How Shall We Then Live by Francis Schaeffer - Essay Example

How should we then live- Critique on Francis A. Schaeffer’s book ID: Word count:1464 words Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………………2 Aim of book……………………………..……………………….2 Book’s audience………………………………………………….2 Thesis ……………………………………………………………3 Theoretical Assumptions…………………………………………3 Contribution to law and ethics……………………………………3 Use of history ………….………………………….………………3 Arguments……………………………………………….………..4 Class discussion……………………………..…………..……….4 Opinion………………………………………….……………….4 Critical Evaluation……………………………………………….4 Debate……………………………………………………………4 References………………………………………………..………5 Introduction How shall we then live by Francis Schaeffer aims at using his forty years of research to help understand the flaws in the lives of individuals. The book also targets modern society as a whole. Using the different genres of art, philosophy, theology and sociology to better explain the alternative that will assist in improving lives. The solution is living by the Christian ethic which means full belief in the God’s revelations and following the Bible’s true words in value and morals. Thus by following these principles in his book, Schaeffer very potently states “"To understand where we are in todays world -- in our intellectual ideas and in our cultural and political lives -- we must trace three lines in history, namely, the philosophic, the scientific, and the religious." Aim of book In this book Schaeffer aims at motivating the people to return to religion and the Christian way of life. He speaks of the problems of the modern day and their affect on society today. By tracing back through history he provides a compelling argument to explain the value of the Christian ethic and belief. His conclusion is that the only way to achieve success and satisfaction in the world today is to go back to the ultimate truth: The Bible. This is considered the absolute perfection that is revealed to Christ through the Scriptures. The book also speaks of the beauty and magnificence of God. It mentions the importance of understanding the true power behind the infinite God as human beings are mere finite shadows under his supremacy. To better explain this aim, a quote has been taken from the book “It is important that the Bible sets forth true knowledge about mankind. The biblical teaching provides the meaning of all the particulars, however this is especially so with regards to that particular which is critical to man, namely, the ‘self’ individual either him or her; it really provides a reason for the individual to be great. The ironical factor here remains that humanism, which initiates with Man being central, ultimately has no real meaning for people. At the same time, if one starts off with the Bibles position that an individual is created by God and created in the image of God, there is a basis for that persons dignity. People, the Bible preaches, are created in the image of God -- they are not programmed. Each is thus Man with dignity.”(Chapter 4) Audience: In his acknowledgements Schaeffer writes ““Using my study, over the past forty years, of Western thought and culture as a base, we could attempt to present the flow and development which have led to twentieth-century thinking, and by so doing hope to show the essential answers.” The audience who is going to read this book will find themselves immersed in a book focusing on history and art. However, because this book also reflects on the subject of sociology it will drive away the post-modernists. Many who believe in alternative theology will be disappointed by Schaeffer’s attempt to provide a metanarrative and explanation for the development of modern culture. Thus, the belief that much of Schaeffer’s audience falls as part of the post-modern clan will be greatly disappointed in this attempt to decipher the evolution of society. However, this book would be considered a compelling argument for anyone who wishes to better understand the change in culture and its stance in the world today. Thesis Schaeffer uses a very explicit thesis to prove his point. Instead of preaching or introducing personal bias, the writer instead reverts to facts and figures. By writing his book like a history syllabus dating back to the Roman Empire, Schaeffer gives a well-reasoned and theoretical account of the true importance of freedom and the need for society to have a stable basis to achieve true accomplishments Theoretical assumptions The assumptions given in this book date back from the Roman Empire to Modern day today. Thus, the writer has a pertinent argument which is backed by historical facts. One of the theories implied by the writer is the one of operant conditioning. “The Christian position is not that there is no element of conditioning in life, but rather that by no means does conditioning explain what people are in their totality” (229). Another concept spoken by Schaeffer is that of the mechanistic behaviorism which allows individuals to treat others and themselves as machines. Not only would this allow more manipulation but also opens the doorway for governmental bodies to seize greater shares of authority. A classy example of this is “in Russia, political prisoners are put in mental wards to be reconditioned” (p. 226) Contribution to laws and ethics Despite the strong stance Schaeffer takes on Christian ethics, he is devoted to a pro-life ideology. Thus, in this book there are several issues on which he adopts a positive outlook, amongst them abortion and euthanasia. "As the Christian consensus dies, there are not many sociological alternatives," and, "...on this basis, if the majority vote supported it, it would become right to kill the old, the incurably ill, the insane and other groups could be declared non-persons." He also supports the use of genetic engineering in the book. Thus, by Schaeffer carefully bonds moral ethics with that of religion to create a mix that will be acceptable to all. Use of history The use of former cultures makes the modern world today seem more coherent. By following a steady pattern that starts from the Roman Empire and leads up to the world today, Schaeffer builds an argument that can be easily followed by the reader. This book divides history into two parts: God’s way which leads to maximum success and freedom or human way which leads to minimal success and freedom. For example, while talking of Ancient Rome, Schaeffer says “The Christians had that absolute in Gods revelation. Because the Christians had an absolute, universal standard by which to judge not only personal morals but the state, they were counted as enemies of totalitarian Rome and were thrown to the beasts.” (Chapter 1).An instance of this is the era of Reformation where Schaeffer compares it to the Renaissance stating “Because the Reformers did not mix humanism with their position, but took instead a serious view of the Bible, they had no problem of meaning for the individual things, the particulars; they had no nature-versus-grace problem. One could say that the Renaissance centered in autonomous man, while the Reformation centered in the infinite-personal God who had spoken in the Bible. In response the Reformation gave, the problem of meaning for individual things, including man, was so fully responded and solved that the problem -- as a problem – didn’t in essence existed. The reason for this is that the Bible gives a unity to the universal and the particulars” (Chapter 4). This sheds light on the exact form of narration used by the writer in his book. Not only did he place an argument of the importance of religion in historic communities but also states reasons for their success. Arguments The book is truly well-written, without any chances of a doubt. Many of its arguments seem romanticized but the careful reader will read between the lines and see the true definition behind most of the work. The best part of the book arises when the historic evolution of culture and society is portrayed. The book is an excellent view especially for those who want to know the Christian perspective of history. The book ties together various threads of history by showing Christ as the savior of all generations. Thus, despite its modernist perspective it succeeds in its aim of creating a better understanding of the faults in society today. Class discussion The class will be very reactionary towards the basic opinion of Schaeffer that Christianity is the sole solace for an individual today. Another aspect of the work is the argument of abortion and euthanasia. This is certainly going to raise some skeptics because it is contrary to popular Christian belief. Along with this, the historical Christian perspective can be considered biased by some and lacking in true factual information. Critical evaluation This book is a brilliant piece for anyone who wishes to gain a historical perspective of the generations that have passed. It is an unbiased and calm opinion stated by a man who has spent 40 years researching the subject. However, some of the material seems outdated especially as students of the new generation. Although he doesn’t present a solution to the problem he does remind the readers of how they have chosen to live today. Debate: A great historical perspective in the shortest summary with great depth Compels reader to think of their way of life Is not biased as it accepts abortion and euthanasia Might seem outdated but was written in 1976. References : Schaeffer, Francis, How Should We Then Live, Crossway, 1976, Read More