An Inquiring Mind

An Inquiring Mind

Some children seem to be born with an “I’ll do it myself” attitude.

BLAISE PASCAL, one of the greatest intellects of the Western world, had an unquenchable thirst to learn. He was born into an upper-class family in central France on June 19, 1623. His father, Etienne, was an attorney, magistrate, and tax collector who loved languages and mathematics and was intensely interested in his children’s education. Pascal’s mother died when he was only three, and four years later, Etienne moved his family to Paris. There he homeschooled his three children, starting with the study of languages. He was of the opinion that it was best to withhold the study of geometry until they were proficient in languages so they wouldn’t be preoccupied with the fascination of mathematics.

However, when young Blaise was only twelve, his father discovered that his precocious son had taught himself geometry. At age sixteen, Pascal attracted the attention of mathematician and philosopher René Descartes by writing a book on the geometry of cones. Concerned by the long hours his father would spend adding up figures at night, Pascal put his problem-solving ability to work and invented the first mechanical calculating machine when he was nineteen. Its principles have remained in use into modern times. Pascal also originated the theory of probability. In the field of physics he discovered a principle known as Pascal’s Law, which is the foundation of modern hydraulics.

Pascal was interested in things of the Spirit as well as in science. Encouraged by his father to learn by observation and discovery, Pascal’s inquiring mind devoured the Scriptures as well as scientific data. Just as he learned geometry on his own, so his spiritual journey to belief was a private one. On the night that he put his faith in Christ he wrote:

God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of the philosophers and scholars. . . .

He is to be found only by the ways taught in the Gospel. . . .

“Righteous Father, the world has not known Thee, but I have known Thee.” . . .

Let me not be separated from Him eternally.

“This is the eternal life, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and the one whom Thou has sent, Jesus Christ.” . . .

Let me never be separated from Him.

We keep hold of Him only by the ways taught in the Gospel.

A few days after Pascal died, a servant of the house happened to notice a bulge in the lining of Pascal’s coat. Carefully pulling out the stitches, he discovered two small pieces of parchment in Pascal’s handwriting—one a copy of the other. Dated November 23, 1654, the document was a record of his intensely personal revelation on that night. It was apparently so important to Pascal that he made two copies and carefully sewed and unsewed the parchments into the coats he wore until his death eight years later.

Before he died Pascal wrote a classic defense of the Christian faith that was published posthumously under the title Pensées.

Reflection

When we read about the conversion of different people, it is tempting to try to generalize from them. It is important to remember that each person’s journey to faith is unique. Blaise Pascal came to know God in the way that was best for him. Pascal found because he sought. Likewise, God sought Pascal and found him. Are you seeking God?

“If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:13-14