But, as the argument goes, if you're an atheist and turn out to be wrong, then you've lost everything. In fact you're lost, for all eternity.
So why not believe in God?
Makes a perfect kind of sense, so far as human sense goes, and that "just to be safe" approach to faith seemed pretty bullet-proof, at least in terms of logic, for about 400 years.
Unfortunately, the argument makes so much sense, Play It Safe Christianity lasted, and expanded, well into the 20th century. Get saved now so you don't go to hell forever. Why take chances?
Nobody ... well, almost nobody, not even folks who don't believe in hell, wants to take chances when it comes to something as serious as spending the rest of eternity burning in a lake of fire ... so why not play life safe n' smart, and either believe in God, or accept Christ or adopt whatever religious approach fits best ... just in case it turns out that there actually is a divine being and an afterlife, after all?
Logically, what sense does it make to take needless chances? Why not play it safe?
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What did Christ ask? That we accept him based on probability theory, or that we believe in him with our hearts? Did he command us to place our faith in him, or to hedge an everlasting bet in safety?
Safety and "not taking chances" didn't rank very high on Christ's list of worldly priorities: logically, "playing it safe" sorta contradicts allowing yourself to be flailed, humiliated and nailed to a cross between two thieves.
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"Perfect sense" Christianity and "Play It Safe" faith is as close to knowing Christ as some believers will ever get.
For those interested in their own well-being, faith in Christ translates to a fingers-crossed faith and a hope that Christ will intercede on their behalf to protect them from harm and keep them safe from all kinds of calamities and misfortune: "Lord, let's make a deal. I'll believe in you if you believe in me. Wha'dya say?"
Lord, put me first and keep me in front of the line ... unless some kind of suffering, persecution or profession of faith is involved.
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"But Joe, I believe the Bible teaches that God wants to reward me and make those who follow Christ rich!"
I believe that, too.
But God's riches and rewards won't have anything to do with money, with having luck, with playing it safe ... or with being content and having lots of stuff.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
- Philippians 4:12
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
- Colossians 2:2-3
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
- Philippians 3:10-11
