With regard to the miracles of Jesus, we start first with the assumption that while miracles are unlikely, they are indeed possible. Second, we assume (based on the above arguments and more) that the writings of the Gospels are historically legitimate in every other way. Therefore, the burden of proof lies with the reader to discount the legitimacy of the eyewitness accounts of the miracles.

Let’s look at a few possible criticisms of these accounts (as pointed out by Norman Geisler in his book “Living Loud”).

1. Jesus Walks on the Water (and then commands Peter to join him)
   Read: Matthew 14:22-32, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21
   What the cynics say and a response:

• Jesus never actually walked on the water, but instead tip-toed on the shallow shore.
  The records say that he walked out to the middle of the sea.
• Jesus used props. floating shoes, plywood, or possibly an underwater pier.
  There is no such archaeological evidence of a pier that could account for this sighting having ever existed. Props, shoes, or wood may be possible but highly unlikely.
• Jesus walked on ice.
  The sea could not have been covered with enough ice for Jesus to walk because the boat had to be able to sail across it.

2. Jesus Calms the Storm
   Read: Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25
   What the cynics say:

• Jesus was some sort of weatherman who could predict the exact time a storm would stop and start.
  To be able to do this would still be pretty close to a miracle and therefore doesn’t discredit his ability to perform miracles. Furthermore deceit is counter to Jesus’ teachings and character as revealed elsewhere in the records.
• There was no storm that night, but a shadow from the moon made the sea look stormy and uneven.
  The moon’s shadows cannot cause that much of an illusion on the sea.
• The disciples never went through a storm, but dreamed that they did.
  It is highly unlikely that all the disciples would’ve had the same dream without discrepancy in their stories.
• Jesus fabricated a storm.
  This too would be a miracle. And, again, deceit is counter to Jesus’ teachings and character as revealed elsewhere in the records.

2. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
   Read: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14
   What the cynics say:

• Jesus hid all the bread and the fish in the field the day before he fed the crowd so it would look like he was multiplying it.
  The fish would’ve spoiled. The bread would’ve been eaten by wildlife.
• No one was really hungry, so the 5 loaves and 3 fish was plenty.
  It’s unlikely that no one was hungry in a crowd of 15,000 people (including the women, children, and elderly that accompanied the 5,000 men).
• The disciples lied about many of his miracles in what they wrote and they aided him in pulling off these “tricks.”
  As mentioned before, there is no motive for such deceit. The disciples only died for their convictions and preaching regarding Jesus. They never gained any political power, money, or anything else.

Assuming Jesus was real (based on the reasonable support presented above), assuming the New Testament writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are legitimate historical records containing eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus, and, assuming that miracles are possible (regardless of their likelihood), then based on the many responses like the above presented here, we can reasonably conclude that Jesus did perform amazing miracles.

Jim Murphy
Jim@BemidjiCovenant.com

_______________________________
I  admit that my time and energies for research and writing are limited. I will probably make mistakes and post errors. If you find one, please, feel free to email me at jim@bemidjicovenant.com. This is not an arena for debate so comments are disabled. I will gladly, though, post any counter points and corrections that improve the “reasonableness” of this series.

“Defense,” I replied.

It had been my first day spent with Child Restoration Outreach, and I was sweating. Covered in dirt and out of breath, I sat down to check out my now bleeding toenails. Apparently, barefoot soccer with African orphans is more than my feet had bargained for.

I once heard a speaker say, “We need to know the faces of the people behind the issues we are concerned about.” I liked that. I think the moment an issue becomes a name we are more likely to do something.

In the past I had been involved with Invisible Children, a non-profit that seeks to end the conflict in Uganda and stop the abduction of children for use as child soldiers. I recall lobbying in D.C. as well as attending rallies at the capitol, but never had I seen the faces of those I longed to help.

Sitting in my college dorm I remember reading Bible verses like, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. 
Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow,” and thinking, “What can I do?”

Fast forwarding to Bemidji and my role as a worship leader, I’m still asking that question. In the midst of a life easily swept up in the latest deadlines I pray that I don’t ever lose sight of the faces. Just as soccer players have positions on a field, so does a Christian in the Kingdom of God. All these positions should be advancing the Kingdom towards the needs of the oppressed and hurting. The “good news” needs to be more than a well-executed Sunday service for those who have no home; it cannot simply be a word of encouragement for those who have no food; a personal prayer of salvation means little to a single mother struggling to make ends meet. Her salvation must be holistic.

The reality is that hurting people are all around us. Local groups like Servants of Shelter, Evergreen House, and countless others live out the cause of justice everyday.

Whatever our position in the Kingdom, may we continually seek after the Christ who calls us to see and serve the least of these in our midst.

‘Letting go’ also gives you a sense of well-being that translates into healthier relationships and less illness. It is not easy but with God’s help you can make the choice to take control and keep the hurt from ruling your emotions or actions. Forgiveness takes time. Give it your energy and by next Christmas see what changes have been made in your life.

We make no claims to be the “perfect church” and can even guarantee that we’ll make mistakes. But we’re trying to be real – attempting to seek God without pretense. If that sounds like a pursuit worthy of your time too, then please join us. We’ll do everything we can to be faithful friends and pray that the kindness, sincerity, and merciful candor of Jesus will be experienced by you here.

So what do I mean by “trying to be real” and “without pretense” ?

For starters, authenticity, based on scriptures like James 5:16-18

“Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.”
So you are invited to join Bemidji Covenant Church based on authenticity and by that I mean:
• No pretending needed- only in a church where people are real are others free to be real too
• No pretending allowed – no one was ever set free because others pretended they were perfect
• No pretending unforgiven – authentic communities forgive those who realize they have been pretending
J Oswald Sanders has shaped me significantly and he says:
“Eyes that look are common. Eyes that see are rare.”
How is your eyesight around church?
Interested in discovering Bemidji Covenant Church’s other values and vision?  Then attend the Covenant 101 class starting Dec. 1, 8th, and 15th on Wednesday nights 6:30-8.