Why are there miracles in the past, if God wanted people to accept things without evidence?

Question

I've heard people say God gave man free will and doesn't want to prove his own existance, because that interferes with free will. Didn't the miracles of the Bible interfere with free will for the people around at that time? If I saw a burning bush talk to me, I would either see a psychiatrist or assume I witnessed a supernatural event. Doesn't that make my choice to believe less impressive?

Answer 1

Because, in reality, they were simply mundane occurrences that people could not explain and so called them miraculous.

Nowadays, if somebody recovered from an illness without medicine it would be simply "good luck" or the sorts because we know about our immune system etc.

Back in the "early days" if someone saw that sort of occurrence it could equate to a miracle because illnesses claimed so many lives AND because without modern equipment one illness can appear to be another simply because the symptoms are similar.

Does that make sense?

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"there could be lots of miracles everyday if you look for them"

Well, that goes without saying. You can find the image of Jesus or Mary in a pork rind if you set your mind to it. What I'm saying is that anyone can find anything that is purposefully vague if they look for it.

Answer 2

Good question. Real miracles, the ones that defy the laws of nature, would definitely interfere with free will and all human events. Miracles were not only for believers, people were often shocked by them and convinced God was real afterward. What is more likely is that people wrote books about things that didn't happen.

Answer 3

I suppose there will always be doubters. There will be those who need a ton of bricks fall on them before God can get their attention. It is somewhat like a child saying to a parent, 'if you love me, then show me by giving me what I want."
There was an age of obvious miracles, and this is the age of more subtle miracles. Yes, miracles still happen. Just look around you. I pray you will see a miracle in your life today.

Answer 4

Maybe they were more open to the Word of God...As you can see from your own answer, you would see a psychiatrist, or assume it was a supernatural event. So, if you are unwilling to acknowledge the existence of God to begin with, most likely you would not acknowledge His miracles either.

Answer 5

Adam and Eve had the choice, free will, to chose what God said not to do. They chose to listen to the Devil. They paid for their sin of not obeying God.
9/11 happened because the Devil took control. And destroyed the country's faith and trust in God and President Bush! A lot of people blamed God for this day. When He didn't have nothing to do with it. Free will of the terrorist, and being brain washed allowed this to happen. The people that flew the planes in the Twin Towers had free will. And chose to do as the Devil wanted.
The after results of 9/11 proved to me that God was with the everyone. It brought a lot of people together. Gangs in NYC that normally commited crimes were there, as example. That day woke up a lot of eyes, and hearts. Just because God allows things to happen, doesn't mean He isn't there.

Answer 6

I think there are miracles for the right person and the right time. You have heard that people that are prayed for heal faster. I think God and angels pick if and when they can help someone. I think that when someone is sad or hurt God is sad too. I think there are life and death lessons that we are supposed to go through, live through and learn from, be it us or someone else. I think for the most part God lets the earth run itself and will help if possible or earned. Bad things have been happening to good people for all of history. That is why they call it faith. Its deeper than we can understand. I hope to have a better understanding at sometime in my history.
Good question. Its interesting to hear what people think on this. Thanks

Answer 7

Youre missing the point of miracles. They arent so much for the benefit of unbelievers, but believers. The early church as a great example, was filled with miracles and these were people that already believed! The point of miracles many times is to be a sign to believers and a sign against unbelievers.

People dont believe in God based on whether theyve seen a miracle or not, they base it on what is in their hearts; evil or love for God.

27"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

29"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

30" 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

31"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. -Luke 16:27-31

Answer 8

Miracles were performed and recorded in the Bible so that people would build faith in God's abilities. He's the ONLY one who could do such things, right? With that faith we would continue to believe in Him and believe that He will fulfill his promises that have yet been fulfilled. Daniel 2:44 shows that God's kingdom will put an end to current governments and rule over mankind forever on earth.

Answer 9

... I don't think that miracles necessarily prove the existence of God. They may reinforce our faith in Him, and that God acts on our behalf, but they are not evidence that he exists.
God would still exist whether or not one single person ever believed in Him. He doesn't need a majority vote to make him real.
The Bible? is there for OUR BENEFIT, not Gods. He knows he exists. But people are stupid.... they want everything in writing. So the Bible.... is God's way of putting it in writing. So we won't forget and have something to refer to when questions arise.
And free will? Was God's gift to us. We are not mindless robots.... we have a brain and a mind to think and to reason things out. God wants us to choose him; to choose to believe in him..... our free will allows us that choice and opportunity. But if we do not? If we choose to believe that God does not exist? Thats our loss, not his. Our faith and belief in him makes us stronger, and refreshes our spirits, and does good for us.... it doesnt make him any more or less real. As He's God whether the whole world agreed or not.
Just because someone chooses to be an atheiset doesnt mean that God does not exist. And just because someone chooses to beleive in God is not what makes him exist.
God is God, and he is alive and real and oh so totally God, despite our personal thoughts on the matter.

And supernatural events can be of God or not of God. I'd put no faith in those as they can be deceiving. I'd put my faith in the GOD of the miracles. but......... "miracles"...... in my opinion are simply instances of divine intervention, and God taking all that man couldn't do... and doing it for himself.
"miracles" prove in some way, possibly the Love, mercy, mighty hand of God present in our lives..... but we are supposed to believe that He is all of that without seeing 'miracles'. Seeing the 'miracles' of God i think has nothing to do with free will. Free will is ours. We can choose to beleive or not to.... therefore, if you saw a 'talking burning bush' .... your free will is what would give you the opportunity to believe it was a miracle of God, OR a total psychotic hallucination.
Although i do believe that, timing is everything. Perhpas moses was delusional, and like completely imagined the entire thing from heat exhaustion lol.... i think the evidence of that would be what happened afterward, to test whether it REALLY WAS a miracle or not. I'm doubtful God performs miracles without a way of establishing the evidence that it was an act totally of His doing; i.e., a miracle. A miracle, is simply something that happens that is above and beyond the possibility or resurces of a person in that particular situation.
But free will is what gives us the right to believe or not to believe.
You figure, no matter how God performs miracles, or how or when or what...... the fact that he does is not what makes Him God. It's the fact that if he couldn't.... he wouldnt be God. If he could not do the impossible, then he was never God to begin with. Because only God can do what all man cannot. Thats common sense. But to believe that he can..... is of our choosing; but then you must consider, if we choose not to believe in God.... that doesnt make him not exist. He exists whether we believe in him or not, and does what he pleases regardless of our thoughts on the matter.

Answer 10

Yes he give all people free will but you have to remember that God created man so that he could have a relationship with us and that he may dwell with us and us with him. If you read the bible you would of read that the Isaelite called on the name of the Lord to save them so he did he sent Moses. See when we call on the name of the Lord he will show himself true to us. If you dont read then you wont understand why he did the miracles he did and that was a honor and a blessing just to be with him in those days. Just pray for a desire to read and ask God to give you revelation in his word and to teach you so you will understand