Tyndale celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of this twentieth-century spiritual classic with a special commemorative edition featuring new foreword by Chuck Colson and introduction by Dr. Jerram Barrs, director of the Schaeffer Institute. He Is There and He Is Not Silent discusses fundamental questions about God, such as who he is and why he matters.
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Recognized internationally for his work in Christianity and culture, Francis A. Schaeffer authored more than twenty books, which have been translated into a score of languages and sold millions worldwide. He and his wife, Edith, founded L'Abri Fellowship international study and discipleship centers. Schaeffer passed away in 1984, but his influence and legacy continue worldwide.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To my mind there are a lot of alienated, thinking Protestants (not that they would use the "P" word)-- far outside of or on the fringes of the institutional church (whatever that is) who nevertheless have active minds, open hearts and hungry souls. Once there was a retreat area in the Swiss alps called L'Abri or "The Shelter" run by Francis and Edith Schaeffer that these seekers would be drawn to. Outside of that hands-on culture Schaeffer's books seem somewhat out of context. InterVarsity Press, which published most of them, once displayed them in its own rotating in-store rack, but now they are lost on the shelves (if they're in stores at all) amid much more viscerally-aimed, issues-oriented books about the crisis of the week or the conspiracy of the month. Not much for the thoughtful reader.
(Re)enter Francis Schaeffer, probably the author that seeking readers would like to seek out. Should they do so, however, one immediately finds two dozen or so books, with no idea where to start or how they're supposed to go together. Reading the many negative reviews, it seems that this book is especially misunderstood. But to my mind it remains one of his best.
This is the third book of a trilogy which begins in a non-obvious way with a tiny but densely written book called Escape From Reason. That book briefly traces the history of the split between nature and grace, lamenting it and, as many have pointed out, wrongly attributing it to St. Thomas Aquinas, who also lamented it. The second volume is a larger book called The God Who is There, which can be read on its own and which many readers have found quite engrossing.
This third book, which also stands on its own, is a very brief examination of epistemology (how we know and how we know we know). I took a philosophy class once which studied the exact same questions and I used to bring up Schaeffer's points in class. The instructor thought those were valid and interesting arguments, and I would suggest that the reviewers who don't like this book either have no taste for philosophy or don't like Schaeffer's style, or both.
Either impersonal forces created us as personal beings, or a personal creator did so. The other choice, that we are somehow impersonal beings resulting from one of the above options makes no sense but has nevertheless been argued by behaviorist B.F. Skinner in Beyond Freedom and Dignity and elsewhere. Schaeffer helps us see that there are really very few answers to this dilemma, and like Pascal, we must wager on one or the other. This book could be titled "Think Along with Schaeffer". For those who'd rather read the results of his thinking, they are laid out more simply in one of his best books, True Sprituality.
(Re)enter Francis Schaeffer, probably the author that seeking readers would like to seek out. Should they do so, however, one immediately finds two dozen or so books, with no idea where to start or how they're supposed to go together. Reading the many negative reviews, it seems that this book is especially misunderstood. But to my mind it remains one of his best.
This is the third book of a trilogy which begins in a non-obvious way with a tiny but densely written book called Escape From Reason. That book briefly traces the history of the split between nature and grace, lamenting it and, as many have pointed out, wrongly attributing it to St. Thomas Aquinas, who also lamented it. The second volume is a larger book called The God Who is There, which can be read on its own and which many readers have found quite engrossing.
This third book, which also stands on its own, is a very brief examination of epistemology (how we know and how we know we know). I took a philosophy class once which studied the exact same questions and I used to bring up Schaeffer's points in class. The instructor thought those were valid and interesting arguments, and I would suggest that the reviewers who don't like this book either have no taste for philosophy or don't like Schaeffer's style, or both.
Either impersonal forces created us as personal beings, or a personal creator did so. The other choice, that we are somehow impersonal beings resulting from one of the above options makes no sense but has nevertheless been argued by behaviorist B.F. Skinner in Beyond Freedom and Dignity and elsewhere. Schaeffer helps us see that there are really very few answers to this dilemma, and like Pascal, we must wager on one or the other. This book could be titled "Think Along with Schaeffer". For those who'd rather read the results of his thinking, they are laid out more simply in one of his best books, True Sprituality.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After years of hearing about Francis Schaeffer's work, I finally picked up How Should We Then Live? last winter. I was not impressed, though I could see a sharp and brilliant mind at work in the book. My friends still insisted that Schaeffer was worth reading, and so shortly thereafter I read A Christian Manifesto, which I liked more, though still with misgivings. He is There and He is Not Silent, however, made me a believer in Schaeffer's work.
