Gold As A Symbol Of Desire In Song Of Solomon
Blaise Paas’ “Yes. Faith is Logical” (Rickabaugh) argues that it is rational to have faith in God as opposed to having no faith because you can gain a lot and lose nothing. Pascal argues that, hypothetically speaking, there could be a God. If we believe in Him, our faith may lead us to infinite gains that are beyond what we can imagine. Nevertheless, God is not known to us because He exists in an infinite world that our finite minds inhabit. So, we can’t be sure that God is real, even though there may be an infinite. Pascal argues that even though there is no proof for God, faith is rational because, if an infinite exists beyond the finite existence we lead, we’ll reap its benefits. If we do not believe in an infinite and still risk our faith, the outcome will be the same. Pascal is right to think that faith is logical, rational and consistent. However, his way of presenting the argument is misleading and invalid. Faith in God can be a complicated concept. It’s more complex than that, because there’s so much at stake.
Pascal’s argument is presented in a way that gives the impression of simplicity. It’s understandable to gamble on faith when you know that there is no risk. You can either acquire something you didn’t have before or let the situation remain unchanged. A gamble is made when you have faith, because the stakes are high. In order to have true faith, we must give up our sinful selves. It is necessary to admit that sin is bad, and to attempt to abandon the pleasures of our finite self.
There is a difference between those that have faith in God who still sin and those that do not. They have to sacrifice pleasures for this faith. Those with faith confess their sins and strive to purge them for God. This is an infinite. Faithless people either don’t acknowledge their sins or do acknowledge them and try to rid themselves of them for their own good: a Finite. In sacrificing or trying to sacrifice the desirableness of these pleasures for God, true faith is evident. One who has no true faith, on the other hand, sacrifices finite things for finite things. The loss of sinful, finite pleasures might not seem to be a great deal if infinite experiences are the goal. Pascal says that it is impossible to prove that God is infinite. If the truth is that there’s no God, we are gambling away our most precious pleasures in this finite life.
Conclusion: Belief in God can be a difficult decision. Many are unwilling to gamble on the possibility of winning and losing without enough proof. Although the thought of being a part of an infinite seems appealing, many are reluctant to give their complete faith. True believers are the only ones who will give up finite pleasures to achieve a infinite that is beyond our imagination. Although faith can be rational, there are sacrifices and commitments to make in order to reach a hypothetical endless.
Pascal makes a very good argument. His intellectual language creates credibility and intelligence. It took me three readings to fully understand it. Each time I read, my understanding of his views on faith and mine gradually diverged. My journey to faith has been both rewarding and challenging. I’ve found a sense of self-identity that has brought me comfort and security. I did have to give up many of the relationships and passions in my life that made me feel content. Pascal is right to say that faith is logical. However, his method of approaching it is flawed.
