What we need is a miracle I find the Bible to be a very believable book for the most part. But miracles are a bit embarrassing. They are not as common in the Bible as some who havent read it assume. But I accept the miracles, partly because if there is a God he can do whatever he wants. Thats actually just logical. However, I must admit that I also *want* the miracles to be true. We can argue all we like about whether Gods existence can be proven, or if the moral code of the Bible is sound thinking, but when it comes down to it, one really ultimately accepts the Bible because it offers a miracle that one wants to be true. God cares enough about us to join us and to forgive us, despite our rejecting him. The message comes with miracles partly to give it Gods signature as it were. No one but God can add miracles to confirm the authenticity of his message of loving forgiveness. So it is that I dont expect virgins to give birth in the 21st century, nor angels to sing at the births of 21st century babies. Those things havent happened for 2,000 years, and they had never happened before in far more centuries than a mere 20 since Bethlehem. But I do believe they did happen at the time the Bible claims they happened. Thats because I think, more than a right wing or left wing government, what we actually need is a miracle. The Good News is that we got one. Its actually already sorted. When it comes to the virgin birth of Jesus, I can offer reasonable and evidence based arguments for something like it being necessary, but only in a very big picture way that sees the moral universe needing to add up somehow. Its the significance of the miracle that matters if we are to take the reports about it seriously on their own terms. Its trivial that if gods exist they can do miracles. Everyone knows that. What matters is *why* one particular God revealed his nature and purposes in one particular set of miraculous events. By historical accident, December 25 is when Christians celebrate a unique miracle. The message is not quite beyond arguing about, but is mainly a take it or leave it thing. Do you need a miracle? If you do, there might just be Good News. Perhaps there has indeed already been a miracle, with far more benefits than winning the government lottery. The important thing is that the miracle of the virgin birth is not simply a message to Christians, but to all who come to find themselves in need of a miracle.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 08:41:55 +0000