Supernatural or Spiritual?

[Gideon300]

The word "supernatural" does not appear in most translations of the Bible. As far as I know, only the Message Bible uses that word. I will not use the word "supernatural" if I am referring to the spiritual. And this is why.

The prefix "super" means above, over or beyond. We have words like "superstructure" , which mean a structure on top of another structure, such as a ship. We have "superhuman", an effort that is human but much greater than one would expect normally. Go to a takeaway and you can "supersize" your purchase, if you do not value your health.

In these instances, the "super" means a greater version of the original in some way. The superstructure of a ship is physically attached to the ship. It cannot function independently. A superhuman effort does not mean that the individual has somehow transformed into a different being. "Supersize" simply means more of the same.

The basis of "supernatural" is "natural". It is, for want of a better explanation, an enhanced version of the natural. And therein lies my objection. The natural is not the spiritual, no matter how "super" it becomes.

If there was no other suitable word in English, then "supernatural" would have to do. That is not the case. "Spiritual" is the word that refers to the things of the Spirit of God. "Supernatural" refers to the realm of the natural.

"The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Does it matter? I believe so. Countless Christians have been deceived by accepting all kinds of supernatural manifestations as being of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus warned us that this would happen. Let's not be one of the deceived. And those who imagine that they cannot be deceived are already deceived.

 

[Magenta]

supernatural
adjective
su·per·nat·u·ral ˌsü-pər-ˈna-chə-rəl -ˈnach-rəl

1: of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe
especially : of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil
2 a: departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature
b: attributed to an invisible agent (such as a ghost or spirit)
merriam-webster.com

 

[Eli1]

The word "supernatural" does not appear in most translations of the Bible. As far as I know, only the Message Bible uses that word. I will not use the word "supernatural" if I am referring to the spiritual. And this is why.

The prefix "super" means above, over or beyond. We have words like "superstructure" , which mean a structure on top of another structure, such as a ship. We have "superhuman", an effort that is human but much greater than one would expect normally. Go to a takeaway and you can "supersize" your purchase, if you do not value your health.

In these instances, the "super" means a greater version of the original in some way. The superstructure of a ship is physically attached to the ship. It cannot function independently. A superhuman effort does not mean that the individual has somehow transformed into a different being. "Supersize" simply means more of the same.

The basis of "supernatural" is "natural". It is, for want of a better explanation, an enhanced version of the natural. And therein lies my objection. The natural is not the spiritual, no matter how "super" it becomes.

If there was no other suitable word in English, then "supernatural" would have to do. That is not the case. "Spiritual" is the word that refers to the things of the Spirit of God. "Supernatural" refers to the realm of the natural.

"The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Does it matter? I believe so. Countless Christians have been deceived by accepting all kinds of supernatural manifestations as being of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus warned us that this would happen. Let's not be one of the deceived. And those who imagine that they cannot be deceived are already deceived.

Couple of points.

• Language evolves and changes with generations. You being older than me have some problems with this word and me being younger than you have a lot of problems with the woke language usage where the newer generation has messed up the language much faster than it should change and things have lost their meaning. I would like to aim for some normal pace where we don’t go too fast and we don’t go too slow either.
• This is the classic Protestant view of Miracles, where God is being thought of in a purely philosophical manner while we find ourselves in the material level.
  Our God is a God of miracles who can bend the laws of nature according to His will and He can raise the dead, and heal the sick.
  So, you are free to reject these supernatural miracles but for some of us is what made us change our minds to believe in God in the first place.

 

[Lynx]

Couple of points.

• Language evolves and changes with generations. You being older than me have some problems with this word and me being younger than you have a lot of problems with the woke language usage where the newer generation has messed up the language much faster than it should change and things have lost their meaning. I would like to aim for some normal pace where we don’t go too fast and we don’t go too slow either.
• This is the classic Protestant view of Miracles, where God is being thought of in a purely philosophical manner while we find ourselves in the material level.
  Our God is a God of miracles who can bend the laws of nature according to His will and He can raise the dead, and heal the sick.
  So, you are free to reject these supernatural miracles but for some of us is what made us change our minds to believe in God in the first place.

I get the impression this thread is a continuation of an argument started long, long ago in a thread far, far away.

 

[Eli1]

I get the impression this thread is a continuation of an argument started long, long ago in a thread far, far away.

Not really sure to be honest.
I usually respond to things i find interesting.
Miracles are a very interesting topic to me and i've created a topic about miracles here a long time ago.
Besides existence being a miracle itself, we find that the rules in this existence are bent by God anytime He wants.
So for me this is like a no-brainier that God is in charge and in control.

 

[JaumeJ]

Our Father is All Mighty. This is not something reduced to being supernatural, no, it simply declares whatever our Father decides to do, He does it. He is not restricted by the rules He has laid down for Hi creation and His creatures in any manner. The creature cannot honestly dictate to the Creator.

This truth has faith bearing witness to it. Whatever our Father does is with pure wisdom, understanding and knowledge, all prefaced with the word, eternal.

Furthermore, God is Love, so whatever He does is good.

 

[homwardbound]

The word "supernatural" does not appear in most translations of the Bible. As far as I know, only the Message Bible uses that word. I will not use the word "supernatural" if I am referring to the spiritual. And this is why.

The prefix "super" means above, over or beyond. We have words like "superstructure" , which mean a structure on top of another structure, such as a ship. We have "superhuman", an effort that is human but much greater than one would expect normally. Go to a takeaway and you can "supersize" your purchase, if you do not value your health.

In these instances, the "super" means a greater version of the original in some way. The superstructure of a ship is physically attached to the ship. It cannot function independently. A superhuman effort does not mean that the individual has somehow transformed into a different being. "Supersize" simply means more of the same.

The basis of "supernatural" is "natural". It is, for want of a better explanation, an enhanced version of the natural. And therein lies my objection. The natural is not the spiritual, no matter how "super" it becomes.

If there was no other suitable word in English, then "supernatural" would have to do. That is not the case. "Spiritual" is the word that refers to the things of the Spirit of God. "Supernatural" refers to the realm of the natural.

"The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Does it matter? I believe so. Countless Christians have been deceived by accepting all kinds of supernatural manifestations as being of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus warned us that this would happen. Let's not be one of the deceived. And those who imagine that they cannot be deceived are already deceived.

‘John 10:10, first part of that verse is flesh and blood. That tries to be super natural. The last part is Jesus saying, he is going to give us a new life more abundantly. Not supernaturally.
‘the new life is dead to natural flesh, by believing one is dead, thanks to sin. Romans 6. To be alive new in God Father’s Spirit and Truth. The risen Son for us to believe and stand in it.
‘that is new, not supernatural.
God seeks us. We are the responders, who stop creating and stand in trust to God above any and all circumstance. Life more abundantly. Is content in all things good or bad happening. Which is not easy to see through any trouble happening presently, yet is best to continue to stand in Col. 1:21-23 for me at least. I am not supernatural or super spiritual either. I am a child of the living God, whom I know is not ever against me as evil is always
psalm 100:4;103:12

 

[Lynx]

Not really sure to be honest.
I usually respond to things i find interesting.
Miracles are a very interesting topic to me and i've created a topic about miracles here a long time ago.
Besides existence being a miracle itself, we find that the rules in this existence are bent by God anytime He wants.
So for me this is like a no-brainier that God is in charge and in control.

Oh...

The way you replied, I thought you were answering some things said in a different thread that led to this thread.

Ne'mind.

 

[SonJudgment]

The word "supernatural" does not appear in most translations of the Bible. As far as I know, only the Message Bible uses that word. I will not use the word "supernatural" if I am referring to the spiritual. And this is why.

The prefix "super" means above, over or beyond. We have words like "superstructure" , which mean a structure on top of another structure, such as a ship. We have "superhuman", an effort that is human but much greater than one would expect normally. Go to a takeaway and you can "supersize" your purchase, if you do not value your health.

In these instances, the "super" means a greater version of the original in some way. The superstructure of a ship is physically attached to the ship. It cannot function independently. A superhuman effort does not mean that the individual has somehow transformed into a different being. "Supersize" simply means more of the same.

The basis of "supernatural" is "natural". It is, for want of a better explanation, an enhanced version of the natural. And therein lies my objection. The natural is not the spiritual, no matter how "super" it becomes.

If there was no other suitable word in English, then "supernatural" would have to do. That is not the case. "Spiritual" is the word that refers to the things of the Spirit of God. "Supernatural" refers to the realm of the natural.

"The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Does it matter? I believe so. Countless Christians have been deceived by accepting all kinds of supernatural manifestations as being of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus warned us that this would happen. Let's not be one of the deceived. And those who imagine that they cannot be deceived are already deceived.

Yes you put it exactly perfectly. I think the people are well meaning, but indeed they are easy prey for deception via the supernatural. Many want a sensuous and superficial understanding of spirituality. I think in the parable of the seeds these are the ones that are like the seeds that fall on the rocky ground, they might get a measure of the spiritual for a time, and as long as things are going good for them then they'll remain, but they are quick to wither away when troubles and persecutions and such come about.

 

[SomeDisciple]

When you look up the etymology, there was no such concept in the ancient world; the spiritual/supernatural was assumed to be part of the natural world... which kinda makes sense; because people either saw, or thought they saw spirits/ghosts/miracles/magic etc.

"Supernatural" just means that something is not subject to the "laws of nature". Something beyond the reach of science.

"Superhuman" actually refers to what is beyond human capability; and in fantasy a superhuman is typically a humanoid non-human (Like "Super-man", who in fact is an alien, and not a man).

The "Superstructure" of a ship could function independently if you removed it: just... probably not as a ship; but it would do fine as a structure.

 

[Lynx]

The word "supernatural" does not appear in most translations of the Bible. As far as I know, only the Message Bible uses that word. I will not use the word "supernatural" if I am referring to the spiritual. And this is why.

The prefix "super" means above, over or beyond. We have words like "superstructure" , which mean a structure on top of another structure, such as a ship. We have "superhuman", an effort that is human but much greater than one would expect normally. Go to a takeaway and you can "supersize" your purchase, if you do not value your health.

In these instances, the "super" means a greater version of the original in some way. The superstructure of a ship is physically attached to the ship. It cannot function independently. A superhuman effort does not mean that the individual has somehow transformed into a different being. "Supersize" simply means more of the same.

The basis of "supernatural" is "natural". It is, for want of a better explanation, an enhanced version of the natural. And therein lies my objection. The natural is not the spiritual, no matter how "super" it becomes.

If there was no other suitable word in English, then "supernatural" would have to do. That is not the case. "Spiritual" is the word that refers to the things of the Spirit of God. "Supernatural" refers to the realm of the natural.

"The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Does it matter? I believe so. Countless Christians have been deceived by accepting all kinds of supernatural manifestations as being of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus warned us that this would happen. Let's not be one of the deceived. And those who imagine that they cannot be deceived are already deceived.

Well... I mean... I can see what you're saying.

Yellow is not "super-blue" because it is not just blue with more blue. It's an entirely different color. (You could call green super-blue though, because you have to add yellow to blue to get green.) Yellow is its own thing, not just an adjunct of blue.

I wouldn't use the superstructure argument though. If all highways were destroyed, superhighways would still function perfectly well. Superman doesn't cease to exist just because normal humans have all died. If my computer crashes, that doesn't affect supercomputers at all.

 

[homwardbound]

Well... I mean... I can see what you're saying.

Yellow is not "super-blue" because it is not just blue with more blue. It's an entirely different color. (You could call green super-blue though, because you have to add yellow to blue to get green.) Yellow is its own thing, not just an adjunct of blue.

I wouldn't use the superstructure argument though. If all highways were destroyed, superhighways would still function perfectly well. Superman doesn't cease to exist just because normal humans have all died. If my computer crashes, that doesn't affect supercomputers at all.

I think I would use
blood red, the shed blood of Son, makes those in belief to God of this done work of Son white as snow
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

1. Matthew 28:3
   His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
   In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
2. Revelation 1:14
   The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

 

[Gideon300]

Couple of points.

• Language evolves and changes with generations. You being older than me have some problems with this word and me being younger than you have a lot of problems with the woke language usage where the newer generation has messed up the language much faster than it should change and things have lost their meaning. I would like to aim for some normal pace where we don’t go too fast and we don’t go too slow either.
• This is the classic Protestant view of Miracles, where God is being thought of in a purely philosophical manner while we find ourselves in the material level.
  Our God is a God of miracles who can bend the laws of nature according to His will and He can raise the dead, and heal the sick.
  So, you are free to reject these supernatural miracles but for some of us is what made us change our minds to believe in God in the first place.

I do not reject miracles and I've had many myself. I was healed directly by God twice in one day, not long after I was saved. But God is Spirit, man is natural. I was bound by an occult spirit for many years. I know what supernatural is. I could stare at people from behind and force them to look around. Somehow, I knew it was wrong, so I cut it out. I was not saved then.

Many Christians are deceived by conflating the spiritual with the supernatural. The so-called Toronto Blessing deception was a consequence of this confusion. Lord Jesus warned us about this possibility.

 

[Eli1]

I do not reject miracles and I've had many myself. I was healed directly by God twice in one day, not long after I was saved. But God is Spirit, man is natural. I was bound by an occult spirit for many years. I know what supernatural is. I could stare at people from behind and force them to look around. Somehow, I knew it was wrong, so I cut it out. I was not saved then.

Many Christians are deceived by conflating the spiritual with the supernatural. The so-called Toronto Blessing deception was a consequence of this confusion. Lord Jesus warned us about this possibility.

Well, you're definitely unique then.
You've experienced miracles yourself but you have vocabulary problems with them.
It's not a language test to discern miracles, but a spiritual test.
Most can tell if there are demonic forces involved in a miracle or if they come from God.

 

[Gideon300]

Well, you're definitely unique then.
You've experienced miracles yourself but you have vocabulary problems with them.
It's not a language test to discern miracles, but a spiritual test.
Most can tell if there are demonic forces involved in a miracle or if they come from God.

I wish that was true. The Toronto Blessing deceived countless Christians, from the well known like Pat Robertson (CBN) to the least of the saints. It gave many unsaved a false concept of salvation. Where I live, churches were having meetings especially to promote the so called Toronto Blessing. Indeed it was like TB. Highly contagious and (spiritually) deadly.

Satan can produce miracles. For example, he can make people sick and he can remove the sickness just as easily.

Mark 13:22

"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible."

It is is possible for the elect to be deceived. God's people are still destroyed because of their lack of knowledge. And there is nothing new about this. The counterfeit of the Holy Spirit was active in the Asuza Street revival and also during the Welsh revival at the start of the 20th century.

 

[Eli1]

I wish that was true. The Toronto Blessing deceived countless Christians, from the well known like Pat Robertson (CBN) to the least of the saints. It gave many unsaved a false concept of salvation. Where I live, churches were having meetings especially to promote the so called Toronto Blessing. Indeed it was like TB. Highly contagious and (spiritually) deadly.

Satan can produce miracles. For example, he can make people sick and he can remove the sickness just as easily.

Mark 13:22

"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible."

It is is possible for the elect to be deceived. God's people are still destroyed because of their lack of knowledge. And there is nothing new about this. The counterfeit of the Holy Spirit was active in the Asuza Street revival and also during the Welsh revival at the start of the 20th century.

There’s a lot I can say here but I’d rather not because I don’t want to stress you out.
Glory to God for all His signs and Miracles which tell us that we’re not alone here.

 

[oldman]

For me I listen to the context of the speaker to make a distinction.
I try to discern their meaning rather than the words used.

For me supernatural leans to demonic and spiritual leans toward GOD

 

[homwardbound]

For me I listen to the context of the speaker to make a distinction.
I try to discern their meaning rather than the words used.

For me supernatural leans to demonic and spiritual leans toward GOD

Sin is a spirit, going against God, acts as if it is not, wanting to be God
I see let go is for one to turn to God and n to want to be in charge, trusting God the Father of the risen Son knows best as said in Jeremiah 29:11 to me and al others too