as according to modern science there is no evidence for [[demonic possession]].
 
−
 
 
−
Concerning the resurrection, most non-Christian scholars point to the paucity of evidence, as well as the lack of evidence for other people having come back from the dead, and so reject the resurrection's historicity. The Jesus Seminar concluded: "in the view of the Seminar, he did not rise bodily from the dead; the resurrection is based instead on [[vision hypothesis|visionary experiences]] of [[Simon Peter|Peter]], [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]], and [[Mary Magdalene|Mary]]." [http://www.westarinstitute.org/Polebridge/Title/Acts/acts.html] [[Raymond E. Brown]] however argued that the seminar used an [[A priori and a posteriori (philosophy)|a priori]] bias against the supernatural and that events such as the resurrection had no chance of being admitted by the group as historical. <ref>Brown 820-821</ref>
 
  
 
== Notes==
 
== Notes==
−
{{reflist}}
+
<references/>
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
−
* Charpak, Georges and Henri Broch, translated from the French by Bart K. Holland, ''Debunked! ESP, Telekinesis, Other Pseudoscience'', Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-7867-5
+
*Alexander, Pat. ''[A Lion Handbook] The World's Religions,'' 2nd ed. Lion Hudson, 1996. ISBN 0745937209.
−
* Colin Brown. ''Miracles and the Critical Mind''. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. (Good survey).
+
* Bollobás, Béla, Ed. ''Littlewood's Miscellany.'' Cambridge University Press, 1986. ISBN 052133702X.
−
* Colin J. Humphreys, ''Miracles of Exodus''. Harper, San Francisco, 2003.
+
* Bontrager, Krista, [http://www.reasons.org/resources/apologetics/its_a_miracle.shtml?main#_edn8 It’s a Miracle! Or, is it?].''reasons.org''. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
−
* Krista Bontrager, [http://www.reasons.org/resources/apologetics/its_a_miracle.shtml?main#_edn8 It’s a Miracle! Or, is it?]
+
* Brown, Raymond E. ''An Introduction to the New Testament.''  Doubleday, 1997. ISBN 0385247672.
−
* Eisen, Robert (1995). ''Gersonides on Providence, Covenant, and the Chosen People''. State University of New York Press.
+
* Brown, Raymond E. et al. ''The New Jerome Biblical Commentary.''  Prentice-Hall, 1990. ISBN 0136149340.
−
* Goodman, Lenn E. (1985). ''Rambam: Readings in the Philosophy of Moses Maimonides''. Gee Bee Tee.
+
* Bynum, Caroline Walker. ''Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women.'' Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987.
−
*Houdini, Harry. ''Miracle Mongers and Their Methods: A Complete Expose'' Prometheus Books; Reprint edition (March 1993) originally published in 1920 ISBN 0-87975-817-1
+
* Charpak, Georges and Henri Broch, translated from the French by Bart K. Holland. ''Debunked! ESP, Telekinesis, Other Pseudoscience.'' Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801878675.
−
* Kellner, Menachem (1986). ''Dogma in Medieval Jewish Thought''. Oxford University Press.
+
* Colin Brown. ''Miracles and the Critical Mind.'' Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. (Good survey).
−
* Lewis, C.S. ''Miracles: A Preliminary Study''. New York, Macmillan Co., 1947.
+
* Colin J. Humphreys. ''Miracles of Exodus.'' San Francisco: Harper, 2003.
−
* C. F. D. Moule (ed.). ''Miracles: Cambridge Studies in their Philosophy and History''. London, A.R. Mowbray 1966, 1965 (Good survey of Biblical miracles as well).
+
* Eisen, Robert (1995). ''Gersonides on Providence, Covenant, and the Chosen People.'' State University of New York Press.
−
* Graham Twelftree. ''Jesus the Miracle Worker: A Historical and Theological Study''. IVP, 1999. (Best in its field).
+
* Goodman, Lenn E. (1985). ''Rambam: Readings in the Philosophy of Moses Maimonides.'' Gee Bee Tee.
−
* Woodward, Kenneth L. (2000). ''The Book of Miracles''. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-684-82393-4.
+
* Houdini, Harry. ''Miracle Mongers and Their Methods: A Complete Expose.'' (original 1920) Reprint ed. Prometheus Books, 1993. ISBN 0879758171.
−
* M. Kamp, MD. Bruno Gröning. The miracles continue to happen. 1998, ([http://www.bruno-groening.org/english/mwf/buchauszug/defaultb-auszug.htm Chapters 1 - 4])
+
* Ibrahim, I.A. 1997. ''A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam.'' Darussalam: ISBN 9960340112.
−
*''Littlewood's Miscellany'', edited by B. Bollobás, Cambridge University Press; 1986. ISBN 0-521-33702-X
+
* Kamp, M. Bruno Gröning. "The miracles continue to happen." 1998, ([http://www.bruno-groening.org/english/mwf/buchauszug/defaultb-auszug.htm Chapters 1 - 4])
−
*Trench, Richard Chenevix, ''Notes on the miracles of our Lord'', London : John W. Parker, 1846 and many later editions
+
* Kellner, Menachem (1986). ''Dogma in Medieval Jewish Thought.'' Oxford University Press.
−
*Brown, Raymond E. ''An Introduction to the New Testament,''  Doubleday, 1997  ISBN 0-385-24767-2
+
* Kilgallen, John J. ''A Brief Commentary on the Gospel of Mark.'' Paulist Press, 1989. ISBN 0809130599.
−
*Brown, Raymond E. et al. ''The New Jerome Biblical Commentary'' Prentice-Hall, 1990  ISBN 0-13-614934-0
+
* Lewis, C.S. ''Miracles: A Preliminary Study.'' New York, Macmillan Co., 1947.
−
*Kilgallen, John J. ''A Brief Commentary on the Gospel of Mark'', Paulist Press, 1989. ISBN 0-8091-3059-9
+
*'' A Lion Handbook The World's Religion.'' Lion Publishing, plc. 1993. ISBN 0856481874.
−
*Meier, John P. ''A Marginal Jew:  Rethinking the Historical Jesus'', v. 2, ''Mentor, Message, and Miracles'',  Doubleday, 1994, ISBN 0-385-46992-6
+
*''Littlewood's Miscellany,'' edited by B. Bollobás, Cambridge University Press, 1986. ISBN 052133702X.
−
*Miller, Robert J. Editor  ''The Complete Gospels'',  Polebridge Press, 1994 ISBN 0-06-065587-9=
+
* Meier, John P. ''A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus.'' v. 2, ''Mentor, Message, and Miracles.'' Doubleday, 1994. ISBN 0385469926
−
* {{cite book
+
* Miller, Robert J., Ed. ''The Complete Gospels.'' Polebridge Press, 1994. ISBN 0060655879.
−
| last =
+
* Moule, C. F. D. ed. ''Miracles: Cambridge Studies in their Philosophy and History.'' London: A.R. Mowbray 1966. (Good survey of Biblical miracles as well).
−
| first =
+
* Polkinghorne, John. ''Faith, Science and Understanding.'' New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0300091281.
−
| authorlink =
+
* De Riencourt, Amaury. ''Sex and Power in History.'' Delacorte Press, 1974. ISBN 0385286783.
−
| year = 1993
+
* Rodinson, Maxime. ''Mohammed,'' translated by Anne Carter. Pantheon Books, 1971. ISBN 0394509080. (in English)
−
| title = A Lion Handbook The World's Religion
+
* Summers, Montague. ''Witchcraft and Black Magic.'' (original 1946) reprint ed. Courier Dover, 2000. ISBN 0486411257.  
−
| publisher = Lion Publishing plc
+
* Temple, William. ''Readings in St John's Gospel.'' (original 1939) MacMillan, 1961.  
−
|id = ISBN 0-85648-187-4
+
* Trench, Richard Chenevix. ''Notes on the miracles of our Lord.'' London: John W. Parker, (original 1846) and many later editions.
−
}}
+
* Tuncer, F. "International Conferences on Islam in the Contemporary World," March 4-5, 2006, (Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.)
−
* {{cite book
+
* Twelftree, Graham. ''Jesus the Miracle Worker: A Historical and Theological Study.'' IVP, 1999. (Best in its field).
−
| last = Ibrahim
+
* Watt, William Montgomery. ''Muhammad's Mecca: History in the Qur'an.'' Chapter 3: "Religion In Pre-Islamic Arabia," 26-52. (Islamic Surveys) Edinburgh University Press, 1989. ISBN 0852245653.
−
| first = I.A
+
 
