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In Defense of Miracles: A Comprehensive Case for God's Action in History
Rumors of deception have surrounded claims of Jesus' resurrection ever since the soldiers appointed to guard his tomb made their report to the Jewish authorities. But no one has led the philosophic charge against miracles quite as influentially as David Hume with his 1748 essay "Of Miracles." Refined, revised, restated, his arguments still affect philosophic discussions of miracles today. During the twentieth century, strong arguments have been raised by Antony Flew, now professor emeritus at Keele University in England. Flew has contributed a fresh statement of his objections to the idea of God's acting in history just for this volume, which also includes Hume's classic critique as a part of the case against miracles. In response, Douglas Geivett and Gary Habermas have assembled a distinguished team of scholars to rebut the objections and set forth the positive case for God's action in Richard Purtill clarifies the word miracle, while Norman Geisler critiques Hume's case against miracles. Francis Beckwith and Winfried Corduan assess how we would recognize miracles in the past and in the present. Ronald Nash examines naturalism's exclusion of miracles and shows its self-referential incoherence. J. P. Moreland discusses whether science properly rules out the possibility of miracles. God's existence and action in history are probed by David Beck and Stephen Davis , while Douglas Geivett argues that within a theistic framework it is reasonable to expect miracles as confirmation of claims to special revelation. David Clark examines miracles within the context of various world religions. Robert Newman, John Feinberg, William Lane Craig and Gary Habermas conclude by investigating fulfilled prophecy, the virgin birth and incarnation of Jesus, the empty tomb, and the resurrection appearances. In Defense of Miracles is a comprehensive, up-to-date discussion that should not be overlooked by anyone concerned with the current debate over miracles.
330 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1997
About the author
R. Douglas Geivett
34 books26 followersDoug is Professor of Philosophy in the Talbot Department of Philosophy at Biola University (La Mirada, CA). His interests include travel, foreign languages, kayaking, and motorcycling.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 10, 2017
This is a thorough--and often thoroughly dry--defense of miracles. To its credit, it contains the full chapter on miracles from David Hume's An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, as well as a chapter on neo-Humean arguments against miracles by (then) atheist Antony Flew. Following those chapters are arguments for the existence of miracles. Often, the various authors write in very dry prose, which makes this something of a slog. (Michael Licona's work on the possibility of miracles in this book on the resurrection of Jesus is much better written.) I also have take issue with how most of the authors define a miracle. I don't think any definition that states that God "breaks" a natural law is correct. Every instance of something we might call a law is God's work, too. Miracles, however, are unusual activities of God, when he moves from a primary cause through secondary agents to being the agent himself. And he performs miracles as signs, to reveal himself.
Still, this book is useful. I have not read Craig Keener's large two-volume work on miracles, nor have I read Colin Brown's book on the matter. (Though I do own both books; perhaps I'll get to them someday.) So, I can't say whether this is the best book on miracles or not. It's far different than more accessible books like C. S. Lewis's famous one. If you're looking for philosophical defenses of the existence of miracles, this would be a good choice.
Still, this book is useful. I have not read Craig Keener's large two-volume work on miracles, nor have I read Colin Brown's book on the matter. (Though I do own both books; perhaps I'll get to them someday.) So, I can't say whether this is the best book on miracles or not. It's far different than more accessible books like C. S. Lewis's famous one. If you're looking for philosophical defenses of the existence of miracles, this would be a good choice.
April 12, 2020
As the title suggests, this is truly a "comprehensive case for God's action in history." However, in summing up the book the two editors, Geivett and Habermas note: "Serious reflection about the possible reality of miracles should not be left to scholars. If there is evidence that God does act as an agent among men and women, then that evidence needs to be weighed by all who care about the significance of their own lives." This suggests that laypersons need to be more involved in reading about this topic and, by application, more scholars need to write for the lay audience. I agree with these sentiments, but I would also say that, IMO, this book does not follow this dictum. Indeed, the book is written by scholars and in a scholarly tone and style. The vocabulary in some places is a too technical and I don't think that the chapters written by Hume and Flew were necessary or relevant. If you are writing a dissertation then perhaps you could allow plenty of time to opposing views, but in that case you would surely allow more than just two critics. The points of Hume and Flew could have easily been included within the general narrative. Indeed, they were quoted at length by the theistic view writers.
