Miracles: Aquinas

Question 1

Aquinas’ definition of a miracle

Answer 1

• break the laws of science and leave no other alternate explanation
• “miraculum” shows the “wonder” of a situation
• “We wonder when we see an effect and do not know the cause”

Question 2

What does a miracle have to be

Answer 2

• an event that is intrinsically wonderful, not just for the recipient alone
• its cause must be “absolutely hidden”
• must be an event which no one knows how it happened

Question 3

Ranking of miracles

Answer 3

1. Miracles done directly by God that no human could ever do
2. God does something that nature can do in a different order (blind being able to see)
3. God does something that “is usually done by the operation of nature” (mending a broken limb in an instant)