Mathematics and Statistics Colloquium

Calvin University

Josh Reaves
Samford University

September 15, 2025
4 pm   •   Calvin Chapel

Chance: A Short Theological History

Chance events once carried spiritual significance in the Christian tradition. Across biblical and church history, believers interpreted seemingly random outcomes to discern God’s will. Old-Testament priests cast Urim and Thummim (Exod. 28:30) to decide when to wage war or expose hidden sin, and New Testament apostles cast lots to replace Judas (Acts 1:26), trusting God to guide the choice. Today, by contrast, flipping a coin normally feels mundane rather than spiritually significant.

This talk describes how and why chance has mostly lost its religious importance, while also describing the perpetual theological questions raised by chance for theories of providence.