Exploring the Possibility of Miracles

Can Miracles Happen?

There are two primary presuppositions when it comes to whether or not miracles can happen: ___________ and ___________. _____________ do not believe in God, therefore they do not believe miracles can happen. ____________ believe in God, therefore they believe miracles can happen.

Answer

Naturalism and supernaturalism are the two primary presuppositions when it comes to whether or not miracles can happen. Naturalists do not believe in God, therefore they do not believe miracles can happen. On the other hand, supernaturalists believe in God, therefore they believe miracles can happen.

The Debate between Naturalism and Supernaturalism

Naturalism is the worldview that only natural laws and forces operate in the world, with no supernatural intervention. Naturalists typically reject the existence of God or any supernatural entities. As a result, they do not believe in miracles since miracles by definition require a supernatural intervention.

Supernaturalism, on the other hand, is the belief in the existence of forces or entities beyond the natural world, often including a belief in God or gods. Supernaturalists are open to the possibility of miracles happening because they believe in a higher power or divine being who can intervene in the natural order of things.

The Role of Belief in Miracles

Belief in miracles is often tied to one's broader beliefs about the nature of reality and the existence of supernatural forces. For naturalists, the absence of belief in a divine being or supernatural entities leads them to reject the possibility of miracles. On the other hand, supernaturalists who believe in a higher power are more inclined to accept that miracles can occur.

Ultimately, the debate between naturalism and supernaturalism plays a significant role in shaping one's perspective on miracles and the miraculous. While naturalists may view miraculous events as mere coincidences or unexplained phenomena, supernaturalists see them as manifestations of divine intervention or supernatural forces at work.