Francis A. Schaeffer

[evangelist6589]

I have too many theology, biblical studies, and Christian Living books so this year I am reading something different and got the book How Should we then live? By Francis A. Schaeffer. Is it any good? It seems to be a classic and a History/Philosophy of Culture type of book. No question it looks to be a book for a graduate student with a deeper reading style, so it may take longer for me to get through this one.

Are many of the things he teaches in the book true?
What did you think of it?

I await my copy to come in the mail.

 

[John of Japan]

Anything by Schaeffer is educational and thought-provoking. You may not agree with everything he writes, but you'll come away wiser.

 

[pinoybaptist]

The name sounds scholarly, so, yeah, give him a shot. who knows ? God didn't dump all his doctrine into one specific denom or church in our time, He'll have to send Elijah or Paul back to give us a little tap on the coconut shells we call heads to bring us all back to the true Apostles' doctrines.
And given the thick walls we've surrounded ourselves, we might'nt even recognize much less accept Elijah or Paul into our pulpits. :laugh:

 

[evangelist6589]

The name sounds scholarly, so, yeah, give him a shot. who knows ? God didn't dump all his doctrine into one specific denom or church in our time, He'll have to send Elijah or Paul back to give us a little tap on the coconut shells we call heads to bring us all back to the true Apostles' doctrines.
And given the thick walls we've surrounded ourselves, we might'nt even recognize much less accept Elijah or Paul into our pulpits. :laugh:

Please explain your sarcastic comments pinoybaptist. I do not follow your logic and need a better explanation.

 

[JonC]

The name sounds scholarly, so, yeah, give him a shot. who knows ?

:laugh: :thumbsup: Francis A. Shaeffer is a scholarly name…or maybe a good name for a congressman.

 

[pinoybaptist]

Please explain your sarcastic comments pinoybaptist. I do not follow your logic and need a better explanation.

I'm sayin' I believe you are far better than you're letting on, sir.
you don't really need anyone telling you which book is a good read and which is not.
Dr. Schaeffer has a lot of good things to say on doctrine, and so do Arminians and others in different denominations, which is to say, I am admitting that my people, the Primitive Baptists, do not have a monopoly on them, and while I prefer reading books written by MY kind, I won't need anyone's advice, even my elders in church, on any author or book, and so, I venture to say, would you or anyone else on this board.
There are good things and there are bad things and our own set of theological bents will tell us which one is which.
As for the Paul and Elijah jive, well, you know what I mean, too.

 

[Jerome]

Bio, bibliography of Schaeffer here:

Archives & Manuscript Repository for the Continuing Presbyterian Church

 

[evangelist6589]

I'm sayin' I believe you are far better than you're letting on, sir.
you don't really need anyone telling you which book is a good read and which is not.
Dr. Schaeffer has a lot of good things to say on doctrine, and so do Arminians and others in different denominations, which is to say, I am admitting that my people, the Primitive Baptists, do not have a monopoly on them, and while I prefer reading books written by MY kind, I won't need anyone's advice, even my elders in church, on any author or book, and so, I venture to say, would you or anyone else on this board.
There are good things and there are bad things and our own set of theological bents will tell us which one is which.
As for the Paul and Elijah jive, well, you know what I mean, too.

I see. Well the Bible says that there is wisdom in seeking Godly advice. This is what scripture teaches and so I sought it. Granted there are those on this board that cannot give any advice, there are those that are and so I seek the ones that can give advice. I do realize that Arminian have good things to say and why I have books written by them.

 

[Greektim]

I have too many theology, biblical studies, and Christian Living books so this year I am reading something different and got the book How Should we then live? By Francis A. Schaeffer. Is it any good? It seems to be a classic and a History/Philosophy of Culture type of book. No question it looks to be a book for a graduate student with a deeper reading style, so it may take longer for me to get through this one.

Are many of the things he teaches in the book true?
What did you think of it?

I await my copy to come in the mail.

I want to know what biblical studies books you have read. I haven't seen you post one book in that topic. Your m.o. is usually to read popular level, light reading authors (John Mac... Dave Jeremiah... WotM stuff).

 

[evangelist6589]

I want to know what biblical studies books you have read. I haven't seen you post one book in that topic. Your m.o. is usually to read popular level, light reading authors (John Mac... Dave Jeremiah... WotM stuff).

NT Intro by DA Carson
NT Survey by Gundry

OT Survey by Bayliss
OT Intro by Archer

Commentaries by Warren Wiersbe, and others

Systematic Theologies by Erickson & Grudem

A book by Gentry and others by Normal Geisler.

True MOST of my reading is popular authors, however as of late I have gotten some books by RC Sproul and he no question is seminary level.

 

[evangelist6589]

I want to know what biblical studies books you have read. I haven't seen you post one book in that topic. Your m.o. is usually to read popular level, light reading authors (John Mac... Dave Jeremiah... WotM stuff).

However if you have some good Biblical studies books and or authors to mention go ahead and suggest them as I am welcome to new reads.

 

[pinoybaptist]

I do not have books to recommend because I quit buying them since my wife and I used to move a lot and they tend to be heavy.
I trust you have an open mind and do not think of PB's as scourge of the Christian world being "hyper-Calvinistic" like some others here do, so, if you will find time, here is a website you can investigate and perhaps help you understand where I and other PB's here are coming from.

