Customer Reviews

The Francis A. Schaeffer Trilogy: Three Essential Books in One Volume

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Have you ever wondered what existentialism is all about, or what the real difference between absolute and relative truth is? When is theology liberal?, when is it orthodox?, and when is it neo-orthodox? What is it that separates Reformed theology from 'Leap in the Dark' theology? Is Christian faith rational or irrational? How can I know what I believe is true, and how can I know that I know? I am not aware of any book that serves as a better introduction to these and other issues than Francis Schaeffer's Trilogy. And, of course, it paves the way for all his other books. In his own words: 'All the others fit into these as spokes of the wheel fit into the hub.'

Schaeffer remains the leading Christian apologist for the 60s generation, and has done many of us an immense favour by exposing the countercultural, flower-power utopianism of the Woodstock generation for what it was: A non-rational escape leading to nothing but despair. I first read this book as a college student and it impacted me so much that I rushed out to buy his collected works - one of the best investments of my life. If you are serious about understanding your faith, Schaeffer is a must. And if you are serious about understanding Schaeffer, his Trilogy is a must.

Francis Shaeffer's Trilogy is a complex apologetic if it's precisely an apologetic at all. Rather than a patterned defense of the Christian worldview, it offers a philosophical dissection of those worldviews which compete with it. Shaeffer's three essential books could fairly be one in three parts when overlap is eliminated. Thickly worded, a bit repetitive, though often brilliant, Shaeffer time and again trots out for display the contradictions of materialism, pantheism, liberal theism, etc., the denouement of which is the flipside cogency of orthodox Christianity.

Whether the reader agrees is entirely problematic for everyone finds what they wish to find and no single book is likely to change that. But Shaeffer, on a level visited by relatively few, certainly takes a legitimate swing at it. He offers valuable insight, shows extraordinary range, and unerringly pinpoints the chink in the materialist's armor. Shaeffer's trilogy is by no means a light read, but certainly worth the investment. Should you prefer a primer, try Pearcey's "Total Truth". 4+ stars.

Now, reviews like that are really disturbing. It's obvious this fellow won't even make the effort to examine worldviews different than his own. That is just as weak as the sort of unthinking Chrsitianity they portray. Mr. Schaeffer's writings, to the contrary, are generally well thought out, and give consideration to other viewpoints.

Furthermore, the reader rated it low based on worldview, which is an awfully bigoted practice that I am afraid we never will be rid of. I don't rate books dismally if I disagree with them - I do so if the arguments are so poorly stated that they don't even help me think about my own position. Schaeffer's writings are always a good thinking machine. If you aren't a believing [whatever], it doesn't mean you shouldn't read books about anything different than what you think. That is the road to parochialism and a transformation from human to xerox machine for the atheist faith, or the Protestant faith, or [whatever]. Which is something Mr. Schaeffer, on my reading (especially of something like "Art and the Bible"), would be quite against.

Schaeffer's writing is lucid and interesting to any sensetive being with a concern for big issues. I don't agreee with everything he says, either, but it was still worth every minute of my time to read.

I majored in Philosophy, and can honestly say that none of the big names holds a stick to the clarity of thought and pure logic evidenced in these books. The most distinctive feature of the ideas put forth in Schaeffer's writings are their coherence with reason and experience. This is one philosopher who thought with his eyes open, and actually had something useful to say. Ideas you can sink your teeth into and live by.

Schaeffer deserves to be widely heard. These three books generally focus on the necessary conclusions that must be reached based on much of modern thought. Coining the word 'anti-philosophies', Schaeffer contends that it is impossible to sustain philosophical coherence when a transcendent basis is lost. The effect of modern philosophical trends are traced through music, art, philosophy, and theology, providing a much more well rounded perspective than books of this sort usually do. I read the series twice, taking notes the second time through, as it was the only way I could really absorb the material

This is a great set of books. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand 20th century people living in the desperation that our society leaves them in. Schaeffer has a tremendous grasp of the historical context of our century, but he doesn't beat you over the head with it or use it to show how smart he is. He constantly shows how this information should be used to show LOVE to others and show them the light of Christianity in truth! He is a very tender writer.

Ideas have consequences. Today's society predicament is the result of our preeminent worldview. In this century, Orthodox Christianity thinking has been taken out of balance by anti-theistic views. Schaeffer search the how, when, where of this shift of thinking and explains the slow reaction of orthodox Christian thinkers. Finally he offers a sincere advice to Christians to change their thinking and their life. Great reading, great writer, I miss him.

Francis Schaeffer is an outstanding Christian philosopher, a description he would insist is incorrect (He simply calls himself an evangelist). Tracing the evolution of western non-Christian thought, Schaeffer explores the spiritual shortcomings of philosophical efforts to explain humanity without a real "space-time" (human, historical) Christ. This volume gathers his earlier works written in the late sixties and early seventies. His writing is brilliant, razor sharp, and touchingly human. He never forgets the starting points of Christianity are truth and love. The writing is heavy but so relevant it can't be overlooked.

A lot of other evangelical books would have us believe that simply by reciting John 3:16, we will be met with success when trying to witness to nonbelievers. This simply does not work most of the time.

Francis Schaeffer systematically proves the existence of God and Christ. He also dissects the major philosopical and religious schools of thinking and explains their faults when faced with reality. This is not intended to be a philosophy book, however I would question the intellectual relevance of anybody who would say Francis Schaeffer is a not brilliantly educated in the matters of worldly philosophy. Try reading "How Should We Then Live", "True Spirituality", or "Genesis In Space and Time" for further Schaeffer reading. An excellent book for the neophyte Christian, or for an adolescent is "How to be a Selfish Pig", also by F.A. Schaeffer.

If you read Shaeffer in an effort to study philosophy or intellectualism, then you most likely will be somewhat disappointed. Shaeffer whould dare call you naive if you took him for a mere philosopher! His intent has been mistakely interpreted by some.

Shaeffer understood the Truth that is in Jesus Christ, purely and simply. His expertese of philosophy was only to unveil it's error. And in that sense one could call him an antiphilosophist - i.e. In the sense where philosophy leads a man into inner turmoil, unresolved contradictions, and ultimately into utter dispair.

I think Shaeffer does a magnificent job in pointing us to the one true God, and His son Jesus Christ. After all, that was his only real intention. He doesn't aim to "wow" us with complex and unimaginalble schemes. Find fault if you will, but may you one day find fulfillment in learning what is the true wisdom.