Lotto: Is the Lottery Fun or Folly?

by John Gilmore

Overview

Did biblical characters gamble in casting lots? Did reliance on casting lots encourage gambling? Do all risk-taking decisions have a gambling element? Are Stock Exchange investments a form of gambling? As more and more Christians are buying lottery tickets, Lotto: Is the Lottery Fun or Folly? examines and argues cogently the biblical, theological, historical, and ethical dimensions of lotteries. It provides up-to-date information on many of the increasingly popular forms of gambling, including charity gambling, but with particular emphasis on lotteries. It explores theological issues and examines biblical and historical viewpoints often overlooked by other works. This book is highly readable style and nonjudgmental in its approach. It offers practical and pastorally sensitive advice on the control of gambling, and each chapter concludes with discussion questions to prompt further study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781725233324
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	08/09/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	332
File size:	46 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Dr. John Gilmore has thirty-six years of pastoral experience, was professor of Philosophy and Religion at Wilkes University and currently conducts clinics entitled: Seminars for Curious Christians. He is the author of six books, including: Probing Heaven—Key Questions on the Hereafter, Too Young To Be Old, Ambushed At Sunset—Coping with Mature Adult Temptations, and Lotto—Fun or Folly? John and his wife reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xiii

List of Abbreviations xv

1 Weighing up the Gambling Pound 1

2 The Bible on Gambling 19

3 Is Stock Investment Gambling? 33

4 Casting Lots Through the Ages 46

5 'Gambling' at Golgatha 65

6 Is Risk-taking Gambling? 77

7 Puritan Panderings 96

8 Thomas Gataker's, On the Nature & Use of Lots 118

9 Luck: Chance or Providence? 133

10 Probability: The Only Sure Thing in Lotto 151

11 False Hopes in an Uncertain World 170

12 Winning in Christ 189

13 Can a Christian Ever Gamble? 201

14 The Summing-Up 231

Appendix: Changes in Roman Catholicism in regard to Charity Gambling 243

Questions for Discussion 247

Notes 259

Annotated Select Bibliography 299

Subject Index 303

Author Index 310

Scripture Index 313