What is your educated opinion of miracles? Do they really happen? Did Jesus perform miracles? Are miracles only in the past or do they still happen now? Has our scientific world made us blind to miracles? What do you think?
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Ofcourse miracles exist. If miracles didn't exist there would be no hope in the World today. I also believe that miracles are the same as being lucky. Yes miracles do really happen, for instance, I experianced a miracle myself today. My coach told me that i did not have work-outs today (which are hard track runs at top speeds) and in the freezing cold, so I said " wow that was absolutly a miracle.", and I thought however small a miracle that was is was one. I think because of all the knowlege in the world today that people would rather look at the world through numbers instead of faith. These people are not necessarily wrong but with out faith and belif in God to do anything we can never truly understand Him. I also believe that miracles can be preformed by modern day people but on a lesser scale than the miracles of Jesus. Like people who donate to bridges make miracles for the homeless people of New York.
ReplyDeleteI agree with caitlin. Miracles do exist maybe not as big as the miracles Jesus performed back in time but they are still happening today. I think people have a hard time just to believe in miracles and they try to find the scentific reason behind it or they think to much about and they miss the true meaning of the miracles. I think it could depend on the eye of the beholder. But I believe miracles are happening around us everyday. For instance the story of the football player Michael Oher. I believe that when he went to that school and that family saw him and decided to take him in their home and raise him that was a miracle for him. Things could have been bad for him but because of one lady that one miracle he is the person he is today.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that miracles still occur, however they aren't common day things, like shooting a basket during a losing game. Miracles today still happen, but they aren't as significant as when Jesus performed them, such as when he healed the blind. Miracles are deeper understanding of the lessons Jesus wanted us to learn, however since we always been a scientific world it makes it difficult to believe the slightest thing in which we have no answer to. Personally, it's all up to the person and how they were raised and what they've experienced in life. One person might see miracles happening everyday and yet another person might believe they have a lucky streak. Miracles are personal experiences that make us believe in the unknown and open up our heart to opportunities that might not be seen.
ReplyDeleteI do believe miracles exist, but people something that happens as a miracle or "luck" depending on the position that they are in. If the outcome for the person in the position is positively effecting them they are more likely to see it as a miracle, but if a person is not receiving the miracle or what happened to the other person effects them negatively they are less likely to view it as a miracle.
ReplyDeleteI believe that miracles are constantly occurring all around us and our human mind occasionally fails to realize it. For example, many students on this blog can say that it's a miracle to be in Religion Honors, and others may feel they are just smart and deserve to be in the class. However, where did your intelligence come from? Isn't that somewhat of a miracle to be gifted with intellect? These questions continue until we get to the very basis of reason, which is what scientists and rationalists attempt to do. In fact, all human beings strive for reason behind everything. However, when you look at a situation more simply, you need to have faith. Our earthly world isn't capable of finding the essence of divine reason. Not everything can be explained literally and physically and I feel that if you have faith in Jesus, then you should also have faith in miracles. Jesus could have easily performed miracles if we honestly believe him to be the son of God. This is another matter of faith. It basically depends on the person and their own beliefs. I don't necessarily feel that it is our "scientific world" that has impaired people from miracles. I feel that it is each person that blinds themselves from miracles. Our scientific world generally exists due to each person's natural craving to find reason within everything. People aren't persuaded by our scientific world to find reason, they just simply want to.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm not a big fan of miracles. Like I said before, I think that when someone says "that's a miracle!" I feel that there's some science and reason to explain why a certain incident happened and why some might consider it a miracle. For instance, that basketball scenario Mr. Bauer was talking about it class I could think of an explanation, not a very scientific explanation, but an explanation.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone is under the influence of an adrenaline rush their senses become much more acute and they're able to perform much better (anyone who's been in any kind of competition would know.) Usually adrenaline rushes happen as a last resort, when the competition is almost over. This and the drive and will (another factor) is a very powerful combination, if someone wants something desperately enough, they will almost always do anything to get it (as long as it doesn't break any laws). Not only that, but that phrase "If you believe in yourself you can do anything" goes a long way. For example, in medicine there's a mysterious phenomenon called the "Placebo Effect" in which if a person legitimately believes that they are going to get better they actually do get better, without any medicine being administered(for anyone that wants to read up on it here's the link to the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo). I also believe that the same concept can apply to sports, or any situation. Not necessarily that they recover, but that the thought "this is the last chance to win the game, I have to score" will influence the outcome.
Getting back on topic... Although I personally don't believe in miracles Jesus did say "It will only appear as a miracle to those who have faith." Now, did Jesus perform miracles? I'm somewhat skeptical about Jesus performing miracles because at the time of the Bible's original writing literary language was very symbolic and not necessarily to be taken literally. Please don't think that I am "going against the Bible" because I'm not, that's just the way I think, that everything has a logical explanation. Are miracles only in the past? No... I don't think that miracles only took place in the past, they've occurred ever since man has first learned to observe the world. However, It will only appear as a miracle to those who have faith that it is a miracle.
