What do you think?
Rate this book
A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles: Instruction and Inspiration for Living Supernaturally in Christ
Does God Still Do Miracles Today? A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles will give you confidence in and awareness of the supernatural realm as you learn how to flourish spiritually by experiencing more miraculous interventions in your life and ministry. Internationally renowned philosopher J. P. Moreland looks at the nature of miracles and explains why bearing and receiving credible testimony to God's miraculous acts is a crucial feature of a mature Jesus-follower. He also shows how to distinguish a real miracle from a mere coincidence. Miracles bring comfort to believers, strengthening faith in God and creating boldness in our lives. While miraculous healings have occurred frequently throughout church history, Moreland provides data showing how the last fifty years have seen a massive outbreak of miracles and supernatural activity. Today, he argues, the church should humbly expect to see more of these miraculous works of God than we do. Moreland looks at topics A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles increases your expectation and hope that God can and often does miraculously intervene to bring help and comfort. Moreland shows that it makes rational sense to step out and engage in employing Kingdom power and to strengthen courage to witness and act on behalf of the gospel of Jesus. Filled with inspiring, credible, motivating accounts of miracles, he covers five different kinds of supernatural activities and provides practical wisdom about how to begin practices such as healing prayer and learning to deal with the demonic.
288 pages, Paperback
Published November 16, 2021
55 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Moreland
91 books252 followersJ.P. Moreland is the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University in La Mirada, California. He has four earned degrees: a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Missouri, a Th.M. in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, an M. A. in philosophy from the University of California-Riverside, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Southern California.
He has co-planted three churches, spoken and debated on over 175 college campuses around the country, and served with Campus Crusade for Christ for 10 years. For eight years, he served as a bioethicist for PersonaCare Nursing Homes, Inc. headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
His ideas have been covered by both popular religious and non-religious outlets, including the New Scientist and PBS’s “Closer to Truth,” Christianity Today and WORLD magazine. He has authored or co-authored 30 books, and published over 70 articles in journals, which include Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Metaphilosophy, Philosophia Christi, and Faith and Philosophy.
He has co-planted three churches, spoken and debated on over 175 college campuses around the country, and served with Campus Crusade for Christ for 10 years. For eight years, he served as a bioethicist for PersonaCare Nursing Homes, Inc. headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
His ideas have been covered by both popular religious and non-religious outlets, including the New Scientist and PBS’s “Closer to Truth,” Christianity Today and WORLD magazine. He has authored or co-authored 30 books, and published over 70 articles in journals, which include Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Metaphilosophy, Philosophia Christi, and Faith and Philosophy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 22, 2023
This review is from the audiobook.
Even though I think his arguments are sound, I will not agree with everything he says. I need to make that disclaimer up front. The rest of his book is so strong that my argument will appear like an endorsement of his book, and to a large degree it is, but there will be points of disagreement.
Even for cessationists, this book should be a welcome read. Moreland clarifies what we mean and do not mean by “miracle.” Moreover, it should be a challenging foil for those who say that God does not do miracles today. Perhaps he does not, but a critic better be able to analytically interact with the leading figures from the other side (e.g., Michael Brown, Craig Keener, and Moreland). No longer can one attack the Benny Hinns of the world. This is a much stronger challenge. Furthermore, regardless of what one thinks of God answering certain types of prayer requests, Moreland gives some gentle advice on persevering in prayer and the like.
Moreland defines a miracle along the lines of “an event caused by God or a supernatural being outside the law-governed course of nature.” Such a definition brings him to challenge the hegemony of David Hume and his disciples today. Simply put, a supernatural act does not require an overwhelming support of evidence. Nor does all evidence need to be scientifically testable. Disciplines such as forensic science do not even operate on such principles.
But that raises another question: how do we really know x is a miracle and not just a normal event? This is the single most important contribution Moreland makes. For example, let us pretend I get the flu. I ask God for healing and relief. A few days later, I am feeling better. Did God answer my prayer or was this just the nature of the case? Or both? We really cannot know for certain.
Intelligent Agent Principle
To answer this question, Moreland adopts “The Intelligent Agent Principle.” A miracle must meet several criteria:
It has to be improbable by the nature of the case (at least <50%).
It must be independent and have specificity.
In other words, there must be
An intelligent agent involved.
Does this criteria prove miracles exist? Of course not. It simply delineates, with varying degrees of certainty, between natural providences and supernatural actions. Moreover, and this is a valid epistemological point across the board, one can have legitimate knowledge with varying degrees of certainty. Let us say that I only have 75% certainty that x is a miracle. That counts as legitimate knowledge. I might not bet the house on it, but in terms of practical, day-to-day living it is knowledge.
