The late William F. Buckley, in Nearer My God: An Autobiography of Faith:
Is it perfect faith that conjures up the miracle? Why is it that no miracles have been recorded at the splendid shrine of the most wondrous of all relics, the Shroud of Turin, but a good many are said to have come to pass at the shrine of the girl-saint Bernadette Soubirous? Are miracles, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder? I do not doubt that Jesus worked his miracles; yet how long the results thereof endured, and whether what the witnesses beheld was physically ‘real,’ we have no means of knowing. Oh for a revelation!
If the Shroud were authentic, wouldn’t it be a miracle that it has existed down to our day? It would have survived potential Roman and Jewish persecutions, numerous travels, wars, lootings, at least two fires and who knows what else?
Yes, but supernaturally so? Can something be more sensational than a miracle? Like winning the lottery ten times in a row?
I suppose what constitutes a miracle can be subjective whatever the official definitions are. As far as the lottery, I did hear recently that a New York man won the $10 million lottery 2 times in 3 years. I would take that “miracle” anytime!
Buckley’s comment, like so many others by the “Intelligentsia” when discussing the interface between God and man, is nonsense. Blue collar workers 2,000 years ago, which most of the Apostles were and nearly everyone else was also, were more adept at recognizing reality than we are today with our ubiquitous CGI and widespread social and political corruption. They depended upon their senses to survive in a world where a mistake often lead to injury or death. They also understood the plain meaning of words (and how to tell truth from lies) so when they report a physical miracle in the Gospels it was a physical miracle. Of course, the 5,000 who were fed miraculously got hungry again. And the blind men and numerous crippled beggars who were healed later died of some physical malady or other. The Apostles’ willingness to suffer all manner of hardships and death as witnesses to their faith in Jesus Christ should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind as to their sincerity. As to their capability, not only does what I noted above apply but Jesus would hardly pick as his primary followers and witnesses people who were deficient in their powers of observation.
James, in reading the Synoptics, I find that I agree with much of what you say. You have given me much to think about. However, can you explain your first sentence? Why nonsense? As I read John I find myself agreeing with Buckley, which troubles my sensibilities as I consider Buckley’s politics and understanding of societal norms. Have you read Buckley’s book? I have never thought of him as true “Intelligentsia,” but instead as a masterful craftsman of verbosity, wit and BS. Thanks for the thoughtful posting.
There are other dimensions. The transfiguration, resurrection and ascension indicate this. The shroud is par for the course.
There was a muse from South Carolina
With a blog reborn twice – what could be finer?
But things aren’t quite right
Ball having lost bounce (to say nothing of height)
(Sorry to be such a whiner … )