In their helpful book The Case for the Resurrection, scholars Gary Habermas and Mike Licona address the above claim:
"Some critics may charge that Christians must disprove miracles in all other religious traditions in order to let their examples stand. Or they complain that non-Christian miracle claims somehow make Christian claims less likely. Although popular, this sort of response is opposed by a host of issues that are frequently overlooked.
First, genuine miracles could happen among unbelievers and still be entirely compatible with Christian belief. Thus, Christians have no obligation to disprove miracles claims in other religious traditions. Even in Scripture, God acted supernaturally among unbelievers, such as healing Naaman's leprosy. If Scripture is correct, it may even be the case that demons can perform actual supernatural wonders or counterfeit illusions designed to confound people.
"Some critics may charge that Christians must disprove miracles in all other religious traditions in order to let their examples stand. Or they complain that non-Christian miracle claims somehow make Christian claims less likely. Although popular, this sort of response is opposed by a host of issues that are frequently overlooked.
First, genuine miracles could happen among unbelievers and still be entirely compatible with Christian belief. Thus, Christians have no obligation to disprove miracles claims in other religious traditions. Even in Scripture, God acted supernaturally among unbelievers, such as healing Naaman's leprosy. If Scripture is correct, it may even be the case that demons can perform actual supernatural wonders or counterfeit illusions designed to confound people.
Second, miracles in other religions tend to be rather poorly attested. Their questionable factuality as historical events cannot rule out the possibility that a real miracle with good attestation could occur. Miracle stories involving founders of major world religions such as Buddha or Krishna, appear centuries after the events they are said to record. In other cases, like the lives of Confucius and Lae-Tzu, there are no serious miracle claims. Historian Edwin Yamauchi, one of the foremost scholars on ancient world cultures and religions, argues that the reports relating to miracles by Jesus and the accounts of his resurrection are unique.
Third, miracles in other religions usually can be dismissed with a plausible opposing theory, whereas we have seen that opposing theories fail to answer the facts regarding Jesus' resurrection."1
For those interested in learning more about the facts regarding Jesus' resurrection, checkout this brief summary here.
Third, miracles in other religions usually can be dismissed with a plausible opposing theory, whereas we have seen that opposing theories fail to answer the facts regarding Jesus' resurrection."1
For those interested in learning more about the facts regarding Jesus' resurrection, checkout this brief summary here.
Courage and Godspeed,
Chad
Footnote:
Footnote:
1. Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection, p. 143.
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