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80th out of 1,901 books
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1,840 voters
How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture
" This book is a personal analysis of the key moments in history which have formed our present culture, and the thinking of the men who brought those moments to pass. This study is made in the hope that light may be shed upon the major characteristics of our age and that solutions may be found to the myriad of problems which face us as we look toward the end of the twentie...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
September 1st 1983
by Crossway Books
(first published 1975)
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Religious or not, one must admit that Dr. Schaeffer is as scholarly a theologian as one might find. This book is worth reading as much (perhaps more) for its survey of Western Culture as for its Christian ethic.
How Should We Then Live is a discussion of how philosophy, art, and music have changed throughout history, and what these changes say about the human race and where we are headed.
This book reads like an art history class. Schaeffer takes you through history chronologically, through the dark ages, the renaissance, reformation, the enlightenment, all the way into modern time. Over this time period, art goes from being realistic and detailed to being highly abstract. Music becomes more dissident, f...more
This book reads like an art history class. Schaeffer takes you through history chronologically, through the dark ages, the renaissance, reformation, the enlightenment, all the way into modern time. Over this time period, art goes from being realistic and detailed to being highly abstract. Music becomes more dissident, f...more
8 likes · like · see review
Evangelical missionary, philosopher, and author Francis Schaeffer was a leading figure in the resurgence of evangelicalism during the 1960s and 1970s, Schaeffer authored more than twenty books, including The God Who Is There, Escape from Reason, He Is There and He Is Not Silent, and Back to Freedom and Dignity. He and his wife, Edith, founded L’Abri Fellowship international study and discipleship centers.
Schaeffer’s magnum opus, How Should We Then Live?: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought a...more
Schaeffer’s magnum opus, How Should We Then Live?: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought a...more
2 likes · like · see review
I'm still working through some of this book, but I have absolutely loved what Schaeffer has to say, especially in regards to the dangers of a society that is primarily concerned with personal peace and affluence. He asserts that such a society will eventually allow an authoritative type of government to rise into existence out of a fear of losing "comfort". This certainly does not happen quickly, but is something that develops over time.
Interesting, but our culture today bears the marks of Schae...more
Interesting, but our culture today bears the marks of Schae...more
3 likes · like · see review
In some ways this isn't a fair review. It isn't fair because I simply skimmed through the book (how I came to do that is a story for another time). Still, I feel that skimming gave me a pretty good idea of the book, and it's not a very positive one.
There's no denying that Schaeffer is intelligent, in that he attempts to tackle all of Western civilization, and has obviously tried to gain a vast knowledge of it. The problem is that most of his understanding of what he has approached is wrong.
His a...more
There's no denying that Schaeffer is intelligent, in that he attempts to tackle all of Western civilization, and has obviously tried to gain a vast knowledge of it. The problem is that most of his understanding of what he has approached is wrong.
His a...more
Although Francis' Schaeffer is not a scholar in the modern sense or standard of his day or today, he was a Christian intellectual who examined his day with other thinkers and brought forth important analysis and thoughts. In a sense, I could see Schaeffer as prophetic or ahead of his time as in this day an age of the new Atheist "Brights" and modern/post-modern scholarship seeking it's foothold in czar posts and public policy in a condescending manner where any type of moral or religious views a...more
A thorough and thought-provoking analysis of human thought from ancient Rome, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment to the scientific "Atomic" age. Shows the progress of thought and how the vehicles of art, music, drama, writing, media, film have carried human ideas/worldviews to the culture and how the culture has been affected by them. None of the worldviews that have started with man apart from God (humanism) have been able to stand when other pressures in society come into pla...more
If you are agnostic, atheistic, Christian, or existential in your beliefs you need to read this book. It does not matter that it's(this book's)author is Christian because he very fairly gives thought to each world-view and the ideas behind them. In a culture where truth is relativistic and sometime life makes absolutely no sense, it is important to search all possibilities. Any intellectual and open-minded person will give this book a try. Even if you do indeed disagree. We tell each other to be...more
Francis A. Schaeffer covers a lot of ground in "How Should We Then Live?", from the Roman Empire to modern times ... meaning 1976, when this book was written. (Schaeffer died in 1984.)
Just from the breadth of his knowledge, you know he's a brilliant scholar, but he communicates in a simple, easy-to-understand way. To some extent, this book covers the same ground as Jacques Barzun's "From Dawn to Decadence," only Schaeffer's book is written from a Christian perspective and it's not tedious.
It al...more
Just from the breadth of his knowledge, you know he's a brilliant scholar, but he communicates in a simple, easy-to-understand way. To some extent, this book covers the same ground as Jacques Barzun's "From Dawn to Decadence," only Schaeffer's book is written from a Christian perspective and it's not tedious.