−
| authorlink =
+
* Woodward, Kenneth L. (2000). ''The Book of Miracles.'' New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0684823934.
−
| year = 1997
+
* Wright, Tom. ''John for Everyone: Chapters 1-10.'' Westminster John Knox Press, 2004. ISBN 0664227899.  
−
| title = A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam
+
* Wright, Tom. ''John for Everyone: Chapters 11-21.'' Westminster John Knox Press, 2004. ISBN 0664227902.
−
| publisher = Darussalam
 
−
|id = ISBN 9960-34-011-2
 
−
}}
 
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
:''All links retrieved November 25, 2007.''
+
All links retrieved November 9, 2022.
−
* [http://christiancadre.org/topics/historicaljesus.html#miracles The Historicity of Jesus' Miracles] a feature of the Christan Cadre.
 
−
*[http://www.geocities.com/paulntobin/uncritical.html Final Words on the Miracles of Jesus]
 
−
* [http://www.backtoislam.com/?cat=68  God's Miracles, Islamic perspective]
 
−
* [http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/yuktibaadi.htm  An Indian Skeptic's explanation of miracles: By Yuktibaadi]
 
−
* [http://www.cdk.si/grz/relig_ic_e.htm  Religious miracles]
 
 
* [http://www.skepdic.com/miracles.html  Skeptic's Dictionary on miracles]
 
* [http://www.skepdic.com/miracles.html  Skeptic's Dictionary on miracles]
 
* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/miracles/  Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry]
 
* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/miracles/  Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry]
 
* [http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?AID=248167 Why Don't Miracles Happen Today? - A Jewish view on miracles nowadays] chabad.org
 
* [http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?AID=248167 Why Don't Miracles Happen Today? - A Jewish view on miracles nowadays] chabad.org
 
*[http://www.nybooks.com/articles/16991 Littlewood's Law] described in a review of ''Debunked! ESP, Telekinesis, Other Pseudoscience'' by Freeman J. Dyson, in the New York Review of Books. Full article requires purchase.
 
*[http://www.nybooks.com/articles/16991 Littlewood's Law] described in a review of ''Debunked! ESP, Telekinesis, Other Pseudoscience'' by Freeman J. Dyson, in the New York Review of Books. Full article requires purchase.
−
*[http://www.harunyahya.com/m_video_detail.php?api_id=1267 Harunyahya.com]
 
 
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/videonation/articles/u/uk_milk.shtml BBC archive footage showing a believer feeding a statue of Ganesha]
 
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/videonation/articles/u/uk_milk.shtml BBC archive footage showing a believer feeding a statue of Ganesha]
 
*[http://www.milkmiracle.com/ A believers' website devoted to the "Milk Miracle"]
 
*[http://www.milkmiracle.com/ A believers' website devoted to the "Milk Miracle"]
  
 
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Latest revision as of 11:08, 10 March 2023

In order to become a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, the candidate must have performed two miracles. Saint Joseph of Cupertino (depicted here) is considered to be a flying saint.

