Episode Details

Has science refuted miracles and the supernatural? Paratus host Luke Betzner welcomes Discovery Institute scholars Dr. Jonathan McLatchie and Dr. Brian Miller to discuss what scientific inquiry can tell us about extraordinary events, how historical reasoning differs from laboratory experimentation, and the philosophical questions raised by claims of divine action.

Continuing Season 8's exploration of science and Christian faith, the conversation draws on Richard G. Howe's chapter in The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith, edited by Joseph M. Holden, William A. Dembski, and Casey Luskin. The guests examine David Hume's objections, the historical case for Jesus' resurrection, claims of contemporary miracles, and the relationship between scientific evidence and philosophical assumptions. The guests' interpretations and arguments are presented for listeners to consider.

Chapters

00:27 Introduction and guests
02:40 What can science tell us about miracles?
05:07 Historical science versus laboratory science
09:49 Defining miracles and their biblical purpose
12:03 The God-of-the-gaps objection
17:44 Where science ends and philosophy begins
22:44 David Hume's objections to miracles
28:50 Forgotten historical defenders of Christianity
32:24 Can science refute the existence of God?
37:20 Angels, demons, and contemporary miracle claims
41:14 Invisible causes and evidence of agency
47:27 Final arguments and the resurrection
51:50 Brian Miller's concluding thoughts
54:46 Recommended reading
56:54 Guest organizations and closing

Guests

Dr. Jonathan McLatchie is a resident biologist and fellow at Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture and founder of Talk About Doubts, a ministry offering private conversations to people exploring doubts and questions about Christianity. Discovery Institute profile.

Dr. Brian Miller is Research Coordinator and Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. His research interests include the origin of life, protein rarity, and the intersection of engineering and biology. Discovery Institute profile.

Recommended reading and resources

• Craig S. Keener, Miracles Today: The Supernatural Work of God in the Modern World — recommended by Brian Miller.
• John Douglas, The Criterion; or, Rules by Which the True Miracles Recorded in the New Testament Are Distinguished from the Spurious Miracles of Pagans and Papists — recommended by Jonathan McLatchie.
• George Campbell, A Dissertation on Miracles.
• William Paley, A View of the Evidences of Christianity.
• George Lyttelton, Observations on the Conversion and Apostleship of St. Paul.
• Lydia McGrew, Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts, and her other works on Gospel reliability.
• Library of Historical Apologetics — a source for historical apologetics works mentioned during the discussion.

Explore the guests' work at Discovery Institute. Learn more about Veritas International University at ves.edu. Next episode: the historical Adam and Eve with Dr. Casey Luskin and Dr. Michael Keas.

Support Paratus and Veritas International University
Help sustain this outreach at ves.edu/give.