Church History
Moreland neither claims that the entire church always believed miracles continued, nor does he claim that they were Macarthurite cessationists. He actually goes to the evidence. The best is Augustine, since Augustine was a cessationist for much of his life. He then started investigating miracle stories in his diocese. This was not a man who wanted to be convinced, since he actually rejected the idea. Rather, like a good searcher of truth, he followed the evidence. You can read about it in City of God 22.8. It reads like the headlines from Charisma News. Similar, though less documented, claims can be found in Irenaeus.
Praying for Healing
This chapter is not so much on how to heal people (since only God can do that), but on how to be a blessing to people who are suffering. It gives gentle, yet specific suggestions on when you are praying for someone. But what if God does not heal them (or less spectacularly, does not answer my prayer)? The simple answer is “I don’t know.” Why could not Paul, a man who had raised the dead, heal Trophimus?
God might not answer prayer for several reasons:
He might delay answering your prayer because he wants you to get others involved. God is teaching you the connection between prayer and partnership with him. That in itself is a good. If God teaches you to get more people involved and they learn that connection, then more “goods” have been created.
Let’s say you want a job. Your prospective employer initially does not want to hire you. Other things being equal, should God coerce his will that he hire you? What if the employer simultaneously prayed that God would make you stop asking for this job? Should God listen to his prayer and coerce your will? Of course not. The point in this thought experiment is to get us thinking about how specific we are in prayer and what we really want in prayer.
Do you even know what you are asking? This is not simply a cliche. Many times we are not specific in prayer. If God answered your prayer, you might not even know since you did not specifically ask for anything. How many prayers have you heard end with “lead, guide, and direct us”? If God answered that prayer, what criteria could you possibly use to verify it.
In short, we might not know why God does not answer prayer.
Angels, Demons, and the Like
They exist. They are real. There are two dangers: one in seeing angels and demons everywhere, the other in a deistic overreaction. I have written enough elsewhere on angels and demons, so I do not need to belabor the point here.
Conclusion
For what it is worth, this book helped me to grow in holiness. I do not want to be the type of person who is crippled by unrepentant sin. I do not want that to get in the way of any partnership with God. This book might be Moreland’s swan song. We hope not, but we are glad he was able to write it
Even though I think his arguments are sound, I will not agree with everything he says. I need to make that disclaimer up front. The rest of his book is so strong that my argument will appear like an endorsement of his book, and to a large degree it is, but there will be points of disagreement.
Even for cessationists, this book should be a welcome read. Moreland clarifies what we mean and do not mean by “miracle.” Moreover, it should be a challenging foil for those who say that God does not do miracles today. Perhaps he does not, but a critic better be able to analytically interact with the leading figures from the other side (e.g., Michael Brown, Craig Keener, and Moreland). No longer can one attack the Benny Hinns of the world. This is a much stronger challenge. Furthermore, regardless of what one thinks of God answering certain types of prayer requests, Moreland gives some gentle advice on persevering in prayer and the like.
Moreland defines a miracle along the lines of “an event caused by God or a supernatural being outside the law-governed course of nature.” Such a definition brings him to challenge the hegemony of David Hume and his disciples today. Simply put, a supernatural act does not require an overwhelming support of evidence. Nor does all evidence need to be scientifically testable. Disciplines such as forensic science do not even operate on such principles.
But that raises another question: how do we really know x is a miracle and not just a normal event? This is the single most important contribution Moreland makes. For example, let us pretend I get the flu. I ask God for healing and relief. A few days later, I am feeling better. Did God answer my prayer or was this just the nature of the case? Or both? We really cannot know for certain.
Intelligent Agent Principle
To answer this question, Moreland adopts “The Intelligent Agent Principle.” A miracle must meet several criteria:
It has to be improbable by the nature of the case (at least <50%).
It must be independent and have specificity.
In other words, there must be
An intelligent agent involved.
Does this criteria prove miracles exist? Of course not. It simply delineates, with varying degrees of certainty, between natural providences and supernatural actions. Moreover, and this is a valid epistemological point across the board, one can have legitimate knowledge with varying degrees of certainty. Let us say that I only have 75% certainty that x is a miracle. That counts as legitimate knowledge. I might not bet the house on it, but in terms of practical, day-to-day living it is knowledge.
