Journal: Maranatha Baptist Theological Journal
Volume: MBTJ 03:1 (Spring 2013)
Article: A Critique of David Hume’s "On Miracles"
Author: Timothy E. Miller

MBTJ 3:1 (Spring 2013) p. 17

A Critique of David Hume’s On Miracles

Tim Miller1

Are miracles possible? Or at least can we ever know if one has graced the pages of history? This is the question David Hume attempts to answer in section ten of his Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Hume is anything but humble when he asserts that he has found a refutation for miracles: “I flatter myself, that I have discovered an argument of a like nature, which, if just, will, with the wise and learned, be an everlasting check to all kinds of superstitious delusion, and consequently, will be useful as long as the world endures.”2 He further hopes that his claims will “silence the most arrogant bigotry and superstition, and free us from their impertinent solicitations.”3

Hume is not the only one who has thought highly of his argument. Antony Flew calls Hume’s argument a “formidable force.”4 The sheer amount of writing dedicated

MBTJ 3:1 (Spring 2013) p. 18

to Hume’s argument also testifies to its historical importance. In fact, nearly every treatment of the topic, even to this day, uses Hume as a starting point in the discussion.5 Therefore, if miracles will have a biblical defense, the Humean tower must be pulled down.

The purpose of this article is to examine Hume’s argument in detail. We will show that Hume actually developed three separate arguments against miracles. Hume’s first argument seeks to show the impossibility of miracles; his second argues against the ability to know whether a miracle has ever occurred; and his final argument claims that miracles, even if possible and knowable, cannot accomplish their purpose of establishing a religious ideology.

In order to show the inherent weaknesses in Hume’s arguments, we must start with a brief summary of Hume’s epistemology. Having articulated Hume’s basic beliefs, we will summarize his arguments against miracles. Following this summary, we will examine why Hume’s arguments, even on a naturalistic worldview, fail. The next section will examine Hume’s presuppositions and show that his epistemology is self-defeating and his metaphysic fails to account for reality. Finally, we will examine a biblical, and therefore coherent, view of miracles grounded on the Christian worldview.

Hume’s Epistemology

Michael Levine says, “Hume’s position on miracles cannot be properly understood apart from his analysis of causation, a p...