Introduction

• Miracle- an extraordinary event taken as a sign of the power of God. Something (an event or accomplishment) that is outstanding, unusual or wonderful
• The Roman Catholic Church is built on miracles
• "There is no shortage of claims to miracles" - Keith Ward, 1990
• Why do we study miracles:

  • Raise fundamental questions about the nature of reality and the function of religion
  • Raise questions of the nature of science
  • Question the predictability of the universe
  • Challenges whether life is fair
  • Challenges what we mean by the supernatural
• There are 163 miracles in the bible: 83 in the Old Testament, 80 in the New Testament
• Approaches to miracles today

  • If a person believes in miracles, it naturally follows that they believe in a God or spiritual force
• Carlo Acutis

  • Died in 2006 at 15 of Leukaemia
  • Set for canonisation in July 2024 after 2 miracles were linked to him
  • Devoted to God and spread religious teachings online
• How do miracles help us understand God?

  • Shows God's omnibenevolence and omnipotence
  • Selective: can be argued to show God does not care