Alternative Explanations

Question 0

What does Goethe argue?

Answer 0

• If you believe in miracles, you are deluded.
• People will hunt for miracles, and if you can’t find one then you’ll create one.
• Believing in miracles makes you gullible.

Question 1

What does Thompson argue?

Answer 1

• Miraculous claims can be dismissed as coincidence.

- Most miracles are pointless, they have no religious significance.

Question 2

What does Spinoza argue?

Answer 2

• Miracles are made up accounts that teach lessons.

- Stories aren’t literal, they’re symbolic.

Question 3

What does Strauss argue?

Answer 3

• Miracle stories are myths.

- They are used to express belief and the significance of Jesus.

Question 4

What does Feuerbach argue?

Answer 4

• Miracles are projections of our desires.

- Miracles are wishful thinking and the sorcery of imagination. E.g. Phantom pregnancy.

Question 5

What did Bultmann argue?

Answer 5

• We can’t take Bible stories literally as at the time, they didn’t know much about the world.
• We should demythologise the story.