Maimonides and Miracles: The Growth of a (Dis)Belief

This study approaches Maimonides' attitude towards miracles as a long-term process. The young Maimonides saw no room nor any need for miracles. Science provided a full and satisfactory explanation for events within a deterministic cosmos. However, as he matured, his doubts concerning the capacity of science to account for all events intensified; he increasingly realized that some features of the cosmos, or events in Jewish history, cannot be accounted for fully by any explanatory system. As his disbelief in the unlimited power of scientific explanation grew, he became more receptive to the possibility of miracles. For miracles are nothing other than events or features that, while not being totally at odds with science, cannot be fully accounted for in any theory. Maimonides' ultimate acceptance of miracles was, therefore, his ultimate acceptance of his own doubts and uncertainties.     

Believing in Miracles

Classical Christian definitions of miracle speak of events transcending the natural powers of objects. A personal creator, I argue, might well cause such events in order to achieve a supernatural purpose—bringing creatures to eternal life. Miracles—events transcending natural powers, disclosing and realizing the divine purpose—would then be integral to the rational order of nature. David Hume' arguments against believing reports of miracles are shown to be very weak. Laws of nature, I suggest, are best seen not as exceptionless rules but as context–dependent realizations of natural powers. In that context miracles transcend the natural order not as "violations" but as intelligible realizations of a divine supernatural purpose. Miracles are not parts of scientific theory but can be parts of a web of rational belief fully consistent with science.     

Belief in Foreign Supernatural Agents as an Alternate Source of Control When Personal Control Is Threatened

Across four studies (N = 460), we examined whether foreign supernatural agents (i.e., ones outside one’s own religious tradition) can serve as sources of secondary control (by hearing and responding to requests) and compensatory control (by imbuing the world with order and structure) when personal control is threatened. In Study 1, non-Buddhist control-threat participants believed in the Buddha as a source of secondary control more than nonthreat participants. In Study 2, control-threat participants believed in the Buddha as a source of compensatory control, but this effect was found only among those indicating a religious affiliation. Studies 3 and 4 clarified this finding, demonstrating that religious individuals with a strong quest orientation responded to control threat with greater belief in the Buddha (Study 3) and Shamanic ancestral spirits (Study 4) as sources of both secondary and compensatory control. We discuss discrepancies between our findings and extant research and offer directions for future research.     

Miracles in Sport: A Reply to Hopsicker

This paper addresses problems arising from Peter Hopsicker's views on miracles in sport. It is argued that Hopsicker's taxonomy of miracles is misleading, that he fails to provide evidence to support his case and that his condemnation of those with a different view is morally questionable.     

Miracles in Science and Theology

Miracles are not "violations" of nature. Contemporary miraculous healings seem to follow natural healing processes but to be enormously accelerated. Like grace, miracles elevate but do not contradict nature. Scriptural miracles, but also contemporary miracle accounts, have something to tell us about how God acts in the world.     

Epiphanies: Small Miracles in Everyday Experiences of Dementia

This article approaches experiences of dementia from the perspective of key Quaker Testimonies, Quaker faith and practice. It is framed around five dimensions: the practice of reflection, the peace of silent worship, guidance of the Spirit, respect for “that of God in everyone,” and the mystery of faith. Each dimension includes contributions from persons with dementia and care partners. The stories illustrate times when individuals broke step with the old, made space for the new, reached for and experienced hope.     

学校不同群体的阅读信念对记叙文意义建构的影响

采用问卷调查的方法,考察学校三类群体(初中生、大学生、教师)的阅读信念(reading belief)对记叙文意义建构的影响。结果发现:(1)学校三类群体对记叙文的意义建构不同:在表层信息上,教师和大学生显著优于初中生,教师和大学生之间水平相当;而在整体理解上,教师显著优于大学生和初中生,而且大学生也显著优于初中生;(2)在初中阶段,传递信念对记叙文意义建构起主导作用;(3)在大学阶段,互动信念对记叙文意义建构起主导作用。     

Satisfied customers: Miracles at the vineyard christian fellowship

A sample of 1,276 male stipendiary parochial clergy working in the Church of England completed the Revised Ministerial Job Satisfaction Scale and an index of charismatic involvement, together with the short-form Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. After controlling for age and personality, charismatic clergy record higher levels of job satisfaction in comparison with clergy not influenced by the charismatic movement.     

Need for Meaning,Meaning Confusion,Meaning Anxiety,and Meaning Avoidance: Additional Dimensions of Meaning in Life

Two aspects of meaning in life have drawn much attention in previous research: presence of meaning and search for meaning. We proposed four additional aspects concerning individuals’ thoughts and feelings about meaning in life: need for meaning, meaning confusion, meaning avoidance, and meaning anxiety. We developed items to measure these dimensions. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the data fit the factors well. Convergent and discriminant validities of the four dimensions were demonstrated though their distinct patterns of correlations with other variables, such as personality traits, need satisfaction, personal aspirations, life satisfaction, anxiety and depression. Moreover, cluster analysis revealed that individuals could be divided into meaningful groups according to these dimensions, with each group demonstrating unique psychological features. Implications for future studies on meaning in life are discussed.     

Stages of the Marital and Family Life Cycle: Marital Miracles

The stages of the marital and family life cycle describe the social, emotional, and developmental tasks required to create and maintain coupleness throughout the life of a marriage. This paper will explore the specifically Christian dimensions of these stage tasks. It will view these transitions as marital miracles on the journey of faith which invite couples to experience more of God's presence and healing in their relationship.