A gracEmail reader says: "I believe that God still works but not in supernatural ways.... Miracles in the Bible go against or supercede natural law. God has stopped doing miracles."
miracles still happen (five gracEmails)
A Mississippi brother suggests that divine miracles such as those found in the Book of Acts occurred until the Apostles and their immediate converts died, then ceased forever. As evidence, he cites Acts, Mark and Hebrews.
Someone writes, "I've known some people whose conversion would basically be a miracle. Yet God doesn't convert people by a miracle. He does it by someone sharing the good news of Jesus and the love of God."
A sister in Virginia writes, "You recently asked readers to pray that God would 'anoint' your messages during a weekend preaching mission. This is not a word commonly used by people in my church. Please elaborate on what you mean."
A Christian college Bible professor writes: "Why do people believe the gospel? Reasoning from historical witness ... has been and remains the Christian way."
A thoughtful minister writes, "I am really beginning to believe that a pendulum swing in reaction against pentecostalism and emotionalism has cost us some of our faith in God's abilities. I think we are missing out on powerful avenues of help."
"I recently attended a religious meeting," a correspondent says, "at which people were moved to what they called `holy laughter' or a 'manifestation of God's joy.' One man sounded like a fire engine siren and another like a rooster crowing. Is there biblical basis for believing this is from the Holy Spirit?"
My comments here recently concerning the so-called "holy laughter" or "Toronto Blessing" generated feedback -- which I always appreciate receiving. Following are five responses and an additional comment.
An e-mail from an acquaintance in the Church of Christ describes a series of prayer meetings at which the author says that God's presence was visibly manifested by "weeping, violent shaking, loud groanings and travail in the Spirit, ardent prayers and cries for the lost, trembling, tongues, prophecies, visions and the glory of God swooping around the room like a iridescent blueish light." Do I have any comment?
new nature required (three gracEmails)
Picture a seacoast rising in green forested cliffs to mountains and valleys beyond. Imagine mischievous boys discovering turtle eggs in the sand and removing one to an eagle's nest high on the hillside. In time all the eggs hatch, eaglets and turtle alike. Eventually the parent eagles teach the young to fly.