This summer I was introduced more fully to the writings of the 17th century French mathematician, philosopher and theologian, Blaise Pascal. Of course, most everyone is familiar with Pascal’s Wager, which, as my professor, Richard V. Horner, says, may not even represent his best work in theology and philosophy. Dying relatively young (age 39), Pascal made considerable contributions to the world of math and science. It is Pascal’s work after his conversion to Christ that really stands out, particularly in the areas of philosophy and theology.
In the wake of Descartes’ monumental cogito ergo sum, a completely
rational approach to epistemological thought, Pascal writes to counter reason as the soul apparatus of reality, asserting faith by way of revelation as a legitimate means of knowing. His posthumously published (yet unfinished) Pense’es is described by many to be the finest work of literature the French language has ever seen. Here Pascal lays out, one short thought at a time, a thorough defense of Christianity. He criticizes not the use of reason as a means of knowing, but the use of reason as the exclusive metric for such foundational “knowing.”
The pensees may be read in a variety of ways and is full of incredible insight and compelling arguments on the merits of Christianity. While Pascal’s genius mind is to be honored and recognized both in the realm of science and theology, it is his passion that impresses me and inspires me. Shortly after his death, a reflection of his conversion to Christianity was found sewn into the lining of his coat. It is believed that he wore this as a reminder to himself of the work God had done in his life and of who he was in and through Christ Jesus.
In the wake of Descartes’ monumental cogito ergo sum, a completely
rational approach to epistemological thought, Pascal writes to counter reason as the soul apparatus of reality, asserting faith by way of revelation as a legitimate means of knowing. His posthumously published (yet unfinished) Pense’es is described by many to be the finest work of literature the French language has ever seen. Here Pascal lays out, one short thought at a time, a thorough defense of Christianity. He criticizes not the use of reason as a means of knowing, but the use of reason as the exclusive metric for such foundational “knowing.”The pensees may be read in a variety of ways and is full of incredible insight and compelling arguments on the merits of Christianity. While Pascal’s genius mind is to be honored and recognized both in the realm of science and theology, it is his passion that impresses me and inspires me. Shortly after his death, a reflection of his conversion to Christianity was found sewn into the lining of his coat. It is believed that he wore this as a reminder to himself of the work God had done in his life and of who he was in and through Christ Jesus.
Here is what it said:
The year of grace 1654,Monday, 23 November, feast of St. Clement, pope and martyr, and others in the martyrology.Vigil of St. Chrysogonus, martyr, and others.From about half past ten at night until about half past midnight,
Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace.
Your GOD will be my God.
Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except GOD.
He is only found by the ways taught in the Gospel.
Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you.
My God, will you leave me?
Let me not be separated from him forever.
This is eternal life, that they know you, the one true God, and the one that you sent, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ.
I left him; I fled him, renounced, crucified.
Let me never be separated from him.
He is only kept securely by the ways taught in the Gospel:
Complete submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.
May I not forget your words. Amen.
1 comment:
This is certainly a beautiful poem, full of passion for God!
Lovely to here these words.
Next, to take them to heart,
ingest them, make them one's food.
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