Luke's Gospel - Miracles
Section A
(i) The definition of a miracle is: An event or effect contrary to the
established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the
known laws of nature; a supernatural event, or one transcending the
ordinary laws by which the universe is governed.
However, other definitions claim that a miracle is simply 'a wonderful
or amazing event'. Today we use the term miracle colloquially to mean
the latter, however traditionally the first definition is technically
more correct.
Luke portrays Jesus as a worker of miracles, and tells us of the many
miracles that Jesus performed. Luke, being a doctor and a gentile,
tends to focus on healing stories and outcasts. He tells us of various
people being healed, resulting in them being accepted back into the
community.
Section C
It is hard to say whether healing miracles happen today. As I said in
section A, there are two main differing definitions of what is meant
by the term 'miracle', which it what makes it difficult to decide
either way.
Christians today would say that if they have prayed and asked God to
cure a particular person and they are cured, then it is indeed a
miracle. Their prayers for that person's health have been answered so
they look upon this as a miracle. Now whether this is technically
correct is debateable. By some definitions a miracle must 'be an event
with religious significance'. This fits that meaning, but even though
it a religious occurrence, it does not usually 'breach natural laws'
as it is not uncommon for people to be cured. A relieving and happy
event, yes, but a miracle? This is questionable.
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...ere are christians today who claim to practise 'healing services'
for christians. There are churches with a healing organisation. The
healing miracles have obviously been very influential for them. Some
say these are exploiting christians faith by imitating Jesus and what
he did.
The importance of the healing stores has perhaps been lessened by
modern medical advances and technology. It makes the stories seem less
significant because so much can be done with medicine it makes jesus'
healings that bit less impressive.
The miracles that Jesus performed play a big part in a christians
faith. They must believe these stories and have good faith in them.
This is because if they do not have faith that their God can do these
things, and believe that that part of the bible is wrong, what parts
of it are they to believe?
Josephus, a non-Christian contemporary writer of the apostles, attests that, ‘at that time there was a wise man named Jesus, a teacher, who performed wonderful works among the Jews and Gentiles.’ (Powell/Attridge:P.492). The Jewish Talmud, C5thC.E., attributes Jesus' miracles to sorcery. Opponents of the Gospels do not deny Jesus performed miracles, they just give different explanations. (Twelftree:P.50).
“The other Jesus”; a book that reveals the true meaning of being a Christian and gives another view on the characteristics on Jesus, Garrett shows the beauty of the Gospel and how it differs from other religions views on Jesus. In studying the Christianity of the American society he gives his own personal rendition of how this chase for the true meaning of Jesus started: “When, after twenty-five years of wondering, I came back to church, I finally encountered the Other Jesus. I discovered an authentic message of love and acceptance, the one that the Other Jesus seems to be exemplifying in the Christian Testament….I discovered believers who were trying to live lives that reflected the change this Other Jesus had wrought in them. I discovered people who practiced faith as well as preached it.” (Garrett. 8)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis1:1.) God’s perfect wisdom created everything. In Genesis 1 and 2 we can see that God has loving and gentile nature when He created the earth and heavens. God created man in his image and we are the only creation that God breathed in the breath of life for human beings (Genesis 2:7). God did not do this for any of other creations but only for humans. The Bible has many scriptures that tell us how creative God is. Genesis 1;26 states “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created all of this for us to have fellowship with him.
The foundation of a Christian worldview is the belief in a personal God, creator and ruler of the universe. The Christian worldview views the world through God’s word, providing the framework for humanity to live by giving meaning and purpose to life. It defines who Jesus is, human nature, and how salvation is achieved. In essence it is the basis of which Christians behave, interact, interpret life and comprehend reality. A Christian worldview imparts confidence, answers to life’s problems, and hope for the future. In this paper I will discuss the essentials of a Christian worldview and an analysis of the influences, benefits, and difficulties sustaining the Christian faith.
It is estimated that around a dozen U.S. children will die in faith-healing cases each year. Typically associated with Christianity, Faith healing is founded on the belief that certain people or places have the ability to cure and heal sickness, disease, or injuries. Typically this “healing” is associated by a close connection to a higher power through prayer, divine intervention, or the ministration of an individual who claims himself as a healer. Faith has been scientifically proven in the field psychology to yield benefits to health. Although faith has promised a greater wellbeing for many individual’s lives, it has yet to be a significant replacement for medication many people but relaying on faith as a means for medication.
