Pascal's Wager

Is faith only blind belief, or are there quantifiable reasons to accept it, to consider the possibility that God is real? Is there a spiritual element to human existence? Mathematician Jill McGavock confronts these questions when her mother, intellectually gifted but emotionally estranged from Jill, is diagnosed with dementia.

Her mother's thoughts degrade over the months, while Jill ever more desperately needs to know if a soul exists that survives the deterioration of brain and the body. As she analyzes her own beliefs, she compares them to the convictions of a Christian man she is becoming more and more attracted to, despite what she deems his "irrational" faith. Of course, it is a Christian novel, so Jill's must be a "conversion show more story," but it's written in a non-formulized manner. The journey, not the destination, makes this book work.

Anyone already familiar with Nancy Rue's writing knows her skill with imagery, characters, and dialogue, and this book (her first adult novel) is no exception. These characters (especially the sardonic heroine) drive a unique plot in which quiet reality becomes engaging. show less

For me, this is a thought-provoking and powerful book regarding a woman's faltering search for God, a painful mother-daughter relationship, dementia, and the Power of God's love.

To quote the author, Nancy Rue:
"Either God exists, or He does not," wrote seventeen-th century mathematician Blaise Pascal. In each life, he observed, "a coin if being spun, which will come down heads or tails. Let us weigh the consequences involved in calling 'heads' that God exists. If you win, you win everything; but if you lose, you lose nothing."

"In a quest to find out whether the essence of her mother still lives desite the ravages of a degenerative brain disease, Jill McGovock seeks out philosophy professor Sam Bakalis, who challenges her to make show more Pascal's wager. Will her "bet" on the existence of God answer Jill's questions today or transform her tomorrows in surprising ways?" show less

How can this book be so unpopular! My three-day reading of this book was a wonderful experience. Nancy Rue is a wonderful writer who can create such complex characters it's amazing! What was more amazing is the development from the beginning to the end--and we realize at the end it is because of God.

The main character, Jill, is a work-a-holic. Her mother is diagnosed with brain disease and she's struggling with life because she doesn't believe in God. Then we meet a man named Sam...and from then on the book becomes pretty psychological. It is based largely on recalling works by the famous Blaise Pascal (which enlightened me enough to read his works).

The thing that attracted me to this book is the mention of Blaise Pascal. I was not show more disappointed because he was allotted many references in this book. This is great for any disbeliever to read, or anyone struggling with "Why God?" or even having doubts about God's existence. This is the most non-preachy, realistic religious fiction I've read about someone literally trying to find God. show less

Een docente wiskunde aan een Amerikaanse universiteit wordt geconfronteerd met de plotselinge, zware dementie van haar moeder. Om dit te verwerken knoopt ze gesprekken aan met een christelijke hoogleraar filosofie