A miracle (from Latin: miraculum, "something wonderful") refers to an act or event that goes against the ordinary laws of physics, which are especially notable within the context of religious belief and practice. Such amazing and extraordinary events are often attributed to divine intervention, or to the work of a demon (as in the case of Simon Magus). The reporting of alleged miracles was common in the ancient world among Christians and non-Christians alike. Even today, the canonization of a saint in the Roman Catholic Church still requires two posthumous miracles.

Although many religious followers and texts confirm witnessing "miracles," it is disputed whether or not such events are scientifically confirmed occurrences. While some miracles have been proven to be fraudulent, others (such as the Paschal Fire in Jerusalem) have not proven unverifiable. Some groups are far more cautious about proclaiming apparent miracles genuine than others, although official sanction, or the lack thereof, rarely has much effect on popular belief.

In casual usage, "miracle" may also refer to any statistically unlikely but beneficial event (such as the survival of a natural disaster), or even to anything that is regarded as "wonderful" regardless of its likelihood, such as birth. For example, some people speak of life itself as a 'miracle.'

Definition

According to the philosopher David Hume, a miracle is "a transgression of a law of nature by a particular volition of the Deity, or by the interposition of some invisible agent."[1] For many religious practitioners, miracles represent actual real historical events, which affirm both the power of divinity as well as substantiate the veracity of their religious claims. Many adherents of monotheistic religions assert that miracles are "proof" of the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent god. However, while the existence of miracles may imply the existence of a supernatural miracle worker, that supernatural miracle worker need not be an omnipotent, omniscient, and all-benevolent god; it could be any supernatural being. Thus, miracles only prove that gods might exist, not that there is a monotheistic god. Secondly, miracles, if established, are evidence that a perfect god ironically violates his own laws of nature.

Liberal believers in the world's religions often consider scriptural miracle stories to be figurative in nature.

Ancient World

Miracle workers were common in the ancient world. In fact, miracle workers were so common that miracles were not necessarily considered to be an authoritative sign of divine power. Indeed, some miracles were seen to be the work of magicians or demons, and religious texts contained warnings not to take all miracle workers seriously.[2]

Additionally, it was common for many figures in the ancient world to be associated with the miracle of a virgin birth. Jesus, therefore, was not the only figure in this category. For example, the god Mithras was said to be miraculously born of a rock, known as the petra genetix,[3] among many others.

Miracles in the Bible

In the Hebrew Bible

The Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) describes many alleged miracles in which God intervenes in the laws of nature. God may suspend or speed up the laws of nature to produce a supernatural occurrence; create matter out of nothing; breathe life into inanimate matter, or part the Sea of Reeds (in Hebrew Yâm-Sûph; often mistranslated as the "Red Sea"). The latter incident occurred when Moses and Israelites fled from bondage in Egypt, to begin their exodus to the promised land. The book of Exodus does not state that the Reed Sea split in a dramatic fashion. Rather, according to the text, God caused a strong wind to slowly drive the shallow waters to land. There is no claim that God pushed apart the sea as shown in many films; rather, the miracle would be that Israel crossed this precise place, at exactly the right time, when Moses lifted his staff, and that the pursuing Egyptian army then drowned when the wind stopped and the piled waters rushed back in.

In rabbinic Judaism, many rabbis mentioned in the Talmud held that the laws of nature were inviolable. The idea of miracles that contravened the laws of nature were hard to accept; however, at the same time they affirmed the truth of the accounts in the Tanakh. Therefore some explained that miracles were in fact natural events that had been set up by God at the beginning of time.

In this view, when the walls of Jericho fell, it was not because God directly brought them down. Rather, God planned that there would be an earthquake at that place and time, so that the city would fall to the Israelites. Instances where rabbinic writings say that God made miracles a part of creation include Midrash Genesis Rabbah 5:45; Midrash Exodus Rabbah 21:6; and Ethics of the Fathers/Pirkei Avot 5:6.

These views are held by both classical and modern thinkers.

In Numbers 22 is the story of Balaam and the talking donkey. Many hold that for miracles such as this, one must either assert the literal truth of this biblical story, or one must then reject the story as false. However, some Jewish commentators (e.g. Saadiah Gaon and Maimonides) hold that stories such as these were never meant to be taken literally in the first place. Rather, these stories should be understood as accounts of a prophetic experience, which are dreams or visions.

In the New Testament

An artist's depiction of the miracle of Jesus Walking on Water, by Ivan Aivazovsky (1888).

The descriptions of most miracles in the Christian New Testament also usually involve God (incarnated as Jesus) intervening in the laws of nature. In St John's Gospel the "miracles" are referred to as "signs" and the emphasis is on God demonstrating his underlying normal activity in remarkable ways.[4][5]

Jesus turns water into wine; creates matter out of nothing by turning a loaf of bread into many loaves of bread. He revives the lives of people considered to be dead, and rises from the dead himself.

According to the canonical Gospels, Jesus worked many miracles in the course of his ministry, which may be categorized into cures, exorcisms, dominion over nature, three instances of raising the dead, and various others. To many Christians, the miracles represent actual historical events, while Liberal Christians may consider these stories to be figurative. Critical scholars generally concede that empirical methods are unable to determine if a genuine miracle is historical, considering the issue theological or philosophical.

In most cases a religious text, such as the Bible or Qur'an, states that a miracle occurred, and believers accept this as a fact. Most Christians accept the resurrection of Jesus as fact, indeed defining being a Christian with a belief in the resurrection.