Healing is a relative term. Healing is also a universal term. The question is how these two fundamental parts of human existence related. The key is found in healing hospitals. Now to many, a healing hospital sounds redundant. However, a healing hospital refers not only physical healing, but also an all-around healing environment. This encompassing theory of a healing hospital provides care for physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs for all patients. Instead of discrimination and rejection of religion and faith, it uses these cornerstones of people’s worldview to reinforce their healing process. This is a very biblical aspect of care
The Gospel of Matthew is an eyewitness story written for an audience of believers, under great stress, and persecution. Matthew develops a theological plot incorporating genealogy, speeches, parables, inter and intra textual references, common vocabulary, and fulfillment quotations, with a tension that builds as we are invited into the story. The crucifixion and resurrection bring us to a Christological climax that symbolically points beyond its conclusion to God’s Kingdom, bringing atonement, salvation and the ushering in the Eschaton. The extraordinary events surrounding the crucifixion act as commentary, adding important details concerning the death of Jesus.1
According to the Merriam-Webster a miracle is “an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment.” It is an unexpected and surprising event that is not explainable by natural or scientific laws and is considered to be the work of a divine agency; some may explain the doings of a miracle on God and what he creates. Miracles occur in every day life and they also appear in the bible. Some people object to the idea of miracles, but people also claim that they have witnessed them in their own lives.
The book of Luke, found after the books Matthew and Mark, focuses on the ministry of Jesus Christ but it also gives us a look into His birth and growth in totality. In this chapter we see a historical account of some of the journeys that Christ experienced. It is important to keep in mind that the Bible and all of its books do serve as historical accounts but each book is unique in the fact that they incorporate a theological timeline. The Bible is, conceivably, the most important book that has ever been written. It gives the world eyewitness accounts to historical events that helped not only shaped a region of the world but the whole entire world. It is nearly impossible to go through some formal societal education and have never once read a part of the bible or have heard a story that adapts from the stories within the bible. The bible has helped formed institutions, associations and so much more. By reading the Gospel of Luke we are truly reading what is meant for us to read as Christians. The principal plot in the book of Luke is the life of Jesus Christ, his sacrifice, His ability to beat death and remain perfect as the son of GOD despite being human as well. Jesus is seen as the perfect savior for humans in the book of Luke. Luke not only gives multiple examples of the power of Jesus but also it gives us a look at The Lord’s triumph over temptation. Luke also depicts Jesus as a man/GOD who had a very deep concentration on people and relationships. The book of Luke gives Jesus a loving characteristic but doesn’t shy away from showing that at times Jesus got angry too. Jesus showed a great deal of compassion to the sick, those in pain, the poor, and unambiguously the sinful. Jesus had genuine love for everyone. Throughout this...
There is a serious issue in the body of Christ that causes much division and many questions to skeptics and people outside of the faith. That is, “What about those who have never heard the gospel?” This brings many other questions. Do those who never hear the gospel go to Heaven? If someone never heard of the good news in their whole life would God spare them anyway and make them be exempt from judgment? These serious questions deserve serious answers.
The New Testament is primarily about Jesus’ ministries and teachings. As Jesus traveled from country to country during his last three years on earth, He performed many miracles and healings of sick, lame, and demon-possessed people. As a student, I can relate to this tremendously, since I am studying pre-physical therapy. "A physical therapist can help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions or injuries (Occupational Outlook Handbook-Physical Therapists, 2014)." Similarly to Jesus, I can help people and maybe even help heal their injuries as a physical therapist. However, Jesus is the ultimate healer that can work through me to make this possible.
Faith and imagination is all about truth and the belief in a higher power beyond man himself. Faith and imagination binds the power of God’s existence. However, in lack of evidence and that which is unforeseen; consequently, if we know the value of life and understand that which is right and wrong; it truly acknowledges God’s presence among us. when people reference a “miracle” has happened; most people that hold faith as a powerful source don’t just assume the miracle came out of nowhere without some concept of a divine attribute connected to faith. A miracle is not an act based purely on a violation of natural law, but an act of God’s law and his true existence. And if man is to find his true purpose of his existence and fulfilling his life, he must adopt faith and reason.
Let me ask you a question, do you believe in miracles? Or, more appropriately, do you consider, that in today’s scientific era, it is illogical to relate a fact out of common sense, to one that would establish a witness for the intervention of a supernatural being? Here’s a moment to think a about it. Let me guess, you’re sitting there trying to make up your mind. Don’t worry; you’re not the first person that does not believe in miracles. In the past, some two centuries ago, Scottish philosopher David Hume did not believe either. And probably you have good reason not to either. But, let’s not diverse.
According to the advocates of faith healing, there is little that it cannot do. Many religious sects claim they can cure blindness, cancer, AIDs and additional maladies too numerous to list. Some of these sects believe that illness is an illusion that may be healed through prayer either by the patient himself or by a trained practitioner.
During the time of Jesus, God’s and demigods were believed to have healed the sick and raised people from the dead. Some believed famous and virtuous men could calm storms, chase away pestilence, and abide by greetings as gods. Christian authors viewed the miracles of Jesus as works of love and mercy showing compassion for a sinful and suffering humanity. Each miracle involves specific teachings and they were an important component of Jesus’ divinity and the dual natures of Jesus as God and ...