A review by davehershey
Pensées by Blaise Pascal

4.0

Pascal's classic thoughts on numerous topics related to Christianity. This book is at times difficult to read, since he died before he finished it thus leaving many sections only outlined in note form. But slogging through those portions is worthwhile when you get to the good, thought-provoking parts. In some ways Pascal reminds me of Kierkegaard since both were reasonable men who realized that it takes more than just reason alone to come to faith in Christ. Pascal's apologetic reflects this. He is most famous for his Wager, which is often castigated, probably because it is misunderstood. Pascal's Wager does not state, as some seem to think, that you should just believe in God because he might exist, even though such belief is unreasonable. Rather, Pascal's argument was that it is just as reasonable to believe as not to believe; reason cannot prove faith yet faith is not unreasonable. Since reason alone places us in the middle, it is better to take the step in faith and trust in God.