Entries that relate to Pascal’s wager.
Just to add a bit to what I wrote re Vintage Muggeridge elsewhere on this site: Muggeridge notes (49) that it’s hard to argue that Jesus would be big on “social justice” political reform when he deliberately refused to get involved in any secular government issues. He is, as I noted, a big fan of … [Read more…]
I’m a Muggeridge fan, and I’ll begin by noting that he endorses Pascal’s wager (31; see also 41, 64-65, 74-75, 92, 111, 150, 120). But to show I’m evenhanded: The chapter “The Bible Today” is, I think, unduly dismissive of the importance of the historicity of the Bible, seeming to suggest that human truth is … [Read more…]
This biography is short and straightforward but not dumbed down. The author is an emeritus professor of history at Notre Dame. I have to admit that, while I am a great fan of Pascal’s, after reading this biography of him I feel no need to read a more detailed one. Pascal was indeed a remarkable … [Read more…]
The question of predestination is one of an intricacy disproportionate to its interest, to paraphrase Chief Justice John Marshall, or at least its relevance to us on earth in leading our lives (interesting phrase, by the way: leading a life instead of, say, living it). What I mean is that we cannot be so sure … [Read more…]
I’ve noted elsewhere on this site (see especially “Why I Am a Christian (and You Should Be, Too), in 600 Words”) my take on Pascal’s Wager as pressing Christians to cultivate the faith they choose to declare. That is, one doesn’t just say, okay, I believe, and then forget about it; one must act accordingly … [Read more…]
Theolimerick A polymath Frenchman named Blaise Said the wise thing to give God is praise. “If you’re right, you’re all set; If you’re wrong, no big fret; But if wrong when you dis Him — the blaze!”
That’s the title I gave to this piece I wrote for National Review Online (posted April 2, 2007). Here it is: Pasquale in the Alley Religion in black and white. By Roger Clegg — April 2, 2007 Pasquale was the smartest guy I knew, so when I had my doubts, I went to him. He … [Read more…]
If you believe in good and evil, if you believe that your existence has purpose — then you believe in God. So the Christian outcome is not only a reason to believe; if you believe, then the outcome must also be true.
I wonder if a lot of theology shouldn’t be more tentative, given for example the ambiguity of some Scripture to us and the unknowability to us of much of God’s handiwork. Thus, for all we Protestants know Mary could be the “Queen of Heaven,” but no Catholic can know that for sure. And, with many … [Read more…]
I know — very presumptuous, and of course we know that His ways are not our ways. Still, thinking along these lines can be useful: It can show, for example, that some features of the universe and Christian belief are not as counterintuitive (to what we would expect of a God-created Christian universe) as they … [Read more…]