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[Newbie]

Why have all the miracles, as described in the Bible, seemed to have stop?

We don't have repetitive plagues focused on one civilization. No more walking on water, talking animals, turning water into wine, parting giant bodies of water, raising people from the dead, stopping the sun, etc...

They seem to have gone downhill since the birth of science, and gone even further down since the invention of photography. Why is that?

[jimwalton]

Some claim they are: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/201 ... bique.html

According to the Bible, there were two particular times in history when there were lots of miracles: Moses (the Exodus), and Jesus. Jesus taught that things would be different after he left. I think we're mistaken to think that the Bible teaches (or even allows) that every era would be characterized by miracles. Hardly any were done (even according to the Bible) outside of those two eras. A miracle, by definition, is an usual, hardly-ever-happens event.

Their non-occurrences have nothing to do with the "birth" of science or the invention of photography, comments which seem to betray a smirk on your face. There was no particular expectation in the Bible that miracles would be a common phenomenon.

[Newbie]

Even well after the Exodus you have plenty of accounts of miracles in Judges and Kings, not to mention the prophets. Throughout most of the Bible, miracles were God's modus operandi for showing his presence and power. Given that, don't you think it's even a little suspicious that we don't get such accounts in less credulous times?

[jimwalton]

Indications of miracles are scattered through the book of Judges: Gideon's fleece, a few centering around Samson...um, I think that's about it. In the Kings, there are a few surrounding Elijah and Elisha, but just a few. Two with Hezekiah. In the prophets, hardly ever. In the prophets, you won't find more than a handful, total. I wouldn't call that a modus operandi. Considering the scope (in the Old Testament) of nearly a thousand chapters of text and several millennia passing by, this is not a huge list. The point is that miracles are not as frequent in the Bible as we often assume.

I disagree a little bit about God doing them to show his presence and power. Usually they were a sign from God to authenticate his message and/or his messenger (Jn. 3.1-2; 2 Cor. 12.11-12). Seeing miracles as signs clears up what the OP is asking. Jesus often criticized the Pharisees and the crowds for demanding miracles. He said they were signs of himself as messenger and of his message. And look at the teaching of Paul. Though he had done some miracles, his letters never indicate that he expects Christians to heal or cast out demons. he gives instructions about the godly life, about marriage, morality in society, prayer, and many other things, but he never gives instructions about the ministry of miracles. Even though the Bible certainly mentions them, the miracles are never the focus. When a miracle was done, people were expected to praise God, but there's no command to go about pursuing miracles. As a matter of fact, we are responsible not to demand miracles as evidence that God is present.

In our age where nothing is believed as true unless it is subject to scientific evidence, we create a false dichotomy between the laws of nature and miracles, but this separation isn't biblical. According to the Bible, the power and presence of God pervade every part of creation. Everything is natural and supernatural (though not pantheistic) at the same time.

So I disagree with your premise. Miracles aren't God's M.O. The Bible says changed lives are God's M.O.