Customer Reviews

The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer: A Christian Worldview (5 Volume Set)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think that it would be foolish and way beyond the scope of any review to attempt to critique the entire thinking of a great writer and thinker like Francis Schaeffer in this review so I won't. What makes his legacy so great, in my mind at least, is that he lived what he taught; his philosophy was not an end in itself but was a guide for him to live by, for him to find God by. You probably are not contemplating buying The Complete Works being unfamiliar with his thinking whose affect is still felt in Christendom and beyond, so I will comment from here on out on the actual set itself. This set contains all 22 of his major books. In 5 volumes, the books are not overly large so as to be unwieldy to attempt to read. Nevertheless, to put 22 full-length books into 5, you can imagine that the typeface is smaller than I normally like and the books are larger than I normally like. But for the price of this set, if you are going to read any of Schaeffer's work, this is definitely a very good value.

That said, if you are able to read effectively on a computer screen, I would highly recommend you purchase the digital publication of this same work in Libronix (Logos) format. The set is that much more valuable, to me at least, in digital form. It is the same cost, searchable, and makes clickable cross-references to itself and other resources you have in your library. Nevertheless, the paper-and-ink version of the complete set is still invaluable for any

Finally, because I don't see it anywhere within the Amazon reviews I will list off all of the books included in the order in which they are found:

Volume 1
*The God Who Is There
*Escape From Reason
*He Is There and He Is Not Silent
*Back to Freedom and Dignity
Volume 2
*Genesis in Space and Time
*No Final Conflict
*Joshua and the Flow of Biblical History
*Basic Bible Studies
*Art and the Bible
Volume 3
*No Little People
*True Spirituality
*The New Super Spirituality
*Two Contents, Two Realities
Volume 4
*The Church at the End of the Twentieth Century
*The Church Before the Watching World
*The Mark of the Christian
*Death in the City
*The Great Evangelical Disaster
Volume 5
*Pollution and the Death of Man
*How Should We Then Live?
*Whatever Happened to the Human Race?
*A Christian Manifesto

[...]

Francis Schaeffer stands out as one of the most influential evangelicals of the twentieth century. This collection of his writings is invaluable because it not only contains the philosophical writings that made him a hero to disillusioned youth looking for answers, but also contains the practical spiritual writings of Francis Schaeffer the Presbyterian pastor. Schaeffer's philosophy, well laid out in "The God Who Is There", focuses on the assumptions and presuppositions of various world views. With a sort of sanctified Socratic method, he argues that when one follows particular world views to their logical conclusions, all will ultimately fall apart, all except Christianity. His theological writings insist that the key to all truth is that God is not only there, but that He has communicated to mankind in human language, hence the Old and New Testaments are not only essential to theology and doctrine, but to all human understanding. His later writings follow his own presuppositions to their logical conclusions as he examines current culture, politics and in particular, the abortion/infanticide/euthanasia issues. This collection is organized by topics, including philosophy, spirituality, Western Culture, the church and his view of the Bible as the source of truth. Schaeffer is tough on modern culture at times, and often tough on the twentieth century church. But he is always reasonable and compassionate. Although at times criticised for generalizing and oversimplifying, he seemed to have a finger on the pulse of the times. Some of his statements from more than a decade ago appear prophetic in retrospect. His writings are still fresh, relevant and deserve a wider audience.

Schaeffer was respected throughout Christianity as one passionate and articulate apologetic spokesman.

Not only through his L'Abri Fellowship, but his enduring publications as well, provide future generations with profound thoughts on the faith handed down.

Their are some monumental books in this collection, e.g. The God Who Is There, Escape From Reason, Art and the Bible, The Great Evangelical Disaster, How Should We Then Live?, A Christian Manifesto.

These all engage the second half of the 20th century with erudite analysis and prognosis if the church and culture do not disengage themselves from the perverse human philosophies which had overtaken the culture and threatening to do as well with the church.

Although there are so many useful defenses provided in this magnificent set to be read and resorted to, my favorite is his contribution to the exposure of the bankrupt, inconsistent philosophy of our time in his second and third chapters of The God Who Is There. It is a true fine application of Law/Gospel, while doing it in a way that can only garner the attention of the unbeliever at the least.

One will profit from the usefulness of this set which seeks and contributes to taking the Gospel to the world in which we live.

It has been over 10 years since I read many of the books contained in this set. Coming from a background of Catholocism first, and then Fundamentalism / Evangelicalism, I was blown away by the sound reasoning, grace, and clear Biblical precepts that permeate Scheaffer's work. Several key ideas I gleaned from these books served (and still serve) as strong idealogical foundations for my total life (notice, there is no separation between "Christian" and "Secular" areas of my life).

In these texts, Scheaffer confronts the anti-intellectualism of the Church, claiming that Chrisitianity is cerebral and ought to be presented as such to the non-Christian. He encourages Christians to participate in, and understand the larger society, and to be "salt" and "light" within it. Scheaffer's criticism of the Church and of modern man is filled with compassion and humility. His love for felllow man -- both believer and non-believer -- is evident on every page.

I believe these books have helped me to be a better Christian and to have a richer life. These texts are written in a conversational style which makes them a pleasure to read. I would especially recommend this Five volume set for Christian laymen thinkers who have no plans to pursue formal theological training.

