LO: I will know what is meant by contingency miracles
I will begin to revise what has been covered in the unit on
Miracles so far
Hmk: Assessment on Miracles is next Thursday 26th
Monday will be a research/revision lesson.
No official lesson next Tuesday – use that time to prepare
for both assessments (Ethics too!). Mr Costi will be
around for support for any who need it.
What are they?
Contingency miracles – Tillich
Contingency definition: A miracle is a sign pointing towards God (it has
religious significance)
Active reading – Produce a Tillich factfile using the handout.
Prepare answers to the following:
 Tillich’s definition of miracles and what he says regarding the nature and
role of miracles
 What are the characteristics of miracles which Tillich identifies?
 According to Tillich, how are contingency miracles different from
ordinary experiences?
Analysis
 Criticism: Issue of interpretation. Can be varied and mistaken.
 Criticism: Claims of miracles can be difficult to verify. E.g. how do we
know that an illness didn’t just heal itself?
 Response: Look at the effects of the miracle to help verify (C.f.
William James and Bertrand Russell from Religious Experience)
 Response: Faith issue. God is pleased with people who have faith.
“I find your lack of
faith disturbing!”
Concluding comments
 What is your view with regards to the topic of
miracles?
 Key questions
 What is a miracle?
 Do miracles happen?
 How at all, if possible, is the idea of miracles reconciled
with the idea of evil and suffering
Overview of module
 Know and understand the main definitions given to the concept of
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miracle
Explain Hume’s views on miracles including criticisms of the
concept of miracle
Assess whether Hume’s criticisms of miracles are successful
Understand the concept of miracle as presented in the Bible
Explain and assess the view of Wiles that miracles would lead to an
arbitrary and partisan God.
Explain modern views on the concept of miracles
Assess whether modern people can be expected to believe in
miracles
Explain the connection between miracles and the problem of evil
Assess whether a belief in miracles solves or adds to the problem of
evil
Terminology Guess who?
 Pair up
 Pick a scholar from the unit on Miracles for your opponent, write it on the post
it note, and stick it on your partners head WITHOUT THEM SEEING IT!
 Take it in turns to ask questions about the views of this scholar. However, only
‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers may be given.
 If someone asks a question and the answer is ‘yes’ then they get to ask another
question.
 If the answer is no, then it is the other persons turn to ask questions
 First person to guess correctly wins!
Revision – Speed teach
 A chance to test each other
 http://www.teachit.co.uk/custom_content/timer/timer.html
 Know and understand the main definitions given to the concept of miracle
 Explain Hume’s views on miracles including criticisms of the concept of
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miracle
Assess whether Hume’s criticisms of miracles are successful
Understand the concept of miracle as presented in the Bible
Explain and assess the view of Wiles that miracles would lead to an
arbitrary and partisan God.
Explain modern views on the concept of miracles
Assess whether modern people can be expected to believe in miracles
Explain the connection between miracles and the problem of evil
Assess whether a belief in miracles solves or adds to the problem of evil
Hot Seating
Students take the ‘hot-seat’ and
answer questions from the class
Plenary: Essay plan
 ‘In practise, miracles can never be proven.’ Discuss
 Using your notes from your folders how would you
approach this question?