Christianity & Miracles (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)
Revision Note
Written by: Glenn Millington
Reviewed by: Angela Yates
Nature and importance of miracles for Christians
What are miracles?
Miracles are believed to be special events with a divine cause, events which show that God has intervened in human affairs to bring about a beneficial end result
Christians believe that miracles show God’s omnipotence and benevolence
There are many examples of miracles in both the Old and New Testaments
In the Gospels, Jesus performed healing miracles (the paralysed man), nature miracles (the calming of the storm) and raising from the dead miracles (Jairus’ daughter)
Acts of the Apostles records that healing miracles were a common feature of the early church:
‘Many miracles and wonders were being performed among the people by the apostles … they were all healed’ (Acts 5:12)
Miracles have taken place throughout the history of Christianity, especially at places of pilgrimage such as Lourdes in France, where there have been seventy verified miracles between 1858 and 2018
Importance of miracles for Christians
There are many reasons why miracles are important to Christians
Miracles show God’s power and His ability to intervene in the natural world
Christians believe that through miracles, God can heal, transform, and change circumstances, showing that He is almighty and sovereign
For Christians, many miracles performed by Jesus (like healing the sick, raising the dead, and turning water into wine) serve as proof that Jesus is not just a human teacher but also the Son of God
His miracles are seen as signs of His divine authority and mission
IMAGE REQUIRED
Miracles often strengthen the faith of Christians
When people witness or experience miracles, it can deepen their trust in God's love and power
Miracles act as evidence that God is active and involved in the world today
Miracles are often seen as a sign of God’s love and compassion for humanity
For example, when Jesus healed the sick or raised people from the dead, it was an expression of His care for those who were suffering
In the Bible, Jesus’ miracles are often linked to the coming of God’s Kingdom
They show what life is like when God's rule is fully established, where there is no suffering, disease, or death
For Christians, miracles are a glimpse of what the future will look like in the Kingdom of God
Many Christians believe that miracles can still happen today
This belief motivates some to pray for healing and miraculous signs in their communities or in missionary work
Miracles can serve as a tool for sharing the Christian message with others
Christian responses to non-religious arguments about the existence of God
Atheist and humanist responses to miracles
Atheists and humanists do not believe in the existence of God or the supernatural, so they typically offer alternative explanations for events described as miracles
Atheists and humanists argue that miracles can often be explained by natural causes
They believe that events that seem miraculous, such as sudden recoveries from illness or natural disasters, can often be explained by science, such as the body healing naturally or coincidences
Some atheists suggest that psychological factors may lead people to interpret events as miraculous
For example, when someone survives a serious illness, they might attribute it to divine intervention
However, an atheist might argue that it could be due to medical treatment or the body’s natural ability to heal, with the person simply feeling emotionally moved or hopeful
Atheists may argue that belief in miracles is influenced by cultural expectations or psychological suggestion
If people believe in the power of prayer or divine intervention, they may convince themselves that events are miracles, even when they have logical or natural explanations
Many atheists believe that events described as miracles are simply rare occurrences or coincidences that have no supernatural explanation
They argue that just because something is unusual or unexpected doesn’t mean it was caused by a divine power
Atheists often point out that there is no objective, scientific evidence for miracles
Since miracles cannot be consistently tested or proven in the same way as scientific phenomena, they argue that such events are not reliable evidence for the existence of God
Some atheists may also question the authenticity of reported miracles
They might suggest that stories of miracles could be exaggerated, misinterpreted, or even made up to promote religious beliefs or gain followers
Christian responses to atheist and humanist views of miracles
Christians argue that miracles are direct evidence of God's existence and power
They believe that because miracles cannot be explained fully by science, they serve as a sign of the supernatural and as proof of God's active involvement in the world
Many Christians point to the life of Jesus, whose miracles (like healing the sick and raising the dead) are seen as signs that He is the Son of God
Christians believe that faith is key to understanding miracles
Miracles often happen in response to prayer or to strengthen faith, and they should be seen in a spiritual context
They argue that atheists may not understand or recognise the spiritual significance of miracles because of their lack of belief in God
For example, a Christian may see a healing as a miraculous answer to prayer, whereas an atheist might view it as a coincidence or the result of medical treatment
Christians often see miracles as part of God's will and divine plan
While atheists might look for natural explanations, Christians believe that God has the power to act in the world and intervene in ways that humans cannot fully understand
