Does God still work....?

God does not change. What He does He does for love of us combined with His glory.

Does God still intervene miraculously? Yes, He does. But it is not a matter of how much faith any one of us has, but rather a matter of obedience prayer and His choice in response. I have been the recipient of a verifiable medical miracle for which I am extremely grateful. However other prayers for, for instance, the health of my retarded son, have been answered with 'no.' It is HIS choice for His reasons but, yes, miracles still are given.

As far as people coming back from the dead, it depends on how long you want them to be dead! From what I was told, I died during a surgery when I was 32 and was shocked back to life. No lights, no visions -- I was told about it later. (That, by the way, is not the miracle I received which I referred to in the paragraph above.)

 

TCGreek,
PastorSBC1303 and I discussed this throroughly, civily, and at some length on this thread several months ago: http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=39116

 

I think miracles and gifts abound where the Word of God is scarce.

 

Define dead.

My husband flatlined (on the heart monitor) three times within 15 minutes and was revived all three times. To me - no heartbeat = dead. I believe it was a miracle that he survived long enough to have heart surgery.

To me, doctors being able to operate, hold one's heart in their hands, and fix it, whether it be by stent, bypasses, or transplants is a miracle.

I had a bonafide miracle witnessed by several professionals this past year. Some of them are still wondering what happened...

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

 

A "God-of-the-gaps" type miracle is when we attribute to God something that can’t otherwise be explained.
Of course as we educate ourselves, we end up seeing God performing fewer and fewer miracles.
God is often praised for a performing a special miracle when all he really did was permit a sustaining action.

I’m a practical cessationalist
While I’m not convinced that scripture states that special miracles have ceased, I find myself skeptical when claims of miracles are made.

And while I still praise God for his interventions, I don’t believe that today he works “outside-the-box” as often as it is claimed.

Rob

 

The other day I listened to a Dean Koontz book on tape while I was on a trip. It was called The Taking. It was really cool. Not to spoil it for anyone who wants to read it but it starts out with this alien invasion of the earth but by the end of the book you learn it was not aliens at all but the rapture (kind of, this book is not necessarily theologically correct, but it is interesting)

Anyway, there is a quotation at the start of the book from the non Christian central character of the novel that says something along the lines of:

In the end of the book when she has leaned that God was really behind everything she reverses that quotation and says something like (hey I don’t remember it word for word)

Anyway, I think miracles still happen, I just think that way to often God no longer receives the credit.

 

Miracles and other spiritual signs are normally associated with the burgeoning church in the world. I have missionary friends from countries in the 10-40 window that have amazing stories of God doing real-live miracles right before them. I believe that miracles and miraclous signs have not ceased but seem to be more prevelant in other places where the church is both struggling and beginning to find its feet.

I believe God supernaturally intervenes when He wants. He is God afterall.

Yes. If God doesn't intervene and allow His children to use miraclous signs and events to herald His name why does a verse like: John 14:12 I tell you the solemn truth, the person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds that I am doing, and will perform greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father.

Yes. I can list a great many I have heard just from friends. I believe God works in both the gaps and in the main places (not taking shots just clarifying.)

I don't know...possibly. Maybe that is too extreme of an example, I don't know. I read the other day of a guy waking up in the middle of his autopsy. He wasn't quite dead yet.

Sure and I think it's an awfully good conversation to have! :thumbs: