THE GOD OF MIRACLES: AN EXEGETICAL EXAMINATION OF GOD’S ACTION IN THE WORLD, by C. John Collins

A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance

 

About the Author

C. John Collins is a renowned teacher and author who has studied extensively in the areas of linguistics, biblical studies, and the relationship between science and faith.
 

Introduction

In this book C. John Collins examines the biblical data concerning natural cause and effect relationships and the miraculous supernatural workings of God. He critiques different theological models of providence and supernaturalism on philosophical, theological, and exegetical lines. Collins is very concerned with proper exegesis and believes that the Bible’s teaching on this subject has not been as carefully studied as it should have been. He presents a case for God’s supernatural (i.e. miraculous) intervention in the world, examines criteria that can be used to identify a supernatural as opposed to natural cause, and responds to objections.
 

Table of Contents

Chapter 1
     Introduction
Chapter 2
     Summary of Positions: Models for “God” and “the Creation”
Chapter 3
     The Options Within “Traditional (Christian) Theism” Presented and Contrasted
Chapter 4
     Some Hermeneutical Ground Rules
Chapter 5
     Passages Dealing with “Nature” and “Cause”
Chapter 6
     Special Divine Action
Chapter 7
     Passages That Seem to Support Occasionalism or Providentialism, Evaluated in Light of Their Communicative Purpose
Chapter 8
     Evaluation of Rival Views
Chapter 9
     Theological Conclusions
Chapter 10
     Is the Biblical Picture Viable Today?
Chapter 11
     Origins, Intelligent Design, and God-of-the-Gaps
 

Summary

Chapter 1
Introduction

The issues regarding the possibility and actuality of God’s activity in the world have been well canvassed in theology, philosophy, and apologetics. These issues have not, however, received a satisfactory exegetical treatment. Theological frameworks have often been assumed but have not been defended adequately at the level of biblical data. Some Christians believe that God has established a system of natural laws and then acts inside of it in miraculous ways. Others believe that the very concept of natural law is misleading: they believe that natural laws are really only our description of how God normally operates. In this latter group, miracles are no more directly the act of God than is anything else that we interpret as being “normal.” Everything that takes place is equally an act of God. The goal of this book is to provide an exegetical study that is informed by philosophy, theology, science, and apologetics.
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