How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture

How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture
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How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture

Information on How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture from the publisher:

Drawing upon forty years of study in theology, philosophy, history, sociology and the arts, Dr. Schaeffer contemplates the reasons for modern society's sorry state of affairs and argues for total affirmation of the Bible's morals, values, and meaning

Description of Francis A. Schaeffer, author of How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture:

"In no way does this book make a pretense of being a complete chronological history of Western culture. It is questionable if such a book could be written. This book is, however, an analysis of the key moments in history which have formed our present culture, and the thinking of the people who brought those moments to pass. This study is made in the hope that light may be shed upon the major characteristics of our age and that solutions may be found to the myriad of problems which face us." Thus begins a fascinating and insightful look into the rise and fall of Western thought and culture. Schaeffer begins his look at Western culture by analyzing the fall of Rome. He then moves on to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and even the atomic age. His conclusion: Western culture has lost sight of both its roots in history and its direction for the future. Can we regain our roots and develop a new sense of direction?Schaeffer thinks we can, but his solution is radical: only Christianity can save our culture. Why is this true? Through his analysis of the issues and problems which have brought about the general decline of Western culture and thought, Schaeffer reminds us that all cultures need to be built upon a foundation bigger than themselves. Only the "infinite-personal God" of Christianity offers a viable foundation, and therefore only Christianity can save Western culture. Schaeffer feels that Christianity can transform our culture at all levels, from the philosophic, to the scientific, to the artistic. The hope that Christianity offers for the present and future, in its promise of transformation, exposes the glaring deficiencies in our culture, and, simultaneously, offers an alternative to the apathy which has our culture in a death grip. It has been said that finite beings need an infinite reference point to base their lives upon. For Schaeffer, the "infinite-personal God" of Christianity and the Bible offers us that reference point, that foundation upon which to form ethics and morals, and a standard by which to judge our lives and our culture. Therefore, he urges us to live by the Christian ethic, to accept God's revelation, and to affirm the Bible's morals, values, and meaning. When we do, we offer a solution to the apathy and degradation in our society. And only then will Western culture have a future worth looking forward to.