Pascal's Wager— Again!

     You remember that wager— trusting in God and His resulting safety versus believing that there is no God, and not "worrying”. Writers have pointed out that the wager seems quite self-serving, that if belief isn’t there it can’t be manufactured. On the other hand, if there is a God, it’s discourteous at best, not to investigate.

        One brilliant scientist who has commented (obliquely) on this wager is Richard Dawkins, especially when he was involved in a bus advertising campaign in Britain in 2009. The ad his group were touting said, “THERE’S PROBABLY NO GOD. NOW STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE.” The key word here is “probably”. Dawkins wanted to use the wording, "There is almost certainly no God”, but that still leaves a tiny window of possibility.

        Let’s put some probabilities against the two sides of the wager— the ad said “probably” so let’s say 25% “God”: 75% “no god”. Odds of 3:1 are not good!

        Let’s up those odds— let’s say 10% “God”: 90% “no god”. Even 9:1 odds are bad odds. Would we give in to Russian roulette?

       Up with those odds!— 1% “God”: 99% “no god”. Now we’re talking— 99:1 is pretty good, but remember what is a stake: “nothing, nothing” versus “happiness and peace with God forever” or the flip side of “loneliness and pain apart from Him.”

        “Just get on with your life” seems pretty pathetic on that scale. Since the “no god” side of the wager really has no effect on the bettor, it really should be totally ignored. The “God” side has infinite value if it is true. This means that at least 99% of our investigation should be into “God” and everything about Him. No, it should be 100%! We can’t give up until we KNOW!

“RESURGAM”

         A lovely painting hung in the lobby of my apartment building for several years, its contents gratifying me every time I walked past. But I kept quiet and never commented because I didn’t want it taken down. Then the lobby was refurbished and the painting was marked for disposal. My wife laid claim to it for me; in very short order, it took a place of honor over my desk.

What was so beautiful about it? The scene is a huge ancient brick wall with an arched doorway centered in a still larger arch. On both sides grow thick, green-leaved bushes with a touch of red blossoms overhead. Through the doorway is visible a garden of shrubbery, trees, and an upward spurting fountain; two sculpted figures stand in and under the water.

Can this be symbolic? An open doorway in a great wall? A passageway into a garden? A fountain springing and washing over the figures?

It is to me! Between the upper and lower arches of the doorway is a little cross, and below it, in great capital letters, “RESURGAM”— “I SHALL RISE AGAIN”.

Let’s just take a look into the Bible for a minute. There are several gardens mentioned there: - the garden of Eden, the garden of Gethsemane, and an unnamed garden near the cross[1] where an unknown Gardener later spoke to Mary Magdalene.[2] Can this image be that garden near the cross? And on Saturday?

The gate is open, the fountain is flowing for cleansing—nothing is blocking the entrance.

And Sunday is coming!

 

[Editor’s note: The painting is “Floral Doorway” by Cyrus Afsary. The cross and that one word are in fact details from a doorway of San Juan Capistrano Mission in California.]

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[1] John 19:41.

[2] John 20:15.

Judean Census

 

Name Tags

    I’ve been told that churches have sometimes had disagreements over whether to use name tags or not. My own experience has been that I like to know whom I’m shaking hands with in my own little neighborhood of pews, and I like them to know who I am too. A church we have attended for some years now, gives professionally made magnetic badges to all members and regular attenders.

    Once a year they have a real “walk-up-to-the-front” communion service, on Maundy Thursday. On all other occasions, we remain quietly and passively in our seats. On this special Remembrance Sunday, communion is by “intinction”. Yes, I had never heard that word before. The entire congregation lines up in the center aisle, proceeds to the communion table, and is offered real bread. They tear off a piece, dip it in a large chalice of wine, and consume both together.

    My point is that as I broke the bread, the pastor holding it said, “The Body of Christ broken for you because He loves you, Glenn!” A crowd of 150 fellow Christians, and he knows my name! How personal that made it, and how true. Jesus does love me, and the use of my name tag brought it home to me in great power. 

Re-writing the Gospel

[How the interviews should have gone on Good Friday!]

In Gethsemane with Judas and the temple police:

When Judas and a detachment of soldiers reached Gethsemane, Jesus went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” When they said “Jesus of Nazareth”, He assured them, “I am he.” They all drew back in amazement and fell to the ground. Then the soldiers with their commander and the Jewish officials accompanied Him back into Jerusalem, to the courtyard of the former high priest, Annas.

With Annas, in his courtyard in Jerusalem:

Annas asked Jesus more questions, about things He had already discussed in many public places, and even about Annas’s unusual mention of the need for one man to die for the people. Why was that?

With Caiaphas, in his house in Jerusalem:

As the group continued to swell, they all moved on to Caiaphas’s house. Now someone raised the question of what Jesus had meant when He overturned the tables in the temple then said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He left this as a puzzle to them but when Caiaphas asked Him if He was “the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One”, He left them in no doubt:—“I AM!”

In Caiaphas’s courtyard:

In the growing crowd, Peter got separated from Jesus. He was approached by at least three different people, who asked him, “Aren’t you one of Jesus’ disciples?” He quickly assured them, “I am.”

With the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem:

The crowd moved on again, to the meeting place of the Sanhedrin. Once more, He was asked if He was “the Son of God.” Again, He confirmed with, “I AM!”

With Pilate, at the Praetorium in Jerusalem:

Now Jesus and his torrent of followers moved on to meet the Romans. Pontius Pilate, the governor, was curious as to why they had come but when he found out that Jesus was “the king of the Jews”, he recognized the truth and listened to it.

With Herod Antipas, in Jerusalem:

There was only one more man left to see, the current “king of the Jews”, Herod Antipas. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He was overwhelmed with all the questions he had in mind, and even offered Jesus an elegant robe.

With Pilate again:

Jesus and the immense crowd with him then went back to Pilate to wrap up the morning, with some final clarifications. On the Pavement of Gabbatha, Pilate faced Jesus and proclaimed to everyone, “Hail, king of the Jews!”

With all the Jews:

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they too shouted, “He is the Son of God!”

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CAUTION! What would be wrong with all these supposed re-writes?

ANSWER! All their sins would still be on all these people and on us. There would be no Substitute, no Redeemer, no Mediator; and no payment for sins, no cleansing, no purification. Annas's statement at the beginning is a fact: One Man had to die for the people. And that Man had to be both man and God--- one or the Other was not enough.

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The Prudent Man Helps Others

        Remember that prudent man of Proverbs 22 and 27? A previous article listed almost two dozen possibilities that could go awry in his life. Perhaps a little self-righteously, we felt that we had them all covered in our own life…but maybe not.

        Is it possible that Proverbs is a book of “best practices” from a worldly point of view? As I thought over the prudent man’s list, the idea came to me: “Isn’t this kind of selfish and secretive?” How about helping someone else “prepare to meet God”? How about teaching others how to swim? Or to drive? Or to eat and drink wisely? Or to join a church and worship?

        There is a great New Testament advance on Proverbs, from the merely “prudent” man. Can we say in King Jamesian English, “The prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself and as many others as he can”?

        The story of the good Samaritan makes it very clear who the prudent man is. Perhaps he was well-armed; perhaps he had a bodyguard with him. In any case, his duty was clear—to help. In fact, if we go all the way back to Moses and the Ten Commandments, we find that Commandments 5 through 10 all relate to protecting and helping others, even more than ourselves: We are to honor our parents. We are not to murder—we are to help others to live. We are not to commit adultery—we are to help other couples live in peace. We are not to steal—we are to let others keep and enjoy what they have. We could go on, but you get the idea.

        Jesus, Himself, said in the Sermon on the Mount[1], “Blessed are the merciful…Blessed are the peace-makers…You are the salt of the earth…Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Never mind being super-prudent and looking after only number one. “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you[2].”

[1] Matthew 5: 7-16.


[2] Matthew 6:33.

A Prudent Man...

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3; 27:12. KJV

A prudent man…

• prepareth to meet God.
• joineth a church and worshippeth weekly.
• treateth his family, relatives, neighbours, and even enemies, as ones whom God loveth.
• eateth and drinketh wisely.
• getteth education or a trade.
• learneth to swim.
• learneth to drive.
• carrieth a spare wheel in his car at all times.
• filleth his gas tank before a trip.
• reserveth a hotel room before he getteth there.
• reneweth all his licenses in good time.
• stocketh good tools for household needs.
• learneth computers.
• payeth his taxes in good time.
• payeth into a retirement fund while working.
• getteth a doctor’s check-up before anything goeth wrong.
• seeth his children out of the nest debt-free.
• saveth or insureth in case of his wife’s widowhood.
• arrangeth for financial and medical power of attorney in case of need before death.
• writeth a fair will.
• prepareth for his own death (funeral, burial, cremation, etc.)
• writeth his own obituary.
• teacheth his children all these guidelines.
• …………
• …………

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Proverbs 22:3, NIV

The Balcony Over Burlington

  

  

     I was sitting on my apartment balcony the other day, enjoying the view over the trees and the houses to the blue of Lake Ontario, on the southeastern horizon. As I looked over at the matching balcony chair beside me, the thought struck me, "What if Jesus was sitting there?"

        Suppose a stranger knocked at my door and, when I answered, he struck up an enchanting conversation about Scripture. Suppose I then invited him in and sat him in that matching chair. Suppose further that his conversation was all about prophecy in the Old Testament concerning what the Jews called "That Prophet". Suppose still further that as my heart was warmed and my mind was thrilled and stimulated, I suddenly realized Who my Guest was! What would I do?

        I don't know for sure about myself, but there are a few people in Scripture who had just such an experience. For example, there were Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. When they recognized this Stranger, He disappeared; their response was to rush back to Jerusalem in the dark and tell their friends the wonderful news.[1]

        Then there was "doubting" Thomas. His recognition provoked that eternal exclamation, "My Lord and my God!"[2]

        Mary Magdalene didn't recognize Him either, but when the "gardener" spoke her name in that familiar voice, she wanted to cling to Him.[3]

        All these believers reacted from the heart when they realized this Stranger was Jesus. I trust that my response will be appropriate too, but I think the centurion, Cornelius, in Caesarea, had exactly the right idea. He misdirected his response and fell at the feet of Peter instead. Perhaps for a moment he mistook Peter for Jesus. I think his heart full of worship was still credited; not many moments later the Holy Spirit came on him in power.[4]

        So, what would I do? I still don't know, but I trust that somehow the Lord will get every breath of worship I have in me to offer Him.

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[1] Luke 24:33.

[2] John 20:28.

[3] John 20:16.

[4] Acts 10:2.

“Oh, My Soul!”

              Some years ago, my wife and I were “at sea” on an ocean cruise, when the Directors organized what was facetiously but erroneously called a “tiny talent” time. An entertainment afternoon was set aside and any of the passengers with suitable skills were invited to perform. The musicians, singers, comedians and even magicians were outstanding.

              But then a lady, probably in her fifties, took the stage and started to quote poetry. We weren’t paying close attention to the words at first, but then she shifted to a more rousing, martial type of beat and people started standing up to keep time with her actions.

              She encouraged this as she moved to her last poem, with the audience still at one with her. I recognized the poem, I knew where the words led, and I sat my wife and myself down again. The crowd marched on straight to the end: “I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul…I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul!”[1]

              How perverse! Did those people realize what they had said? Were there any Christians who had been dragged in as well? Did they catch the verse that says, “It matters not … how charged with punishments the scroll”? Joy and I were seated almost at the front so I hope the lady saw our protest.

              How desperately wrong can a person be? In a sense, our choices do decide our fate, but “unconquerable soul”? No way! She discounted the possibility of any true God, and she ignored everything Jesus has done for us. But there is punishment coming, and it does matter. The God Who made us will eventually require obedience and every soul will be conquered. The wise person foresees this and gets things fixed up with God before it’s to late. Two Bible verses answer the poem: “Submit yourselves, then, to God…Come near to God, and he will come near to you.”[2]

              How? “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”[3]

 

 

 

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[1] This poem is Invictus [“invincible”] by William Ernest Henley, written in 1875.

[2] James 4:7, 8.

[3] Acts 16:31