Archive for January, 2010
Review: A Christian Manifesto by Francis Schaeffer
My copy is definitely this original one with the groovy cover.
A Christian Manifesto by Francis A. Schaeffer
copyright 1981
Initially
I was born in 1980; the product of a Southern Baptist upbringing. Although – and I feel it’s necessary to make this disclaimer – it was a good Southern Baptist upbringing. A bad Southern Baptist upbringing would be one where I was taught to do it the “Baptist Way” just because it’s the right way. That was not my experience! The type of upbringing I received was one that encouraged me to not-be a Southern Baptist per se, but rather to be a person who thinks carefully about the Bible, tests the teachings of others against the Bible’s revelation of itself, a person who treasures God above all, and who lets my actions and words speak in everyday life. That was what I was taught, and I’m grateful.
I’m relating all of this because this book has helped me to more fully put some of my own worldview pieces together, and to better understand the worldview of the previous generation. I feel I now have a better handle on the religious-political thought of the 1980′s. I was born in 1980, raised around the ideas of the “Moral Majority,” and a product of much of this type of thinking. I’ve watched my opinions about how the church should engage culture and government change quite a bit during my short life, and I’ve wondered how so many Christians of the previous generation got so screwed up. This book helped me to understand those differences a little better.
Schaeffer’s Premise
Schaeffer’s basic premise is that America and its government were founded on a Judeo-Christian Worldview. He says “The Reformation in Northern Europe not only brought forth a clear preaching of the gospel, but also brought forth distinctive governmental and social results” (134, emphasis mine). He further claims that humanism is now the prevailing worldview represented by the American government, the media, and American schools. In Schaeffer’s opinion this worldview “would never have given the form and freedom in government we have had in Northern Europe (including the United States)” (43). In other words, according to Schaeffer, the United States, the Constitution, and the freedom we enjoy are all products of the Bible. They would never have come into existence apart from the founding fathers embracing it as their own worldview. From this central premise Schaeffer goes on to recount the destruction that humanist thought has wrought upon Western thinking, and he outlines a plan for proper resistance to the humanist takeover of America and abroad.
Reaction
From my perspective this book appears a lot more militant than I expected it to be. Schaeffer advocates picketing, civil disobedience, and other means of resisting secular society that honestly have a black eye in the thinking of many turn-of-the-century twenty-somethings. Many young Christians are sick of political maneuvering, the Moral Majority, Republicanism being equated with Christianity, and other methods that this book advocates. They seem like flawed methods that were doomed to failure.
Post-Modernity
That being said, I don’t want to sell Schaeffer short. I’m not sure he would have agreed with all the political action that Christians have taken in the last 30 years. I think it’s also safe to say that society has changed quite a bit in 30 years too. Many in American culture have morphed from a modern, concrete understanding of truth towards a postmodern, less-concrete, “your opinion is just as valid as mine,” understanding of truth. This change, whether helpful or not, has led to different approaches by Christians who are seeking to engage culture and government in meaningful ways.
People of my generation are more likely (I think) to engage culture through meaningful art and meaningful relationships. Rather than try to change law to make sure it endorses a Christian worldview, Christian twenty-somethings are more apt to try and change individual people. This change in approach is due in part to a shifting towards post-modernity, but it may also be due to a feeling that the battle for the government seems hopeless and misguided to begin with.
I’ve heard it argued most of my life that America was founded on a Christian worldview, but I’ve never heard it argued effectively by anyone until I read this book. My generation’s shift in epistemological understandings has led me in the past to say that “the claim that America was founded on a Judeo-Christian understanding is short-sided,” but Schaeffer has made me consider otherwise. The Constitution does seem to have been founded almost primarily on a Christian-esque understanding of the world, the law, and human rights. Having conceded that truth, I can understand why Schaeffer and others have so ardently sought to fight against the total secularization of government through political means. It makes sense once I’ve conceded Schaeffer’s premise.
A New, Old Approach
However, I’m not sure that those same methods still make sense. In light of America’s current political-social-religious landscape, fighting to return American law to a Judeo-Christian interpretation through political means seems hopeless. I understand that it’s justifiable, but I’m just not sure it’s a worthwhile cause. To be honest, maybe I do think it’s worthwhile, but I think we’ve been going about it the wrong way. Somewhere along the line a lot of Christians quit thinking about the totality of the political spectrum and began just voting along party lines. More than ever the Republican party simply does not represent Christian thought. Christians must approach politics agreeing and disagreeing with aspects of both of the main two parties. And we also must admit that the political front is only one aspect of living for Jesus. What little I understand of Schaeffer makes me think that this actually was his approach. Unfortunately many in the previous generation seem to have advocated only a political approach. They reduced Christian political activism to voting Republican, and they ignored other ways that Christians can engage culturally. Our approach should be political, but not just Republican, and our approach should go beyond politics, and be relational and artistic as well.
