Taking Pascal's Wager

Faith, Evidence and the Abundant Life

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Theology, Philosophy, Christianity
Cover of the book Taking Pascal's Wager by Michael Rota, IVP Academic
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Rota ISBN: 9780830899999
Publisher: IVP Academic Publication: May 21, 2016
Imprint: IVP Academic Language: English
Author: Michael Rota
ISBN: 9780830899999
Publisher: IVP Academic
Publication: May 21, 2016
Imprint: IVP Academic
Language: English

Since we can't know with absolute certainty that God exists, each of us in a sense makes a bet. If we believe in God and are right, the benefits include eternal life. If we are wrong, the downside is limited. On the other hand, we might not believe in God. If we are right, then we will have lived in line with reality. If we are wrong, however, the consequences could be eternally disastrous. This was the challenge posed by the French philosopher Blaise Pascal over three hundred years ago. But Michael Rota contends that Pascal's argument is still compelling today. Since there is much to gain (for ourselves as well as for others) and relatively little to lose, the wise decision is to seek a relationship with God and live a Christian life. Rota considers Pascal's wager and the roles of uncertainty, evidence and faith in making a commitment to God. By engaging with themes such as decision theory, the fine-tuning of the universe, divine hiddenness, the problem of evil, the historicity of the resurrection and the nature of miracles, he probes the many dynamics at work in embracing the Christian faith. In addition, Rota takes a turn not found in many books of philosophy. He looks at the actual effects of such a commitment in three recent, vivid, gripping examples—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jean Vanier and Immaculée Ilibagiza. Like Pascal, Rota leaves us with a question: What wager will we make?

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Since we can't know with absolute certainty that God exists, each of us in a sense makes a bet. If we believe in God and are right, the benefits include eternal life. If we are wrong, the downside is limited. On the other hand, we might not believe in God. If we are right, then we will have lived in line with reality. If we are wrong, however, the consequences could be eternally disastrous. This was the challenge posed by the French philosopher Blaise Pascal over three hundred years ago. But Michael Rota contends that Pascal's argument is still compelling today. Since there is much to gain (for ourselves as well as for others) and relatively little to lose, the wise decision is to seek a relationship with God and live a Christian life. Rota considers Pascal's wager and the roles of uncertainty, evidence and faith in making a commitment to God. By engaging with themes such as decision theory, the fine-tuning of the universe, divine hiddenness, the problem of evil, the historicity of the resurrection and the nature of miracles, he probes the many dynamics at work in embracing the Christian faith. In addition, Rota takes a turn not found in many books of philosophy. He looks at the actual effects of such a commitment in three recent, vivid, gripping examples—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jean Vanier and Immaculée Ilibagiza. Like Pascal, Rota leaves us with a question: What wager will we make?

More books from IVP Academic

Cover of the book Jesus, the Temple and the Coming Son of Man by Michael Rota
Cover of the book Embodied Hope by Michael Rota
Cover of the book Sexuality and Sex Therapy by Michael Rota
Cover of the book Saying Is Believing by Michael Rota
Cover of the book Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition by Michael Rota
Cover of the book The New Shape of World Christianity by Michael Rota
Cover of the book Exploring Christology and Atonement by Michael Rota
Cover of the book Exalted Above the Heavens by Michael Rota
Cover of the book A Week in the Life of a Roman Centurion by Michael Rota
Cover of the book Short-Term Mission by Michael Rota
Cover of the book The Global Diffusion of Evangelicalism by Michael Rota
Cover of the book 1 Chronicles by Michael Rota
Cover of the book Dominion and Dynasty by Michael Rota
Cover of the book The Message of John's Letters by Michael Rota
Cover of the book Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Rota
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy