Blaise Pascal?

[aloha918]

I know that he came up with "Pascals wager".....but was he a heretic?

just wanted to know.........can you help.........

Edited March 16, 2005 by aloha918

[popestpiusx]

I think he tended toward Jansenism.

[aloha918]

what is that and why is it heretical

i know that he was knida against the jesuits.......at least i think

[Paphnutius]

Janseism, as I understand it was kind of a Calvanistic version of Catholocism. Let me do some research real quick.

[Paphnutius]

Jansenism denies free well and stresses orignial sin, as far as heresy goes i have not found too muc. But denying free will is a big place to start from. Many consider him the forerunner of Christian existentiallism.

[popestpiusx]

I have to leave in about two minutes or I would sum this up for you. Here is the link to the Catholic Encyclopedia:

[url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08285a.htm"]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08285a.htm[/url]

[kdewolf2]

Although Pascal sympathized with the Jansenists, he was not technically a heretic. He did not reject any of the Church's teachings; Jansenism had not yet been condemned by the Church; and Pascal himself was never condemned by the Church. But you should be wary of his Provincial Letters, because Jansenism, which he defends, was subsequently condemned. However, it is good reading. Also, his Pensees are excellent.

[Archangel]

There's an entry about him in the Catholic Encyclopedia: [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11511a.htm"]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11511a.htm[/url]