ABSTRACT
By 'a selective approach' the author mean one which argues that some of the miracle stories about Jesus describe special acts of God and some of them do not. There is a further question as to whether the biblical authors intended these miracles to be understood as special acts of God. A second significant failing of Morton Smith is his failure to recognize the significance of Jesus refusal or reluctance to perform miracles on certain occasions, or else he misinterprets that reluctance. Against Morton Smith's interpretation, the author would argue that the authors of the gospels are aware that the renunciation of power is at heart of their story. The teaching and the miracles were both inextricably linked to the authority which Jesus claimed for himself as one sent from God. The identification of Jesus as Messiah had to be released at point where its meaning could not be misinterpreted.
