In the old days, God wasn't above leveling a city or two, or parting a sea. Now that would've been something to behold. Even Jesus did some neat tricks, like walking on water, feeding some 5000 people with a few loaves and fish, turning water into wine and not to forget raising the dead.
Yet, somehow, since we have real written history and in the last 190 or so years photography, the only modern miracles I could find are the miraculous healings of some old goats in Lourdes (or some place like it) which could well have been the placebo effect.
Just one of these miracles, repeated, would instantly convert some 99% of all atheists and other heathens. Say, showing the sea splitting on all news channels worldwide.
Since he was not above it back then, why doesn't he do it now that we've got MUCH better coverage?
2007-02-19 08:37:15 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
and why dont we ever talk about unanswered prayers
2007-02-19 08:41:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Andrew Lloyd Weber nailed your question in the last number in "Jesus Christ Superstar"
'If you came today you could have reached a whole nation;
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication!"
I think there must have been something in God's plan about doubt, faith and believeability. Do you really think that in an age of special effects that a sea, parted on television would be believed? Everyone saw the footage of the tsunami, said "Oh my God" and we all went back to our Caramel Macchiatos.
The miracles of the Old Testament don't match the New, either. God leveling cities and flooding the earth...I really believe to be leftover oral traditions that are more allegorical than anything else. As for Jesus' miracles, there have always been miracle healers, but His were pretty tight. Lazarus especially, and the Centurion's daughter. The things Jesus did were more the things He just couldn't help doing, mostly healing the sick and feeding the hungry. He didn't go around setting cities on fire or calling down angels, but when His friends were in trouble, He calmed a storm.
I think these are sort of generous miracles. Like a rich son letting his friends in on His father's wealth, but trying to be modest about it and understated. He was constantly asked for miracles, including from the Devil, and He said that the miracles weren't the point, and that they would be forgotten, and the real miracle would be if we could all treat each other the way we all know we ought to.
Honestly, I think people are scared of Miracles, and would only hope they'd be turned against their enemies. That's what the nationalist jews in jerusalem wanted, and that's why I believe Jesus restrained Himself.
He could have changed all the money-changers into bats or something. That would have been awesome.
2007-02-19 08:49:14 · answer #2 · answered by Year of the Monkey 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think the miracles will convert the atheists. I've had enough conversation with them on another forum to know that they are really hard nuts to crack. They would have some kind of explanation that makes no sense whatso ever to the believer but alot of sense to them
Jesus did all of those miracles and then what happened? The people turned on him anyway. This is why I believe we don't see the miracles today as they did back in the days when he walked in human form on the earth. He turned the water at the wedding feast into wine, he fed the 5000+ with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes on more than one occassion - I think there are two instances where he fed thousands of people or I should say it mentions the men but not the women and children so there had to be more tha 5000, he healed the sick and raised people from the dead and yet they still did not believe him to be the Son of God when it came to crucifying him. So that's at least one reason why I don't think miracles are done today as they were in those days. There will come a day and I believe it's going to be pretty soon - no one knows when but all those atheist and all those who cursed and used his name in vain and have not believed him to be who he is will have their eyes open and don't you know they are going to wish they had listened to some of us who have tried so hard to explain the love of Jesus. I've been accused of trying to make people believe the way I do and it's not so much that I want them to believe my way but God's way.
It would be nice to see the eyes of the atheist opened but I am of the belief that Christians will be gone when that happens - I am ready and I am looking forward to that day. Not only will I see my Savior but my son, my dad and all those who have gone before me What a wonderful day that will be!
2007-02-19 09:39:53 · answer #3 · answered by grandmabonnie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well call the local news channel! My daughter prayed for a miracle and received it. She needed surgery on her hip which was dislocating due to Cerebral Palsy and had already had one hip redone. It was drawing closer to the day the next surgery was to be done and I heard her praying to God that He would heal her hip so she didn't have to get anymore stupid surgeries, ever. So I made an appointment with another doctor to get a second opinion. He found nothing wrong with her hip, the one that was dislocating before. It was perfectly formed and needed absolutely nothing done to it what-so-ever! I showed the prior xrays to that doctor who couldn't believe it was the same hip, but it was and it is! That was real and I have pictures to prove it! So I told the man about God and His miracles! He is still in the miracle business today, but people don't know how to rely on faith anymore. My daughter sure knows! Praise God!
2007-02-19 08:53:14 · answer #4 · answered by froggsfriend 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to cost overruns, the skyrocketing price of raw materials and the outsourcing of production to 3rd world countries there just isn't enough profit in miracles to justify the expenditures to produce a quality miracle product.
2007-02-19 08:45:00 · answer #5 · answered by Murazor 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because that is the reason that we don't have miracles today. We have coverage. If someone say a bull$$$ we will examine it. Doctors , Scientists will get him and prove that he says nonsense. And for that reason miracles are not happening today. Because legends are more difficult to be created today.
2007-02-19 08:42:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Since he was not above it back then, why doesn't he do it now that we've got MUCH better coverage?"
Because we have Jesus! He is the greatest of all miracles and there is no other that could top Him! Unfortunately, it is only those who do not accept Him that need a huge miracle to occur. I think the huge miracle is the fact that many blaspheme Holy God everyday and they still get to breath air! Before Jesus, that would not have been a frequent occurrence!
2007-02-19 08:45:18 · answer #7 · answered by drivn2excelchery 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Fantastic question, one I've oft pondered myself. Likewise, I wonder why the charismatic movement was nowhere to be found outside the last 200 years or so. The New Testament tells the tale of the great Day of Pentecost, yet nobody benefits until nearly two millennia later?
Christianity is based on fiction and a vicious disregard for reality.
2007-02-19 08:43:10 · answer #8 · answered by Zombie 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Kettle Corn.
Also: Pearl Jam's cover of The Who's - Love Reign O'er Me
2007-02-19 08:40:06 · answer #9 · answered by Adrianne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. You'd think if he loved us all so much, he'd do some serious miracle performing.. no parting of seas, no mass disease healing.. guess the bronze age people were more likeable.
2007-02-19 08:40:53 · answer #10 · answered by Kallan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said those that follow will be able to do greater miracles than he did.
Look at David Copperfield, David Blaine, etc. Those guys are great, they too must be the sons of God.
2007-02-19 08:41:28 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