Miracles and Supernatural Religion

Key themes

The Nature of Miracles

The central theme of the book, Whiton meticulously deconstructs and redefines the concept of miracles. He challenges the traditional view of miracles as divine interventions that suspend natural law, arguing instead for a reinterpretation that aligns with scientific principles. He distinguishes between the 'preternatural' (events against nature) and the 'supernatural' (the spiritual and moral dimension working within and through nature), asserting that true divine action is expressed through the latter.

Faith and Reason

Whiton's work is a profound attempt to reconcile religious faith with the dictates of modern reason and scientific inquiry. He argues that genuine faith does not require the suspension of intellectual faculties or a belief in the scientifically impossible. Instead, he posits that a robust faith is one that can withstand rational scrutiny and find its foundations in ethical principles and spiritual experience, rather than in external validation through extraordinary events.

The Supernatural and Natural Law

A core philosophical concern is the relationship between the divine (supernatural) and the established order of the universe (natural law). Whiton argues against a dualistic view where God is an external agent who occasionally breaks into the natural order. Instead, he proposes a more immanent understanding, where the supernatural is understood as the spiritual dimension that operates consistently *within* and *through* natural laws, rather than against them. This allows for divine action without requiring a suspension of scientific understanding.

Worth discussing

How does Whiton redefine "miracle" and "supernatural"? What are the implications of his redefinition for traditional religious belief?