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How Should We Then Live?: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture
As one of the foremost evangelical thinkers of the twentiethcentury, Francis Schaeffer long pondered the fate of decliningWestern culture. In this brilliant book he analyzed the reasons formodern society's state of affairs and presented the only viablealternative: living by the Christian ethic, acceptance of God'srevelation, and total affirmation of the Bible's morals, val
...morePaperback, 288 pages
Published
March 3rd 2005
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.
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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 mo...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 mo...more
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 be...more
Interesting, but our culture today be...more
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 w...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 w...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 religi...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 ...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 ...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...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...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.
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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.
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 an...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 an...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 ...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 ...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 intricacie...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 overal...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 c...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 ...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 ...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 decl...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 soc...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 soc...more
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This book was written back in the late 70s. The author describes historical facts and events to lead the reader down the road to where we are today. Many of his predictions almost 40 years ago have come to pass and the sobering thought of those yet to come. Schaeffer is a christian and his views are based on that. We are indeed reaping what we sow and the harvests are becoming less fruitful as God is being removed from our culture. Lord Forgive Us!
Our book club selection felt like a textbook. A little dry and at times (yawn) it lost my interest. But it did lead to some good discussion about theology. Schaeffer seemed to try too hard to make things fit into his humanist theories at the expense of truth and that annoyed me. Do your homework man! However, he made some good points and was surprisingly accurate about predictions for society and the courts in particular.
I wasn't sure where he was going with this at first, so now I need to go back and listen to it again. He starts with the Greeks and shows how philosophy through art and drama shape attitudes and civilizations up to post-modernism. Since I'm not as familiar with philosophy, this book made me feel so profoundly gratitude that I have found absolute truth and don't have to search and agonize over the mysteries of life.
What an incredible synopsis of the rise and fall of Western thought and culture! The cycles we as humans have gone through to get to the point we are at now are shocking yet at the same time predictable. The responsibility of influencing our culture with God's divine revelation is overwhelming! Great time line in the back. Every Senior in High School should read this before going to college.
I think I would basically call this a history book from a thinking Christian's perspective. At points, I was extremely bogged down in historical names, dates, and facts that I haven't studied well enough to be interested in. However, Schaeffer makes a brilliant point about how philosophical schools of thought trickle down through the visual art, music, culture, and finally the church. The main value in this book is that it is a call to take every thought captive to Christ and His Word. Secondl...more
This was an interesting look at how Christianity shaped the world thought.
I am not very "cultured" so much of what was said would be more understandable to me if I was better acquainted with art, music, etc but it is still enlightening to know the Christian view of God applied to the study of science, art, music, mathematics, etc and really enabled the great understanding we have today. Whereas Christians approached the world from studying God and made great progress, the modern...more
I am not very "cultured" so much of what was said would be more understandable to me if I was better acquainted with art, music, etc but it is still enlightening to know the Christian view of God applied to the study of science, art, music, mathematics, etc and really enabled the great understanding we have today. Whereas Christians approached the world from studying God and made great progress, the modern...more
I read this book during my morning walk with Christianity, before Roe vs Wade, before Dr. Kavordian, before Oprah/Obama and before 9/11. It had and has a profound influence on my life and Dr. Shaeffer's "prophetic" comments about the direction of western civilization. Considering we are there, his words have not resonated a change in mankind's self orientation as God.
This is indeed an incredible book, especially for those readers who are interested in the heritage of the the west; from its history, art, and schools of thought. It is especially refreshing to get the perspective of such a "thinking" Christian man who clearly believes and loves Christ but is willing to ask big questions and to analyze aspects of the world and the Christians that live and shape it. This book is a great starting point in digging for more, in understanding more about who...more
Definitely one Christians should read at some point in their lives. When you first pick up the book it's simplicity tricks you into thinking this is going to be one of those easy read Christian how-to manuals, but it gets dense fast. At times I found it hard to follow, but on the other hand I finally get the value of modern art!
Initially, I had some struggles with this book. It is very scholarly in sections, and the parts dealing with philosophy were a bit challenging. I prefer to believe that everyone, like me, can't keep Sartre straight from Kierkegaard. However, the last few chapters, which tie together the present with the past, are worth every minute of struggles with the more challenging sections.
While this is a well-researched, fact-based historical chronology of how western civilization has progressed -- and where it has taken some detours -- over the past 2,000 years, it is challenging to read. Some of the esoteric discussion seems geared toward academics. Certainly, none of it is written for the casual reader. If you don't have a love of philosophy and/or history, spend your time reading something else.
Excellent read, very helpful for understanding the flow of history, it is not just one thing happening after another in disconnected little boxes. Rather, history moves on in relation to worldview. Schaeffer shows how Christianity shaped western culture and how its rejection is the cause of the decay of the west.
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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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