All Types of Miracles :: By Dale V. Nobbman

There are all kinds of miracles, beginning way back with the creation of all things, which is outlined for us in the Biblical book of Genesis.  Then there are the other many miracles found in the Old Testament of the Bible, followed by the miracles in the New Testament of the Bible, primarily focusing on the miracles performed by Jesus Christ.

Since Biblical times, there have been what I refer to as modern miracles over the centuries right up to the present day.  Finally, there are miracles mentioned in the Bible which are yet to take place.

Do you believe in miracles?  Miracles come in all forms and sizes, and most often occur unexpectedly.  Let’s look at the different types of miracles and some of the best-known big miracles as found in the Bible.

But first, as I have said before, when asking A-I (artificial intelligence) for answers to questions, you must use great discernment in separating correct information from possible incorrect answers.  A-I is easily confused and sometimes jumbles true and untrue facts together in its answers to the questions posed to it.  But when it comes to the definition of miracles, I found A-I gave excellent factual answers.  However, I would remind everyone the only place to find totally 100% truthful and correct information, including how to accept Jesus as your Savior and lead a Christian life, is found only in the Holy Bible, which is the ‘infallible’ inspired Word of God.

Now, let’s look in detail at what A-I has to say about miracles.

In the context of the Bible and theology, miracles are typically grouped into four distinct types based on the subject of the miracle or the authority being demonstrated:

1. Miracles Over Nature

These demonstrate absolute authority over the physical world and the laws of science.

• Examples: Calming a storm, walking on water, turning water into wine, or the sun standing still in the Old Testament.
• Significance: They reveal the performer as the Creator or Master of the physical universe.

2. Miracles Over Physical Ailments (Healings)

These involve the supernatural restoration of the human body.

• Examples: Healing leprosy, restoring sight to the blind, making the paralyzed walk, or curing chronic illnesses.
• Significance: They demonstrate compassion and the power to reverse the physical effects of a fallen world.

3. Miracles Over the Spirit Realm (Exorcisms)

These involve authority over demonic forces or spiritual entities.

• Examples: Casting out “Legion” into a herd of pigs or commanding unclean spirits to leave a person.
• Significance: They represent a “clash of kingdoms,” showing that divine power is superior to evil spiritual forces.

4. Miracles Over Death (Resurrections)

Often considered the most powerful type, these involve bringing a dead person back to life.

• Examples: Jesus raising Lazarus (who had been dead four days), the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and the Resurrection of Jesus himself.
• Significance: They prove authority over the “final enemy,” death itself, and provide hope for an afterlife.

Other Common Classifications:

Miracles of Provision: Specifically focused on multiplying resources, like the feeding of the 5,000 or the jar of oil that never ran dry.

Miracles of Judgment: Occurrences where a miracle causes a negative physical result as a sign of divine displeasure, such as the ten plagues of Egypt or the withering of the fig tree.

In theology, philosophy, and linguistics, the definition of a miracle shifts based on whether the focus is on divine power, natural law, or human perception.

1. The Theological Definition (Divine Origin)

Theologians define a miracle as a supernatural intervention by God into the natural world.

• Key Concept: It is a “sign” (semeion) intended to reveal God’s character or confirm a divine message.
• Source: The power comes from outside the physical universe (God), rather than from hidden natural forces.

2. The Philosophical Definition (Violation of Laws)

Philosophers, most notably David Hume, define a miracle as a violation of the laws of nature.

• Key Concept: A law of nature is a regular, observable pattern (like gravity). A miracle is an event where that regularity is broken by a supernatural agent.
• S. Lewis refined this, calling it an “interference” with nature, suggesting that once the miracle happens, nature “absorbs” it and continues following its own laws.

3. The Scholastic Definition (Aquinas’ Three Degrees)

St. Thomas Aquinas provided a more clinical definition, focusing on the relationship between the event and the capability of nature:

• Above Nature: Something nature could never do (e.g., the sun moving backward).
• Against Nature: Something nature can do, but not in that specific order (e.g., a dead body becoming alive).
• Beyond Nature: Something nature usually does, but occurring without the typical natural process (e.g., a sudden, instantaneous healing from a flu).

4. The Linguistic/Etymological Definition (Wonder)

Derived from the Latin miracu/um (“a thing to be wondered at”), this definition focuses on the human reaction.

• Key Concept: Any event that creates a sense of “wonder” or “awe” because of its extraordinary or unexplained nature.

5. The “Providential” Definition (Timing)

Sometimes called “coincidence miracles,” these are events that don’t technically break any physical laws but are so statistically improbable and perfectly timed that they are viewed as miraculous.

• Example: A person running out of gas exactly in front of a gas station when they have no money, only to find a five-dollar bill on the ground.

6. The Modern/lnformal Definition

In everyday speech, the word is used loosely to describe:

• Highly Unlikely Success: A “miracle” sports comeback.
• Natural Beauty: The “miracle” of a sunset or childbirth (which are actually natural, repeatable processes).

The following are some specific examples of Biblical miracles.   I will not go into detail here, but I will list them with the Biblical scripture locations where you can look them up and read in detail.

The creation of all things (Genesis 1:1).  The foundational miracle.

The global flood (Genesis 6-9)

The parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21)

The collapse of Jericho’s walls (Joshua 6)

The sun standing still (Joshua 10:12-14)

Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6)

The Virgin Birth (Luke 1:35) Jesus being born.  God becoming human.

Elijah and the fire on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18)

The feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21)

Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:25-33)

Jesus turning water into wine (John 2:1-11)

Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus after being dead for four days (John 11)

The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8) Jesus’ divine glory revealed.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Luke 24:6-7). The cornerstone of the Christian faith.

Many religious leaders consider the miracle of salvation through the spiritual transformation of a person’s heart as the greatest ‘ongoing’ miracle because of its eternal impact.

Other big-time miracles yet to come include the Rapture (I Corinthians 15:51-53), and the New Heaven and the New Earth (Revelation 21:1-22:5).

Until those huge miracles take place, embrace all the day-to-day miracles that come your way.

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