This approach: “The Lordship of Christ over every area of life,” is what Schaeffer advocated. Somewhere along the way many within pop-Christianity got confused. They forgot the arts and the importance of personal relationships, and they relegated our fight completely to politics. Hopefully we can re-learn the art of embracing the Gospel in every area of life. If we can’t, then the pendulum will swing too far the other way and Christians in 30 years will be wondering, “What the heck were the turn-of-the-century Christians thinking!” I for one hope that we’re learning to be balanced.
This is a good book. Some of the forms of civil disobedience Schaeffer advocates seem a little over the top to me, but maybe Schaeffer is just taking the Bible more seriously than I am. In the end this book gave me a lot to chew on, and it encouraged me to think about the ways in which I am embodying the Christian life politically.
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1 commentBook Review: The Reason for God – by Tim Keller
While Tim Keller’s book, The Reason for God, is only one book among many modern day apologetics for the Christian faith, it may be the best. I’ve heard it said, although I’m not quite sure from whom, that “The Reason for God is the most important apologetic that’s been written since Lewis’ Mere Christianity.” That’s high praise, and it’s well deserved.
Structure
This book is divided into two main sections. The first seven chapters are responses to the most common arguments against Christianity. The last seven chapters are arguments in favor of Christianity. Between these two large sections of the book, Keller pauses to let the reader dwell on what has been argued so far. He ends the book with an appeal to enter into Christianity whole-heartedly, not flippantly or easily. In his own words, “it would be very easy in that condition (one of difficulty or need) to approach God as a means to an end. Are you getting into Christianity to serve God, or to get God to serve you? The later is a kind shamanism, an effort to get control of God through your prayers and practices. It is using God rather than trusting him” (238).
This Book Rocks
This is a great book for at least three reasons. The Reason for God is highly accessible, contains real-life, tested apologetic arguments, and adequately interacts with the all the major arguments against Christianity.
First and foremost this is a book that is accessible to a wide range of readers. While dealing with philosophy, science, Biblical interpretation, and religious arguments, Keller manages to keep the book on a level that interested high school students could easily comprehend. The book is filled with personal stories and pop culture references, and his style reminds me of the descriptions I’ve heard of Francis Schaeffer. Keller gives you the feeling that he really knows and has thought about what he writes.
Part of the power of this book is that Keller has been living these arguments and discussions about Christianity for the past twenty years in New York City. Each of the first seven chapters begins with quotes from people that Keller has actually interacted with. Because this book is built upon real conversations between a Pastor and people who have attended his church, it’s congenial in tone. The worst part about many apologists is their arrogance. Keller takes no such approach. His approach is firm and whole-hearted, but kind.
The arguments within The Reason for God are approachable and congenial and yet they still do adequate justice to the points of contention that many have with the Christian faith. Keller doesn’t shy away from hard questions, and he doesn’t pretend his own arguments are water tight. He knows that Christianity is ultimately built upon faith, and faith can’t be completely proven. He leaves room for people to struggle and disagree with his own opinions, and yet he’s not weak or cowering. This is a book that I believe will help convince many. Seekers will go away challenged and questioning, not angry.
I love this book. I feel wiser and more informed for having read it. While I don’t agree with Keller’s arguments regarding creation, I appreciate the manner in which he explained his opinions. Again, even though I have contention with something Keller said, his tone leaves me wanting to research and think rather than just react in a rage of disagreement. If you love Jesus read this book! If you don’t understand Christianity or have doubts, read this book!
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1 commentBook Review: A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren
A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren
Let me start by saying that I hesitate to even write a review of this book because there stands a chance that even posting a picture of this book on my blog might lead someone to think that I am endorsing Brian McLaren. I am not endorsing Brian McLaren or this book!!! However, I do understand the necessity to stretch myself, and think differently, and read widely from different people. So I read this book to do those things, and also to help keep myself abreast of modern, popular, Christian books.
I’ve heard and known for quite some time that McLaren’s beliefs and teachings were sketchy, but I was unaware of how sketchy until I trekked though A New Kind of Christian. Simply put, many of the beliefs that McLaren espouses in this book are outside of what can be called Christian orthodoxy. I believe that the Bible is intentionally grey on some issues, leaving us room to discuss and debate and seek the leading of the Holy Spirit, but much of the Bible is straight forward. To deny a clear teaching of the Bible is sin and dangerous, and to change the Gospel message is damnable according to Paul in Galatians 1. Without a clear system of belief in place, Christianity is nothing more than a social club, and Christians are above all to be a pitied people. I’m afraid that in McLaren’s attempt (and I don’t doubt that it is an earnest attempt) to understand Christianity better, he has perhaps gotten more confused.
In A New Kind of Christian, McLaren denies or calls into question several key tenants of the faith. For example: 1) the existence of hell and punishment of unbelievers ,2) the necessity of faith in Christ, 3) the meaning of Christ’s death, 4) the universality of truth, and 5) the authority of the Bible. Calling into question these central beliefs poses a problem if you believe the Bible.
