The history of miracles and near-death experiences: 'Quadcast' interview with Carlos Eire
Eighteenth-century engraving by G.A. Lorenzini depicting St. Joseph of Cupertino levitating (Wellcome Collection)
In the new episode of the YDS podcast series, Yale University Professor of History and Religious Studies Carlos Eire discusses evolving Protestant and Catholic views on miracles, the history of near-death experiences, and “hot-button issues” including the celibacy rule for Catholic priests.
“Catholics claimed that these (miracles) were of divine origin,” Eire explains. “Protestants, however, believed that all such phenomena were demonically induced.” He adds that more recent times have witnessed growing acceptance of miracles by Protestants, especially miraculous healings.
Carlos Eire is the T. Lawrason Riggs Professor of History and Religious Studies at Yale. His scholarship and teaching deal with early modern Europe; intellectual, social, cultural, and religious history; and Protestant and Catholic Reformations. He is the author of numerous books including They Flew: A History of the Impossible (Yale University Press, 2023).
The YDS Quadcast is hosted by Emily Judd ‘19 M.A.R., who is Senior Communications Specialist at the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. She previously worked as a journalist in the Middle East.