Jake+Cole+Summary,+Francis+Schaeffer-+How+Should+We+Then+Live?

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__**Summary, Francis Schaeffer- How Should We Then Live?**__ __**﻿**__ __**﻿**__

In chapters 1 through 8 Schaeffer examines the main lines of thought for each of the significant periods of history, These main lines of thought consist of: science, religion and philosophy; he begins his examination with the Roman Empire. The Romans built themselves up as the pinnacle of society, to such a height that they could not sustain it, because it was all based on inward ideals and the glory of man. Even the Roman gods were glorified versions of humans. This glorification of man as the ultimate ideal, or greatest good is a reccurring theme that is seen through history as Schaeffer points out in "How Should We Then Live?" The problem of humanism is not only a problem for the Romans, it continued well after they fell and into today. The Middle Ages was a time of great earthly or temporal advancement for the church, however this advancement did not include emphasis on true Biblical teaching. This moment away from the Biblical text led to the man thinking himself the measure of all things; this happened in the Renaissance period (chapter 3). The next chapter Schaeffer examines is the period called the Reformation, The Reformers sought to bring back balance to the equation of man, putting mankind back in its rightful place. Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." However, the Enlightenment period once again brought mankind to the top of this unbalanced equation, except the method of bringing humanism to the forefront this time was social revolution.

Here there is an interesting idea purported by Schaeffer; the idea he suggests is that modern science as humanity knows it today has a foundation in Christianity, in the Bible. This student had never heard an argument for this position, Schaeffer's argument is sound. Schaeffer's main point is that God has created humanity as a part of observable open system through which He is empirically made known. This "system" is always changing, parts are growing, parts are dying. Many prominent early scientists were openly Christian and they felt that the Christian belief system did not contrast with their careers. In chapter 8, Schaeffer begins to examine the way in which philosophy has broken down. Schaeffer attributes this breakdown of philosophy to four men: Kant, Rousseau, Hegel, and Kierkgaard. Schaeffer says it is the works of these men, which lead men to believe that they are only machines, nothing of true substance. This leads to the rise of existentialism, the separation of reason from experience, to determine who one is; experience becomes the key for determining "forces greater than ourselves" giving rise to New Age practices.

In Chapter 9 Schaeffer gives his reader an overview of how this separation of reason from experience known as existentialism had spilled over into the theological world and it obviously had; the effects of the spill over are still felt today. This student would like to mention the case of Karl Barth. I find the case of Karl Barth particularly disheartening, even though he is still considered by many to one of the greatest theologians of the early 20th century, he did not have a very high view of the Bible in one sense. He believed the Bible was full of errors so could not be trusted on a rational level, but as one opened the Bible and began reading one could experience God (existentialism). This is dishearting for me because Bonhoeffer, held Barth in high regard and I hold Bonhoeffer in very high regard. In Chapter 10 Schaeffer examines all forms of art and the fact that different artisians tried to convey the idea that the universe is in disarray. Schaeffer challenges that universe in chaos theory in the same chapter by demonstrating that the artisians ran into a "creative wall" because their worldview was contrary to the God who created the universe

In Chapter 11 Schaeffer shows us that our modern culture (including Christians) is on the same slippery slope that the ancient Roman culture was on and if Christian church is not careful, it will dive right into the depraved culture that Jesus told us to avoid. I thought Schaeffer's chapter on the New Elite and their manipulation of society was very perceptive on his part. Because although I know there were politics and mass media back in Schaeffer's day, the manipulation of the common man by the powerful has reached new heights. In the final chapter of the book Schaeffer purports that the only way to be sure that our society does not end up under a supreme dictatorship like that of ancient Rome culture must look to the Christian Biblical worldview as the antedote. After all, as Schaeffer says all throughout the book, indviduals (the particulars) have always had a desire for the universals (the ideals the explain their existence.)

__**Growing Up Schaeffer &** **The Dissatisfaction of Francis Schaeffer**__ I found the honesty of Frank Schaeffer in the article "Growing Up Schaeffer" for WORLD particularly refreshing. Like it or not a celebrity culture has been created among even the Christian sub-culture, look at people like Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, John Piper, and Rick Warren. During Francis' lifetime he could have been considered one of those "Christian celebrities," as much as that term should be an oxymoron. So to see an open and honest look into his life is helpful for those "normal Christians," when we have difficulties. I found it particularly inspiring that other family members (like Frank's sister) did not deny the events recalled in this book, as many higher profile people family members would do in order to protect the family image, which of course is just a facade. Francis & Edith were real people and thus, real sinners themselves. Do we excuse sinful behavior of the parents or the children? No, instead we realize we are all in the same boat, in need of Jesus Christ's saving grace!

"Together the Schaeffers gave currency to the idea of intentional Christian community, prodded evangelicals out of their cultural ghetto, inspired an army of evangelicals to become serious scholars [...] (Dissatisfaction). Francis Schaeffer and his wife had an impact on many lives without a doubt. He was trained in the fundamentalist school of theology, including the doctrine of Inerrancy concerning the Word of God. Francis and his wife eventually broke with the seminary where he was being trained, because of differences on a multitude of levels and started their own seminary called Faith Seminary. The wounds from the break with Schaeffer's original seminary affected him for many years. After seminary training Schaeffer became a youth worker, pastor and church planter. As far as theology, Schaeffer was particularly opposed to Karl Barth's teachings, although he was not always the most confident theologian himself at times. The Schaeffer's started a famous Christian commune in the Alps called L'Abri, or the Shelter. People from all over could come and seek respite from society for as long as they like. People who stayed at "the Shelter" would share in all manner of daily activities and discuss all manner of ideas. "The Shelter" had a number of famous guests and soon the community attracted international attention. This attention led to Francis being invited to speak at events all over the world. He did so, as a result he is still considered one of the greatest Christian scholars of recent times.