Has our scientific world made us blind to miracles? Of course! look at me! I'm probably one of the worst believers in miracles. However, it also depends on the person's definition of a miracle. If someone says that a miracle is something that is "naturally possible but scientifically improbable" then I would agree with them. However, if someone says that a miracle is "something that defies the laws of nature" such as someone walking on water then I would be inclined to disagree with them.
If someone wants to use me as an example of a "non-believer in miracles" feel free :]
-I think miracles occur every single day. It may not be something great like Jesus walking on water but they do exist. I think miracles happen to those who believe in them. To others it's just pure luck.Also Im honestly not sure if Jesus performed miracles. I would like to think he did but I actually need proof. I dont think science has blinded the world to miracles I think science has just made us question things.
ReplyDeleteI believe miracles do exist in this world and it happens frequently everyday. It depends on the individual who assume its a miracle or just plain luck. Miracles are signs that reveal Jesus is there for you wherever you are. It is your choice to believe in the actions of miracles even if they are not as huge as the miracles Jesus performed. Jesus had worked many wonders that are still astounding to us that cannot be proven. His miracles are only one major aspect of revealing him as the Son of God. Today, it is less likely to say it's a miracle because people assume there is always evidence or logical explanations in those situations. Miracles go beyond the laws of nature in believing God and it is the faith that requires for you to believe in it.
ReplyDeleteGreat response Steven P and N. :D
ReplyDeleteMy opinion on miracles is that, I really don't think about them too much. I believe they can exist if you believe in it. Sometimes, it's just logic.
I do believe that Jesus performed miracles, although I am skeptical about them, as Steven P said, but I am not going against/questioning my faith. When I (or we, if you went to a Catholic school)was younger, I was simply taught to believe in Jesus performing miracles. I didn't even understand it, I just thought the story was fun to listen to, never thought about it, only simply to learn it too. The Bible is mostly written symbolically, so maybe the miracles were to tell us a lesson, like "put your faith in God" or something like that. Back to the point, Yes, I do believe that Jesus performed miracles.
I guess I believe miracles happened in the past, can't really say much because I didn't have a first-hand look at them. But if miracles happened back then, then they should be happening right now. Right? Maybe. Like the plane that crashed into the Hudson river. It really was a miracle for the people to survive. I really can't see how it can be associated with luck...no offense but, are people really that ignorant to believe that it wasn't a miracle for it to happen? A little too harsh, but I believe it was a miracle. Just think about if you were on that plane.
Our scientific world has not made us blind to miracles. I think it's our "scientific" minds that has made us blind. Although, I don't think miracles can ever have a scientific reason behind it. Miracles are based on faith, not reason.
I know I sound like a major hypocrite, jumping from one side to the other, and I bet some people want to punch me in the face right now. Cool. But it's all in my opinion. Miracles or luck, it's never going to change.
Kthxbai :)
Everyone in the world has a different perspective on how they view miracles. Some think it happens out of pure luck, and others firmly believe in it. Yes, I do believe in miracles but it depends on the situation I’m in or how it occurred. Miracles are extraordinary, unexpected events that people hope for in times of need just as Caitlin said. Of course there are some people who never experienced any miracles. They need logical proof or just experience a miracle that might put a huge impact in their lives. Yes, Jesus did perform miracles at his time. But some people didn’t believe in them and wanted proof, evidence, and logical explanations for virtually everything. Miracles are happening everywhere today. Some people might not notice them, and some do. I also think that our scientific world made us blind to miracles because they think “in order to believe, proof must be present.” It just all depends on what the “beholder” believes in.
ReplyDeleteSteve I somewhat agree with you on the fact that the Bible was figuratively worded so the miracles Jesus was said to have performed might not be as they seem. The new information that scientists are coming up with everyday almost completely rules out the fact that miracles are in fact "miracles." The chances of a high school basketball player hitting a 3 pointer while being fouled in under 2 seconds are slim to none; but it is still scientifically possible. However, I do happen to believe in tiny miracles myself; sort of like the quote "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." If a person truly believes in miracles; they are more likely than Steve P. or Mr. Bauer to actually experience one.
ReplyDeletethx justin i feel special :D and i think that if people disagree with the miracle i think their explanation is that the skill of the pilot and his experience (he was old if i remember right) allowed him to land the place safely :] fair enough?
ReplyDeletelol thanks mike :]
ReplyDeleteSorry Steven.♥ I don't see it, I can see how his experience would come in to play, but the fact that no one even died in a crash like that, is a miracle. But I do understand how you get that conclusion. :D
ReplyDeletelol at least someone understands me. and yes i do see your point :]
ReplyDeleteAwesome! good game Steven, and nice post Mike.
