Name: Miracles
Availability: InStock

What This Free Course Covers

This free course gathers three focused question-and-answer lessons about miracles and how Christians should think about them carefully. The first lesson considers the Star of Bethlehem and whether it can be explained as a natural astronomical event, such as a planetary conjunction. It weighs that kind of explanation against details in Matthew, the uncertainty of the date of Christ’s birth, and early Christian interpretations that saw the star as a new star, angel, or other divine agent.

The second lesson turns to early Christian practice, especially prayer for the sick, casting out demons, and the renunciation of Satan before baptism. It presents healing and exorcism as ordinary acts of faith in Christ rather than as staged ministries. The final lesson addresses whether Jesus turned water into wine or a nonalcoholic grape drink, asking what primary-source evidence exists and how fermentation and early communion practice shape the discussion.

Miracles and natural explanations Star of Bethlehem Matthew’s infancy narrative Early Christian interpretation Prayer for healing Exorcism Baptismal renunciation Wine and communion Primary-source evidence

What You Will Study

Arguments for and against identifying the Star of Bethlehem with a planetary conjunction
Why the speaker questions using astronomy first and then assigning a birth date for Jesus
How Matthew’s description of the star creates difficulties for purely natural explanations
Early Christian views that the star may have been a new star, an angel, or another divine agent
Early Christian prayer for healing and the belief that Christ can heal, though he is not obligated to do so
Early Christian casting out of demons in the name of Jesus and its connection to conversion
The baptismal renunciation of Satan, his pomp, and his angels
The argument that Jesus turned water into wine rather than preserved, nonfermented grape juice

Questions This Course Helps Answer

Was what happened in the night sky around Christ’s birth completely insignificant?
Can astronomy alone explain the Star of Bethlehem?
What problems arise when the Star of Bethlehem is identified as a conjunction of planets?
Why does the movement of the star in Matthew create difficulty for ordinary celestial explanations?
How did Origen and Chrysostom help frame early Christian thinking about the star?
How should students evaluate a documentary or presentation that gives only one side of an argument?
How did early Christians pray for the sick?
Did early Christians believe Christ always healed when they prayed?
How were healing and exorcism connected to evangelism in early Christian practice?
Were Christians commonly described as needing exorcism after baptism?
What role did renouncing Satan have before baptism?
Did Jesus turn water into an alcoholic beverage or a grape-juice-like drink?

Lesson-by-Lesson Guide

"Was What Happened in the Night Sky the Year of Christ's Birth Completely Insignificant?"

This lesson examines the Star of Bethlehem and questions whether a planetary conjunction can account for Matthew’s description. It considers early Christian explanations and argues that a supernatural event or divine agent better fits the star’s role in drawing the Magi.

Was the night sky at Christ’s birth spiritually insignificant?
Can a planetary conjunction explain the Star of Bethlehem?
Why is it difficult for an ordinary heavenly body to point to a particular dwelling?
How should Christians weigh documentaries or theories that present only one side?

How Did Early Christians Practice Prayer for Healing and Exorcism, and What Methods Were Involved?

This lesson describes early Christian prayer for the sick and casting out demons as simple acts of faith in Christ rather than formal healing or deliverance ministries. It also discusses baptismal renunciation of Satan and notes that detailed pre-Nicene instructions for exorcising Christians are not readily recalled in the lesson.

How did early Christians pray for healing?
Did they expect Christ to heal every time they prayed?
How did early Christians cast out demons?
What did renouncing Satan before baptism signify?

How Would You Respond to People Who Say That Jesus Did Not Actually Turn Water Into an Alcoholic Beverage, but Rather to a Fake Grape Juice Like Drink?

This lesson responds to the claim that Jesus made a nonalcoholic grape-juice-like drink by asking for primary-source evidence. It points to natural fermentation and early Christian Sunday communion practice as reasons the speaker concludes that wine was being used.

Did Jesus turn water into wine or nonfermented grape juice?
What primary-source evidence would support the grape-juice claim?
Why would grape juice ferment without modern preservation?
How does early Christian communion practice affect the question?

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Miracles

Course Content

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