The Christ Test
Should the new Christ perform miracles?
In the time of Jesus people who were famous or held high positions frequently claimed to be able to perform miracles. This was before the practice of the scientific method, so all manner of events were mystical and undifferentiated as scientifically valid or magic tricks. The only miracle that was truly rare was that of resurrecting the dead, which is one reason why the resurrections (of Jairus's daughter, the widow's son, Lazaurus and Jesus) were important in differentiating Christ's miracles from those of wizards, physicians and great men who could feed the masses with little food, heal the sick and perform other various feats.
Today, doctors, engineers and other professionals perform all manner of miracles. People who know CPR raise the dead every day. This is a time when miracles are as ever present as in the time of Christ -- only the secrets of today’s miracles are not passed on by mystics to apprentices, they are available through schools, books and seminars.
Miracles Beyond Conmen and Charlatans
The great miracle of Jesus Christ is not in some skill as a magician or the claims of those who might exaggerate his deeds with flair that is still common in many cultures, but rather bringing the message of God to those who would open their hearts. It is easy to be drawn to someone who claims to have supernatural powers, and while such powers may exist, more often than not the unexplainable is no more than tricks performed by con artists and charlatans. In today’s world a performer of “miracles” becomes the subject of extraordinary skepticism, placing an unnecessary burden on anyone spreading the Word of God.
The most fantastic claims of miracles were not made by Jesus Christ, but by his followers. More importantly, Jesus gives credit for his greatest miracles not to himself, but to God. The greatest miracle of God is the universe and the amazing coincidence weaving the fabric of our lives. Someone who performs parlor tricks in order to dazzle his following is automatically disqualified as the true Christ as I see it. At the same time, the true Christ must be a focal point for personal miracles -- those events of great coincidence that demonstrate individually to each of us evidence of God’s existence.
The Christ Test Main Page
Should the new Christ perform miracles?
Should the new Christ be Christian?
Are you crazy if think you are Christ?
Should the new Christ teach Christianity?
Can the new Christ unite the doctrine of world religions?
Should the new Christ teach something new?
Should the new Christ begin a new religion?
Should everyone know the new Christ?
Should the new Christ be my personal Savior?
Should the new Christ be a man who
lives as God, teaches as God, loves as God and works as God?