ReplyDeleteLike Steven most of the time I use logic and reasoning but I do believe in miracles. any amount of good in this world indicates a link to miracles. The problem is, I think, we confuse miracles with luck and vice-versa.I do think that Jesus did performed the miracles because it is another indicator that Jesus is the Son of God. Though we have been somewhat blind to miracles but we need to appreciate the miracles around us like Caitlin said the birth of a child is a miracle. Last pointer to show that miracles might be real: A woman is giving birth and while she is giving birth she and the baby's heart stops (believed to be a cardiac arrest). The doctors tried to revive her and the baby but couldn't get a pulse and just as the doctors are about to confirm both mom and baby dead they "miraculously" have a pulse and are alive.
ReplyDeleteAlso just to point out it doesn't matter whether the miracles in the Bible are real or not. The point is having the grace of God with you and you are protected/saved in a way that can't be explained (sometimes) scientifically.
ReplyDeleteWell honestly its hard for me to believe in miracles. For me personally to believe in something i have to experience it first hand and a miracle is something i just have not experienced first hand yet. I also have know clue if Jesus acctually performed miracle, i am leaning towards the idea of the gospel writers exaggerating some things to show that Jesus had God inside of him. Today it just seems that everything has a scientific or logical answer to it in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe in miracles. Of course, miracles aren't always a gigantic magic trick like walking on water, or feeding thousands with a few loaves of bread. And I do believe that we have miracles that occur everyday, they are just what I call "mini-miracles." One example of a mini miracle is passing a test you knew you were going to fail. Some people call it luck, but sometimes you need a little more than luck to do something. I do agree that some events seem too bazaar or even impossible to be miracles. Like what Justin brought up about the plane crash on the Hudson. It IS truly a miracle that no one was killed or even critically injured. I feel that those who don't believe in miracles are skeptical and try to pin the event on a scientific explanation. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to say that those who don't believe in miracles are wrong, blind, or even ignorant, but its the way you see the world. And it is all based on if you think that Jesus' miracles are just moral stories or they are true events.
ReplyDeleteGood answers Justin and Steven P. You guys made me think about this in a whole new way (:
I do think miracles exist because some great events sometimes have no basis of proofs leaving it to be an extraordinary thing. Miracles do happen today but I don't think it was as special as it was in Jesus' time due to the fact that if something very small happened that was special in that persons perspective, that person might consider it to be a miracle. Jesus did perform miracles which many of them still cannot be explained today thus showing us that Jesus is the Son of God due to his phenomenal works. Relying on proof and statistics show us that we do not put enough faith in God and we are blinded by society views.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that small and large miracles sometimes occur in our everyday lives that some may look past while others may view as “blessings in disguise”. A personal example that I can provide involves the event of the terrorist attack of the twin towers on 9/11. My father was in one of the two buildings that collapsed, and by god’s good grace made it out safely after traveling down from the eighty seventh floor. This is something that I view as without a doubt a miracle, because his life was literally in jeopardy in these circumstances. He told me that as he was moving down numerous flights of stairs and past a great number of different obstacles, all that he could think of was getting back to our family and seeing our smiling faces as he would enter through the door of our humble home. With that in mind, there is no way that I can personally believe that miracles are beyond possible in this world. I understand that in Jesus’ time there were loads of symbolic and metaphoric writing being used in their time, but I still believe that Jesus had capabilities to perform miracles since he is our Messiah. I believe that miracles still happen now, but our scientific society seems to cover our eyes and make us look past it to a certain degree.
ReplyDeleteMiracles do not exist at all. Period. At least thats my opinion. I don't think they happened. Since people back then were uneducated, Jesus's miracles could have been exagerated as simple tricks, coincidences, or they could have never happened in the first place. I myself am a scientist, I beleive there is a logical and ration reason for everything. The things that people regard as miracles, such as a plane making a crash landing or a sports luck shot, are all just coincidences. The entire point of the science of physics is to figure out how things happend and what causes it to happen, chemistry to show the energies that cuase changes and motion, and biology to explain how these reactions affect our body and its processes. If someone were to make a lucky shot, I'd agree with Stevey P about how the adrenaline rushed heightened his abilities. The plain was just the result of a skilled pilot and and a well manufactured aircraft technology. But there is one miracle that I specifically want to bring up, a miracle that drive most people in this world and is very familiar to most of us, love. People think of love as some spiritual attachment to someone or something and label this as a miracle. Many of these people just simple understand the biochemical nature behind it. Love is part of our animalistic drive to reproduce, a primal need that deprives from our basic intincts. This instinct is interpreted by our brains in different ways as chemical reactions realease pheromones and other types of hormones into our body. These chemicals cause pleasure and become the general attachment that is love. The isn't anything that spiritial about it when you analyze all the elements in our brain that contribute to it. In general I beleive everything in the universe can be defined, and will be defined with future studies. So that is my veiw on miracles, I don't think they are present in life.
ReplyDeleteWow! What great debate! Steven P., you really deserve extra credit and Justin too. I think we have really put some thought into the issue.
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