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Christianity for Modern Pagans: Pascal's Pensées: PASCAL's Pensees Edited, Outlined, and Explained by [Peter Kreeft]

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Peter Kreeft

Blaise Pascal

Christianity for Modern Pagans: Pascal's Pensées: PASCAL's Pensees Edited, Outlined, and Explained Kindle Edition

by Peter Kreeft (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Peter Kreeft believes that Blaise Pascal is the first post-medieval apologist. No writer in history, claims Kreeft, is a more effective Christian apologist and evangelist to today's uprooted, confused, secularized pagans (inside and outside the Church) than Pascal. He was a brilliant man--a great scientist who did major work in physics and mathematics, as well as an inventor--whom Kreeft thinks was three centuries ahead of his time. His apologetics found in his Pensées are ideal for the modern, sophisticated skeptic.

Kreeft has selected the parts of Pascal's Pensées which best respond to the needs of modern man, and offers his own comments on applying Pascal's wisdom to today's problems. Addressed to modern skeptics and unbelievers, as well as to modern Christians for apologetics and self-examination, Pascal and Kreeft combine to provide a powerful witness to Christian truth.

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348 pages
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English
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Ignatius Press
Publication date

February 15, 2015
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540 KB
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is one of the most widely read Christian authors of our time. His many bestselling books cover a vast array of topics in spirituality, theology, and philosophy. They include Practical Theology, Back to Virtue, Because God Is Real, You Can Understand the Bible, Angels and Demons, Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing, and A Summa of the Summa.
--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079VSX2JT
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ignatius Press; 11/15/93 edition (February 15, 2015)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 15, 2015
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 540 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 348 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #214,249 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #52 in Biographies of Philosophers (Kindle Store)
- #95 in Christian Church History (Kindle Store)
- #113 in Paganism & Neo-Paganism

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165 ratings

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---"Beauty" -- The branch of philosophy dealing with aesthetics.
---"C. S. Lewis and Mere Christianity" -- C.S. Lewis' masterpiece
--- Charisms: Visions, Tongues, Healing, etc. (feat. Dave Nevins)
---"Christianity in Lord of the Rings" -- The cleverly disguised role of God
---"Culture War" -- A call to arms, mapping key enemies and battlefields
---"Existence of God" -- A magnificent overview of the arguments
---"Good, True, Beautiful" -- C.S. Lewis on three great transcendentals
---"Happiness" -- How do you get it? Christ's version vs. the world's
---"Heaven" -- The heart's deepest longing
---"Hollywood Screenwriting" -- Encouragement to film's creative storytellers
---"If Einstein Had Been a Surfer" -- Rediscovering intuitive thinking
---"Lord, Liar, or Lunatic" -- The famous argument for Christ's identity
---"Problem of Pain" -- C.S. Lewis's brilliant exposition on suffering and evil
---"Sex in Heaven" -- Imaging the fire of God's love
---"Sexual Reconnection" -- Healing the link between sex & love
---"Shocking Beauty" -- The live character of Christ
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Ardena S

Pascal is clearly a genius

Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2022

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I appreciate Mr. Kreeft introducing me to Pascal and giving his interpretation of Pascal's intent. The authors wisdom in further clarifying and shedding light on Pascal's intent is greatly appreciated. I agree with Mr. Kreeft on 99% of his explanations, with one significant sticking point. Mr. Kreeft's numerous references or implied references to purgatory. I find no biblical passages to support the existence of purgatory. When Christ died on the cross he said to one of the criminals suffering the same fate who believed in him, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" and when Stephen was stoned, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." Of course there is Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift from God, not by works, so that no one can boast." There is no additional "purification" needed through purgatory other than believing that Christ is our Redeemer and salvation. The debt has been paid in full. Pascal the man was clearly a genius and used his God given talents to not only progress science, but shine the light towards Christ.

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Corum Seth Smith

My "Thoughts" exactly...

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2005

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I am a fan of both Kreeft and Pascal. I think some other reviewers have hit on many of the same reasons I like this book, but here's my own take.

