Tsunami, Sovereignty, and Mercy

By that answer, you fell into his trap. That answer only works on gnostics, but not on atheists.

If an atheist had said to me that the tsunami shows a cruel God, I would have replied "So you at least acknowlege a cruel God". After all, if one can acknowlege that God can be cuel (whether it's true or not), then it leaves the possibility open to acknowlege that God is sometimes not cruel. It's called a "foot in the door" reply. </font>[/QUOTE]Good answer, John. But I was trying to really explain the Christian view. He did continue to email me - in fact, he emailed me today. At one point, he said, "Why are you telling me about the Son when I don't believe in the Father?" And I said, "Why are you asking me about God if you are an atheist?" I was thinking of the way Jesus answered questions by asking a question. He emailed me several times after that.

Pray for him -- I found out today he has lung cancer and I think it's terminal from what he said.

 

What do you think a miracle is exactly?

You do agree that Jesus performed miracles? The "signs and wonders" of his ministry were evidence that He was the Messiah.

 

I have personally witnessed many miracles—every one of which was supernatural. And if I had never witnessed any supernatural acts of God—what would that say about my faith?

 

Indeed, I will. The same thing happenned with my Father. He came to Christ on his deathbed.

 

A miracle is a work of wonder. Even if every one of Jesus' miracles had a scientific explanation, they would still be miracles.

Nothing. Our faith does not require the witnessing of supernatural events to be faithful. In fact, most of believers don't, and they're often as faithful, or more faithful, than you and I.

 

There is sometimes a miracle by way of the uncanny timing. No violation of mass/energy conservation, but something miraculous took place. For example, the preparation of the world for the gospel by the presence of roman roads and universal greek language.

There is sometimes the more profound miracle, where the normal laws of science are suspended. For example, Jesus walking on water.

 

A miracle by definition is supernatural. If it isn't supernatural, then it isn't a miracle. That does not make it of less value, however. Is just isn't a miracle.

 

I couldn't disagree with you more. The word itelf means "work of wonder". Scripture itself referrs to "signs and wonders". Scripture does not require a miracle to be supernatural by definition.

If I could go back in time watch Jesus walk on water, and find a scientific explanation for it, it would be a miracle nonetheless, and a great one as well.

 

Indeed, I will. The same thing happenned with my Father. He came to Christ on his deathbed. </font>[/QUOTE]PTL! My father did, too. He had been a lifelong agnostic and trusted Christ in the hospital 2 months before he died, which was 12 days before his 80th birthday. Shortly after trusting Christ, he went to the ICU and lapsed into a semi-conscious and then unconscious state for the last few weeks. God is good!