Polemic wager from an apologetic perspective Pascals wager from a Philosophical wager

Polemic wager from an apologetic perspective Pascals wager from a Philosophical wager

Researchers:

· Stacey>The Philosophic history of Pascals wager: ad least 3 sources

· Nydreah>The Apologetic applications of Pascals wager: ad least 3 sources

· Jose> Biblical references for Pascals Wager Ad least 3 sources

Stacey

Nydreah

Jose

Writers

· Me>Intro and touch ups

· Damita>Describe the philosophical impact of pascals wager on the atheistic ideology

· Sarah>Explain the way the polemic wager effects apologetics

· Amber>Conclusion and touch ups

Me

Damita

Sarah

Amber

Title: Should summarize our findings for all Four deliverables Unifying Topic: Polemic wager from an apologetic perspective Pascals wager from a Philosophical wager Summarizing idea: Every facet of human reasoning points to the existence of God. Man has so much more to lose than to gain when they reject that reality. Thesis Statement: Pascals wager is an excellent philosophical and theological polemic because it is a logical approach to evangelism. Introduction First paragraph introducing the reality of carnality and the trap of comfortable sin. Paragraph goes on to confront comfortable sin using pascals wager.

I. Main point: Describe the philosophical impact of pascals wager on the atheistic ideology · Define pascals wager as a philosophy · Apply Pascals wager to the atheist’s point of view

II. Main point: Explain the way the polemic wager effects apologetics · Briefly explain apologetics and their necessity · Highlight the value of the pascal wager regarding apologetics-based evangelism

Conclusion Summarize the effect Pascals wager has on apologetics and reinforce the illusion breaking nature of such an important Polemic. (essentially reiterate the thesis)

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BIBLICAL REFERENCES

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)

“This day I call the heavens and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and course. Now choose life, and your children may live.”

· This verse offers a clear choice between 2 outcomes, just like Pascal presents belief vs. unbelief as a life defining decision.

· It encourages active choice (choose life), reflecting Pascal’s appeal to skeptics to take belief seriously as a commitment.

· Notes the consequences of belief, not just for the individual but also for future generations.

· Reinforces the Wager’s “nothing to lose, everything to gain” logic.

· It implies divine accountability, heaven and earth are witnesses, mirroring Pascal’s concern with eternal responsibility.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

· Emphasizes faith as a prerequisite to pleasing God, emulating the necessity of belief in Pascal’s Wager.

· Highlights the foundation of faith, belief in God’s existence and His justice.

· Supports the positive outcome of belief (God’s reward”), aligning with the Wager’s assertion that belief leads to both present and eternal benefits.

· Encourages earnestness in seeking truth, not blind faith but reasoned pursuit, just like Pascal advocates.

Matthew 16:26 (NIV)

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

· This shows the incomparable value of the soul, a key foundation of Pascal’s claim that eternal loss outweighs any temporal gain.

· This brings up the question that exposes the foolishness of living without regard for eternal consequences.

· Affirms the limited value of earthly success when compared to eternal matters.

John 3:16 (NIV)

· Presents a clear outcome of perishing and eternal life, just like Pascal’s wager between heaven and hell.

· Shows that salvation is based on belief, reinforcing that making a faith decision is crucial.

· This passage also highlights god’s love. He provides the path, but we must choose to believe, which echoes the call to decision in the Wager.