List of Jesus' miracles

Summarizing the table below, there are 47 miracles of Jesus recorded during his life-time, 40 of them recorded in the canonical Gospels and 7 recorded only in non-canonical sources[6]. The chronological order of the miracles is difficult to determine, so this list should not be viewed as a sequence.

Miracle Matthew Mark Luke John Other sources
Annunciation Luke 1:26-38 Qur'an 3:45-51, 19:16-26
Miraculous baptism Matt 3:13-17 Mark 1:9-11 Luke 3:21-22 John 1:32-34
Angels protected Jesus in the desert Matthew 4:11 Mark 1:12-13
Miraculous conversion of Nathanael John 1:45-51
Turned water into wine John 2:1-11
Exorcism in Capernaum Mark 1:21-28 Luke 4:31-37
Healed every disease Matt 4:23-25 Mark 1:39
Caught large number of fish, converted fishermen to "fishers of men" Luke 5:1-11
Jesus' name exorcises demons and performs many miracles Matt 7:22 Mark 9:38-40, 16:17 Luke 9:49-50, 10:17 John 1:12-13. 2:23, 3:18, 14:13-14, 17:11-12 Acts 3:6, 4:10, 4:30, 16:18, 19:11-20
Cured a leper Matt 8:1-4 Mark 1:40-45 Luke 5:12-16 Egerton Gospel 2, Qur'an
Miraculous conversion of a Samaritan woman John 4:28-29
Cured a centurion's boy-servant Matt 8:5-13 Luke 7:1-10
Cured a royal official's son John 4:46-54
Cured Peter's mother-in-law's fever and drove out many evil spirits Matt 8:14-17 Mark 1:29-34 Luke 4:38-41
Drove 7 demons out of Mary Magdalene Mark 16:9 Luke 8:2
Calmed a storm at sea by rebuking the wind and waves Matt 8:23-27 Mark 4:35-41 Luke 8:22-25
Healed the Gerasene Demoniac Matt 8:28-34 Mark 5:1-20 Luke 8:26-39
Cured a paralytic at Capernaum Matt 9:1-8 Mark 2:1-12 Luke 5:17-26
Cured a paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda John 5:1-18
Raised the son of a widow at Nain Luke 7:11-17
Raised Jairus' daughter by saying Talitha koum! Matt 9:18-26 Mark 5:21-43 Luke 8:40-56
Healed a woman with a hemorrhage who touched the fringes of his garment [7] Matt 9:20-22 Mark 5:24-34 Luke 8:43-48
Healed two blind men, a mute, and every disease and ailment Matt 9:27-35
Twelve Apostles given authority to exorcise demons and raise the dead Matt 10:1, 10:8 Mark 3:13-15, 6:7 Luke 9:1
Unspecified miracles at Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum Matt 11:20-24 Luke 10:13-15
Healed a man's withered hand Matt 12:9-13 Mark 3:1-6 Luke 6:6-11
Healed huge crowds Matt 12:15-21 Mark 3:7-12 Luke 6:17-19
Healed a blind and dumb demoniac Matt 12:22-32 Mark 3:20-30 Luke 11:14-23; 12:10
Fed 5000 Matt 14:13-21 Mark 6:30-44 Luke 9:10-17 John 6:1-14
Walked on water Matt 14:22-33 Mark 6:45-52 John 6:15-21
All those who touched the fringes of his garment were cured Matt 14:34-36 Mark 6:53-56
Exorcised a Canaanite (Syro-Phoenecian) woman Matt 15:21-28 Mark 7:24-30
Healed a deaf-mute by saying Ephphatha! Mark 7:31-37
Healed large numbers of crippled, blind and mute Matt 15:29-31
Fed 4000 Matt 15:32-39 Mark 8:1-10
Restored a man's sight at Bethsaida Mark 8:22-26
Transfiguration Matt 17:1-13 Mark 9:2-13 Luke 9:28-36 2 Peter 1:17-18
Exorcised a possessed boy Matt 17:14-21 Mark 9:14-29 Luke 9:37-43
Payed temple tax with a stater coin taken from a fish's mouth Matt 17:23-27
Healed a woman on the Sabbath Luke 13:10-17
Continued to cast out demons even though Herod Antipas wanted to kill him Luke 13:31-32
Raised Lazarus John 11:1-44 Qur'an
Healed a man with dropsy Luke 14:1-6
Healed ten lepers Luke 17:11-19
Healed large crowds in Judea Matt 19:1-2
Healed two blind men Matt 20:29-34
Healed the blind beggar Bartimaeus Mark 10:46-52 Luke 18:35-43 Qur'an
Blind man given sight John 9
Healed blind and lame at Herod's Temple Matt 21:14
Cursed a fig tree Matt 21:18-22 Mark 11:12-14, 11:20-25
Transubstantiation of bread and wine[8] Matt 26:26-30 Mark 14:22-26 Luke 22:14-20 John 6:48-66 1 Cor 11:23-26
Satanic possession of Judas John 13:26-30
Healed High Priest's servant's ear Luke 22:49-51
Darkness like a Solar eclipse during Passover, see also Crucifixion eclipse Matt 27:45 Mark 15:33 Luke 23:44-45
Many of the dead resurrected when Jesus died Matt 27:50-54
Empty tomb Matt 27:62–28:15 Mark 16:1–8 Luke 24:1–12 John 20:1-10 Gospel of Peter 8:1-13:3
Resurrection appearances Matt 28:9-10, 28:16-20 Mark 16:9-18 Luke 24:13-49 John 20:11-23 Acts 1:1-8, 2:24, Romans 10:9, 1 Cor 9:1, 15:1-15
Ascended to Heaven Mark 16:19-20 Luke 24:50-53 Acts 1:9-11, 1 Peter 3:21-22, Secret Book of James 10:1-3
Doubting Thomas John 20:24-31
Catch of 153 fish post-resurrection John 21:1-14
Miraculous conversion of Paul Acts 9:1-19,22:1-22,26:9-24
Descended into Hell Ephesians 4:8-10, Acts 2:27, 2:31, 1 Peter 3:19-20, 4:6, Apostles' Creed, Ante-Nicene Fathers
Sent Paraclete/Holy Spirit Matt 3:10-12 Mark 1:8 Luke 3:16-17 John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7 Acts 1:5, 1:8, 2:4, 2:38, 11:16, Qur'an
Rich young man raised from the dead Secret Gospel of Mark 1
Water controlled and purified Infancy Thomas 2.2
Made birds of clay and brought them to life Infancy Thomas 2.3, Qur'an 3:49
Resurrected dead playmate Zeno Infancy Thomas 9
Healed a woodcutter's foot Infancy Thomas 10
Held water in his cloak Infancy Thomas 11
Harvested 100 bushels of wheat from a single seed Infancy Thomas 12
Stretched a board that was short for carpentry Infancy Thomas 13
Resurrected a teacher he earlier struck down Infancy Thomas 14-15
Healed James' viper bite Infancy Thomas 16
Resurrected a dead child Infancy Thomas 17
Resurrected a dead man Infancy Thomas 18
Miraculous Virgin Birth verified by midwife Infancy James 19-20

