ABSTRACT
Christian theists are supernaturalists. They believe that God – a non-embodied personal being who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent – interacts causally and intentionally with the physical universe in a way that transcends the operation of the laws of nature. On occasions of that sort, God brings about events that otherwise would not happen. Such acts of God are called ‘miracles.’ Philosophical interest in miracles has two focal points, one conceptual and the other epistemological. ‘What is a miracle?’ is the most fundamental conceptual question. Since miracles contrast with events that conform to the laws of nature, philosophers must also address conceptual questions about the laws of nature and their relation to the concept of miracle. The rst main part of this chapter explores these conceptual issues. The next section deals, in a general way, with the central epistemological question: is belief that miracles have happened ever justi ed? This question requires re ection on a cluster of interrelated issues. Alleged miracles are historical events. It would seem that they are therefore subject to historical investigation. This special epistemological issue is treated in the nal section of this chapter.