Church History
Moreland neither claims that the entire church always believed miracles continued, nor does he claim that they were Macarthurite cessationists. He actually goes to the evidence. The best is Augustine, since Augustine was a cessationist for much of his life. He then started investigating miracle stories in his diocese. This was not a man who wanted to be convinced, since he actually rejected the idea. Rather, like a good searcher of truth, he followed the evidence. You can read about it in City of God 22.8. It reads like the headlines from Charisma News. Similar, though less documented, claims can be found in Irenaeus.
Praying for Healing
This chapter is not so much on how to heal people (since only God can do that), but on how to be a blessing to people who are suffering. It gives gentle, yet specific suggestions on when you are praying for someone. But what if God does not heal them (or less spectacularly, does not answer my prayer)? The simple answer is “I don’t know.” Why could not Paul, a man who had raised the dead, heal Trophimus?
God might not answer prayer for several reasons:
He might delay answering your prayer because he wants you to get others involved. God is teaching you the connection between prayer and partnership with him. That in itself is a good. If God teaches you to get more people involved and they learn that connection, then more “goods” have been created.
Let’s say you want a job. Your prospective employer initially does not want to hire you. Other things being equal, should God coerce his will that he hire you? What if the employer simultaneously prayed that God would make you stop asking for this job? Should God listen to his prayer and coerce your will? Of course not. The point in this thought experiment is to get us thinking about how specific we are in prayer and what we really want in prayer.
Do you even know what you are asking? This is not simply a cliche. Many times we are not specific in prayer. If God answered your prayer, you might not even know since you did not specifically ask for anything. How many prayers have you heard end with “lead, guide, and direct us”? If God answered that prayer, what criteria could you possibly use to verify it.
In short, we might not know why God does not answer prayer.
Angels, Demons, and the Like
They exist. They are real. There are two dangers: one in seeing angels and demons everywhere, the other in a deistic overreaction. I have written enough elsewhere on angels and demons, so I do not need to belabor the point here.
Conclusion
For what it is worth, this book helped me to grow in holiness. I do not want to be the type of person who is crippled by unrepentant sin. I do not want that to get in the way of any partnership with God. This book might be Moreland’s swan song. We hope not, but we are glad he was able to write it
December 23, 2024
Really, really interesting. This is not a book I would typically pick up, but I was somewhat familiar with Moreland's work as a philosopher, so I gave it a chance. I'm so glad I did!
There are two specific teachings about miracles in this book that really resonated: First, that supernatural intervention is a way that God demonstrates his love; and second, that when believers pray for miracles, we are actively partnering with God to bring his kingdom to earth. These ideas are working their way into my mind and already changing the way I think about prayer and divine intervention. Highly recommend for believers who are curious or even skeptical about the concept of miracles in the modern world.
There are two specific teachings about miracles in this book that really resonated: First, that supernatural intervention is a way that God demonstrates his love; and second, that when believers pray for miracles, we are actively partnering with God to bring his kingdom to earth. These ideas are working their way into my mind and already changing the way I think about prayer and divine intervention. Highly recommend for believers who are curious or even skeptical about the concept of miracles in the modern world.
January 9, 2022
JP Moreland has a logical mind like me. He is an apologist and not in any Christianity bubble of anti-intellectualism. He just simply is aware of what it means for us if we actually believe what we say we believe. Truly I walked away from this book, expecting to see God move more, desiring to see Him move more, and understanding prayer better. I love his citations into the early church fathers to prove some of his points and I believe even if you read this book from a skeptical view on God’s personal giftings of the Spirit and miracles for today, you will walk away convinced. He is the Living God indeed. Come in with an open heart, ask God to direct you, test everything, and see JP’s heart. Just because we are used to traditions doesn’t mean they are always right. And just because there are some anti-intellectuals that dabble more with sorcery and demons than with God in their hyper-charismatics, understand that we have a kingdom that doesn’t consist in word or talk but in demonstration of the Spirit and power. Just read it and see for yourself. God bless
March 11, 2022
The author's purpose as he states it was to invigorate our love for God and increase our confidence that we can truly know him and his power today. This is what's missing for many of us. We have sound doctrine but no passion because God isn't real and intimate and we don't realize how "for us" he is. Miracles are Moreland's way of bringing our hearts closer to the God who loves to intervene on our behalf.
April 21, 2022
This is an essential book that all Christians should read. Written by a balanced and thoughtful thinker, it points us to the power of God resident in his church, a power that we should joyfully access. I can't recommend highly enough. My only reservation was the last chapter on after-death experiences. But the good in this book greatly outweighs the bad.