In less than 100 pages, Schaeffer distills the essences of the major modern philosophical movements into their most basic parts in the areas of metaphysics, morality, and epistemology--the three critical factors that shape what a person believes and how they will act. He then describes the logical ends of the competing views--such as the utter hopelessness of knowledge stemming from existentialism or the whirling, self-defeating frenzy of what he calls "linguistic analysis." All of the systems Schaeffer examines fall apart on some point, or lead to despair or cynicism.
The reason, Schaeffer points out, is all these systems exist to fill a void that is only completely and adequately filled by Christianity. Each exists not beside Christianity, but against it. Schaeffer shows the necessity of belief in a God who is not only there--existing--but not silent--he not only created the world but is constantly involved with it.
This book reads like all the best parts of How Should We Then Live? without the baggage of misrepresentation and oversimplification that plagued the other book (though he does take a more benign dig at Dante and Thomas Aquinas at one point). While there is, admittedly, a certain amount of simplification required of an 80-page book that treats modern philosophy's problems, the broad-strokes structure of the book is in no way a liability. He is There and He is Not Silent is an apologetic masterpiece. This is one book which I'll read again.
Highly recommended.
In less than 100 pages, Schaeffer distills the essences of the major modern philosophical movements into their most basic parts in the areas of metaphysics, morality, and epistemology--the three critical factors that shape what a person believes and how they will act. He then describes the logical ends of the competing views--such as the utter hopelessness of knowledge stemming from existentialism or the whirling, self-defeating frenzy of what he calls "linguistic analysis." All of the systems Schaeffer examines fall apart on some point, or lead to despair or cynicism.
The reason, Schaeffer points out, is all these systems exist to fill a void that is only completely and adequately filled by Christianity. Each exists not beside Christianity, but against it. Schaeffer shows the necessity of belief in a God who is not only there--existing--but not silent--he not only created the world but is constantly involved with it.
This book reads like all the best parts of How Should We Then Live? without the baggage of misrepresentation and oversimplification that plagued the other book (though he does take a more benign dig at Dante and Thomas Aquinas at one point). While there is, admittedly, a certain amount of simplification required of an 80-page book that treats modern philosophy's problems, the broad-strokes structure of the book is in no way a liability. He is There and He is Not Silent is an apologetic masterpiece. This is one book which I'll read again.
Highly recommended.
22 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Schaeffer contrasts the silence and despair of modern life with the Christian answer that God can indeed be known because He is there and He is not silent. I believe that this book will profoundly change your life. Schaeffer urges you to know what you believe and why. You will be forced to think things through, which is a good thing.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
For one who doubts Christ
This is a path of reason from the beginning of time to the Lord Jesus Christ, God's living love for mankind in the flesh. Read more
Published 7 days ago by QuickerClicker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Schaeffer is good
I had read this many years ago and found some great truths in it.Brought it again as I had lost my copy and was glad to find these truths again. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Arthur J. Marriott
5.0 out of 5 stars
ESSENTIAL APOLOGETICS
I first read He is There and He is Not Silent by Francis Schaeffer in 1992. Multiple readings have ensued and I turn back to Schaeffer's book again and again for help with... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dr. David Steele
5.0 out of 5 stars
a good book
the book is very good. it is something you will need to read a few times the get the most out of it.
Published 17 months ago by Jeff
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Book For Thinkers
Francis Schaeffer was one of the 20th century's top Christian philosophers and apologists. In this short book, Schaeffer discusses the philosophical necessity for a metaphysical... Read more
Published 23 months ago by ironman96
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very dated, though still worth reading
"He is There and He is Not Silent" is an engaging read that is considered one of the classics in Christian literature by one of the most prominent Christian writers of his time. Read more
Published on December 10, 2009 by mario
1.0 out of 5 stars
Glad I Didn't Buy This Book
If this is representative of Schaeffer's other works, it astounds me that he's considered such a great apologeticist. Read more
Published on January 26, 2009 by N. Lenz
5.0 out of 5 stars
He Is There,and He is Not Silent
The book arrived in very good condition, and very quickly.
I am very impressed with the products and excellent service provided
by Amazon. Read more
I am very impressed with the products and excellent service provided
by Amazon. Read more
Published on October 13, 2008 by Cassandra Badowsky
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exercise in logic
I have read this book twice and will probably read it again. Schaeffer attempts to confirm Christianity's claim to exclusivity with logic. Read more
Published on May 24, 2008 by S. Minter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Encourages reason
Francis Schaeffer in his early life was left to accept agnosticism because of what he was taught by the liberal church. Read more
Published on April 17, 2008 by Scott Walker
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