Chance and the Sovereignty of God: A God-Centered Approach to Probability and Random Events
Overview
What if all events—big and small, good and bad—are governed by more than just blind chance? What if they are governed by God?
In this theologically informed and philosophically nuanced introduction to the study of probability and chance, Vern Poythress argues that all events—including the seemingly random or accidental—fall under God’s watchful gaze as part of his eternal plan. Comprehensive in its scope, this book lays the theistic foundation for our scientific assumptions about the world while addressing personal questions about the meaning and significance of everyday events.
- Analyzes chance and probability through the lens of theology
- Makes the case for all events of chance being part of God’s plan
- The Sovereignty of God
- God As the Foundation for Chance
- Probability
- Probability and Mathematics
Top Highlights
“First, suffering can be used by God to produce godly character:” (Page 47)
“Third, suffering can bring glory to God by showing the quality of our faith:” (Page 47)
“Second, suffering can increase our respect for God’s word” (Page 47)
“Was the accident ‘by chance’? Was God in control? If I am ready to acknowledge God’s control when my family escapes an accident, should I also acknowledge that God is in control when someone else suffers from an unpredictable tragedy? Or do tragic cases involve pure chance, beyond God’s control? And if God is in control, did he actually plan the events beforehand, or did he just react to the unfolding events at the last moment?” (Page 12)
“Job was faced with a series of seemingly random events. He was emotionally devastated by the losses. But how did he deal with the question of why? Did he think, ‘Well, things just happen by chance because the world has chance in it’? No, he saw the hand of God: ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away’ (1:21).” (Page 42)
The prolific Dr. Poythress has gifted us with a unique and uniquely needed work that is both mathematically adept and theologically deep. I know of no other work that so thoroughly addresses the modern sense of chance in a deeply Reformed and philosophically oriented way.
—Douglas Groothuis, professor of philosophy and director of the Apologetics and Ethics Master’s Degree, Denver Seminary
Is this the go-to book for a biblical theological perspective on chance, coincidence, randomness, risk, probability, prediction, and gambling? You bet it is! Dr. Poythress has hit another one out of the park. This book will transform the way you think about everything from quantum physics and weather forecasts to life insurance and card games.
—James N. Anderson, associate professor of theology and philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, N.C.
Learned and astute, this book on chance and probability demonstrates an absolute reliance on the authority of God’s Word. This is the only way that nothing can be left to chance.
—Douglas Wilson, Senior Fellow of Theology, New St. Andrews College; Pastor, Christ Church, Moscow, ID
- Title: Chance and the Sovereignty of God: A God-Centered Approach to Probability and Random Events
- Author: Vern Poythress
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2014
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Pages: 368
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Providence and government of God › Christianity
- ISBNs: 9781433536953, 9781433536984, 9781433536977, 1433536951, 1433536986, 1433536978
- Resource ID: LLS:CHNCSVRGNTYGD
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-12-05T18:55:29Z
Reviews
2 ratings
Danny Robert
8/2/2020
MattGZat
4/16/2020