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SCHAEFFER’S CULTURAL APOLOGETIC:

Explore the life, thoughts, and influences of Francis Schaeffer, a key figure in Christian apologetics, as he tackles the challenges of modern culture. Discover his principles of Christianity, the concept of upper and lower storey, and his evaluation of contemporary philosophy and art.

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SCHAEFFER’S CULTURAL APOLOGETIC:

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  1. SCHAEFFER’S CULTURAL APOLOGETIC: Background and Orientation Donald T Williams, PhD Toccoa Falls College

  2. SCHAEFFER’S CULTURAL APOLOGETIC: Background and Orientation Donald T Williams, PhD Toccoa Falls College

  3. SCHAEFFER’S CULTURAL APOLOGETIC Background and Orientation

  4. “True education means thinking by association across the disciplines, and not just being qualified in one field.” F.A.S., The God Who is There

  5. 1912: Born 1930: Converted by reading Bible 1935 Grad. Hampden-Sidney College Married Edith Seville Entered Westminster Seminary 1938 Grad. Faith Seminary Ordained in Bible Presbyterian Church First Pastorate in Grove City, PA. Schaeffer’s Life: Chronology

  6. Fundamentalism: The 5 Fundamentals • The Inspiration/Inerrancy of Scripture • The Deity of Christ • The Historicity of NT Miracles • The Virgin Birth of Christ • The Literal, Bodily Resurrection • The Necessity of Blood Atonement • A Literal, Personal Second Coming

  7. Fundamentalism: the Problem • Separation: To Stay or Leave? • Secondary Separationism • Rise of “Neo-Evangelicalism” • Schaeffer’s Choices > Bible Presbyterian Church (hardliners) > P.C.E.S. > P.C.A.

  8. Schaeffer’s Life: Chronology • 1947: Traveled to Europe w. Ind. Board for Presbyterian Missions • 1948: Moved to Lausanne, Switzerland as missionaries with Children for Christ • 1951: Spiritual Crisis over lack of love in the Separatist Movement • 1953-54: Furlough in U.S.

  9. Schaeffer’s Life: Chronology • 1955: Resigned from Mission; Began L’Abri in Huemoz, Switzerland • 1968: Published The God Who is There • 1974: Began work on How Should We Then Live • 1984: Died of cancer in Rochester, MN., May 15

  10. Schaeffer’s Thought: 4 Principles • Christianity is Truth. • Christian Truth touches all of life: “The lordship of Christ over the total culture.” • Christian life & witness must show the whole character of God: “holiness and love.” • The truth of Christianity must be demonstrated both intellectually and practically through a life of faith.

  11. Schaeffer’s Thought: Upper/Lower Storey Grace: God, Heaven, the Supernatural, Universals, Meaning, Faith (a rational trust) Nature: Man, Earth, the Natural World, Particulars, Facts, Reason (obedient to Revelation)

  12. Christianity Absolute Universal GOD Eternity Meaning (reality) Christ (reality) Relative Particular MAN Time Facts

  13. Secularism No Absolutes No GOD No Meaning (no reality) (reality) Relativism MAN Facts/Data

  14. Schaeffer’s Thought: Upper/Lower Storey The non-rational/non-logical Universals; Meaning Irrational Mysticism: the “leap of faith” The rational and logical Particulars; Facts Reason, Science, Man as a machine

  15. Schaeffer’s Thought: “The Line of Despair” Philosophy Art_ Music General Culture Theology

  16. Schaeffer’s Thought: Evaluation • Critique: Schaeffer as “Pseudo-Intellectual” • His disciples have sometimes contributed • Over-Simplifications • Thomas Aquinas • Renaissance vs. Secular Humanism

  17. Schaeffer’s Thought: Evaluation • Response: Schaeffer as Popularizer • Forest vs. Trees • Asks the right Questions • General Analysis is Sound • Flow of History • Importance of Presuppositions • Nature of Christian Truth Claims

  18. How Should We Then Watch? • Overlook hoky cinematic techniques • Look for applications of ideas covered here • Use as framework for integration of other courses, reading, etc. • Digest Before Regurgitating • Discuss as ongoing project

  19. “What we need in the light of the accommodation which surrounds us is a generation of radicals for truth and Christ.” F.A.S., The Great Evangelical Disaster

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