Someone has observed that, “There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; or you can live as if everything is a miracle.”
In my last post on miracles I said that, much of the time, I’m inclined to take the second point of view. One of your comments clarified that the miracles of the Bible are not just wonders of nature, but divine interventions in what we regard as natural law.
That’s a good qualifier. But it doesn’t change the fact that, when I look beyond the face of human personality, and past the surface of the natural world, I still can’t imagine anything less than miraculous origins. In so many ways, I’m a believer in a supernatural God who wears the common clothes of nature, and hides behind, and within, the normal sights and sounds of our lives. I think that’s what the Apostle Paul was talking about when he wrote that God is not far from any one of us and that in Him “we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
But there are some claims of miracles that I don’t believe in. I don’t believe in those who promise healing, material prosperity, and the salvation of lost loved ones, in exchange for good faith shown by a check made out to the address of the person claiming to speak for God. I don’t believe in those who offer miracles for sale.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t take seriously those who honor God for doing amazing things in their lives. Neither do I discount all claims of visions and voices in the night. Not if they don’t conflict with the Bible. I count myself among those who believe we have seen God’s hand and presence in our lives.
What I discount are the claims of brothers and sisters who imply that miracles can be had for a gift, while filling their pockets with the price of false hopes.
History is repeating itself. Many of us have heard the story of a 15th century churchman by the name of Johann Tetzel. Admittedly, he helped spark a spiritual reformation. But he did so by being part of the problem rather than the solution. History remembers Johann not only as a religious leader, but as a fundraiser who used the gimmick of promising spiritual grace in exchange for a gift for the ongoing construction of a Cathedral. Tetzel even created a chart that listed a price for each type of sin needing forgiveness from God.
Earlier, the New Testament record of Acts describes the mistake of a former sorcerer by the name of Simon who thought he could buy spiritual power from the Apostles of Christ. After seeing the miracles the Apostles were doing, Simon offered them money in exchange for a share in their spiritual authority and power. Peter, however responded, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!” (Acts 8:20)
Here, I want to be both respectful and careful. While expressing caution and skepticism about those who are, in effect, offering hope and miracles for sale, I don’t for a minute want to deny the good that God may have done for those who, in good and honest faith, may have sent money in hopes of a miracle. God knows the hearts of his people.
But how can we not be deeply concerned about the dishonesty of an industry that has grown on the back of consumer fraud and false promises of miracles for dollar-based faith?
Before I make a few more comments, what are you thinking? Do you think such words are more apt to discourage real faith than to warn the unsuspecting?
Do you think I am doubting God by denying the claims of those who claim to be offering miracles for dollars?
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