The Roman Catholic Church is hesitant about extending validity to a putative miracle. The Church requires a certain number of miracles to occur before granting sainthood to a putative saint, with particularly stringent requirements in validating the miracle's authenticity. [1] The process is overseen by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.[9]

Miracles in Islam

Muslims consider the Holy Qur'an itself to be a miracle, as a perfect copy of what was written in heaven and existed there from all eternity.[10][11] The verses of the book are referred to as ayat ("sign" or "a miracle") in the Arabic language.

The Qur'an claims that Muhammad was illiterate and neither read a book nor wrote a book ([Quran 7:157], [Quran 29:48]) and that he did not know about past events nor could he have possibly known the scientific facts that are mentioned in the Quran.([Quran 3:44], [Quran 11:49], [Quran 28:44]).[12] This is used as an argument in favor of the divine origin of the book. On the other hand, some scholars have stated that the claim about Muhammad's illiteracy is based on weak traditions and are not convincing. [13][14]

According to the Qur'an, a miracle is a supernatural intervention in the life of human beings,[15] which are present "in a threefold sense: in sacred history, in connection with Muhammad himself and in relation to revelation."[15] The Qur'an does not use the technical Arabic word for miracle (Muʿd̲j̲iza) literally meaning "that by means of which [the Prophet] confounds, overwhelms, his opponents." It rather uses the term Ayah (literally meaning sign). [16] The term Ayah is used in the Qur'an in the above mentioned threefold sense: it refers to the "verses" of the Qur'an (believed to be the divine speech in human language; presented by Muhammad as his chief Miracle); as well as to miracles of it and the signs (particularly those of creation).[15][16]

According to historian Denis Gril, Muhammad was not granted to perform miracles in their traditional sense "as they were not, ipso facto, sufficient to convince unbelievers."[15] Miracles in traditional sense, are still, however, reported in the Muslim tradition.[16]

A systematic definition of Miracles performed by apostles can be found in the work of the Muslim scholar al-Īd̲j̲ī Mawāḳif, historian A.J. Wensinck states.[16] The main purpose of miracle is to prove the sincerity of the apostle and has to satisfy the following conditions:[16]

  1. It must be performed by God.
  2. "It must be contrary to the usual course of things."
  3. It should be impossible to contradict it.
  4. "It must happen at the hands of him who claims to be an apostle.
  5. "It must be in conformity with his announcement of it, and the miracle itself must not be a disavowal of his claim."
  6. "It must follow on his claim."[16]

The Qur'an does not mention any miracle for Adam as he was not supposed to convince anybody.[15] Verses [Quran 11:40] and [Quran 23:27] mention miracles of Noah, "The oven (tannur) out of which the water burst and announced the flood".[15] Hud, the first of five Arabian prophets of the Qur'an, prophet for the ancient tribe of 'Ad does not have any particular miracle (thus according to historian Denis Gril prefiguring Muhammad).[15] See [Quran 7:69] for his response when he was rebuked for not producing a miracle. [15]

Hinduism and Buddhism

In the religions of Indian origin, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, the cultivation of meditation can allegedly lead to powers (siddhi), which allow the practitioner to perform miraculous abilities such as levitation and telekenisis. Followers of the Indian gurus Sathya Sai Baba and Swami Premananda claim that they routinely perform miracles. However, the dominant view among skeptics is that these are predominantly sleight of hand or elaborate magic tricks.

A statue of Ganesha.

One of the most famous example of miracles in Hinduism in modern times was the so-called Hindu milk miracle that occurred on September 21, 1995.[17] Before dawn, a Hindu worshipper at a temple in south New Delhi made an offering of milk to a statue of Lord Ganesha and the liquid was seen to disappear, apparently taken in by the idol. Word of the event spread quickly, and by mid-morning it was found that statues of the entire Hindu pantheon in temples all over North India were taking in milk, with the family of Shiva (Parvati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya) apparently the "thirstiest".[18] By noon the news had spread beyond India, and Hindu temples in Britain, Canada, Dubai, and Nepal among other countries had successfully replicated the phenomenon, and the World Hindu Council (an Indian Hindu organization) had announced that a miracle was occurring.

