What is a miracle?

Abstract

Based on arguments from theology and the philosophy of science, a miracle may be defined as: (1) a real, individual event, the occurrence of which must be (or must have been), at least in principle, susceptible to empirical verification; (2) an event which must be extremely unusual or historically unprecedented from the perspective of empirical scientific knowledge; (3) must evoke widespread wonder; (4) must be something freely given by God and not conjured; (5) must be understood as a special sign from God that transcends the bare facts of the case and communicates a spiritual message; and (6) must have been affirmed as a miracle by the community of believers to whom the message of the miracle must be addressed, at least indirectly.