It al...more
This is the first book I've read by the Swiss theologian, pastor and philosopher Francis Schaeffer. I found it very intriguing--a great overview of western thought from ancient Greece to 1976 (when the book was published). Schaeffer stresses how a Christian worldview has fostered much of the scientific advancement, art and law seen in the west. He traces a shift and subsequent decline with the renaissance, when humanism began. With man as the "measure of all things," culture takes for granted th...more
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...more
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...more
This book was a life-changer. Schaeffer transformed my understanding of history, especially the history of philosophical thought, and really enabled me to make sense of so many things that had been gnawing at me for years—ever since I was introduced to the likes of Nietzsche in my freshman philosophy class. Additionally, his method of discussing developments in the arts right alongside of the philosophical transformations was an approach to history which really struck a chord with me.
One thing...more
One thing...more
Francis Sheaffear beats the daylights out of the philisophical and manifested aspects of modernisim. These ideas reflect the incomplete, unsatisfactory worldview modernism truly is. Since the time the book was written, the United States underwent a metamorphosis in the past thirty years from a capitalist country to a mixed-economy (a quasi-hybrid of socialist principles, free market, aristocracy, and enhanced black-market presence). Mr. Sheaffer saw some of the effects of modernism and post-mode...more
A very important work to help you understand how philosophies and world views are constantly changing and have been moving further and further away from God. Also to see the connection between man's view of God and himself and how it is reflected in art, music and literature.
2 likes · like · see review
Tries to cover too much ground in too little space, and so ends up thin on much of his argumentation and historical analysis. Some of his odder characterizations of various philosophers (of Thomas Aquinas and Francis Bacon, for example) would require whole books to themselves for Schaeffer to defend himself against charges of serious misreading. That issue makes me suspicious of his readings of people such as Heidegger, with whom I am less familiar, and detracts from the credibility of the whole...more
One of the ten most influential books I have read in my life. Schaeffer said, the philosophers come up with an idea, the artists and cultural leaders promote it and the culture lives it out. Two examples: The idea: Man is created by God and valued by him. People work to educate and protect the health of people. Universities and medical science develops.
The 2nd idea: Man is an accident of the universe and is on his own with no loving deity. People are only a part of the physical universe and can...more
The 2nd idea: Man is an accident of the universe and is on his own with no loving deity. People are only a part of the physical universe and can...more
It's quite good. I disagreed with him probably as much if not more than I agreed with him. The biggest and strongest point of the book centers on a historical conundrum. How and why did economic prosperity and Protestant Christianity come together as they did in post Reformation world, both in Europe and North America? Schaeffer's solution is simple. Biblical fidelity in a society leads to blessings of all kinds, including the possibility of financial benefit.
What that doesn't explain is the ec...more
What that doesn't explain is the ec...more
This is a prophetic book. Schaeffer saw the decline of western civilization over two decades ago, and foresaw the kind of economic collapse we are now witnessing. This is an important book for all Christians to read, and even more important for non-Christians.
Schaeffer evaluates the big philosophical arguments presented throughout history, demonstrates that the humanist ideals always lead to nihilism and moral degeneracy, bankrupting the value of the human being.
Read this book--it is the founda...more
Schaeffer evaluates the big philosophical arguments presented throughout history, demonstrates that the humanist ideals always lead to nihilism and moral degeneracy, bankrupting the value of the human being.
Read this book--it is the founda...more
Schaeffer is a great author, and influential on my time. This was the first book I ever read of his. I see how he records the events and changes in culture, But it didn't feel sufficient. He covers mainly the artistic side of the story, with mention of the philosophical influences. He does give a balanced look, that doesn't feel like non-christian-bashing. However, something about it didn't feel right. It wasn't very deep, or detailed in why some perspectives were flawed, or the intricacies of t...more
There are many good books and a few great books but only a handful that should be reread at least once a decade.
How Should We Then Live? by Francis Schaeffer is one of them.
Beginning with the Romans, Schaeffer traces the history of Western thought right up to the present. Yes, even though he passed away almost thirty years ago, his book describes events happening today. Most likely he was able to tell the future so accurately because he understood the past so well—not merely the facts but especi...more
How Should We Then Live? by Francis Schaeffer is one of them.
