2.63: Miracles: Is It Outrageous to Believe in Them?

In this discussion with Alan Padgett, they focus on the miraculous as found in the Bible (Old and New Testament) and approaches to inexplicable events in Christian history and in contemporary life.

In this episode, Prof. Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston talk with Alan Padgett, Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, about miracles: Is it outrageous to believe in them?

Show notes

Biblical passages mentioned

Isaiah 20
John 14:29

Biblical miracles mentioned

Exodus 3: Moses and the Burning Bush
Exodus 7-11: Ten Plagues of Egypt
Exodus 14: Parting of the Red Sea
Joshua 10: Joshua Stopping the Sun
Matthew 8 and Mark 5: Jesus Casting out Demons
Luke 24: Resurrection of Jesus
John 9: Jesus Healing the Blind Man

Topics and themes mentioned

Signs and wonders
Miracle: from Latin “mīrāculum” (“object of wonder”)
Enlightenment mentality and mindset
Scientism
Naturalism and supernaturalism
Divine providence
Healing and exorcism
Therapy
Kingdom of God
Evil and suffering

Theologians mentioned

Thomas Aquinas: medieval Catholic theologian
Jürgen Moltmann: contemporary German theologian

Featuring

Alan G. Padgett

Alan Padgett has been on the faculty at Luther Seminary since 2001. Following a call to the ministry, he graduated from Drew University (M. Div., 1981). After serving full time in pastoral ministry he studied at the University of Oxford (D.Phil, 1990). A United Methodist minister, he coordinates Methodist studies at the seminary as well as teaching classes in systematic theology and ethics. Padgett works at the intersection of theology, biblical studies, philosophy and the sciences. His most recent books include the Blackwell Companion to Science & Christianity (co-edited with Jim Stump, 2012); Introduction to Philosophy: Christianity and the Big Questions (with Steve Wilkens, 2018); and Ecotheology: A Christian Conversation (co-edited by Kiara Jorgensen, 2020).

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Hosted By

Kathryn Schifferdecker

Kathryn M Schifferdecker is Professor and Elva B. Lovell Chair of Old Testament at Luther Seminary. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2001, Schifferdecker was associate pastor for five years at Trinity Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisconsin, before coming to Luther in 2006. Schifferdecker is a frequent contributor to Working Preacher, Word & World, and the author of "Out of the Whirlwind: Creation Theology in the Book of Job" (Harvard University Press, 2008). She is currently writing a commentary on the book of Esther.

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Katie Langston

Katie Langston is a doubter by nature and a believer by grace. She grew up Mormon in a small Utah town and still isn't sure she fits in anywhere sophisticated enough to have a Target. She's the author of Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace, an acclaimed spiritual memoir about her conversion to orthodox Christianity. Katie is Pastor of Mission and Outreach at New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, Utah. From 2020-2025, she was the director of digital strategy for Luther Seminary's innovation team, where she oversaw digital projects aimed at cultivating vibrant Christian spirituality in a post-modern, post-Christian cultural context.

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About Enter the Bible Podcast

The Enter the Bible podcast is where you can get answers (or at least reflections) on everything you wanted to know about the Bible but were afraid to ask. Each season, the podcast hosts address questions submitted by listeners. If you have a question you’d like us to discuss in the upcoming season of the Enter the Bible podcast, submit it here.

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Featuring

Alan G. Padgett

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Hosted By

Kathryn Schifferdecker

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Katie Langston

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