A second problem I have with this book is its understanding of the categories “modern” and “postmodern.” The good ideas (and there are quite a few) that are put forward about Christianity in A New Kind of Christian are labeled new, and original, and postmodern, but I find many of them quite old. The characters in this book categorize Christian thinking and practice into the categories of “modern” and “postmodern.” Any representation of Christianity that seems shortsighted is always put into the “modern” category, while better representations of Christianity are always labeled “postmodern.” The problem is that much of what is considered postmodern, is in reality what many faithful churches have been practicing all along. Perhaps the issue is not “modern” versus “postmodern”, but “paying attention to the Bible” versus “ignoring the Bible.”
Another third problem I have with this book is that it is an overreaction to some of “issues” in the modern church. A New Kind of Christian is a book about a fictional pastor who misunderstands the Gospel, who is burned out, and who is coming to terms with the fact that his faith is screwed-up and rather weak. He realizes that a lot of what has been labeled Christianity in his upbringing is wrong. However, in his attempt to reform his previously misguided faith, he simply takes the opposite opinion on most everything. This is all done through a seemingly authentic and academic discussion, that purports to take the Bible more seriously, but perhaps takes the Bible even less seriously. A New Kind of Christian proposes a kind of thinking that is relativistic and anti-logical. Thinking of this sort cannot logically claim any truth whatsoever. While much of the Bible literature is poetic, historical, apocalyptic, etc., much of it is also carefully arranged and logical. McLaren may want to deny a foundational / logical approach to the Christian faith, but in denying all forms of concrete thought, he necessarily has to deny many of the writings of the Apostle Paul (who did write concretely and logically). And…logically speaking, McLaren’s arguments about a non-concrete approach to the Bible are in fact concrete arguments themselves, and thus his arguments are in that regard self-defeating.
All of this to say that you probably shouldn’t read A New Kind of Christian except as an academic exercise to better understand the thinking of the emergent, liberal left. If you want to understand how to be more Biblical, read and study the Bible. McLaren adds more confusion than clarity.
I’m not saying that Brian McLaren is an idiot, or that I hate him, or anything like that (in fact I’d jump at the chance to sit down and discuss faith with him); however, I am saying that according to the Bible he would be considered a “false prophet” in regards to the Gospel. While much of what McLaren says is good, and interesting, and thought provoking, too much of what he says is also a direct dismissal of the teachings of the Bible. Unfortunately his influence amongst certain sectors of Christianity is large, and this poses a threat to the proper understanding of the Gospel. A Gospel which Jude said we should defend (Jude 3). Ultimately that is why I have taken the time to write this brief review. I’m not trying to start arguments, but rather to defend the “faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”
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No commentsThe Steeple EP – Making Malorie
I got to hear the final mastered version of the Steeple EP by Making Malorie today. It’s a 3 song EP featuring original songs: Victory, Child of Ruin, & On and On. Now, my opinion about their latest offering is obviously prejudiced because I know the band, and they lead worship at 24church, and I created the artwork, but either way this is a great piece of art. These thoroughly Biblical songs get into your bones and stick, and I’m always impressed by a worship band who is forging their own path musically. I’m blessed to get to serve with these guys. The Steeple EP isn’t online yet, but you can drop them a message or email at makingmalorie.com and I’m sure they’ll send you a copy when the disk drops.
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2 commentsCounterfeit Gods by Tim Keller
I recently finished Counterfeit Gods, The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters by Tim Keller. Honestly, had it not been for my brother Andy, who gave me this book for Christmas, I probably would not have read it. I’ve heard for quite some time that Keller’s books are amazing, but the title of this book just seemed so “I already know what that’s about.” So, I wasn’t planning on reading it, but with Andy’s encouragement, I embarked on this rather accessible book and came away enlightened for the better.
Counterfeit Gods is a more in-depth study of the some of the themes in Louie Giglio’s book, The Air I Breathe. If you like that book, and it’s examination of the worship that every person is offering to something or someone, then you’ll love Counterfeit Gods. Keller begins with many of Giglio’s same tenants – 1) everyone worships something, 2) we can make an idol out of anything, 3) God is the only thing that will satisfy us, etc. – but he examines these ideas more thoroughly. Reading this book will convict your heart, reveal personal idols that you were unaware existed, and draw you towards the glorious gospel of Jesus.
One of the most intriguing parts about Counterfeit Gods is Keller’s ability to unveil truths within biblical stories that previously seemed absent. Listening to Keller explain a biblical story is like hearing the story for the first time. Without stretching the biblical text one iota, Keller unveils newfound understandings and exposes untold truths. This to me is Keller’s greatest accomplishment within Counterfeit Gods. He helps the Bible become alive.
I would be remiss not to mention that Keller also accomplishes the task of relating all of this Biblical understanding to modern day culture as he waxes eloquently about culture. He effortlessly relates everything to current cultural examples. He’s a well-read guy and it shows.
I cannot thank Andy enough for turning me onto this book. I honestly would have ignored Counterfeit Gods had Andy not sung its praises. This is a seriously good read that is convicting and timely. God has used it to speak into my life and reveal idolatry that I scarcely knew was present.
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