The Dead Sea Transform Fault runs near the east shore of the Sea of Galilee. The Golan Heights area is moving northward, with respect to the Sea, at about one inch per five years. It is not a steady movement. The strain builds up over many decades before it is finally released, sending tremors through nearby land and water. The disturbance in the water begins suddenly, continues for a few minutes, and then dies down.
Jesus knew what was going on, and His faith told him when and how it would end. He expressed his disappointment that His disciples did not share that faith.
Magic and supernatural powers do not make miracles. Knowledge and faith make miracles.
§
Greeks and Romans both loved to tell and hear amazing stories. Their mythology
…show more content…
Its writer was less familiar with Jesus’ admonition to not make a big deal of miracles. The disciples went a little farther in rejoicing at the huge crowds that gathered to witness their “signs”.
The Greek version of the Torah, the Septuagint, included several questionable translations that made Old Testament events seem more miraculous than the original Hebrew had implied.
The concept of sainthood was first applied only to Christian martyrs. After Christianity became the established religion, and martyrs were scarce, other persons believed to have lived exemplary lives were granted the title of “Saint”. When some bishops became too generous in canonizing questionable candidates, during the Middle Ages, that power was restricted solely to the Pope. The rules have changed from time to time, but always require proof of miracles performed directly by, or following a prayer in the name of, the candidate.
In modern times 99% of the approved miracles have been medical in nature. When John Paul II made the latest update to the procedure for canonization, he remarked that, as medical science advances, acceptable miracles become
…show more content…
The Romans excelled in military power, engineering, and political organization. But they recognized that the Greeks were far ahead of them in philosophy, science, and art. They took advantage of the resources that had come under their control, and fostered continued flowering and expansion of Greek culture.
The Emperor Constantine was such an admirer of the Greeks that he moved his capital from Rome to the Greek city of Byzantium in 324 AD. Its name was later changed to Constantinople.
Constantine had already decreed an end to the persecution of religious minorities. He wanted law and order within the Empire, and that meant doing away with religious strife. He noticed that, when left alone, Christians were orderly, and even docile. They accepted the vicissitudes of earthly life in anticipation of a heavenly reward. They disagreed, both as individuals and as congregations, on theology and morals. Constantine’s mother, Saint Helena, was a Christian and had made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
The earliest Christians enjoyed considerable freedom of conscience. They developed a great diversity in their beliefs and ceremonies, and a vast trove of literature was scattered among their many churches. The message of Christ was being effectively spread, but in a manner that was too messy for Roman