10 hours ago9 min read

Can We Trust Miracles or Are They Merely Myths in the Bible?

The Attack on Biblical Miracles: Are They Just Myths?

Throughout history, especially in the modern age, the authenticity of biblical miracles has been subjected to intense scrutiny. Many modern scholars, under the influence of naturalism, have attempted to explain away the miraculous events described in Scripture. One of the most influential figures in this regard is Rudolf Bultmann, a 20th-century German theologian who argued that the Bible's miraculous accounts are mythological and should be “demythologized.” In other words, the miraculous narratives should be stripped of their supernatural elements, leaving behind existential truths that can still hold meaning for modern readers.

Bultmann’s approach stems from his belief that the New Testament worldview, which includes a belief in supernatural forces and events, is incompatible with the scientific understanding of the modern world. He claimed that the biblical writers believed in a three-tiered universe, with heaven above, the earth in the middle, and an underworld below. In this view, God, angels, and demons interacted with humanity in a supernatural way, often intervening in natural processes. Bultmann considered this worldview outdated, asserting that modern people, shaped by science, could no longer take such a view seriously. Instead, the stories in Scripture should be interpreted existentially—focusing on the human condition and man’s relationship to the divine.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: for Pastors, Teachers, and Believers

Buy Now

The Purpose of Myths According to Bultmann

For Bultmann, myths were not concerned with presenting an objective picture of reality but were instead intended to express humanity's understanding of itself and its place in the world. Myths, he argued, communicate transcendent truths in a symbolic manner. In Bultmann’s mind, biblical accounts of miracles were not meant to be read as literal, historical events. Instead, they were symbolic narratives conveying deeper, existential meanings.

For example, Bultmann viewed the resurrection of Christ as a myth. He did not deny that the resurrection was central to Christian faith, but he reinterpreted it as a spiritual event—something that occurred in the faith of the disciples rather than in the physical realm of space and time. Bultmann rejected the idea that Jesus' physical body was raised from the dead, stating that such a thing was “inconceivable” and impossible within a modern, scientific worldview.

In Bultmann’s view, the resurrection was not an event in history but an existential event in the hearts of the early disciples. They experienced a profound awakening of faith after Jesus’ death, leading them to believe in His continued presence and victory over death. This existential experience, rather than the physical resurrection of Jesus' body, was what Bultmann considered to be the “real” resurrection.

DIFFICULTIES IN THE BIBLE: Alleged Errors and Contradictions

Buy Now

The Weaknesses of Demythological Naturalism

While Bultmann’s approach gained traction among certain theological circles, it has several significant weaknesses. First and foremost, the Bible does not present miracles as myths but as real events that occurred in history. From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures are filled with accounts of divine interventions in the natural world, presented as factual occurrences. As Paul boldly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” Paul’s argument here is based on the reality of the physical resurrection of Jesus—if the resurrection did not happen as a real, historical event, then the Christian faith is meaningless.

Miracles Are Not Less Than Historical

One of the key flaws in Bultmann’s reasoning is his assumption that if an event is more than historical, it must be less than historical. Bultmann acknowledges that the New Testament presents the resurrection and other miracles as historical events, but he dismisses these accounts as later embellishments. However, there is no compelling reason to believe that these events are purely symbolic or mythical. In fact, the New Testament writers consistently present miracles as real, historical occurrences. Luke, for example, writes in his gospel that his intention is to provide “an orderly account” based on the testimony of eyewitnesses (Luke 1:1-4). Similarly, the apostle John declares in John 21:24, “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.”

The New Testament writers understood the importance of the historical reality of the events they were recording. The resurrection, in particular, is presented as a verifiable event, with multiple witnesses attesting to its occurrence. Paul lists several eyewitnesses to the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8, emphasizing the fact that many of these witnesses were still alive at the time of his writing and could be consulted. The early Christian proclamation of the gospel was based on the reality of these historical events.

