Reasons of the Heart: Joy and the Rationality of Faith

The heart has its reasons that reason does not know. Pascal If there is no truth to it, it is extremely odd that millions of people over the centuries and around the world have claimed to know God in a way that empowers them to live with joy, even in the face of adversity. An account must be given. Reason demands it. But what if there is something to these claims? What if joy is what it seems to be to those who know it well? What if it is an encounter with a joyful God? What if it is the fragrance of his presence? A glimpse of his beauty? An echo of his voice? What if joy turns out to be a clue to the meaning of life? What if a full, robust joy in God is the ultimate goal of our existence? If this is even possibly true, it is worthy of serious inquiry. Reason demands it. Reasons of the Heart examines joy and contemporary discussions of the rationality of faith, the significance of experiences of joy for the existence of God, and exploring joy as a key to understanding the existence of God and evil in the world.