Many people believe that miracles make this life exciting and worth living. Some people remain skeptical and consider miracles as something unscientific and hard to accept. Despite personal attitudes and knowledge, one should admit that religions underline the presence of miracles in different forms. After reading Chapter 8 in Rowe’s Philosophy of Religion, I got a great chance to improve my understanding of miracles through the prism of religion in the modern world.
One of the most common opinions about miracles is their incompatibility with science. Rowe (2007) used the opinions of several theologians, Bultmann and Hume, to explain the essence of a miracle and its relation to religion. For example, Bultmann (as cited in Rowe, 2007) believed that a miracle is a prescientific picture of the world where supernatural things play a crucial role. However, with time, when science gains better recognition, it becomes hard to accept this position. Therefore, the approach offered by Hume seems to be rational and appropriate in regard to the scientific mind of modern people. The author suggested four main components that should be inherent to a miracle. First, it should be an even that could not happen except for a natural reason (Rowe, 2007). Second, a miracle is something controlled by God or other supernatural beings. Third, it must be an astonishing and surprising event for a person (Rowe, 2007). Finally, any miraculous event serves for some beneficial purposes only.
I find the discussion offered by Rowe an excellent opportunity to clarify what event is interpreted as a miracle. However, even such an approach seems to be a prejudiced and subjective point of view because no scientific or other credible evidence was offered. I want to believe in miracles not as a violation of natural laws, but as a source of inspiration and emotional support, just like religious beliefs.
Reference
Rowe, W. L. (2007). Philosophy of religion: An introduction (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.