Francis A. Schaeffer (1912–1984)

If you're used to only reading Schaeffer for his apologetics, you are missing out on one of his biggest contributions to Christendom - the encouragement for Christians to make Jesus Christ Lord of all - that also includes in the culture and the arts.

During Schaeffer's day, he was the one answering any question thrown at Christianity. He was going to the youth and college students (and they were coming to him). He was an adopter of indie documentaries like "How Should We Then Live?" He would show more have fit right at home in the online video space. And this book is a prime example of Schaeffer writing succinctly and proficiently.

After stating his premise that Christians are to be great artists for the glory of God, Schaeffer splits the book into two parts to make his case. The first part is a look back into the Scriptures to show all the ways art has played a part in the carrying out of God's plan of salvation. It's easy to say that he stays here a bit too long but to not draw on the examples he gives would do a disservice of the purpose of his whole book and premises. Schaeffer points to God being a Creator and us being His image bearers, we can engage in non-idol making art. Art that is not just paintings but architecture, jewlrey, painting, etc. are given. A stellar point of how even the Song of Solomon points Christians to being good romantics and engaging in good sex should not be undersold. All points are reflections back to the main Souce of our Creator.

The second part of the book is what most of us are use to today - the call to action. Schaeffer has grounded his call in Scripture and so the motivation in how should we now live becomes one of inspiration and details. Schaeffer doesn't only talk about being good artists but also being good intakers of art. Things like technical abilities should be displayed and those same abilities should be appreciated for it. Of course, Schaeffer has to talk about the worldview being reflected in the art. Amazing points all around for this for those who read Schaeffer for his presuppositional apologetics. Other points worth highlighting is that not all good, Christian art has to be "religious" art. The art can still be Christian art without putting a baby Jesus in it or footprints in the sand. An interesting cultural aspect that Schaeffer discusses is one of how one's culture and society should be seen in the art. The music or the sculpture from Japan is going to be recognized as such because the style and technical aspect that makes the music or sculpture from the UK different. Schaeffer makes some interesting points that are being discussed and debated today.

One aspect that I would have liked to have read more on was Schaeffer's take on objective beauty. Beauty is discussed here but I feel like Schaeffer would be able to express a positive case for objective beauty in about six pages (an inflation rate of 120 pages by today's authors).

This is a book to pick up and discuss with others. Jesus Christ is Lord of all - even the arts. Christians should have no excuses for making bad art. Final Grade - A- show less

Ya, again, every time I read anything by Schaeffer, this written in 1970, the more I proclaim him a prophet - in both declaring God's Word and being an onlooker on what the future (our present) needs. It's always a loving, kick in the pants too. That's why I read theology!

Schaeffer takes the words of Jesus in John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My show more disciples, if you have love for one another" and runs with it.

Schaeffer systematizes all the different details to see here. He looks at being accused by the world by not being loving in a proper way that we are called by God to be loving, by telling what is true on the basis of God's revelation. Then he covers when the world calls us unloving because we are unloving - unloving towards others and especially unloving towards other believers. Schaeffer's very striking point he terms "The Final Apologetic" warns Christians that being truly unloving and having the world see it undermines Christ work so much it would be valid to have the unbelieving world declare "God did not send Jesus Christ into the world as an atonement". Schaeffer is not being harsh, he's being challenging. And when he is challenging, he also shows the other avenues of this passage. The believe will fail and with failure we are able to be forgiven and then go and ask for forgiveness - that too is showing love for others and other believers. Then believers are also called to be forgiving of others especially those seeking forgiveness. He provides a very challenging story of post-WWII Germany of believers on both sides of the line and a truly beautiful story about the redemption Christ provides the world after a monstrosity of hatred and death experienced there.

There are so many other points that it would just be the book here instead of the review. So, Christian, go pick this up and be challenged especially with how you respond to others on places like Twitter and especially how you are called to love other believers. Final Grade - A+ show less

Francis A. Schaeffer the Christian theologian-philosopher wrote this small book back in 1970 but even after four decades it still has timeless, relevant truths for the Christian today. He begins this book with Jesus’ exhortation in John 13:33-35 that his disciples should love one another. Love, Schaeffer demonstrates is the unique quality of the true Christian life that should be evident in their lives. This and this alone is proof of their relationship with the Lord Jesus. He who fails to show more love has not been truly changed by the gospel message.

At first glance this teaching sounds very simple but Schaeffer explains that this truth is in contradiction against our human self-absorbed depravity. Prior to our redemption by Christ’s sacrificial love we are unable to love others at it does not come natural since it goes against our human nature.

The most important thing that Schaeffer says in this work is what he calls The Final Apologetic. If we as Christians do not love each other, than the world will say that God did not send Christ as the gospel proclaims. Within the framework of the Final Apologetic, we as Christians have a responsibility to live the gospel and in such a way that the dying and hurting world may see it and seek after it. Schaeffer then concludes this short book (p. 204) by saying:

“What then shall we conclude but that as the Samaritan loved the wounded man, we as Christians are called upon to love all men as neighbors, loving them as ourselves. Second, that we are to love all true Christian brothers in a way that the world may observe. This means showing love to our brothers in the midst of our differences-great or small-loving our brothers when it costs us something, loving them even under times of tremendous emotional tension, loving them in a way the world can see. In short, we are to practice and exhibit the holiness of God and the love of God, for without this we grieve the Holy Spirit. Love-and the unity it attests to-is the mark Christ gave Christians to wear before the world. Only with this mark may the world know that Christians are indeed Christians and that Jesus was sent by the Father.”

I highly recommend this work of Schaeffer’s to anyone as it is profound in its simplicity but deep in biblical truth. If you've never read Francis Schaeffer this is a great introduction and a must read for all people. show less

How Should We Then Live? is one of Francis Schaeffer's best known works. It was followed by a film series (available here on YouTube), narrated by the author and directed by his son Frank Schaeffer.

Schaeffer's work is essentially pessimistic. He surveys the cultural landscape from the ancient Romans onward and traces what he sees as a downward trend from a Biblical foundation of absolutes through the damaging effects of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.

Particularly interesting was his show more correlations between music, art, and ideology. As the totalitarian regimes of the twentieth century increased in influence, art turned abstract and music turned to increased dissonance (such as Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique).

When he considered the future, some of his ideas have proven to be accurate:

"The possibility of information storage, beyond what men and governments ever had before, can make available at the touch of a button a man's total history. ... The combined use of the technical capability of listening in on all these forms of communications with the high-speed computer literally leavees no place to hide and little room for any privacy" (244).

Or, consider this comment with respect to the recent economic crisis:

"There would be a lowering of prosperity and affluence among those individuals and countries which have come to take an ever-increasing level of prosperity for granted" (248).

The scope of this book is immense, and the connections and projections drawn between apparently discrete cultural phenomena are compelling. Still, I don't buy the overall package for a couple reasons:

1. The idea that worldwide culture has only gone in one direction (downhill) in its pursuit of humanism is too simplistic. That meta-narrative plays well in the minds of Christians with an escapism eschatological view, but not for those with a more incarnational bent.

2. Schaeffer views realism in art as paramount, and views impressionism and abstract work as corruptions which reveal our ideological heart. Where does that leave those of us who see beauty in the abstract and deeper meaning in impressionism than realism?

This landmark book deserves to be read, both as a window into the evangelical psyche in the 1970s and as an interesting survey of cultural history. The arguments he made from this survey, however, need to be read with healthy skepticism. show less