programming language

I love Pascal. I probably quote him in my own theological work more than anyone else. Thus, I figured I would either love this book or absolutely hate it. I feared Pascal would get butchered and misconstrued as he so often does. Well, I loved it. Dr. Morris captures the essence of Pascal's thought and deftly weaves it with the insights of other great thinkers and also into practical application for our lives. This book will enrich your mind and spirit, deepening your walk with God.

There comes a point in almost everyone's life when they ask themselves, "What does it all mean?" Blaise Pascal, the French scientist, mathematician, and philospoher reached this point at the age of thirty-one, when he converted to Christianity, and began writing down a number of his thoughts on the meaning of life and the defense of his new-found faith. Pascal died before he could organize and publish his Pensees ("thoughts"), but fortunately for us modern readers, many fine editions have been edited and published through the years.

Tom Morris, a former philosophy professor from Notre Dame, examines Pascal's thoughts on the meaning of life, utilizing his witty and entertaining sense of humor. Morris writes for the everyday man, not just philospohers and theologians, making this book especially useful for high school and college age persons who are examining their lives and seeking to make sense of it all.

So go ahead, take Pascal's wager and bet on Morris's little book to bring you both enlightenment and joy.

[Other excellent editions of Pascal's Pensees are offered by Os Guinness (The Mind on Fire) and Peter Kreeft (Christianity for Modern Pagans) - both are recommended if you want more perspectives on Pascal.]

In a review dated 9 May 2000.... "Pascal was a Jansenist, the Roman version of a Catholic...."

I am reasonably certain that he intended to say, "of a Calvinist." The Calvinists claimed, as did the Jansenists, that their view of sin and grace, free will and election, had the backing of St. Augustine. The proposed amendment makes the said review (and replies to the review) much clearer.

For a discussion of the theological issues here involved, I refer the reader to C S Lewis, Poetry and Prose in the Sixteenth Century (formerly English Literature in the Sixteenth Century Excluding Drama) pages 32-44, 162-165, 177-180, 181-192, 438-463.