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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Nov 258 min read

What Are the Foundations of the Apologetic Value of Miracles?


In Christian theology, the concept of miracles is central not only to faith but also to the defense of Christianity. The Bible recounts numerous miraculous events that serve as divine acts, demonstrating the authority and power of Jehovah over creation. However, to understand how miracles serve as a critical apologetic tool, we must first define what a miracle is from a biblical perspective and how it contrasts with natural processes.


A miracle is a supernatural act of God, which interrupts or transcends the natural order, manifesting His divine will and purpose. This is not merely an event outside human comprehension but a deliberate act that reveals God's presence and power. In John 20:30-31, the apostle John writes, "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." This verse emphasizes that miracles serve not only to demonstrate God's power but also to confirm the truth of His message and to lead people to faith.


From an apologetic standpoint, miracles are essential in supporting the claims of Christianity. If miracles are real, then they provide evidence that Christianity is divinely authenticated. However, if miracles are rejected or deemed impossible, then the central claims of Christianity lose much of their evidential support, particularly those related to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.



Are Miracles Identifiable in the Natural World?


One of the challenges presented by skeptics, particularly in a naturalistic worldview, is the claim that miracles cannot be identified or distinguished from unusual natural occurrences. This objection is rooted in the belief that the natural world operates under a closed system of natural laws, where every event is the result of natural causes. Therefore, any supposed "miracle" must either be an unexplained natural phenomenon or simply a coincidence.


However, this argument fails to account for the biblical definition of miracles as supernatural events that break into the natural world. To understand this distinction, consider the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44). Death is a natural process, governed by biological laws. But when Jesus commanded Lazarus to come forth from the grave, He did not merely accelerate a natural process; He reversed it through divine power. This was not an event that could be explained by any natural law or coincidence. It was a clear demonstration of Jehovah’s authority over life and death.


Moreover, the Bible teaches that natural laws are not absolute in the sense that they are independent of God. Jehovah is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, including natural laws. Colossians 1:17 states, "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." This means that God is not bound by natural laws; rather, He upholds them by His power. When He chooses to perform a miracle, He temporarily suspends or overrides these laws for His divine purposes.



Can Miracles Be Used to Confirm Divine Truth?


Miracles, by their nature, serve as confirmation of divine truth. Throughout Scripture, miracles accompany God's revelation to demonstrate that the message being delivered is from Him. For example, in Exodus 4:1-5, when Moses expressed doubt about the Israelites believing that God had sent him, Jehovah gave him the power to perform miracles to confirm his divine calling. Moses' rod turning into a serpent and then back into a rod was not merely a spectacle; it was a sign that validated Moses as God's messenger.


In the New Testament, miracles are repeatedly used to confirm the truth of Jesus' messianic claims. In John 5:36, Jesus says, "For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me." The miracles Jesus performed—healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons—were tangible demonstrations that He was sent by God and that His words were true.


Similarly, the apostles' ability to perform miracles after Pentecost served to confirm their authority and the truth of the Gospel message they preached. Hebrews 2:3-4 explains, "It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." Here, miracles are described as God's testimony to the truth of the Gospel, providing divine validation for the apostles' message.



Why Do Skeptics Reject the Apologetic Value of Miracles?


Many contemporary skeptics, particularly those who adhere to a naturalistic or atheistic worldview, argue that miracles cannot be used as evidence for Christianity. One prominent skeptic, Antony Flew, contends that miracles are epistemologically problematic—that is, we cannot know that they have occurred, even if they did. Flew's objection is rooted in the idea that miracles are parasitic to natural laws, meaning that they can only be understood in relation to those laws. Since natural laws describe what normally happens in the world, and miracles are exceptions to these laws, Flew argues that miracles are inherently improbable and thus cannot serve as reliable evidence.


David Hume, an 18th-century philosopher, took this argument even further, claiming that miracles are not only improbable but impossible. He famously argued that no testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle unless the testimony is of such a kind that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact it attempts to establish. In other words, Hume believed that the regularity of natural laws always outweighs any evidence for a miracle.


