Abstract
Most Biblical scholars and historians hold that the investigation of a miracle report lies outside of the rights of historians acting within their professional capacity. In this article, I challenge this assertion and argue to the contrary: Historians are within their professional rights to investigate miracle claims and to adjudicate on the historicity of the events. I present a positive case for the historian’s right to adjudicate on miracle claims and address two major objections to this conclusion: the principle of analogy and antecedent probability. At times I use the resurrection of Jesus as an example. This is the first of two articles. In the second, I will address three additional common objections: the theological objection, the lack of consensus and miracle claims in multiple religions.
Highlights
A number of years ago, my wife was in a car accident and sustained a serious injury
There are likewise reasons provided for why historians are forbidden from investigating miracle claims
If these criteria are met and a miracle is the best explanation of the relevant historical facts, the historian is warranted in affirming that a miracle has occurred
Summary
The other driver’s insurance company was stubborn and refused to pay most of the expenses we incurred. There are likewise reasons provided for why historians are forbidden from investigating miracle claims. Historians, for example, could acknowledge that Jesus died by crucifixion and that a number of people had experiences they believed were post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to them. They would be unable to answer the question of whether Jesus returned alive from the dead.
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