April
11, 2025
The Problem of Salvation
A
famous issue for the Jansenists (and for Pascal), but one that continually
resurfaces: to save one’s soul, is it enough to live a generally honest life, or
must one do something extreme, like being devoured by lions as in the times of
Roman persecutions?
Let’s say that, as in the parable of the talents, some are called to heroic
holiness, while others are only called to lead a generally honest life.
Islam, in my view, is more realistic in proposing a way of life that — at least
for those times — seemed common, acceptable, and reasonable.
The corollary is that we must recognize that saints are exceptions, and we need
to take the masses into account: few act solely on ethical principles, while the
masses are moved by interests — though not entirely devoid of moral restraints.