The apparent miracle had a significant effect on the areas around major temples; vehicle and pedestrian traffic in New Delhi was dense enough to create a gridlock lasting until late in the evening. Many stores in areas with significant Hindu communities saw a massive jump in sales of milk, with one Gateway store in England selling over 25,000 pints of milk,[19] and overall milk sales in New Delhi jumped over 30 percent.[18] Many minor temples struggled to deal with the vast increase in numbers, and queues spilled out into the streets.

Seeking to explain the phenomenon, scientists from India's Ministry of Science and Technology travelled to a temple in New Delhi and made an offering of milk containing a food coloring. As the level of liquid in the spoon dropped, it became obvious that after the milk disappeared from the spoon, it coated the statue beneath where the spoon was placed. With this result, the scientists offered capillary action as an explanation; the surface tension of the milk was pulling the liquid up and out of the spoon, before gravity caused it to run down the front of the statue.[17] This explanation did nothing to reduce the numbers of faithful rushing to the temples, however, and queues of people carrying pots, pans, and buckets of milk continued to gather.

To those who believed in the miracle, further proof was offered when the phenomenon seemed to cease before the end of the day, with many statues refusing to take more milk even before noon.[20] A small number of temples outside of India reported the effect continuing for several more days, but no further reports were made after the beginning of October. However, skeptics hold the incident to be an example of mass hysteria.

The "miracle" occurred again on August 20-21, 2006 in almost exactly the same fashion, although initial reports seem to indicate that it occurred only with statues of Ganesh, Shiva, and Durga. The first reported occurrence was on the evening of the 20th in the city of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, from where it spread throughout India like wildfire. [21] However, rationalists are heavily skeptical about the issue, attributing it to capillary action yet again.[22] The phenomenon had reappeared only days after reports of 2006 Mumbai "sweet" seawater incident in which sea water turning sweet that led to mass hysteria in Mumbai.

Types of miracles

Cures

The largest group of miracle stories mentioned in the New Testament are those concerning disease and disability. The Gospels give varying amounts of detail for each episode, sometimes Jesus cures simply by saying a few words, or laying on of hands, and at other times employs elaborate rituals using material (e.g. spit or mud). Generally they are recorded in the Synoptic Gospels but not the Gospel of John. (Fever, Leprosy, Long term bleeding, Withered hands Dropsy, Deafness, Blindness, Paralysis)

Exorcisms

According to the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus performed many exorcisms of demoniacs. These incidents are not mentioned by the Gospel of John.

Controlling nature

The Gospels tell another group of stories concerning Jesus' power over nature:

  • The Feeding of the 5000 and of the 4000 men - Jesus, praying to God and using only a few loaves of bread and fish, feeds thousands of men, along with an unspecified number of women and children; there are even a number of baskets of leftovers afterward.
  • The Cursing of the Fig Tree - Jesus cursed a fig tree, and it withered.
  • Turning Water into Wine - at a wedding, when the host runs out of wine, the disciples of Jesus fill vessels with water, but the waiter pronounces the content of the vessels as the best wine that has been served that night.
  • Walking on water - Jesus walked on a lake to meet a boat.
  • Transfiguration of Jesus - Jesus climbed a mountain and been changed so that his face glowed.
  • The Catch of 153 fish - Jesus instructed the disciples to throw their net over the side of the water, resulting in them hauling in the huge catch (for hand fishing) of 153 fish.
  • Calming a storm - during a storm, the disciples woke Jesus, and he rebuked the storm causing it to become calm. Jesus then rebukes the disciples for lack of faith.
  • Transubstantiation during the Last Supper; disputed by some Christian denominations.

Power over death

The Canonical Gospels report three cases where Jesus calls a dead person back to life:

  • Jairus' daughter - Jairus, a major patron of a synagogue, asks Jesus to heal his daughter, but while Jesus is on his way, men tell Jairus that his daughter has died. Jesus says she was only sleeping and wakes her up with the word Talitha koum!.
  • The son of the widow at Nain - A young man, the son of a widow, is brought out for burial in Nain. Jesus sees her, and his pity causes him to tell her not to cry. Jesus approaches the coffin and tells the man inside to get up, and he does so.
  • The raising of Lazarus - a close friend of Jesus who has been dead for four days is brought back to life when Jesus commands him to get up.
  • Jesus' own resurrection from the dead.

While the raising of the daughter of Jairus is in all the Synoptic Gospels (but not in the Gospel of John), the raising of the son of the widow of Nain appears only in the Gospel of Luke, and the raising of Lazarus appears only in the Gospel of John. It has been argued by several scholars and commentators that the story of the raising of Lazarus and that of the Nain widow's son really refer to the same event, considered to derive from the raising of the youth in the original Mark.

Flying saints

There are numerous saints to whom the ability to fly or levitate has been attributed. The ability was also attributed to other figures in early Christianity. The apocryphal Acts of Peter gives a legendary tale of Simon Magus' death. Simon is performing magic in the forum, and in order to prove himself to be a god, he flies up into the air. The apostle Peter prays to God to stop his flying, and he stops mid-air and falls, breaking his legs, whereupon the crowd, previously non-hostile, stones him to death.[23]

The phenomenon of levitation was recorded again and again for certain saints. Saint Francis of Assisi is recorded as having been "suspended above the earth, often to a height of three, and often to a height of four cubits." Saint Alphonsus Liguori, when preaching at Foggia, was lifted before the eyes of the whole congregation several feet from the ground.[24] Liguori is also said to have had the power of bilocation.

