A miracle in the culture of antiquity during the rise of Christianity: people beliefs and personal religion

This article considers the phenomenon of miracles in light of ancient religion and culture. Our current understanding of “miracles”, which arose in the context of Europe’s Christian past, is influenced by a Christian heritage. The concept of a “miracle” in antiquity was quite different from the modern concept. The terminology used to describe a “miracle” in ancient pagan religions is principally different from the language used for miracles by New Testament authors. This different language was selected purposely so that the Christ of the Gospels would not be understood by believers as another pagan miracle worker. In its debates with pagan religion, Christianity often turned to miracles in its defense. This occurred because, having arisen and developed in the cultural milieu of the ancient world, Christianity used the language of that culture both for preaching and for polemics.