Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 1: an Introduction to Blaise Pascal | Reflections

Dr Kenneth Samples is beginning a series of articles about Blaise Pascal. It's a introduction to the man and his work. Take a look.

Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 1: an Introduction to Blaise Pascal | Reflections

Apologetics 315: Sunday Quote: Pascal on Christianity

I really appreciate Brian Auten posting this quote from Pascal. It amazes me when atheists try to demeans Christians as stupid and backward. They try to make it seem like anyone who believes the Bible is dumb and faith retards science. They never answer how is it that a man like Pascal whom had done so much to advance science was also Christian? Do they consider themselves so much smarter and intelligent? I hope not and that they have other reasons than just because they hate God (but I think that's it).

"Men despise religion; they hate it and fear it is true. To remedy this, we must begin by showing that religion is not contrary to reason; that it is venerable, to inspire respect for it; then we must make it lovable, to make good men hope it is true; finally, we must prove it is true. Venerable, because it has perfect knowledge of man; lovable because it promises the true good."

- Blaise Pascal in Pensées (187)

Apologetics 315: Sunday Quote: Pascal on Christianity

Why is God Hidden? (Pascal) | Faith Interface

Here is quote from Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) about why God is not obviously revealed to everyone.

God has willed to redeem men and to open salvation to those who seek it. But men render themselves so unworthy of it that it is right that God should refuse to some, because of their obduracy, what He grants others from a compassion which is not due to them. If He had willed to overcome the obstinacy of the most hardened, He could have done so by revealing Himself so manifestly to them that they could not have doubted of the truth of His essence; as it will appear at the last day, with such thunders and such a convulsion of nature that the dead will rise again, and the blindest will see Him.” It is not in this manner that He has willed to appear in His advent of mercy, because, as so many make themselves unworthy of His mercy, He has willed to leave them in the loss of the good which they do not want.
It was not, then, right that He should appear in a manner manifestly divine, and completely capable of convincing all men; but it was also not right that He should come in so hidden a manner that He could not be known by those who should sincerely seek Him.
He has willed to make himself quite recognizable by those; and thus, willing to appear openly to those who seek Him with all their heart, and to be hidden from those who flee from Him with all their heart. He so regulates the knowledge of Himself that He has given signs of Himself, visible to those who seek Him, and not to those who seek Him not. There is enough light for those who only desire to see, and enough obscurity for those who have a contrary disposition.

I respect Pascal a whole lot. He was brilliant! I disagree with him on this point because none of are seeking God by default. God seems to have to nudge us...otherwise none of us would seek Him. The thing is God does not nudge us all to the same degree at the same time.


Why is God Hidden? (Pascal) | Faith Interface