Publishers Weekly
01/22/2024
In this adulatory revision of 2003’s On Pascal, Groothuis (World Religions in Seven Sentences), a philosophy professor at the Denver Seminary, frames Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) as a polymath of Christian intellectual excellence. Adding four chapters that touch on Pascal’s critique of “culture and politics” and Jesus’s miracles, among other topics, Groothius mines the Pensées—posthumously published fragments of the philosopher’s Christian apologetic—for Pascal’s musings on Jesus’s “character,” humanity’s simultaneous “greatness and wretchedness,” and the links between faith and reason. Groothuis’s approach has its moments, such as an intriguing discussion of how Pascal viewed the natural world from both scientific and spiritual dimensions. Unfortunately, the portrait that emerges is more hagiographic than well-rounded, and frequent, off-putting tangents undermine the analysis; in discussing Pascal’s views on the Quran, for example, Groothuis concludes that “not... everything in the Qur’an is evil, since some of it agrees with the Bible.” Despite some edifying points, this comes up short. (Apr.)
Kenneth Samples
"I have been reading Blaise Pascal's writings as well as other contemporary writers and apologists who have discussed Pascal and his ideas for at least three decades. Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal is one of the finest introductions to this amazing Christian thinker available. Douglas Groothuis's fine book is both substantive and accessible—a must-read for all of us contemporary Pascalians."
Robert Velarde
"Philosopher Douglas Groothuis has devoted decades to studying, teaching, and writing about Blaise Pascal, and it shows. Groothuis skillfully addresses Pascal's fascinating life, scientific achievements, theological controversies, apologetic efforts, and more. His adept presentation of Pascal's unique anthropological argument for Christianity is particularly superb. Beyond the Wager is an excellent resource for seasoned Pascal readers and those new to the compelling insights gleaned from the works of the French polymath."
Michael Rota
"A fine introduction to the breadth of Pascal's apologetics, Douglas Groothuis's Beyond the Wager is accessible without oversimplification and careful without pedantry. It includes intriguing discussions of little-known or overlooked arguments and ideas in Pascal's thought, such as those concerning the status of messianic prophecies as evidence for the truth of Christianity and the rational appraisal of non-Christian religions."
Os Guinness
"Blaise Pascal is a genius for the ages, though he's often misunderstood and sometimes maligned. Douglas Groothuis's treatment is admirable—one of the ablest philosophers of our day writing on one of the ablest of all time. No thoughtful defense of faith today can afford to avoid engagement with the brilliance and the passion of Pascal's Pensées."
Tom Morris
"This is a stunningly good and meticulously researched yet lively look at the work of the pioneering Christian thinker Blaise Pascal. Groothuis masterfully does for a new generation what needs to be done over and over, introducing this creative mind anew to show the importance of his tremendous insights for our time, and all times."
