In answer, we have some who say it IS indicative of God's hand--it is a
gapless, developmental economy motored by the divine initiative.
Pascal gives it a different take: the pattern of life is purposely ambiguous!
Listen:
"What can be seen on earth indicates neither the total absence, nor the
manifest presence of divinity, but the presence of a hidden God. Everything
bears this stamp." (#449).
Now this is unpersuasive to the non-believer, but Pascal would reply that this
is God's plan. There are some who will never be persuaded:
"We can understand nothing of God's works unless we accept the principle that
he wished to blind some and enlighten others." (#232).
But isn't this unfair? Not if you understand what Pascal is getting at. For
him, knowing God without knowing one's own wretchedness first would be
disastrous. Thus, God's is "hidden" until one is humbled.
"Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride; knowing our
own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair." (#192)
Helpful here is Thomas V. Morris' marvelous book on Pascal's thought, "Making
Sense of it All" (Eerdmans), in which he writes:
"[Pascal] did not believe that pure reason could ferret out evidence and churn
out proofs that would satisfy all doubters and draw us nearer to God. He did
not believe that overwhelming dramatic religious experience and evidences
would be available to just anyone and everyone, regardless of their epistemic
position."
So, to those who question "evidence of design," part of a complete answer must
be that it is intended to be obscure. Pascal, in additional Pensees #13, gave
this little dialogue to illustrate.
"Why does God not show himself?"
"Are you worthy?"
"Yes."
"You are very presumptuous, and thus unworthy."
"No!"
"Then you are just unworthy."
Richard Dawkins, take note!
Jim Bell