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A review by emthewordenthusiast
Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life by Eric Metaxas
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This book came at a perfect time in my life. Some might call it providential, maybe Eric would call it miraculous ;)
There are many controversial opinions in the church regarding Miracles and their role in present times. Some believe that spiritual gifts and miracles “died out with the apostles” and were only meant for people who didn’t have the completed canon of scripture. One of my favorite reasons Metaxas gave for denying this claim was his explanation through scientific data of how our mere existence on planet earth is a miracle in and of itself. God doesn’t just show up in our lives in miraculous ways, he literally sustains our lives miraculously, every day without us asking. Often, without us even noticing.
Another controversy regarding miracles typically arises due to the abuse that has occurred with the “name it and claim it” theology or false prophets who call themselves “faith healers”. Faith healers promote the idea that if you have enough faith or tithe enough money, or say the right prayer, or quote a bible verse and claim it in Jesus’ name that you will tap into the miraculous. But miracles happen because of God’s grace, as Metaxas explained using the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Clearly it wasn’t Lazarus’ prayers or tithes or faith that inspired God to act. He was dead. He couldn’t do anything. Miracles occur because of God’s mercy.
In the second half of the book, Metaxas shares miracle stories from trusted friends and colleagues that he knew and could personally vouch for. Some of these stories certainly seemed unbelievable and as such, I would only recommend reading this book if you can read it prayerfully, humbly, and teachably, not with a spirit seeking to criticize or condemn.
Reading this book felt a bit like walking on holy ground and was just the reminder I needed that is ok, right, acceptable, and good to believe in the God who does miracles and to seek after the miraculous-
Not for the sake of the miracle itself, but for the sake of knowing the God who does miracles, deeper and more intimately.
There are many controversial opinions in the church regarding Miracles and their role in present times. Some believe that spiritual gifts and miracles “died out with the apostles” and were only meant for people who didn’t have the completed canon of scripture. One of my favorite reasons Metaxas gave for denying this claim was his explanation through scientific data of how our mere existence on planet earth is a miracle in and of itself. God doesn’t just show up in our lives in miraculous ways, he literally sustains our lives miraculously, every day without us asking. Often, without us even noticing.
Another controversy regarding miracles typically arises due to the abuse that has occurred with the “name it and claim it” theology or false prophets who call themselves “faith healers”. Faith healers promote the idea that if you have enough faith or tithe enough money, or say the right prayer, or quote a bible verse and claim it in Jesus’ name that you will tap into the miraculous. But miracles happen because of God’s grace, as Metaxas explained using the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Clearly it wasn’t Lazarus’ prayers or tithes or faith that inspired God to act. He was dead. He couldn’t do anything. Miracles occur because of God’s mercy.
In the second half of the book, Metaxas shares miracle stories from trusted friends and colleagues that he knew and could personally vouch for. Some of these stories certainly seemed unbelievable and as such, I would only recommend reading this book if you can read it prayerfully, humbly, and teachably, not with a spirit seeking to criticize or condemn.
Reading this book felt a bit like walking on holy ground and was just the reminder I needed that is ok, right, acceptable, and good to believe in the God who does miracles and to seek after the miraculous-
Not for the sake of the miracle itself, but for the sake of knowing the God who does miracles, deeper and more intimately.