Posted on December 10, 2007 14:09:55
sidfaiwu:
As you know, Scott, I take neither side of the cessationist debate. From a materialist's perspective 'miracle' means a rare, unlikely, and unexplained event. No supernatural causation or suspension of the rules is necessary.
Your mention of Steve's challenge caught my attention. Paraphrasing, he said "Show me a biblical defense of cessationism and how it’s not taken out of context". This challenge is only persuasive if one is a strict constructionist of the Bible. That is, if one believes that all things that are true are contained within the Bible.
I would argue that a strict constructionist interpretation is the incorrect one. There are certainly things that are true that are not contained in the Bible. Take for instance the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra (simplified): a polynomial of degree n has at most n real roots. Thus it is possible that cessationism is both true and not in the Bible.
One might limit their strict constructionism to theology. In other words, one can say that the Bible contains all theological things that are true. I would respond to this with a challenge of my own. Show me a biblical defense of the Trinity and how it’s not taken out of context.
Posted on December 10, 2007 14:09
Steve Sensenig:
Some great thoughts here. First of all, to answer Sid in the comment above, I am not a strict constructionist. The point in asking for a biblical defense of cessationism is not because I believe the only proof for continualism lies in scripture, but because cessationism usually is tied to a particular view of scripture being the ultimate authority (i.e., the "sufficiency" of scripture). On that basis, I prefer to discuss cessationism with cessationists on the basis of biblical support, taking the argument onto "their turf", so to speak. Does that make sense?
Scott, my reply to you is too lengthy for the comment stream, so I'll post it on my blog.
Posted on December 10, 2007 20:31
Steve Sensenig:
Here ya go, bro (link to my response)
Posted on December 10, 2007 21:15
Steve Sensenig:
By the way, Scott, do you have any sources for "miracles by definition are rare"? I'm having trouble finding that as a definition of "miracle". God intervening in natural affairs, yes. Rare? Not seeing that.
Posted on December 10, 2007 21:21
Scott:
Well Merriam says this:
1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs
2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
If you're looking for something more Biblical the word itself and the events described as miraculous are pretty rare. You have a better definition w/ sources?