Spielberg’s Fresh Portrait of Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln (1809­–1865) is one of my favorite Americans. His unique leadership in abolishing slavery and holding the Union together during the Civil War mark him, in my view, as the greatest American. Visiting such historical sites as the Lincoln Memorial and Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. have been deeply moving experiences for both my family and me.

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.

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

Money, Fame, and Influence: HBO’s Documentary on Former Beatle George Harrison (Part 2)

Is it possible that people are actually searching for God even when they are not conscious of it? Christian thinker St. Augustine (AD 354–430) thought so and made this provocative comment in his classic autobiography the Confessions:

Three Christian Classics

When I get a little money, I buy books. And if there is any left over, I buy food. —Desiderius Erasmus, Dutch Renaissance scholar and theologian

Reading books has been an obsession of mine since my conversion to Christianity as a college sophomore. I sensed my mind really mattered in serving the Lord; so I began a serious pursuit of the “life of the mind” to the glory of God. Today I have a personal library of between 3,000 and 4,000 books.

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

Five Great Americans

The July 4th holiday always makes me reflect upon how much I have to be thankful for as an American citizen. In light of Independence Day, here’s my list of five great Americans who lived during my lifetime and inspired me.