However, these objections are flawed for several reasons. First, they assume that natural laws are inviolable and that the universe operates as a closed system. This assumption, however, is not shared by theists who believe in a Creator who established those natural laws and has the authority to intervene in His creation. As seen in the biblical narrative, natural laws are descriptions of how God ordinarily governs the world, but they are not barriers that prevent Him from acting in extraordinary ways.


Second, the skeptic's argument fails to recognize that miracles, by definition, are rare and extraordinary. The rarity of a miracle does not make it impossible or unknowable; it simply means that it is not part of the regular pattern of nature. To reject miracles solely because they are uncommon is to misunderstand their nature. As C.S. Lewis pointed out, "If a 'miracle' means simply a suspension of the laws of nature, then, of course, there can be no miracles... But if nature is not the whole show, but only part of the reality, then miracles are not an impossibility" (Lewis, Miracles).



How Do Miracles Serve to Validate the Christian Message?


Miracles serve as divine endorsements of the messengers and the message of God. Throughout Scripture, whenever God revealed new truth to humanity, He accompanied that revelation with miraculous signs to confirm its authenticity. This is particularly evident in the ministry of Jesus Christ, whose miracles validated His claims to be the Son of God and the promised Messiah.


One of the most significant examples of this is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The resurrection is not only the cornerstone of the Christian faith but also the ultimate miracle that validates Jesus' divine identity. As Paul writes in Romans 1:4, Jesus "was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead." The resurrection is the miracle that confirms the truth of everything Jesus taught and claimed about Himself. Without it, Christianity would have no foundation (1 Corinthians 15:14-17).


Furthermore, the apostles also performed miracles as a way to authenticate the Gospel message. In Acts 3, Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth. This miracle drew a crowd, giving Peter the opportunity to preach the Gospel. In Acts 4:10, Peter explains, "Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well." The miracle was not performed for its own sake but to provide evidence that the apostles were speaking the truth about Jesus.



Do Miracles Still Have Apologetic Value Today?


Some argue that since miracles occurred in biblical times, they no longer have the same evidential value in today's world. However, this objection overlooks the enduring testimony of Scripture and the historical reliability of the miracles recorded in the Bible. The miracles of the Bible are not confined to the past; they continue to testify to the truth of God's Word and His involvement in human history.


In fact, the resurrection of Jesus is a miracle that transcends time. Its significance and evidential value are just as relevant today as they were when it first occurred. The empty tomb, the post-resurrection appearances, and the transformation of the apostles from fearful men into bold proclaimers of the Gospel are all historical facts that point to the reality of the resurrection. As Paul boldly declares in 1 Corinthians 15:20, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."


Additionally, the miracles recorded in the Bible continue to challenge the naturalistic assumptions of modern skeptics. While naturalism seeks to explain the world solely in terms of material causes, the reality of miracles points to a supernatural dimension of existence that cannot be explained away by science or philosophy. Miracles demonstrate that Jehovah is actively involved in His creation and that His power is not limited by the constraints of the natural world.



How Should Christians Respond to Skeptical Objections to Miracles?


In response to skeptical objections, Christians should affirm the biblical teaching that miracles are not only possible but actual. This is rooted in the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God who has the authority to intervene in His creation. The Bible presents miracles as historical events, witnessed by credible individuals, and recorded in Scripture for the purpose of confirming divine revelation.


Christians should also emphasize that faith in miracles is not blind belief but is supported by reason, evidence, and the reliability of Scripture. As 1 Peter 3:15 instructs, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." This includes providing a reasoned defense for the possibility and reality of miracles as part of God's redemptive plan.


Finally, Christians must remember that while miracles play an important role in confirming the truth of the Gospel, faith ultimately rests on a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself warned against relying solely on miracles for belief. In John 4:48, He said, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." True faith goes beyond the miraculous and is rooted in trust in God's Word and character, as revealed through Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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