Miracles vs. Magic

1
Miracles vs. Magic

• Jason Miller

2
What are miracles?

• Definition
• A miracle is an extraordinary event manifesting
  divine intervention in human affairs.

3
What is magic?

• Definitions
• The use of means (as charms or spells) believed
  to have supernatural power over natural forces.
• or
• Art of producing baffling effects or illusions by
  slight of hand, concealed apparatus.

4
Types of Types of Biblical
Magicians Miracle Workers

• Necromancer
• Charmer
• Wizard
• Enchanter
• Sorcerer

• Prophets
• Disciples
• Judges
• Jesus

5
Three Elements of a Miracle

• Power
• The power in a miracle comes from a God beyond
  the universe.
• Wonders
• Miracles are wonders that inspire awe since
  they transcend the natural laws.
• Signs
• Miracles are signs that confirm the message and
  messenger of God.

6
Examples of the Power of Miracles and Magic in
the Bible.

• Magic (Exodus 78-13).
• After God turned Moses staff into a serpent,
  Pharaoh's magicians used their own magic to do
  the same. Their inferior power was shown when
  Moses serpent ate all the others.

• Miracle (1 Kings 18 21-40)
• Elijah has a contest with 450 prophets of Baal.
  After the 450 prophets power fails, Elijah
  prays to God, who sends fire from the sky to burn
  the offering soaked in water.

7
Examples of the Wonder of Magic and Miracles.

• Magic (Mark 51-13)
• A man having the power of a legion of demons
  was able to break chains with his incredible
  strength. The demons beg Jesus to have mercy on
  them.

• Miracle (Exodus 1419-31)
• While the Israelites flee from the Egyptians,
  God parts a sea to make a path for them. He
  meanwhile leaves an angel in the form of a giant
  pillar of fire to hold back the Egyptians till
  the Israelites cross the sea.

8
Examples of Magic and Miracles as signs.

• Magic (Isaiah 479-15)
• Magicians and sorcerers of Babylon have many
  spells, and have at least some power to predict
  the future. But God says that even though they
  show some power, they are still powerless to His
  wrath.

• Miracle (Matthew 114-6)
• Jesus has made the blind see, the lame walk,
  the lepers clean, the deaf hear, the dead come to
  life, and the good news come to the poor. These
  were to affirm Jesus as the son of God, and to
  give validity to Gods word.

9
Magic vs Miracles
Magic Miracles

• Under Human Control.
• Available on command.
• Supernormal power.
• Associated with evil.
• Cannot overpower good.
• Denies Jesus is God in the flesh.

• Under Gods control.
• Not available on command.
• Supernatural power.
• Associated with good.
• Can overpower evil.
• Affirm Jesus is God in the flesh.

10
Works Cited

• Geisler, N., Dr. (1999). Magic and Miracles.
  Retrieved 3/22/03 from Ball State
  University, Web sitehttp//unicorn.bsu.edu/uhtbi
  n/cgisirsi/K0F21EKXGe/83870236/40.
• London, G. (2001). Magic and the Bible.
  Retrieved 3/22/03 from http//www.glondon.com/magi
  cbib.html.
• Larue, G., A. (1990). The supernatural, the
  occult, and the Bible. Buffalo, NY Prometheus
  Books.