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48 reviews for:
How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture
Francis A. Schaeffer
3.93 AVERAGE
48 reviews for:
How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture
Francis A. Schaeffer
3.93 AVERAGE
Similar to C.S. Lewis’ book entitled, “Mere Christianity”, this book has made me view my faith from a completely different perspective. In “Mere Christianity” my faith was examined almost in a philosophical manner. In “How Should We Then Live?” it was viewed through the lens of historical culture. It was sad to see the history of Christianity erode from every vestige of our society, taking a backseat to humanism. Whose fault is this? As Christians, have we become complacent in our personal peace and affluence as Dr. Schaeffer described much of secular society? As Christians, are we to become more assertive in our conveying of the Good News of Christ to society not only on an individual basis but through art, music, and literature? What has gone wrong, why has Christianity been ascribed to the junk drawer of antiquated beliefs? For one thing, this book has affirmed what I have believed for many years that we are all selfish and only have concern for ourselves. I see this primarily in Western civilization and not so much in Eastern culture. I believe we are only destroying ourselves with apathy and political correctness so as not to offend anyone. This runs counter to what Jesus taught. He most certainly was not apathetic and He most certainly offended many, especially the elite. If Christianity fails our country and Western culture as a whole, Western civilization as we know it will cease to exist. We will only destroy ourselves.
This book has helped me understand the core of the problems we face in our society. The root cause is humanism. The belief that man has no need for God and that man can achieve his or her own destiny on their own achievement. This is followed by apathy and the vulnerability to accept any other alternative theories or ideologies void of God. As the Bible already predicts, this will ultimately lead to an authoritarian form of government, led by a future charismatic leader with whom the Bible describes to be the Antichrist. This will only lay a path towards more tribulation and culminating in a great battle that will occur at Armageddon. The good news is this will ultimately lead to the return of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
This book has helped me understand the core of the problems we face in our society. The root cause is humanism. The belief that man has no need for God and that man can achieve his or her own destiny on their own achievement. This is followed by apathy and the vulnerability to accept any other alternative theories or ideologies void of God. As the Bible already predicts, this will ultimately lead to an authoritarian form of government, led by a future charismatic leader with whom the Bible describes to be the Antichrist. This will only lay a path towards more tribulation and culminating in a great battle that will occur at Armageddon. The good news is this will ultimately lead to the return of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Even though the title is not misleading, I was not fully prepared for how in depth this book would be. I could definitely see it being used as a textbook, with all of its references and studies sprinkled throughout. For me, the beginning moved quickly, the middle and ends much much slower.
I think this book is really well written and clearly communicates the points Schaeffer intends, but I still found myself wishing for the reading experience to be OVER haha. I think it's just the depth of the content that became overwhelming after a while. At first, it was kind of fun to feel like I was back in school again, and then it was less fun. There are a LOT of things to think about in this book.
I do really appreciate the structure and clarity provided here and I am glad I read this book, but I am not sure I would want to read it again...
I think this book is really well written and clearly communicates the points Schaeffer intends, but I still found myself wishing for the reading experience to be OVER haha. I think it's just the depth of the content that became overwhelming after a while. At first, it was kind of fun to feel like I was back in school again, and then it was less fun. There are a LOT of things to think about in this book.
I do really appreciate the structure and clarity provided here and I am glad I read this book, but I am not sure I would want to read it again...
Some well-stated thoughts and observations by a guy who looks like he should live in the fifth century. Even so, well written and expressed. I certainly do not agree with his entire philosophy, but I enjoyed entertaining it.
“As my son Frankie put it, Humanism has changed the Twenty-third Psalm: They began - I am my shepherd. Then - Sheep are my shepherd. Then - Everything is my shepherd. Finally - Nothing is my shepherd.”
― Francis A. Schaeffer,
This quote honestly summarizes most of the book.
“As my son Frankie put it, Humanism has changed the Twenty-third Psalm: They began - I am my shepherd. Then - Sheep are my shepherd. Then - Everything is my shepherd. Finally - Nothing is my shepherd.”
― Francis A. Schaeffer,
This quote honestly summarizes most of the book.
A very accurate retelling of history and why things are the way they are today. A great work of scholarship and easy to follow.
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.
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.
challenging
informative
reflective
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
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!