miracles D+P

miracles D+P

1. Definition

   • David Hume:
     • "A transgression of a law of nature by a particular volition of the deity or by the interposition of a visible agent."

2. Biblical

   • Healing the woman with a haemorrhage
   • healing of the blind man
   • Healing of the mute
   • Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

3. Historical

   • St. Augustine. Healings /casting out deamons.
   • St Bernadette
     • Saw a woman, she was told that she was blessed
     • People are "cured" when visiting her grave

4. Modern

   • Problems
     • Maurice Wiles.
       • Why does God show his face on toast but not stop Haroshima?
     • Why not help everyone?

5. God?

   • God is something who cares
     • But is unreliable

6. Hume's issues?

   • To be a miracle an event must violate a law of nature.
   • To know if something has taken place one must weigh evidence for and against
   • It is based on the maximum available evidence
   • There can never be enough evidence to show that a mircale has taken place, as it is always more likely to be a mistake than a broken law of nature