The Truth of Christianity / Being an Examination of the More Important Arguments For and Against Believing in That Religion

by W. H. Turton

A Divine messenger would probably have credentials.

(A.) Superhuman Signs.

These include superhuman knowledge, afterwards verified (such as prophecy), and superhuman coincidences; and there is nothing incredible in either.

(B.) Supernatural Signs, or Miracles.

These are 'marvels specially worked by God as signs to confirm a revelation.' This definition is threefold, referring to their outward appearance, cause, and purpose.

(1.) Miracles as marvels: though they seem to be contrary to experience, they are not really so, for we have no experience of the proper kind to refer to.

(2.) Miracles as special works of God: they only interfere with the uniformity of nature in the same way that human works interfere with it.

(3.) Miracles as signs: there is nothing to show that they are inconsistent with God's Character.

We decided in the last chapter that it was somewhat probable for God to make a revelation to man, that is to say, to certain men, for them to make known to others. And if so, it is also probable that these men would have some means of showing that the knowledge had come from God and not from themselves. In other words, if God sends a message to man, it is probable that the messenger would have credentials. And this is especially so when we remember that men have often appeared in the world's history who professed to have a revelation from God, and have misled mankind in consequence. Is it not probable, then, that if God really did give a revelation, He would take care that His true messengers should have credentials which would distinguish them from all the others?

These credentials, then, or signs, must plainly be such as could not be imitated by man; and must therefore of necessity be superhuman, if not supernatural. So we may divide them into these two classes; and we have now to consider whether they are credible. By this is meant something more than merely possible; for the possibility of such signs follows at once from the existence of God. But are they credible? is there, that is, at least a slight chance that they would occur?