Flying or levitation was also associated with witchcraft. When it came to female saints, there was a certain ambivalence expressed by theologians, canon lawyers, inquisitors, and male hagiographers towards the powers that they were purported to have. As Caroline Walker Bynum writes, "by 1500, indeed, the model of the female saint, expressed both in popular veneration and in official canonizations, was in many ways the mirror image of society’s notion of the witch."[25] Both witches and female saints were suspected of flying through the air, whether in saintly levitation or bilocation, or in a witches’ Sabbath.[26]

Skepticism

Littlewood's Law states that individuals can expect a miracle to happen to them at the rate of about one per month. The law was framed by Cambridge University Professor J. E. Littlewood, and published in a collection of his work, A Mathematician's Miscellany; it seeks (among other things) to debunk one element of supposed supernatural phenomenology and is related to the more general Law of Truly Large Numbers, which states that with a sample size large enough, any outrageous thing is likely to happen. Thus, Littlewood's law states that individuals can expect miracles to happen to them, at the rate of about one per month. By its definition, seemingly miraculous events are actually commonplace. In other words, miracles do not exist, but are rather examples of low probability events that are bound to happen by chance from time to time.

Others have suggested that miracles are the products of creative art and social acceptance. In this view, miracles do not really occur. Rather, they are the product of creative story tellers. They use them to embellish a hero or incident with a theological flavor. Using miracles in a story allow characters and situations to become bigger than life, and to stir the emotions of the listener more than the mundane and ordinary. It has been suggested that]] the reports of alleged miracles were actually intended just as allegories, not as factual events. Healing the blind has been argued to be a metaphor for people who previously could not, or would not, see the truth being shown it; healing the deaf has been interpreted as simply meaning that people who could not, or would not, listen to true teachings were made to; similarly, healing paralysis has been interpreted as an allegory for rectifying inaction; and healing leprosy for removing the societal stigmatism associated with certain stances. It has also been argued that bar-Timai is a direct reference to Plato's Timaeus, a philosophical work, and that bar-Timai symbolizes the hellenic audience of Mark's gospel, and that curing his blindness is a metaphor for the Gospel giving a revelation to the audience.[27]

Some modern scholars dismiss exorcisms as simply being cases of mental illness and afflictions such as epilepsy. Some scholars typically see these exorcisms of such illness as allegorical, representative of Jesus' teachings clearing even the most troubled mind. Out of the Canonical Gospels, Matthew adds several other episodes of Jesus healing people who are blind, deaf, mute, lame, or some combination of these four; many scholars see this as an example of the common trait of Matthew trying to portray Jesus as fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy, in this case Isaiah 35:5-6.

A study by the Jesus Seminar of what aspects of the Gospel accounts are likely to be factual, held that while the various cures Jesus gave for diseases are probably true, since there were many others in the ancient world credited with healing power, most of the other miracles of Jesus are nonfactual, at least in their literal interpretation from the Bible.

Concerning the resurrection, most non-Christian scholars point to the paucity of evidence, as well as the lack of evidence for other people having come back from the dead, and so reject the resurrection's historicity. The Jesus Seminar concluded: "in the view of the Seminar, he did not rise bodily from the dead; the resurrection is based instead on visionary experiences of Peter, Paul, and Mary." [2] Raymond E. Brown however argued that the seminar used an a priori bias against the supernatural and that events such as the resurrection had no chance of being admitted by the group as historical.[28]

Many people believe that miracles do not happen and that the entire universe operates on unchangeable laws, without any exceptions. Aristotle rejected the idea that God could or would intervene in the order of the natural world. Jewish neo-Aristotelian philosophers, who are still influential today, include Maimonides, Samuel ben Judah ibn Tibbon, and Gersonides. Directly or indirectly, their views are still prevalent in much of the religious Jewish community.

Notes

  1. ↑ Miracles in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
  2. ↑ See Biblical passages on Simon Magus
  3. ↑ Amaury de Riencourt. Sex and Power in History. (Delacorte Press, 1974), 135.
  4. ↑ John Polkinghorne. Faith, Science and Understanding. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001), 59.
  5. ↑ William Temple. Readings in St John's Gospel, 33; Tom Wright. John for Everyone. (Westminster John Knox Press, 2004)
  6. ↑ This count includes his own resurrection, but excludes transubstantiation.
  7. ↑ Jewish Encyclopedia: Jesus: "Jesus wore the Ẓiẓit (Matt. ix. 20)"; Strong's Concordance G2899; Walter Bauer's Greek-English Lexicon of the NT, 3rd ed., 1979: "κράσπεδον: 1. edge, border, hem of a garment - But meaning 2 is also possible for these passages, depending on how strictly Jesus followed Mosaic law, and also upon the way in which κράσπεδον was understood by the authors and first readers of the gospels. 2. tassel (ציצת), which the Israelite was obligated to wear on the four corners of his outer garment, according to Num 15:38f; Dt 22:12." … Of the Pharisees … Mt 23:5.
  8. ↑ This is viewed as a miracle only in Churches that believe in transubstantiation, such as Roman Catholicism. Protestant churches do not view the Lord's Supper as a miracle.
  9. ↑ Stefania Falasca, An interview with Michele Di Ruberto, "The Necessity of Miracles," 30 Days. 30giorni.it.
  10. ↑ F. Tuncer, "International Conferences on Islam in the Contemporary World," March 4-5, 2006, (Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.), 95-96
  11. ↑ Christy Wilson, "The Qur'an." in Pat Alexander. [A Lion Handbook] The World's Religions. (Lion Hudson, 1996. ISBN 0745937209), 315
  12. ↑ Tuncer, 95-96
  13. ↑ William Montgomery Watt. Muhammad's Mecca: History in the Qur'an, Chapter 3: "Religion In Pre-Islamic Arabia" 26-52. (Edinburgh University Press, 1989)
  14. ↑ Maxime Rodinson. Mohammed, translated by Anne Carter, (Pantheon Books, 1971. ISBN 0394509080), 38-49
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 Denis Gril, "Miracles," Encyclopedia of the Qur'an.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 A.J. Wensinck, "Muʿd̲j̲iza." Encyclopedia of Islam.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Suzanne Goldenberg, "India's gods milk their faithful in a brief 'miracle'", The Guardian, September 22, 1995.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Tim McGirk, "India's thirsty statues drink the nation dry", The Independent, September 22, 1995
  19. ↑ David Wooding, "Cow do they do that?", The Sun, September 22, 1995.
  20. ↑ Meenhal Baghel, "Awed devotees witness Shiva miracle across country", The Asian Age, September 22, 1995.
  21. ↑ Shaveta Bansal, August 21, 2006, all headline news, "Devotees Throng Temples To See Hindu Deities Drinking Milk", Wayodd.com. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  22. ↑ "Milk-drinking gods just plain science", Press Trust of India, August 21, 2006
  23. ↑ Early Christian Writings- The Acts of Peter.earlychristianwritings.com. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  24. ↑ Montague Summers. Witchcraft and Black Magic. (Courier Dover, 2000), 200.
  25. ↑ Caroline Walker Bynum. Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women. (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987), 23.
  26. ↑ Bynum, 23.
  27. ↑ Mark 10
  28. ↑ Brown, 820-821

