The purpose of Jesus' miracles

[Justin108]

What was the purpose of Jesus' miracles?

a) To help people.

While this might explain some miracles, such as healing the sick and feeding the hungry, other miracles just seem unnecessary. Why turn water into wine? Was it necessary? Or did Jesus just want to be the life of the party?

If Jesus did perform these miracles to help people, why are such miracles not nearly as common today? Jesus found it important enough to intervene at a wedding that had no booze, but he won't intervene to feed starving children in Africa?

b) To prove his divinity.

If Jesus went out of his way to prove his divinity 2000 years ago when people were generally far less skeptic and far more gullible than they are today, why is it that Jesus no longer does so today? Why was proof of divinity appropriate 2000 years ago but not today? Back then we had proof. Today we need to have faith. Why the inconsistency?

c) Other (please elaborate)

[Zzyzx]

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[Replying to post 1 by Justin108]

I suggest that the 'miracles' were 'performed' by Gospel writers to 'deify' a wandering preacher decades after he was dead and to use him as an icon for a new religion.

[Danmark]

Jesus found it important enough to intervene at a wedding that had no booze, but he won't intervene to feed starving children in Africa

Tho' I have trouble with the claim any miracles were performed [and that may be the point of your question], I like this; it points out the absurdity of the supernatural claims. I think the miracle claims were added to the Jesus traditions to show either his divinity or his special relationship with God. The New Testament is essentially a series of arguments for their new religion.

[McCulloch]

What was the purpose of Jesus' miracles?

Could you please clarify this question? We could read it as, "What purpose did the character named Jesus in the Gospels have to perform miracles?" But it could also be read as, "What purpose did the Gospel writers have in including miraculous events in their narratives about Jesus?"

[Tired of the Nonsense]

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[Replying to post 1 by Justin108]

I suggest that the 'miracles' were 'performed' by Gospel writers to 'deify' a wandering preacher decades after he was dead and to use him as an icon for a new religion.

And, through an entirely serendipitous turn of good fortune, spreading the stories and rumors about the wondrous things Jesus did while still alive allowed his earliest disciples to make a pretty good living for a number of years.

Act 4:
[34] Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
[35] And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
[36] And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
[37] Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

[1213]

What was the purpose of Jesus' miracles?

...
b) To prove his divinity.

If Jesus went out of his way to prove his divinity 2000 years ago when people were generally far less skeptic and far more gullible than they are today, why is it that Jesus no longer does so today? Why was proof of divinity appropriate 2000 years ago but not today? Back then we had proof. Today we need to have faith. Why the inconsistency?

I believe the purpose was to prove that he really speaks the truth. And at least some claim Jesus or God has done miracles to them even in modern times, so it is possible that it is continuing. But I think there is not same reason any more. During Jesus time, it was necessary for that people will go and preach the message. The goal seems to be to declare the message, sins are forgiven, repent. When people have that message, they may understand it and it is the treasure, not earthly miracles.

You simply don’t have to believe things, you should get the right understanding and receive what Jesus said, if you would like to have eternal life.

[Zzyzx]

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I believe the purpose was to prove that he really speaks the truth. And at least some claim Jesus or God has done miracles to them even in modern times, so it is possible that it is continuing. But I think there is not same reason any more. During Jesus time, it was necessary for that people will go and preach the message.

Is it no longer necessary for people to 'go and preach the message'?

The goal seems to be to declare the message, sins are forgiven, repent. When people have that message, they may understand it and it is the treasure, not earthly miracles.

Is it possible that the 'miracle' tales were invented as a sales pitch for the new religion? Why would anyone assume that the tales about 'miracles' were true since they appear only in religion-promotional literature and are not verified elsewhere? Religionists are not immune from lying, exaggerating, telling tall tales.

You simply don’t have to believe things, you should get the right understanding and receive what Jesus said, if you would like to have eternal life.

Is there assurance (other than unverified tales, testimonials, and opinions) that anyone receives 'eternal life'? If that is not assured (known / shown to be true) it is nothing more than empty rhetoric, religious propaganda, and perhaps wishful thinking

[Danmark]

I think there is not same reason any more. During Jesus time, it was necessary for that people will go and preach the message.

So how and why are things different today?
Is it no longer 'necessary for that people will go and preach the message?'
Why?

If miracles were important to establish Jesus' authority and divinity 2000 years ago, why is that no longer necessary?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by Justin108]

I presume for the sake of argument we are to assume that Jesus actually did perform miracles. If the point of the question is "Please prove Jesus performed miracles" feel free to clarify you OP.

Jesus performed miracles for all the reasons below:

a) To help people

b) To prove he had divine power

c) As evidence of his Messiahship

d) OTHER: To provide evidence on a small scale, what he will do on a global scale: As the head of an coming global government which promises to eliminate all human problems on this our planet earth, Jesus was providing proof that he could indeed do this.

The coming globlal government under Christ will

- eliminate world hunger

- control natural forces ensuring no natural disasters will cause suffering

- eliminate all disease and sickness

- return to healthy life to those that have died




JEHOVAH'S WITNESS

I did write about this topic a bit earlier, here is the link in case you missed it
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 788#835788

[youtube][/youtube]

[Justin108]

What was the purpose of Jesus' miracles?

Could you please clarify this question? We could read it as, "What purpose did the character named Jesus in the Gospels have to perform miracles?"

This is what I mean, yes. Assume for argument sake that Jesus actually performed miracles