For example, a Christian may explain that a miraculous event, like a sudden recovery from illness, was God's will and part of His greater plan for that person
Christians acknowledge that miracles may not be scientifically explainable, but they believe that science cannot explain everything
Not everything in the world can be reduced to natural laws, and faith in God goes beyond what can be tested or measured
For example, Christians may believe that Jesus' resurrection or other miracles cannot be understood through scientific explanations but are acts of God that transcend human reasoning
For many Christians, miracles serve to strengthen faith and provide spiritual growth
They believe that God sometimes works miracles in the lives of believers to help them grow closer to Him and trust in His power
For example, Christians often share personal testimonies of how they have witnessed miracles, such as healings, which deepened their relationship with God and affirmed their faith
Divergent understandings of what miracles show about the nature of God
Different Christian understandings of what miracles say about the nature of God
Miracles are seen as powerful demonstrations of God's nature in Christianity
Different Christian groups interpret what miracles reveal about God in slightly different ways
Many Christians believe that miracles show that God is omnipotent or all-powerful
Through miracles, God demonstrates His ability to do anything, even things that seem impossible by natural law
God is seen as almighty and sovereign over all creation
Miracles show that God can intervene in the natural world to accomplish His will
For example, the miracle of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) shows God's power over nature, demonstrating that nothing is impossible for God
Many Christians view miracles as a sign of God's love and compassion
Miracles are often performed in response to human suffering, such as healing the sick or feeding the hungry
Some Christians believe that miracles emphasise that God cares deeply for His creation
Miracles reveal God as merciful and kind, always seeking the well-being of His people
For example, the healing miracles of Jesus, such as healing the blind man (John 9), are seen as evidence of God's deep care for humanity
Some Christians believe that miracles show that God is not distant or removed from the world but actively present in it
Miracles are seen as signs of God's immanence, meaning that He is with us and involved in the world
God is actively involved in the lives of believers and shows His presence through miraculous events
For example, Jesus’ miracles, such as turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), are seen as acts that reveal God’s presence in everyday life
Some Christians see miracles as a sign of God's justice and authority
In this view, miracles are not just random acts of kindness, but they often serve to demonstrate God’s will and establish His divine rule
God is righteous and His miracles show that He has the authority to correct wrongs, punish sin, or bring about justice
For example, the miracles of judgment in the Bible, such as the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-12), show God's authority and justice in the world
Many Christians understand miracles as signs that reveal God’s plan of salvation for the world
Miracles often point to the coming of the Kingdom of God and the ultimate victory over sin and death
God is seen as redemptive and His miracles show that He is working to restore creation to its original perfect state
Miracles often serve to reveal God’s kingdom and demonstrate His role in saving humanity
For example, the resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate miracle, showing God's plan for eternal life and salvation through Christ
Some Christians believe that miracles reveal God’s will and purpose in the world
Miracles are often seen as confirming God’s plan and showing that He is guiding the course of history
God is seen as having a divine plan, and miracles are a way to fulfill His purposes in the world
For example, the healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12) shows that miracles are often part of God’s will to bring spiritual healing and forgiveness to people
Worked Example
Explain two reasons why miracles might lead to belief in the existence of God
(4)
Answer:
Miracles often strengthen the faith of Christians because when people witness or experience miracles, it can deepen their trust in God's love and power (1). For example, some Christians claim to have been healed whilst visiting Lourdes (1)
Christians often see miracles as part of God's will and divine plan (1). For example, a Christian may explain that a miraculous event, like a sudden recovery from illness, was God's will and part of His greater plan for that person (1)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Try to use Biblical examples when responding to questions about miracles. These could include:
Jesus' miracles (e.g., healing the blind, raising Lazarus from the dead, calming the storm)
Old Testament miracles (e.g., Moses parting the Red Sea, the plagues in Egypt)
It may be appropriate to use these examples to explain the nature of God revealed through miracles, such as God’s power, love, or justice
You may also have to explain what Christian beliefs about miracles tell us about God's nature
For example:
Power and authority: Miracles show that God is all-powerful (e.g., the Resurrection of Jesus)
Love and compassion: Healing miracles demonstrate God’s care for people (e.g., healing the sick)
Salvation and hope: Miracles point to God's plan for salvation (e.g., the Resurrection offers hope of eternal life)
Last updated:
You've read 0 of your 5 free revision notes this week
Sign up now. It’s free!
Did this page help you?
