Escape from reason by francis schaeffer my father introduced me to francis schaeffer, a gift for which i am very grateful. Schaeffer s work takes on a newfound relevance today in his prescient anticipation of the contemporary postmodern ethos. Yet despite our obsession with the emotive and the experiential, we still face anxiety, despair, and purposelessness. Written in 1968 by francis schaeffer, this is a deep and fascinating look at how the concept of reason has changed over the centuries, to the point where people not only think differently, but claim that truth cannot be known, there are no absolutes. Escape from reason ivp classics schaeffer, francis a. He unpacks humanism s presuppositions and pushes postmodernism to its logical conclusiontotal meaninglessness. Intervarsity press, first published in 1968 it is book two in volume one of the complete works of francis a. That may seem ludicrous but francis schaeffer has managed to put the history of western culture in a comprehensive package.
Escape from reason is a philosophical work written by american theologian and christian apologist francis a. Aug 08, 2011 francis schaeffer, the evangelical protestant theologian, authored a book by the title escape from reason. Escape from reason is schaeffers masterpiece of postmodern analysis. His ministry continues through his books, with over two million copies in print. Schaeffer traces trends in twentiethcentury thought and unpacks how key. Schaeffer go to the editions section to read or download ebooks. They are historically situated as all books are, but they are more than mere period piecesthey still repay reflection and thought today. Schaeffer concludes escape from reason with four consequences of pitting faith against rationality.
Schaeffer had a way of communicating christianity to modern culturewe need more like him today. This book provides an excellent introduction to his ideas. Medicines autonomy from its faithbased moorings began at least as early as the enlightenment, 5 but the nineteenth century confirmed it. Schaeffers thought guided me through much of my college and post college years. By cris putnam the god who is there in the francis a. Tracing trends in twentieth century thought, francis a. Terms in this set 11 what does schaeffer mean when he writes about nature and grace nature describes the fallen world lower things. The need to read series began several months ago with a program on c. Thomas aquinas is teh suck1 i dont remember where i got this book. Escape from reason ivp classics is virtually the history of western culture in a nutshell. A penetrating analysis of trends in modern thought. He is the author, coauthor, or contributor to over ninetyfive books, including does god exist. This is the second book of francis schaeffer s trilogy. Although neither book is very long, they are both excellent examples of schaeffer s thinking and approach.
Even more impressive to me, however, was schaeffers example as an evangelist. And few books have shaped the modern churchs understanding of the culture more than his classic work, escape from reason. Escape from reason in the god who is there, schaeffers main thesis is that modern man is characterized by his willingness to live a life of contradictions. It is book two in volume one of the complete works of francis a. Escape from reason is a mustread christian classic that is a short introduction to the history of philosophy and how it has affected our culture and general thought processes. Jun 05, 2012 schaeffers article sought to bring them closer together. Inspiring generations to follow, schaeffer, an american philosopher, theologian.
People today are trying to hang on to the dignity of man, but they. His critique demonstrates christianitys promise for a new century, one. Schaeffer examines philosophy, science, art and popular culture to identify dualism, fragmentation and the decline of reason. Like we cannot deal with people like human beings, we cannot deal with them on the high level of true humanity, unless we really know their origin. It is has been a long time since i read anything by him. Francis schaeffer, the evangelical protestant theologian, authored a book by the title escape from reason. Apr 29, 2015 schaeffer concludes escape from reason with four consequences of pitting faith against rationality. The rationale for this series is that many of the great writers who have helped many christians mature are now either unknown or neglected by many who could use these authors insights into the faith. Much of schaeffers argument made sense to me, and from then on i believed that the differences between van tils and the traditional apologetic were somewhat less than van til understood them to be. Until his death in 1984, he was also a noted speaker with a worldwide ministry. The god who is there by francis schaeffer is a seminal work in twentieth century apologetics. This is most clear to me in his treatment of kierkegaard. Inspiring generations to follow, schaeffer, an american philosopher, theologian and presbyterian pastor, is one of the most recognized and respected christian authors of all time. He argued that modernity could only find a solid ground within a world grounded in the inerrancy of scripture.
Escape from reason quiz sg arts and humanities flashcards. Instead, it suggests that reason, as popularly understood is a distortion of the proper christian use of. In the book escape from reason, he shows how we arrived at this position, and what can be done about it. Kierkegaards understanding of god as impossible and transcendent is relatable to the modern man, and may inspire him to seek out god. Escape from reason ebook 9780830898299 by francis a.
Instead, it suggests that reason, as popularly understood is a distortion of the proper christian use of the word. This is the first book that i have read by schaeffer and i. Schaeffer shows that christianity offers meaning where there is purposelessness and hope where there is despair. Schaeffer rejects kierkegaards understanding of god, that god is fundamentally other from reason. He reminds his readers that, because man has personality, he also has the right to begin with that knowledge and therefore seek the why behind this. Escape from reason and he is there and he is not silent are two classic works by schaeffer. Evolution, as ferngren correctly notes, was never of major significance in clinical medicine, but darwin, his bull dog defender physician thomas henry huxley, and the x club. Schaeffer s thought guided me through much of my college and post college years. Steve scrivener has gathered together john frames comments on francis schaeffers apologetics from johns various apologetics books.
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