>Part of my
>unease has been the way the argument often runs: methodological naturalism
>leads to metaphysical naturalism and.....
Making a distinction between these two terms is logically justified,
and is important. (the 1992 & 1995 quotes of Phil are very interesting)
>I think you have gone some way in
>disentangling the issues surrounding the use of terms such as "natural",
>nature, etc., which I will try and put into effect.
:<) !!
Thank you, Jonathan. This the first response posted to either list (ID
or ASA) about my "attitudes" page, and it feels good.
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>I feel there is a similar need to disentangle what we mean by the word
>"miracle". There are several uses which crop up.
>
>1) Something that is inexplicable to us in our present state of knowledge (or
Your definitions focus on how things appear from our perspective,
in what I call "miraculous-appearing theistic action." This is fine,
except for a possible implication that things which NOW appear to be
miraculous will not appear to be miraculous in the FUTURE. This may
be true for some events, but I think some events will ALWAYS seem to
be miraculous.
>The significance of these lies in the fact they demonstrate God's power,
>especially in salvation and providential care of His people, and they are
>events that induce awe and worship.
Amen!
>From a theistic perspective God is equally present in natural processes
>as He is in supernatural processes.
Yes!
>It is interesting to note that, although belief in
>supernatural miracles is often seen to be an inextricable part of faith,
>Jesus seems to imply in that an excessive desire to seek supernatural
>miracles is a sign of lack of faith, rather than faith itself.
I think there is more Biblical support for the first part of what you
say above. { No, there's no need to quote verses supporting the bottom
part; I know they exist, with "doubting Thomas" and such, but there are
MANY verses where God promises to do amazing things, both in the natural
and supernatural, for those who have faith. / Also, the term "excessive"
is important, in your description above. }
These probably will be my last major posts before leaving for ASA
tomorrow, although I'll check for messages later tonight. It's been
fun, and educational. Thanks for sharing your ideas with all of us.
Craig Rusbult