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Alexander, Pat. [A Lion Handbook] The World's Religions, 2nd ed. Lion Hudson, 1996. ISBN 0745937209.
  • Bollobás, Béla, Ed. Littlewood's Miscellany. Cambridge University Press, 1986. ISBN 052133702X.
  • Bontrager, Krista, It’s a Miracle! Or, is it?.reasons.org. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  • Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. Doubleday, 1997. ISBN 0385247672.
  • Brown, Raymond E. et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice-Hall, 1990. ISBN 0136149340.
  • Bynum, Caroline Walker. Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987.
  • Charpak, Georges and Henri Broch, translated from the French by Bart K. Holland. Debunked! ESP, Telekinesis, Other Pseudoscience. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801878675.
  • Colin Brown. Miracles and the Critical Mind. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. (Good survey).
  • Colin J. Humphreys. Miracles of Exodus. San Francisco: Harper, 2003.
  • Eisen, Robert (1995). Gersonides on Providence, Covenant, and the Chosen People. State University of New York Press.
  • Goodman, Lenn E. (1985). Rambam: Readings in the Philosophy of Moses Maimonides. Gee Bee Tee.
  • Houdini, Harry. Miracle Mongers and Their Methods: A Complete Expose. (original 1920) Reprint ed. Prometheus Books, 1993. ISBN 0879758171.
  • Ibrahim, I.A. 1997. A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam. Darussalam: ISBN 9960340112.
  • Kamp, M. Bruno Gröning. "The miracles continue to happen." 1998, (Chapters 1 - 4)
  • Kellner, Menachem (1986). Dogma in Medieval Jewish Thought. Oxford University Press.
  • Kilgallen, John J. A Brief Commentary on the Gospel of Mark. Paulist Press, 1989. ISBN 0809130599.
  • Lewis, C.S. Miracles: A Preliminary Study. New York, Macmillan Co., 1947.
  • A Lion Handbook The World's Religion. Lion Publishing, plc. 1993. ISBN 0856481874.
  • Littlewood's Miscellany, edited by B. Bollobás, Cambridge University Press, 1986. ISBN 052133702X.
  • Meier, John P. A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus. v. 2, Mentor, Message, and Miracles. Doubleday, 1994. ISBN 0385469926
  • Miller, Robert J., Ed. The Complete Gospels. Polebridge Press, 1994. ISBN 0060655879.
  • Moule, C. F. D. ed. Miracles: Cambridge Studies in their Philosophy and History. London: A.R. Mowbray 1966. (Good survey of Biblical miracles as well).
  • Polkinghorne, John. Faith, Science and Understanding. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0300091281.
  • De Riencourt, Amaury. Sex and Power in History. Delacorte Press, 1974. ISBN 0385286783.
  • Rodinson, Maxime. Mohammed, translated by Anne Carter. Pantheon Books, 1971. ISBN 0394509080. (in English)
  • Summers, Montague. Witchcraft and Black Magic. (original 1946) reprint ed. Courier Dover, 2000. ISBN 0486411257.
  • Temple, William. Readings in St John's Gospel. (original 1939) MacMillan, 1961.
  • Trench, Richard Chenevix. Notes on the miracles of our Lord. London: John W. Parker, (original 1846) and many later editions.
  • Tuncer, F. "International Conferences on Islam in the Contemporary World," March 4-5, 2006, (Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.)
  • Twelftree, Graham. Jesus the Miracle Worker: A Historical and Theological Study. IVP, 1999. (Best in its field).
  • Watt, William Montgomery. Muhammad's Mecca: History in the Qur'an. Chapter 3: "Religion In Pre-Islamic Arabia," 26-52. (Islamic Surveys) Edinburgh University Press, 1989. ISBN 0852245653.
  • Woodward, Kenneth L. (2000). The Book of Miracles. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0684823934.
  • Wright, Tom. John for Everyone: Chapters 1-10. Westminster John Knox Press, 2004. ISBN 0664227899.
  • Wright, Tom. John for Everyone: Chapters 11-21. Westminster John Knox Press, 2004. ISBN 0664227902.

External links

All links retrieved November 9, 2022.

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