Systematic Theology (Volume 1 of 3)Strong, Augustus Hopkins
Religion
Systematic Theology (Volume 1 of 3)
Strong, Augustus Hopkins
Baptists -- Doctrines; Theology, Doctrinal
For various definitions of miracles, see Alexander, Christ and
Christianity, 302. On the whole subject, see Mozley, Miracles;
Christlieb, Mod. Doubt and Christ. Belief, 285-339; Fisher, in
Princeton Rev., Nov. 1880, and Jan. 1881; A. H. Strong, Philosophy
and Religion, 129-147, and in Baptist Review, April, 1879. The
definition given above is intended simply as a definition of the
miracles of the Bible, or, in other words, of the events which
profess to attest a divine revelation in the Scriptures. The New
Testament designates these events in a two-fold way, viewing them
either subjectively, as producing effects upon men, or
objectively, as revealing the power and wisdom of God. In the
former aspect they are called τέρατα, “wonders,” and σημεῖα,
“signs,”_ (John 4:48; Acts 2:22)_. In the latter aspect they are
called δυνάμεις, “powers,” and ἔργα, “works,”_ (Mat 7:22; John
14:11)_. See H. B. Smith, Lect. on Apologetics, 90-116, esp.
94—“σημεῖον, sign, marking the purpose or object, the moral end,
placing the event in connection with revelation.” The Bible Union
Version uniformly and properly renders τέρας by “wonder,” δυνάμις
by “miracle,” ἔργον by “work,” and σημεῖον by “sign.” Goethe,
Faust: “Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein Gleichniss: Das
Unzulängliche wird hier Ereigniss”—“Everything transitory is but a
parable; The unattainable appears as solid fact.” So the miracles
of the New Testament are acted parables,—Christ opens the eyes of
the blind to show that he is the Light of the world, multiplies
the loaves to show that he is the Bread of Life, and raises the
dead to show that he lifts men up from the death of trespasses and
sins. See Broadus on Matthew, 175.
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