May 17, 2024
This is definitely one of those books that is going on my “life-changing” shelf. Not overly technical, this book does go over some brief arguments for why miracles and other supernatural phenomena are not irrational. Moreland also sketches out an overview of epistemology for why we can count such experiences as knowledge, despite not having total certainty. He dedicates space in each section for combatting typical naturalistic claims against the non-physical reality as well as rebutting arguments from within Christianity that run contrary to these experiences. The rest of the book is dedicated to sharing stories that have been verified for their veracity of miracles, answered prayer, healings, the voice of God, angels and demons, and near-death experiences. This is the perfect book for folks like me who can get bogged down with philosophical and scientific readings that they forget there are lots of things happening on the other side of the thin veil of our reality.
December 5, 2024
Loved this book. Appreciated the author JP Moreland going to such lengths to gather the stories and authenticate them. Love his books.
April 2, 2022
Having seen the supernatural abused in the past, I came into "Experiencing Miracles" as a skeptic. I appreciate that the first half of the book is centered around the bible and that the latter half is dedicated to credible stories. If you're looking to stretch your faith towards the miraculous, this is a good read.
January 8, 2022
Fantastic! Classic Moreland. Very accessible. This book meets the needs of a thinker and of a feeler. He gives reasonable evidence and also wonderful stories that inspire and strengthen our faith. We need people to live the way Moreland lays out in this book!
December 7, 2021
Seriously, if you believe this kind of nonsense, you need therapy.
And a dose of reality.
It's total, unadulterated, complete nonsense.
God gives people new fillings? Really?
God gives J.P. a miracle cheap pool by using an illegal kickback scheme to defraud others? That's a miracle?
Why are all the "miracles" in this book really old stories?
Why not use non-biased reports set in modern times?
J.P. thinks that when John Wimber did cold readings that it was a miracle....heck, any good con-artist trained in cold readings can do this stuff all day long. For an example of a master, see Derren Brown who does the stuff but then explains it (he's not a fraud, in other words).
There is zero real evidence for anything in this book, fair minded and (somewhat) logical Christians should be ashamed --- I'd call J.P. a total con-man, but I think he really believes this nonsense.
Well, if he can heal the blind and cure the deaf and cancer, then he's really cruel for not putting hospitals out of business.
Go heal the deaf and blind instead of writing stupid books and then non-brainwashed people will have some respect.
And a dose of reality.
It's total, unadulterated, complete nonsense.
God gives people new fillings? Really?
God gives J.P. a miracle cheap pool by using an illegal kickback scheme to defraud others? That's a miracle?
Why are all the "miracles" in this book really old stories?
Why not use non-biased reports set in modern times?
J.P. thinks that when John Wimber did cold readings that it was a miracle....heck, any good con-artist trained in cold readings can do this stuff all day long. For an example of a master, see Derren Brown who does the stuff but then explains it (he's not a fraud, in other words).
There is zero real evidence for anything in this book, fair minded and (somewhat) logical Christians should be ashamed --- I'd call J.P. a total con-man, but I think he really believes this nonsense.
Well, if he can heal the blind and cure the deaf and cancer, then he's really cruel for not putting hospitals out of business.
Go heal the deaf and blind instead of writing stupid books and then non-brainwashed people will have some respect.
July 18, 2024
This book was primarily aimed at Christians to strengthen and embolden their faith. Dr. Moreland first gives us an account of why the West is so embarrassed by Miracle reports. A couple of reasons are increased secularism and scientism. He wrote another book (Scientism and Secularism) addressing that topic. Moreland then gives the reader criteria for accessing said miracle claims, which are as follows: small probability + independent specialness = done on purpose by an intelligent agent. Understanding this principle sets up his following chapters on answers to prayers, healings, demonic activity, angelic encounters, and NDEs. If you want a treatment on these and to see how plausible these cases are, I would suggest this book. While some of the miracle cases are not as strong as some other books, this is mainly due to him trying to bring about some cases that he has mainly encountered. I personally found most of the cases quite convincing, but I also already have the intellectual framework for God and that he revealed himself to us through his son Jesus. Without some framework or a more skeptical epistemology, you might not find these cases as convincing.
May 6, 2022
Well Written Appeal for Bolder Faith
J P Moreland is intelligent, articulate, and convincing as he calls us out of practical deism into a faith that is shaped by the precedents set before us in Scripture. Besides making a reasoned case, he presents well documented cases of people encountering the supernatural power and presence of God, including those who have had Near Death Experiences. This book will be a eye-opener for those prepared to hear and consider a reasoned argument, and reading this book will revivify the faith of many.