First of all, there was a philosophical movement in Europe at the turn of the 18th century called the Enlightenment. No single wave of thought can take as much credit for influencing the modern world as the Enlightenment. That movement was a tidal wave that swept up every major philosopher for the last three hundred years. Pascal was one of the only thinkers not swept up in the powerful riptides of that "revolution." One of my favorite quotes in the book is that Enlightenment tries to do "life itself as a science." Yet Pascal knew that man was not the measure of all things, but a twisted contradiction of greatness and wretchedness. Herein I believe, lies much of his insight; he is not a strict Enlightenment idealist.

Rather, Pascal is a philsophical and theological realist who brought his bluntness and passion to the fields not only of philosophy, but science and math. Pascal was fortunate enough to brandish insights in all of these disciplines. My favorite parts of his thought, however, correspond to his philosophy.

These insights were the "Pensees," his thoughts. I think every Christian should know "The Wager" argument by heart. It is brilliant. Everything to lose and everything to gain; life often revolves around the choices we make and the corresponding benefits or harms that result.

Pascal is almost what you get when you try to blend the strengths of Augustine and Aquinas; a passionate minister (Augustine) mixed with the masterful logic of the Summa (Aquinas) rolled into one neat package. He was not a Cartesian dualist who saw mind and body as separate. Rather, Pascal realized that heart and soul live in the same body, at odds with one another, yet neither ever totally conquering the other.

Also, Pascal is what I would have called in my college days as a philosopher a "non-dry" thinker. That is, Pensees goes down a lot easier than Nichomachean Ethics because it is more accessible and heartfelt. Argument is shrouded in vernacular expression, passion is not seen as antithetical to the cause of strengthening an already sound position.

I highly recommend this book, Kreeft has some good commentary that helps simplify the very complex "Thoughts/Pensees" of one of the most brilliant thinkers ever.

108 people found this helpful

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J Blalock

they are along with the excellent commentary, an excellent vehicle for today's believer in ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2015

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Although the Pensees were written prox 350 Years ago, they are along with the excellent commentary, an excellent vehicle for today's believer in Jesus Christ to help in the understanding of the problem of addressing non-believers in an intelligent way. Both the Pensees and the commentary by Kreeft reveal a passionate belief in Christ as well as an understanding of the difficulty the modern non-believer has in believing things we Christians take as settled in our minds.

22 people found this helpful

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Jon Schuerholz

WOW!

Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2020

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One of the best books I have ever read and reread. Highly recommend this. Love Peter Kreeft's explanation of Pascal. It helped me digest this great thinker. As a Baptist pastor I agree with so much of this book as it all centers on JESUS CHRIST. Thank you Peter Kreeft.

13 people found this helpful

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Buenoslibros.es

A pleasure to read

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2006

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Mr. Kreeft does it again in this book about Pascal's 'Pensses'. He picks up Pascal's best or most important 'pensees' and gives us his view of them. He does not intend to explain or interpret them, since they are to be interpreted individually by each of us, but he expands them, he adds to them what a modern reader -living in a neo-pagan world- would have come to his mind.

Mr. Kreeft is a masterful teacher. For those who are afraid of delving into the original authors like Pascal, Thomas Aquinas, etc. we have Mr. Kreeft to introduce us to them.

And for the Christian person this book is almost mandatory, it is the fresh air that we need to keep fighting in this ever more pagan world.

14 people found this helpful

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Clif

I was originally looking for a good English translation of Pascal’s Pensees to read when I ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2015

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I was originally looking for a good English translation of Pascal’s Pensees to read when I came across this book. Based on the reviews, I opted for this “version” (highlights from the Pensees with commentary), and I couldn’t be happier about the decision. It essentially ends up being a competition on which is better between the genius of Pascal and the brilliance of Kreeft’s commentary, and there’s no clear winner (except for the reader!). It is very readable, fascinating, and relevant, and you will no doubt be better off for having read it.

53 people found this helpful

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MQ

A Provoking Read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2002

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I purchased this book on a whim, having not heard of either Pascal or Kreeft. I was so glad when the book arrived and I began to explore the Pensees, which are excellently arranged and discussed by Kreeft. I am now a big fan of the 17th century mathematician, physicist and theologian. The book is provoking and insightful - get it!

