The Last and Greatest Church Father: St. Augustine, Part 1

During the past two millennia, Christianity has produced many prominent thinkers, but Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–430) could be considered the most influential outside of the New Testament. His significant impact, especially on Western Christianity, is tied directly to his profound work as a theologian, philosopher, apologist, and church bishop.

My Time in the United Kingdom

I had a great day today (Thursday: 5/24). It was long and tiring but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

First, I got to tour C. S. Lewis’ home (called The Kilns). Michael Ward, a leading scholar on Lewis, gave us a tour of the house and then gave a lecture on The Chronicles of Narnia. The house was great and Ward has a deep knowledge of Lewis’ life and writings. I felt honored to be in the home of one of my fathers in the faith (the first Christian book that I ever read was Mere Christianity).

Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 6: Pascal’s Wager Continued

Blaise Pascal’s famous wager argues that believing in God’s existence is a safer bet than not believing. Before examining the strengths and weaknesses of Pascal’s proposed gamble, we must understand the context in which it arose and how Pascal¹ intended it to be used as an apologetics tool. Four points of clarification² are helpful in this regard.

Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 3: a Bold Apologist

Last week, I highlighted the remarkable mathematical and scientific accomplishments that distinguished the short life of French thinker Blaise Pascal (1623–1662). His ideas and inventions rightly earned him the title of “the first modern man.” But science and math weren’t the only fields Pascal impacted—his writings on theology and apologetics remain a treasure of historic Christian literature. In this post, I’ll describe Pascal’s conversion experience and involvement in the church. (See part 1 for an introduction to Pascal.)

Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 2: Pioneering Physicist

Despite dying in 1662 at age 39, French philosopher Blaise Pascal left a mark on mathematics and science still present to this day. Part 2 of this series on Pascal’s intellectual legacy focuses not only on his practical contributions to math and science, but also on his influence on the philosophy of science. (See part 1 for an introduction to Pascal.)

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

How many seventeenth-century Christians have modern-day computer languages named after them? Only one—Blaise Pascal (1623–1662).¹

Ronald Nash (1936–2006): A Vibrant Worldview

Dr. Ronald H. Nash died five years ago on March 10, 2006 after a long illness. A professor, author, and churchman, his impact has been wide and deep, and his legacy endures. I wrote this tribute to him in 2006.

Quote of the Week: Saint Augustine, 2

 But my sin was this, that I looked for pleasure, beauty, and truth not in him but in myself and his other creatures, and the search led me instead to pain, confusion, and error.

—Augustine, Confessions, trans. R. S. Pine-Coffin (New York: Barnes & Noble, 1992), bk. 1, 20.

Top 12 Defenders of the Faith

You know how I like lists, well here’s my all-time defenders of the faith list. The last three are still alive and defending.

Top Twelve Favorite Christian Apologists List (outside the New Testament and in historical order only)

1. Athanasius

2. Augustine

3. Bonaventure

4. Thomas Aquinas

5. Blaise Pascal

6. Benjamin Warfield

7. C. S. Lewis

8. Walter Martin

9. Ronald Nash

10. Alvin Plantinga

11. Gary Habermas

12. Winfried Corduan