While I found the book to be excellent, it is not necessarily written for the average layperson.
While I found the book to be excellent, it is not necessarily written for the average layperson.
January 6, 2019
This book was published in 1997, and is organized in four parts, which consist of essays you could read out of order, but I would recommend you didn't because the case is built cumulatively over the parts of the book. Part one contains arguments against miracles by Hume and Flew, the latter of which was the famous atheist who changed his mind and published a book about his belief in God in 2004. I have not read Flew's last, but it is tempting to think that the work done for "In Defense of Miracles," was the reason for Flew's change in philosophy; In Defense of Miracles is not only comprehensive, but very well organized and builds a solid case. A highly recommended page-turner.
December 15, 2020
This is a solid book talking about miracles especially the resurrection of Christ. Douglas Geivett and Gary Habermas are the editors of the book and are highly knowledgeable and passionate about their religious line of work. They separated the book into four major sections; The Case Against Miracles, The Possibility of Miracles, A Theistic Context for Miracles, and Christian mIracles- Case Studies. There is great definitions of what constitutes a miracle and miracles in our different world views. This is a great textbook and worth a read if you want to learn more about miracles from very educated individuals.
April 8, 2019
Although this book is, as the title suggests, a defense of miracles, its ultimate buildup is to a case for the objective reality of the resurrection of Jesus. Not that that ultimate goal in any way detracts from the text. And even with that ending point, the book as a whole, and the individual essays that make up the chapters, each provide discrete -- even if brief -- treatments of specific areas relevant to miracles generally.
This is an edited text. Each chapter is an essay by a different theologian, philosopher, or historian within one of their own specific areas of expertise.
This is an edited text. Each chapter is an essay by a different theologian, philosopher, or historian within one of their own specific areas of expertise.
October 3, 2017
It is an okay book which is really a pile of bundled essays. The first few essays are somewhat similar and show congruency. However the rest are just random. In the opposite view, they use the objections and sources you’d expect Hume and Flew are overused as you might expect. There is no argument about cessationism. Only miracles as a general term. I felt much more could have been addressed.
January 19, 2024
This book isn't so much comprehensive as wide ranging. While some essays are helpful, others are bogged down with philosophical minutia that seem hard to connect to the subject at hand. I expect there are more focused and better handle the topic.
January 21, 2019
Excellent book
November 13, 2012
In Defense of Miracles is a collection of essays and authors, including Flew and Hume's classic critiques against miracles and philosophical dealings with the Resurrection of Christ. It also includes commentary in rebuttle to the famous arguments, including a detailed examination of the definition of miracles itself, and a look at not just the philosophical, but also the scientific and theological arguments (including the challenges of rationalism and naturalism). While it's a broad exploration, one could very well connect with one author over another, and one aspect of the discussion as opposed to the whole. The subject itself is difficult to navigate from all angles given the reality that they can be speaking from completely opposing foundations to begin with. However, there most certainly is room for dialogue in how philosophy, theology and science can speak in to each other and with each other, and this book does allow that to happen as it explores central questions of arguments for and against the existence of miracles. Given that by nature it is a discussion which ultimately ends up back on the premise of faith, and given that miracles by their very nature are not measurable through consistent repetition, it will most likely remain a discussion and argument that can only be truly seen in light of experience. All in all this is a good source for the discussion though that hits at lot of the most important points of each approach.
November 17, 2015
This book provides a compilation of essays. The book begins with David Hume and Anthony Flew's rejection of the miraculous. Then, the book offers a detailed defense for the miraculous and for the resurrection of Christ. This is an advanced read, but well worth the investment.
May 17, 2007
Talbot Course: Apologetics
February 15, 2009
Like any book with various authors, the essays here are uneven: some are great, some not so much. Another book we used in seminary and another helpful book.
October 6, 2010
A tremendous resource on this topic, covering many dimensions (historical, philosophical, theological, etc.) related to miracles.
August 5, 2016
A definitive treatment of miracles, as the reviewers state anyone who objects to miracles needs to interact with this book.
September 16, 2014
In depth, prepare to have to pay attention.
June 18, 2016
Read for TTPH611 Apologetics/ Fall 2016
Very Good.
Very Good.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews