Ziklag R - 9.5 -The Razor's Edge

Pascal, Ockham and the Man of Calm

SOS Discipline - Daily Proverb and Red Letter Reader

A good root is better than an established scheme. cf. Pr. 12:3

Just because Truth is beauty does not mean that Beauty is Truth. cf. Mt. 11:8

Pascal’s Razor

The Wager

In the history of thinking, Blaise Pascal’s “Wager” and William of Ockham’s “Razor” stand as monumental notions. In truth, Pascal’s Wager is but a narrowing application Ockham’s Razor, and both of them stand to be redeemed by the Wisdom of Solomon.

Pascal’s Wager is a pragmatic argument that advocates for belief in God based on the potential outcomes of such belief versus unbelief. If God exists, and one believes, the reward is eternal life, while if God does not exist, the loss is negligible, as fatalistic nihilism holds that there are no punishments mistakes in the (not there) “after life.” Conversely, disbelief in Christ presents the risk of infinite loss, quite a downside wager. Eternal damnation, if God does exist., suggests that belief in God is the safer and more logical choice.

Arguments from Greek logic do not convert a man to Christ. But arguments from Christ’s logos incarnate the Man of Peace, the Son of David. If there is truth to it, it will be from him.

A Simple Cut

Ockham’s Razor, attributed to the 14th-century thinker William of Ockham, suggests that the simplest explanation, the one with the least complicated set of pre-conditions or assumptions, is likely to be the true one. As vast and wide as nature is, it’s root design thrives in simplicity. Complexity is fragile.

The razor of simplicity, or what to the eye is often seen in symmetry, is not merely a tool for hoigty toighty philosophisizers, but is an everyman’s guide for prudence. The way of minimal risk and maximal clarity is not something ol’ Billy made up. The reason the Razor endures is because it is evident in nature to anyone who starts applying it.

In this sense, Pascal’s Wager takes on streamlining function of the Razor and applies it as risk-averse decision-making tool to the question of faith. Ever since, people have complained that its a bad argument because it doesn’t really achieve its end of converting its opponents. But I’m not convinced that how something is received by those who aren’t really listening amounts to any fair kind of history or scientific inquiry.

Biblical Foundations

But, like I said, he got it from somewhere. "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise." "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit." "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit."

Betting of the Razor isn’t something only Pascal can do. Logic, or Understanding, is deeply rooted in the biblical tradition, with the Proverbs and Psalms standing out as priority “EveryMan” resources until the Red Letters change the world forever. But these are his books of the Bible, for you, replete with guidance on living simplicity, prudence, and trust in Jesus Christ.

“The fear of Jesus Christ is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This verse is Pascal’s Wager: a wise person considers God’s potential as the foundation of all understanding, while the fool dismisses this wisdom to his own peril. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.”

Living in God’s presence, with understanding the Spiritual Gift of His power in His Kingdom, justice is often the simplest, most prudent path—the thing only God can do, which you also know by the faith that He always does.

Natural Obviousness

The alignment of Pascal’s Wager with Ockham’s Razor is truths of history that are 1) really the same postulates, and 2) just repackaged Solomon, is not coincidental. Solomon’s “stars,” or “principles of light,” or, I mean, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job, as God’s personal revelation to us in Jesus Christ, deliver all the inherent laws of morality and reason that govern human conduct into a mindset, a Spirit, who, whene when followed, lead to a life of general security and peace.

Prosperity is the practical outworking of the obvious wisdom found in scripture: a life lived in fear of Jesus is content with simplicity, which is worth more than rubies. A lif lived inspired by faith in his Proverbs and Psalms is the most rational of all God’s gifts to men, for to trust what the Master says is only reasonable, especially when you are hoping to be his apprentice.

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BHOP

Not everyone gets to see the art for the BHOP episodes due to a limitation with podbean, so I thought I’d just share theme here as promos. “Never Johnson: The Executive Society under 26 U.S. Code § 501(c)(3)” will come out Thursday 9.12.24.

That is so Terrifyingly Accurate

That I want to post this picture that as a counterpoint of comfort and hope for me:

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Let me know and we’ll make more beauty happen.

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