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zkendall's review against another edition
Stars: 3.5/5
I enjoyed the book. Did a good job of doing a surface level survey of the history of western thought philosophy. It was particularly interesting how the philosophies were reflected in the arts.
I think it's worth noting that he doesn't take ad hominen attacks on those he mentions. In fact I find it rather cool that he is honest and doesthe opposite. As he is analyzing a philosophy and its members he will mention [some artist:] and say somethign like "who's music [or artwork:] many of us still enjoy today] or while talking about the drug culture he mentions Jimi Hendrix poinging out (the obvious) that he was extremely talented. Schaeffer does not say Christians make great art and non-Christians sucks. That would be silly and foolish. And though how Schaeffer treats these people is what we should expect, it should also still be acknowledged and appreciated.
The book was kind of argumentative, saying that most worlviews are not viable and we need the Reformation as a basis of a world view. He did a fine job of showing the importance of worldviews and where beliefs are derived, but I found the book benifitial on more of an informative level than an argumentative level which I don't think was very strong. He criticized others for social / pragmatic methods but I think that was laced in his own argument aswell, though he denied it atleast once, he didn't back it up.
Again, informative read. Shaeffer has spent time and more soaking up history and thought and synthesizing it. He references hundreds of authors, artists, leaders, dates, events, etc. There are things to be learned here.
I enjoyed the book. Did a good job of doing a surface level survey of the history of western thought philosophy. It was particularly interesting how the philosophies were reflected in the arts.
I think it's worth noting that he doesn't take ad hominen attacks on those he mentions. In fact I find it rather cool that he is honest and doesthe opposite. As he is analyzing a philosophy and its members he will mention [some artist:] and say somethign like "who's music [or artwork:] many of us still enjoy today] or while talking about the drug culture he mentions Jimi Hendrix poinging out (the obvious) that he was extremely talented. Schaeffer does not say Christians make great art and non-Christians sucks. That would be silly and foolish. And though how Schaeffer treats these people is what we should expect, it should also still be acknowledged and appreciated.
The book was kind of argumentative, saying that most worlviews are not viable and we need the Reformation as a basis of a world view. He did a fine job of showing the importance of worldviews and where beliefs are derived, but I found the book benifitial on more of an informative level than an argumentative level which I don't think was very strong. He criticized others for social / pragmatic methods but I think that was laced in his own argument aswell, though he denied it atleast once, he didn't back it up.
Again, informative read. Shaeffer has spent time and more soaking up history and thought and synthesizing it. He references hundreds of authors, artists, leaders, dates, events, etc. There are things to be learned here.
blossomgarden's review against another edition
5.0
What an excellent book! I was a little hesitant to read this because I was concerned the topics would be beyond me. There is much I am unfamiliar with in terms of philosophies and worldviews. I actually found I am more familiar than I’d realized! Schaeffer writes in such a way, that even in areas I am not as knowledgeable, I was able to get a basic understanding. He does not come across as condescending of these differing views but rather perhaps there is a sadness in his discussion of them. I really feel he brought these to light in a straight forward manner without harsh judgment of them. Schaeffer contrasted them, rightly so, with the Christian worldview, showing how these have affected mankind to this day. He offers at the end possible outcomes or paths that the West (actually the world) may follow if a continued humanistic worldview is adhered to. As this book was written in the 1970s, we can actually see these outcomes today. He wasn’t wrong.
There were a few spots that Schaeffer seemed to neglect detail, giving the impression he felt his readers would have experience with the events and such. Since I was born around the time this book was published, I really would have appreciated a bit more detail. Also a few of the philosophies were very basically touched on- giving an ‘in-a-nutshell’ summary that didn’t quite give me enough to understand how it resulted in what Schaeffer suggested it did. But his inclusion of names and titles make it easy for me to research these further on my own.
I give this 4.5 stars -but there are no halves.
There were a few spots that Schaeffer seemed to neglect detail, giving the impression he felt his readers would have experience with the events and such. Since I was born around the time this book was published, I really would have appreciated a bit more detail. Also a few of the philosophies were very basically touched on- giving an ‘in-a-nutshell’ summary that didn’t quite give me enough to understand how it resulted in what Schaeffer suggested it did. But his inclusion of names and titles make it easy for me to research these further on my own.
I give this 4.5 stars -but there are no halves.
howattp's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
alastairherd's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most comprehensive books I have ever read on worldview.
The book is very much a long argument down through history, philosophy and theology to explain how culture has reached its current situation and how much of the modern worldview is, in fact, is compatible with many of their values and beliefs.
I can recommend this book fully to non-christians, but I would certainly say that it is a must read for any thinking Christian. So really, it's a book for everyone!
The book is very much a long argument down through history, philosophy and theology to explain how culture has reached its current situation and how much of the modern worldview is, in fact, is compatible with many of their values and beliefs.
I can recommend this book fully to non-christians, but I would certainly say that it is a must read for any thinking Christian. So really, it's a book for everyone!
comprehensive_otter's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
lapingveno's review against another edition
5.0
This book does a fantastic job tracing the parallels between societal abandonment of Christian values in the West and the gradual death of objective morals, truths, and human value overall.
winkattheduck's review against another edition
5.0
I'm warning you right now, I'm gonna be talking about this book for a while. It's amazing to read this knowing it was written almost 40 years ago, and he predicted the direction America (if not the whole of western society) has gone, and if it continues, it is not going to be good.
darrylb's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good, and classic book on worldview by Schaeffer, and is a helpful introduction to the work of those who follow in his footsteps (e.g. Nancy Pearcey). There are two things I felt let this book down. First, it lacks references, which means you're largely taking Schaeffer's words at face value (fortunately, I believe he is right on the money). Secondly, the final two chapters strike me as crystal ball gazing. I think Schaeffer would have benefitted from Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death if he had survived to read it, and I would commend Postman's approach over Schaeffer's for those interested in how the trajectory of the 1980's might be projected into the future.
Other than these, this is worth reading for anyone considering a reading course on worldview.
Other than these, this is worth reading for anyone considering a reading course on worldview.