Primitive Baptists Online

some of these writers are really of old times.
I believe some lived in the early to late 80's so you might find their writing a bit boring (though I hope not).
I am not of a mind to convert you to be Primitive Baptist.
Just helping you in your scholarly quest.
Peace.

 

[Greektim]

NT Intro by DA Carson & Doug Moo
NT Survey by Gundry

OT Survey by Bayliss don't know this one
OT Intro by Archer

Commentaries by Warren Wiersbe, and others still not heavy

Systematic Theologies by Erickson & Grudem not biblical studies

A book by Gentry and others by Normal Geisler. for biblical studies???

True MOST of my reading is popular authors, however as of late I have gotten some books by RC Sproul and he no question is seminary level. I question that... he is popular level just like the rest.

Carson and Moo is a fine read. Archer is not the worst you could read from the OT. But I didn't see much else. My recommendation: pick a book and read all sorts of books (not just commentaries) about that book. Ephesians is a good one with a lot of material. I would recommend starting with the Drama of Ephesians. I read the dissertation version of that book. Very well done, very convincing.

I also noticed you lacked readings in biblical theology. I think that would be a helpful way to round out your reading as well. Beale's hefty tome on the NT Biblical Theology is amazing.

 

[evangelist6589]

Carson and Moo is a fine read. Archer is not the worst you could read from the OT. But I didn't see much else. My recommendation: pick a book and read all sorts of books (not just commentaries) about that book. Ephesians is a good one with a lot of material. I would recommend starting with the Drama of Ephesians. I read the dissertation version of that book. Very well done, very convincing.

I also noticed you lacked readings in biblical theology. I think that would be a helpful way to round out your reading as well. Beale's hefty tome on the NT Biblical Theology is amazing.

From Creation to the Cross is the name of the book by Bayliss.

I have a number of books and perhaps I have some in the Biblical theology section just not aware of it. I know that I own the NDBT-New Dictionary of Biblical Theology which will fit in that category. But if you have more books to mention please do so. Thank you.

 

[evangelist6589]

Carson and Moo is a fine read. Archer is not the worst you could read from the OT. But I didn't see much else. My recommendation: pick a book and read all sorts of books (not just commentaries) about that book. Ephesians is a good one with a lot of material. I would recommend starting with the Drama of Ephesians. I read the dissertation version of that book. Very well done, very convincing.

I also noticed you lacked readings in biblical theology. I think that would be a helpful way to round out your reading as well. Beale's hefty tome on the NT Biblical Theology is amazing.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0801026970/?tag=baptis04-20

That book? Thats a very deep read... Perhaps beyond my level of understanding. Have you read it?

 

[pilgrim_99]

I have too many theology, biblical studies, and Christian Living books so this year I am reading something different and got the book How Should we then live? By Francis A. Schaeffer. Is it any good? It seems to be a classic and a History/Philosophy of Culture type of book. No question it looks to be a book for a graduate student with a deeper reading style, so it may take longer for me to get through this one.

Are many of the things he teaches in the book true?
What did you think of it?

I await my copy to come in the mail.

I think it's fair to say that this book was aimed at serious laypeople as opposed to an academic audience. That's pretty much the case with all of his works even though some of them (perhaps the "Trilogy" in particular) will be a bit deep for those who aren't used to grappling with those kinds of concepts. "How Should We Then Live" is often cited by leaders of the "Religious Right" as being a book that had a strong influence on them. Schaeffer has been very influential with getting evangelicals to think about cultural issues.

With regard to the truth of the book, in a broad sense I understand that it is accurate but some have said that he oversimplifies in some cases with regard to what certain philosophers taught, etc.

There was a related film with the same name produced that you can view on You Tube.

 

[Greektim]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0801026970/?tag=baptis04-20

That book? Thats a very deep read... Perhaps beyond my level of understanding. Have you read it?

That's the one... I think you need a challenge. Take Piper's advice and read one or two books well. That means to read them slowly, take notes, and re-read if necessary. It is a great book. Beale's approach to biblical theology is second to none in my opinion. If you want a good OT theology, and one much shorter, I recommend Dempster's Dominion and Dynasty.

 

[evangelist6589]

That's the one... I think you need a challenge. Take Piper's advice and read one or two books well. That means to read them slowly, take notes, and re-read if necessary. It is a great book. Beale's approach to biblical theology is second to none in my opinion. If you want a good OT theology, and one much shorter, I recommend Dempster's Dominion and Dynasty.

Are those authors Arminian or Reformed? Or does it matter in this case? Probably not as I read Arminian commentaries and other books.

 

[evangelist6589]

That's the one... I think you need a challenge. Take Piper's advice and read one or two books well. That means to read them slowly, take notes, and re-read if necessary. It is a great book. Beale's approach to biblical theology is second to none in my opinion. If you want a good OT theology, and one much shorter, I recommend Dempster's Dominion and Dynasty.

Added them to my wish list. Thanks.. However your comments about MacArthur being only popular level reading is subjective as his books are used in some seminary classes on certain subjects. But I see your point in that MOST of his books are written for laymen.

 

[Greektim]

MacArthur or Sproul? Either way, not sure which books or which seminary, but I'm sure they could put out some books that supplement other reading. I can't think of any textbook though. Maybe you know some that am not aware of.