Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 56:221 (Jan 1899)
Article: The Place Of A Miracle
Author: S. Leroy Blake

BSac 56:221 (Jan 1899) p. 12

The Place Of A Miracle

Rev. S. Leroy Blake

The place which a miracle occupies in the sacred narrative raises two questions: 1.What does a miracle prove? 2. What is its need?

1. First, then, let us ask what a miracle proves. Inasmuch as it is wrought by the intervention of divine power, it must prove the divinity of the system in whose interests it was wrought. It is a finger-mark of God which he left on the gospel when he passed it to us in Christ. It proves, also, that the power which works it is superior to all the laws of nature, and that these laws are obliged to bow to the will thus expressed.

A miracle also proves that the object for which it was wrought was good and worthy. Thus, before a wonder can be accepted as a miracle, the doctrine thus confirmed must commend itself to the conscience as good. Then the miracle seals the truth as divine. Thus miracles are the credentials of the bearer of the good word; signs that he has a special mission from God; proofs that he stands nearer to God than others, and that he is to be heard as himself the truth, or as a messenger standing in direct connection with him who is the truth (John 11:42). So that all the miracles in the world could not compel assent of conscience to that which is not good. Miracles, so called, then become lies. And Paul tells us, that, even if an angel from heaven should bring another gospel, we are not to believe it (Gal. 1:8). It was right for Pharaoh to de-

BSac 56:221 (Jan 1899) p. 13

mand of Moses a sign, for he came claiming to bring a message from God. It was the duty of Moses to make his claim good. On the other hand, Ahaz was charged with unbelief, because he would not ask for a miracle (Isa. 7:10–13). For, that he cared nothing for the seal set to the words of Isaiah was sure evidence that he cared nothing for the promise which a miracle would have sealed.

The difference between mere tricks and real miracles may easily be seen. A miracle stands related to the highest moral ends; is always ethical. Mere tricks present no worthy end. Miracles are never wrought, in mere wantonness, for the sake of working them, but for some purpose which must commend itself to a good conscience; while the same cannot be said of mere thaumaturgic tricks. So that those who claim that the miracles of the Gospels are such tricks, of necessity cheapen the character, and weaken the force, of the narratives. A miracle cannot be in itself a merely futile act, issuing in nothing which is worthy.

Origen when he was plied with the alleged miracles of heathen sages, insisted upo...