12 people found this helpful

Hanniel

Pascal antwortet auf die Einwände des modernen Skeptikers

Reviewed in Germany on April 10, 2017

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Kurzfassung für eilige Leser:
Der bekannte katholische Philosoph Peter Kreeft wählt einen Sechstel der „Gedanken“ des Universalgenies Blaise Pascal aus dem 17. Jahrhundert aus, ordnet sie inhaltlich und kommentiert sie. Der Leser gewinnt einen tiefen Einblick in dessen christliche Weltsicht.

Von welcher gesellschaftlichen Verfassung geht der Autor aus?
• Der Westen fällt ins Heidentum zurück.
• Innerlich haben sich unsere Länder durch die sexuelle Revolution und die Individualisierung stark gewandelt.

Wie begründet er seine Begeisterung für Pascal?
• Pascal schritt nicht auf dem Weg seines Zeitgenossen René Descartes. Kreeft sieht ihn als ersten modernen Philosophen, der sich vom Mittelalter gelöst hatte.
• Seine Gedanken schlagen wie Blitze ein. Sie sind zum Leben und nicht nur zum Lesen.
• Pascal antwortet dem modernen Heiden, dem Skeptiker.
• Der Denker ist für Katholiken und Protestanten gleichermassen interessant.
• Das Lesen seiner Gedanken gleicht einem Festmahl.

Was ist sein inhaltliches Konzept?
• Kreeft zitiert 203 von 993 Pensées (1/6)
• innerhalb einer Struktur (6 Teile, 26 Ideen)
• erklärt die einzelnen Pensées, wobei er seine Impulse nummeriert,
• insbesondere 9 zentrale Pensées
• so wie er es auch mit seinen Studenten im Hörsaal tat

Welches sind die inhaltliche Hauptteile?
1. Problem: Elend, Eitelkeit, Ungerechtigkeit, Irrationalismus, Entfremdung, Tod, Sünde, Selbstsucht
2. Zwei populäre Pseudo-Lösungen: Zerstreuung und Gleichgültigkeit
3. Der Weg zur wirklichen Lösung: Der Weg des Herzens
4. Hinweise auf dem Weg
5. Die Entscheidung (Wette)
6. Das Ende, die Lösung: Christus selbst

Welche Fragmente eignen sich besonders als Einführung?
1. Größe und Elend des Menschen (Nr. 149 Krailsheimer Zählung; 430 Brunschvicg)
2. Dogmatismus und Skeptizismus (Nr. 131 K; 434 B)
3. Missverhältnis (disproportion) des Menschen (Nr. 199 K; 72 B)
4. Selbstliebe (Nr. 981 K; 100 B)
5. Ablenkung (Nr. 136 K; 139 B)
6. Gleichgültigkeit (Nr. 427 K; 194 B)
7. Die Wette (Nr. 418 K; 233 B)
8. Die zwei grundlegenden Wahrheiten (Nr. 449 K; 556 B)
9. Das Geheimnis von Jesus (Nr. 919 K; 553 B)

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Héctor Guillermo Muñoz

Pascal: An apologist for all seasons

Reviewed in Mexico on December 23, 2018

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This book is a great distillation and explanation on Pascal's Pensees and all their implications for the modern world. Kreeft's explanations are wonderfully useful as well. Pascal's apologetic method is just a delight to read (and it's such a pitty modern apologetics don't appeal enough to his arguments). He is quite witty and appeals not only to the mind, but also to the heart. This book is highly reccomended and a great ride!

One person found this helpful

Flutlicht

Geniales Buch

Reviewed in Germany on March 12, 2017

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Selten habe ich ein apologetisches Buch gelesen, welches so lehrreich und gut verständlich geschrieben ist.
Peter Kreeft hat Pascal's Gedanken in einen Gesamtkontext eingeordnet, sodass aus vielen Einzelaussagen eine logisch schlüssige Einheit entsteht. Kreeft versteht sich meisterhaft darauf, Pascal's Aussagen zu erklären und bringt super Beispiele, sodass man noch viel mehr lernt, als wenn man nur die "Pensées" alleine liest. Das Buch ist inhaltlich hoch aktuell, da Pascal in ähnlichen apologetischen Spannungsfeldern gelebt hat, wie wir sie auch heute immer wieder vorfinden.

(Leider gibt es dieses Buch meines Wissens nach noch nicht in Deutsch. Auf Amazon.com finden sich noch viele weitere Reviews in englischer Sprache zu diesem Artikel.)

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