Q: Does it mean we do not fully believe in Jesus if we question and have doubts about his superhuman miracles?

Pastor Ho-Ming said "Believing in Jesus is believing EVERYTHING is true." Does it mean we do not fully believe in Jesus if we question and have doubts about his superhuman miracles?

Thanks for asking this question. Let me begin with some clarification. What I meant to say was this: "Believing in Jesus means believing that what Jesus actually said, commanded and did is true, and to live according to His words." For instance, when Jesus says that we must be spiritually reborn to enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:1-21), we better trust Him and find out how we can be spiritually reborn.

As for your question, it is perfectly okay to have doubts and questions about Jesus. We are finite human beings so there are many things we don't understand. Naturally, we will have many questions as well. There is a difference however between unbelief and questions.





For example, you can have questions such "How did Jesus walk on water?" and still believe that Jesus actually did those things. That's not unbelief. Unbelief is when your heart is hardened and you simply shut out the possibility that Jesus could have done any of those supernatural things he did.

Friend, if you're really serious about your questions, then ask questions and seek the answers (like you're doing right now on this blog). Compile research, listen attentively to scholars, do whatever it takes to get some answers.

Now, you will probably get to a point where no matter what historical evidence is presented, you still have some doubts. But that's when you have to have faith. However, this is not blind faith. When you have faith in Jesus, it doesn't mean you have all the answers (that will never happen!); it means you have enough evidence to believe. I believe there is enough evidence is in the Bible. Christianity has stood the test of time for over 2000 years and it is still standing because the events recorded in the Gospels are accurate and true. These events include the supernatural miracles of the Son of God, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

If you have some extra time, watch (1) Dr. John Ortberg's videos on "Faith and Doubt."
(2) Lee Stroebel's video on "Why Don't People Believe in Miracles?" or read his chapter on miracles in his book, The Case for Christ.

[Answered by Pastor HM, who has doubts, will continue to have doubts, but believes that Jesus will answere those doubts in his time]

Q: Should I believe that humans can have supernatural powers...

...and do things such as make large objects disappear or levitate over a city such as Criss Angel or other optical illusionists/magicians?

It seems you've actually answered your own question (!), though I'll clarify a few terms. Criss Angel and other magicians are - as you have stated - optical illusionists, meaning they entertain an audience by creating illusions that seem impossible ("supernatural") using NATURAL means.

In other words, when Criss Angel levitates over a city, he is not using supernatural power (e.g. think Superman's ability to fly). He's simply tricking the audience into believing that he has the ability to fly when he really doesn't. He's using natural means to do things that seem supernatural. We have to recognize that magicians like Criss Angel, David Blaine or David Copperfield are entertainers first (just look at the picture on your left for proof!). They are paid (large sums of) money to perform optical illusions. Part of the entertainment value, of course, is never to reveal how the illusion is done, so magicians will often claim that they possess mysterious, supernatural powers (e.g. Criss Angel, etc.) or a superhuman endurance (David Blaine, etc.)

That being said, in the Bible, it does state humans can have supernatural powers, BUT they must come from somewhere. It comes from God or the devil. How can you tell where the power comes from? If the power is used for God's glory and to do His Will, they are good and from God. For example, in Matthew 10:1, Jesus gave his disciples supernatural abilities:

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction

But if they are used against the will of God, they are evil and from the devil. These include modern-day witchcraft and occult practices, that often try to summon supernatural powers. Read Ephesians 6:2, which states:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Summarily, can you believe that humans can have supernatural powers? Yes . Some people today may - in fact - possess such powers. But be careful as many such people are using these powers under the influence of the devil. The good news is that God is ultimately in control and has the greatest power. Christians need not to worry because Christ is victorious over any power of the devil.

Should I believe that humans such as Criss Angel (and other magicians) have such powers? Probably not. They are optical illusionists using natural means to entertain you. They put an incredible amount of time and effort thinking of entertaining feats (and we should appreciate them for that), but at the end of the day, they are simply "mind tricks."

[Answered by Pastor HM, who has watched "Magic's Greatest Secrets Revealed"]