The Question of Providence vs. Miracles:
The question is: Is Providence different from miracles? Yes and no. It is different because in a sense God’s providence deal with more “ordinary manifestation,” like making rain to fall and miracles deal with more “extraordinary manifestations,” like parting the Red Sea. But at the same time providence and miracles are also similar. For instance, In Psalm 136 the miracles and wonders of God in His works of creation, the events of the Exodus are combined with His providential work of giving food to His people (vs. 25). So, general providence works with His miraculous works of creation and redemption.
“There is a sense in which all providence is wonderful or miraculous.”[1] This leads us to the last question of discussion: Have miracles Ceased? Before we answer this question, there is something that we know for sure: “that God’s providence has not ceased.” We read in Romans 8 that all things work together for our good; that is providence. We read in Matthew 6 that God provides for us. But if providence and miracles are used interchangeably or if they are part of one another, then we can say that miracles have not ceased today, because miracles involve God’s providence. So, have miracles ceased today? Of course not, because God’s providence is miraculous and God’s miracle is providential. If we look at it from that perspective then the answer is clear. But when theologians discuss the question: Have miracles ceased? They are assuming a distinction between providence and miracles. In a sense there is a distinction between the two, as I mentioned earlier: Providence deals with “ordinary manifestations” and miracles deal with “extraordinary manifestations.”
I want to argue that miracles have ceased in one sense and that they have not ceased in another sense. Let me make a couple of qualifications so there is no misunderstanding.
The first point is that the canon of Scripture has been closed. So if some archeologist finds a copy of Paul’s writing to a church where He affirms that his writing is inspired, we can be sure that that letter is not inspired, because the canon has been closed. The Bible is complete. The Spirit has sealed the Scriptures through His church. Continue reading “The Nature of Miracles, Part 2 final”