BATTLE PLANS: A Game Plan for Answering Objections to the Christian Faith

Buy Now

Miracles in but Not of the World

Bultmann’s insistence that miracles cannot occur in the space-time world reflects a naturalistic bias rather than a reasoned conclusion based on evidence. His view is built on the assumption that the physical world is immune to supernatural interference, but this assumption is not justified by the evidence. In fact, the Bible consistently teaches that Jehovah, as the Creator of the universe, is both transcendent over creation and immanent within it. Jehovah is not bound by the natural laws that govern the universe, and He is fully capable of intervening in His creation when He chooses to do so.

The resurrection of Jesus is a prime example of such an intervention. It was an event that occurred within the natural world—Jesus' body was physically raised from the dead—and yet it transcended the natural order. The resurrection was a supernatural event, but it occurred within the realm of history and was witnessed by real people. As Paul declares in Romans 4:25, Jesus “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” The resurrection is not just a spiritual truth; it is a historical fact that has profound theological significance.

Bultmann’s refusal to accept the possibility of miracles reveals a deep-seated skepticism that is not based on evidence but on a philosophical commitment to naturalism. His approach places miracles beyond the realm of objective truth, reducing them to subjective experiences that cannot be verified or falsified. However, this is not the view presented in Scripture. The New Testament writers consistently appeal to the evidential value of miracles, presenting them as “convincing proofs” of Jehovah’s power and authority (Acts 1:3). Peter, in his sermon at Pentecost, declares that Jesus was “a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know” (Acts 2:22).

THE HISTORICAL JESUS: The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Buy Now

The Resurrection: A Historical and Theological Event

One of the central tenets of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Bultmann, the resurrection was not a literal, historical event but a spiritual experience in the hearts of the disciples. However, this view is incompatible with the biblical testimony, which presents the resurrection as both a historical and theological event. The resurrection is not merely an existential truth; it is an objective fact that took place in real time and space.

The apostle Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 15, where he argues that the resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. Paul’s argument is rooted in the historical reality of the resurrection. He lists the witnesses who saw the risen Christ and emphasizes that the resurrection is a verifiable event. Paul’s entire argument rests on the premise that if the resurrection did not actually happen, then the Christian faith is meaningless. He states in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”

The resurrection is also a theological event of immense significance. It is the vindication of Jesus' claims to be the Son of God, and it is the demonstration of Jehovah’s power over sin and death. As Paul writes in Romans 6:9, “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” The resurrection is not just a metaphor for spiritual renewal; it is the physical defeat of death and the guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in Christ.

UNSHAKABLE BELIEFS: Strategies for Strengthening and Defending Your Faith

Buy Now

Miracles and the Evidence of Faith

Bultmann’s demythologizing approach strips miracles of their evidential value, reducing them to subjective experiences that have meaning only for those who choose to believe. However, this is not the biblical view of miracles. The New Testament writers consistently present miracles as public events that serve as evidence of Jehovah’s power and authority. These miracles were not performed in secret; they were witnessed by many people and were often performed in the presence of unbelievers.

For example, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, it was a public event that took place in front of a large crowd (John 11:38-44). The purpose of this miracle was to demonstrate Jesus’ authority over death and to strengthen the faith of those who witnessed it. In John 11:42, Jesus prays, “I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” The miracles of Jesus were not private, mystical experiences; they were objective, verifiable events intended to lead people to faith in Jehovah.

The apostle Paul also appeals to the public nature of the resurrection as evidence for the truth of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul states that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, “most of whom are still alive.” By pointing out that many of the witnesses to the resurrection were still alive, Paul invites his readers to investigate the evidence for themselves. The resurrection was not a private, spiritual experience but a historical event that could be verified by eyewitness testimony.

Bultmann’s demythological approach to miracles and the resurrection ultimately fails to account for the historical and theological significance of these events. While Bultmann sought to make Christianity more palatable to modern, scientifically-minded people, his approach undermines the very foundation of the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus is not a myth or a spiritual metaphor; it is a real, historical event that took place in space and time. The New Testament presents miracles as public events that serve as evidence of Jehovah’s power and authority, not as subjective experiences that have meaning only for believers.

True biblical miracles are not myths, nor are they mere symbols of existential truths. They are objective, verifiable events that reveal the supernatural intervention of Jehovah in the world. As believers, we can trust in the reliability of the biblical accounts and the truth of the resurrection, knowing that these events provide a firm foundation for our faith.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).