Beginning with the Romans, Schaeffer traces the history of Western thought right up to the present. Yes, even though he passed away almost thirty years ago, his book describes events happening today. Most likely he was able to tell the future so accurately because he understood the past so well—not merely the facts but especi...more
The author seeks to trace the history of Western thought from a Christian point of view. He looks at Christian ways of thinking and their rivals throughout history. The book is well-written, and I found many of the arguments compelling, but I didn't think the author was fair to his opponents. He always presented them in their worst light, and was also critical of Christian writers and artists who he saw as insufficiently committed. While he makes some excellent points, I felt the book overall ha...more
I'm actually done. The rest of the pages are the index. I'm too tired to write much now but I'll start. What you don't know IS going to not only hurt but kill you. The world view you act upon provides the support for the world system you live under. If you don't believe the Bible is true you subtly but surely encourage all who encounter you to doubt it's validity as well. When that foundation is gone then everything we depend on goes as well. Schaeffer starts with paganism and shows how Christia...more
" This book is a personal analysis of the key moments in history which have formed our present culture, and the thinking of the men who brought those moments to pass. This study is made in the hope that light may be shed upon the major characteristics of our age and that solutions may be found to the myriad of problems which face us as we look toward the end of the twentieth century." With these words, Dr. Francis A Schaeffer begins this monumental work on the condition and direction of Western...more
Now a classic in certain circles, How Should we Then Live? is a crash review of western philosophy and culture told at breakneck speed to support the author's thesis that the intellectual, social and economic stability of the western world is in peril of its own making. Though the book was written in the mid 1970's, it seems remarkably prescient and current. In it, Schaeffer proposed that the western world is being damaged by our rejection of epistemological universals in favor of relativism --...more
I read this when I was in high school. Francis Schaeffer was almost certainly the man who persuaded me that I needed to study philosophy in college. The lesson to be learned from this book? Ethics flow from Metaphysics. It is naive to imagine that one can dispense with a world view built on any particular system (...the Judaeo-Christian belief system, in our case) and expect that a people who no longer hold such a world view will continue to live in accordance with the ethics derived from that w...more
How Should we than live had a profund effect on my spirituality and understanding of the culture that I live in. Schaeffer was one of the most brilliant thinkers of his generation and it shines through in this profound work. Schaeffer traces the decline of culture and thought that has occured within Christianity. Of praticular interest to me was his emphasis on the decline of art in culture and how it evolved from a God honoring tradition to post-modernism confusion. He shows for example a compa...more
As the title indicates, this is a non-fiction chronological analysis of Western culture, since the Roman Empire.
Schaeffer wrote this book in the 70's. I kept flipping to the front of the book to make sure it had not been written in the last decade.
Truth has a way of becoming prophecy because the patterns of history and humanity are cyclical ( no matter what every succeeding generation believes about their dominating "originality"). Schaeffer understands this and fully explores the inevibility...more
Schaeffer wrote this book in the 70's. I kept flipping to the front of the book to make sure it had not been written in the last decade.
Truth has a way of becoming prophecy because the patterns of history and humanity are cyclical ( no matter what every succeeding generation believes about their dominating "originality"). Schaeffer understands this and fully explores the inevibility...more
We read this book immediately upon finishing our R.C. Sproul study on the history of philosophy ("The Consequences of Ideas"), which made reading Schaeffer much easier to follow. Schaeffer's work provides a sweeping overview of philosophy beginning in Ancient Rome, the same subject matter that Sproul had dealt with by teaching in more detail on each philosopher beginning with the Greeks through the Moderns. Both trace the rise and fall of Western civilization, ending up with man declaring himsel...more
Francis Schaeffer captures a great summary/outline of this book when he quotes his son saying of humanism: "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." (pg 226).
In this great work, Schaeffer illustrates this quote by taking the reader through history (starting from Ancient Rome up to the modern times) showing the vast difference between a society that is built on a C...more
In this great work, Schaeffer illustrates this quote by taking the reader through history (starting from Ancient Rome up to the modern times) showing the vast difference between a society that is built on a C...more
A very rich book to study. Follow the trail of philisophical crumbs to see where they lead... and what honest, biblical christianity has contributed to the flow of history. Where humanism took Leonardo Davinci in the end and who took Davinci home with him in old age. The true nature of Medival times. Fascinating and thrilling in it's own way. Lots of pictures of artwork and architecture for reference. Not a quick, easy read. Can be a little dry but well, well worth the time and effort. I'm givin...more
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'Francis Schaeffer was a Presbyterian minister with an ability to see how the questions of meaning, morals, and value being dealt with by philosophy, were the same questions that the Bible dealt with, only in different language. Once an agnostic, Schaeffer came to the conclusion that Biblical Christianity not only gave sufficient answers to the big questions, but that they were the only answers th...more
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“Most people catch their presuppositions from their family and surrounding society, the way that a child catches the measles. But people with understanding realize that their presuppositions should be *chosen* after a careful consideration of which worldview is true.”
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6 people liked 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.”
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5 people liked it
More quotes…
Sep 12, 2009 03:39am
If I remember correctly, Schaeffer's son turned out to be some sort of crazy evangelical n...more
Sep 13, 2009 05:49pm