Highly recommended. No I am going to read another of his books. This one made me a fan!
J P Moreland is intelligent, articulate, and convincing as he calls us out of practical deism into a faith that is shaped by the precedents set before us in Scripture. Besides making a reasoned case, he presents well documented cases of people encountering the supernatural power and presence of God, including those who have had Near Death Experiences. This book will be a eye-opener for those prepared to hear and consider a reasoned argument, and reading this book will revivify the faith of many.
Highly recommended. No I am going to read another of his books. This one made me a fan!
March 31, 2024
I have really enjoyed this author over the years so I was pleased to find out that he is a Continuationist like myself. In this book he argues for the continuation of miracles. Being a professor of philosophy he uses philosophy as well as personal experience and credible testimonies to make his case that miracles of various kinds continue today. I think the strongest point in his argument are his personal experiences and incredible testimonies he provides. Being a Calvinist, I disagreed with one of his philosophical approaches regarding free will. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I'd probably rate it 3.5 stars.
July 26, 2023
I always like books describing unique experiences that include examples and stories.
Moreland's examination, explanation, instruction, and inspiration for looking for miracles does just that.
I've read more Near-Death Experience (NED) books than I thought, but his theological and ethical comments were interesting--and surprising to me.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter about angels--I hope see one--or more--someday.
An excellent introduction to the signs and wonders still going around us.
Moreland's examination, explanation, instruction, and inspiration for looking for miracles does just that.
I've read more Near-Death Experience (NED) books than I thought, but his theological and ethical comments were interesting--and surprising to me.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter about angels--I hope see one--or more--someday.
An excellent introduction to the signs and wonders still going around us.
December 28, 2024
One of the best books written on a popular and practical level on the establishing the credibility of miracles and how to experience miracles in your life. I have read and re-read this book many times, including listening to the audiobook version. A great resource with suggestions for further reading and study.
January 26, 2023
Answers some deep faith questions I’ve had all my life.
Story after story of the power of God through miracles happening in present time! Read this if you need to boost your faith!
Story after story of the power of God through miracles happening in present time! Read this if you need to boost your faith!
March 12, 2023
Audiobook. Good content, doesn’t go into much detail. Lots of anecdotal stories.
Read
March 30, 2023I didn’t necessarily agree with all the theology, but I loved the true stories!
April 17, 2024
The reason I took a star off was because I wish this book had been longer. I wish some sections had been more fully developed.
I listened to this as an audiobook.
I listened to this as an audiobook.
August 23, 2024
Challenging
This book presents a good and necessary challenge for those who follow Jesus! So much to reflect on. Worth reading.
This book presents a good and necessary challenge for those who follow Jesus! So much to reflect on. Worth reading.
September 10, 2024
Exciting book about miracles in the modern day. Makes you motivated to pray for and see miracles today. Outlines how to think of and view events and what constitutes a miracle.
February 26, 2025
An excellent practical guide to miracles.
March 10, 2025
Seems like just motivated reasoning. If someone wants to believe these deeply, they will follow their desire, but as someone in between, it’s uncompelling
February 3, 2023
Coincidence or God? Stories of divine intervention and connection really help to encourage the reader. I finished the book believing God can show up in a divine way if I continue to ask boldly in faith!
December 7, 2024
Practical, Intellectual, AND Spiritual
J P Moreland has written a fantastic book for anyone who wants to study a pragmatic guide to experience more of the miraculous in his or her life. Most similar books will make one of two broad errors. They will either try to give naturalistic explanations because they simply don't believe in miracles or they spiritualize everything to the point it is difficult to follow their exhortation in a material world. This book strikes a unique balance. While thoroughly believing in miracles, Moreland gives lots of practical steps to take in order to experience the supernatural without seeing an angel or a demon behind every tree. If you want to know how to hear the voice of God more clearly and see answers to the things you pray about, read this book.
J P Moreland has written a fantastic book for anyone who wants to study a pragmatic guide to experience more of the miraculous in his or her life. Most similar books will make one of two broad errors. They will either try to give naturalistic explanations because they simply don't believe in miracles or they spiritualize everything to the point it is difficult to follow their exhortation in a material world. This book strikes a unique balance. While thoroughly believing in miracles, Moreland gives lots of practical steps to take in order to experience the supernatural without seeing an angel or a demon behind every tree. If you want to know how to hear the voice of God more clearly and see answers to the things you pray about, read this book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews