>The list isn't exhaustive but those are the important reasons.
two other important reasons:
Sometimes a miracle is to show a person (or persons) that God does
exist and is "actively doing things" in the world. { If none of these
types of experiences had occurred in my life, as both first-hand and
second-hand experiences, I might not be a Christian now. }
Another reason is if God wants ONE THING to occur instead of
ANOTHER THING, if God wants history to unfold in a certain way,
and miraculous-appearing action is needed.
The potential role of theistic action (miraculous-appearing and/or
normal-appearing) is examined in my overview, at
http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~crusbult/origins/main.htm#fi
>NONE OF THESE APPLY TO THE CREATION OF LIFE, SPECIATION,...
They certainly do apply, if God designed the universe to be
SELF-OPERATING so natural processes would allow everything needed
for life (sunshine, DNA & proteins,...) without being SELF-ASSEMBLING.
In the section of my overview cited above, is the following quote:
"miraculous-appearing theistic action ... eliminates a need for total
self-assembly. Maybe there is an essential tension between assembly
and operation, and a universe with optimal operation cannot also be
self-assembling. { To illustrate, Walter Bradley asks whether a car
designed to change its own spark plugs would be a good design, or if
this unnecessary requirement would hinder the car's effectiveness in
other, more important ways. }"
----------------------------
To minimize the inevitable replies -- yes, of course, "self operating"
means "with God's sustaining power,..."
>The creation of life does not validate anyone's call.
As mentioned above, this is not the only reason for a miracle.
Craig Rusbult