The works of Francis Schaeffer are an excellent insight into the major issues which face our world today, yesterday, and in the days to come. He gives an analysis of political and social thought of today unlike any other author. His writings are informative and eye opening. You will be amazed and challenged by what he has to say.

The late Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer certainly ranks with the great Christian writers of the last century (20th), like C. S. Lewis or T. S. Eliot. He is neither the demi-god that his disciples make him out to be - nor the prating fool that detracters berate. Dr. Schaeffer was simply a successful popularizer of the logical approach to Christianity of such scholars as Abraham Kuyper, Cornelius VanTil and such. The theologians are too deep for the mass of today's wishy-washy Evangelicals; the Theonomists are too logically consistent.

Whether one agrees with Schaeffer's syntheses or not, he is to be commended for his thurough approach to a unified world view. Many of us, raised as irrational and pietistic mystics, got our first glimpse of a Christian philosophy from this prolific writer. He taught us to make Jesus the Lord of the sciences, fine arts and politics - as Dr. Schaeffer himself often put it, Lord of the Total Culture.

It must be said that the 2oth century was a heyday of mystical subjectivism and revivalistic foolishness in the churches. Charismatic pretensions, the "church growth" movement, and many attempts to be culturally relevant only led to embarassing weakness as the Christians became lost in the pagan society. In such a sad era, Schaeffer did not have to do all that much to seem like an intellectual giant. Perhaps his interpretations of history or opinions on science are open to correction. He rarely - if ever - cited references for his sweeping generalizations, and certainly popularizer (sometimes corrupted) the insights of better men.

But he is worth a hearing, and hopefully his readers will go on to deeper and purer authors, such as Greg Bahnsen, Dr. Gordon Clark, and the old Covenanter writers. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Those who call Schaeffer an illogical liar are merely jealous of his one good eye.

This is the compilation of Dr. Schaeffer's books. A thorough examination of all of life from the Judaeo-Christian worldview. Generally written to the reasonably-well-educated college students and graduates of the 50s-70s, these books are of extreme importance in understanding what the Judaeo-Christian worldview is,whether you are a Christian or a non-Christian.

Written in the 1980's, Schaeffer shows the direction that culture and religion were headed at that time. As I read through the pages in 2006 it's like viewing a roadmap for how the age in which we now live came to be. This series is a must for any Christian wanting to understand the world as it is now and his relation to it, as well as how Christians should respond to the modern world.

This 5-volume "Complete Works of Francis A Schaeffer" is an inspiring collection of work from one of the Church's great apologists. His books are essential material for anyone who cares about modern man and wants to better understand the dilemas he has gotten himself into. As another reviewer has reminded us rather well, Francis Schaeffer taught us to make Jesus "Lord of the total culture". Anyone interested in helping others (and indeed themselves) to more fully understand the meaning and the challenges of being a Christian in our time could find no better place to begin than in Francis Schaeffer's wonderful books.

It is sad that some have made derogatory and insulting remarks about Francis Schaeffer's life and work. It is my observation, one that I'm sure I share with many, that great men and women are almost always filled with humility. This was the certainly the case with Francis A Schaeffer. Humility and compassion for his fellow man poured off every page he ever wrote. No doubt Francis must have had his faults; don't we all? Yet I find the man to be a wonderful example of the biblical command to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4v15). Francis A Schaeffer never used his intellect to belittle, mock or ridicule. I find even his sternest challenges are filled with a clear and beautiful love. It is love for the true and living God, and it is love for his fellow man. I suggest that one should not write or type a single word without it.

Thank you all for your reviews. You have already said just about everything I would have said far more elegantly than I could have. About the only thing that I would add is that were it not for this man (his "How Should We Then Live" film series to be precise) I would not be a Christian today.

Dr. Schaeffer was the first man in my life who said (without words), "It's OK to be a devout Christian without getting lobotomized."

Prior to Schaeffer I backslid twice. After Schaeffer I have been steadfast and stable primarily because I developed a fully formed Christian World View and Reformed Theology. (30+ years and still going strong)

Then I discovered Edith Schaeffer and the "softer" side of my Christian faith began to bloom.

I owe a tremendous debt to Dr. and Mrs. Schaefer and can't recommend this particular imprint highly enough. If I could give it more than 5-Stars I would!

Here a list of Edith's work that will help you develop the "softer" of your Christian faith:

The Tapestry: The Life and Times of Francis and Edith Schaeffer

L'Abri

Christianity Is Jewish

Forever music

A Celebration of Marriage: Hopes and Realities

Art of Life

Common Sense Christian Living

The Life of Prayer

10 Things Parents Must Teach Their Children (And Learn for Themselves)

Affliction

P.S.
Personal note: My faith has even survived the onslaught of the Schaeffer's obnoxious, abrasive, loud-mouthed, narcissistic son! I thank God that Dr. and Mrs. Schaeffer also taught me how to put my faith in God not men. However, Franky's sad outcome is a constant reminder to me that ministry to the world must never, never, never supersede ministry to my family (which seems to be the take away lesson of Franky's book "Crazy for God" - as in, "Don't let your kids end up like Franky Schaeffer!")