Taking Pascal's wager : faith, evidence, and the abundant life

WORLD Magazine's Best Books of 2016 Short ListChristianity Today's 2017 Book of the Year Award of Merit - Apologetics/EvangelismSince 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? 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, Examples--dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jean Vanier And Immaculée Ilibagiza. Like Pascal, Rota Leaves Us With A Question: What Wager Will We Make?--back Cover. Part 1. Uncertainity And Commitment. A Curious Offer -- Pascal's Wager: The Basic Argument -- Objections To The Wager: Moral Reservations And The Cost Of Commitment -- More Objections To The Wager: Other Religions And Christianity -- Part 2. Evidence. Where Did Physical Things Come From? -- Why Is The Universe Just Right For Life? -- A Primer On Probability -- God And The Multiverse -- The Beauty And Existential Resonance Of Christianity -- Counterevidence: Divine Hiddenness And Evil -- Historical Evidence For Christianity: The Resurrection -- Miracle Or Myth? -- Part 3. Saying Yes To God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer -- Jean Vanier -- Immaculée Ilibagiza -- Conclusion: Taking The Wager. Michael Rota. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. Dedication 4 Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction 10 Part 1: Uncertainty and Commitment 18 1 A Curious Offer 20 2 Pascal’s Wager: The Basic Argument 29 3 Objections to the Wager: Moral Reservations and the Cost of Commitment 51 4 More Objections to the Wager: Other Religions and Christianity 64 Part 2: Evidence 80 5 Where Did Physical Things Come From? 82 6 Why Is the Universe Just Right for Life? 98 7 A Primer on Probability 112 8 God and the Multiverse 124 9 The Beauty and Existential Resonance of Christianity 134 10 Counterevidence: Divine Hiddenness and Evil 142 11 Historical Evidence for Christianity: The Resurrection 153 12 Miracle or Myth? 164 Part 3: Saying Yes to God 178 13 Dietrich Bonhoeffer 180 14 Jean Vanier 194 15 Immaculée Ilibagiza 210 Conclusion: Taking the Wager 220 Notes 222 Author Index 244 Subject Index 246 Scripture Index 248 Praise for Taking Pascal’s Wager 249 About the Author 251 More Titles from InterVarsity Press 252 IVP Academic Textbook Selector 253 Blaise Pascal's wager argues that since there is much to gain and relatively little to lose, the wise decision is to seek a relationship with God and live a Christian life. Michael Rota explores the dynamics of doubt, evidence, and decision-making in order to consider what is necessary for people to embrace the Christian faith-and the difference it makes in people's lives.