A Francis A. Schaeffer Trilogy: Three Essential Books in One Volume

Have you ever wondered what existentialism is all about, or what the real difference between absolute and relative truth is? When is theology liberal?, when is it orthodox?, and when is it neo-orthodox? What is it that separates Reformed theology from 'Leap in the Dark' theology? Is Christian faith rational or irrational? How can I know what I believe is true, and how can I know that I know? I am not aware of any book that serves as a better introduction to these and other issues than Francis Schaeffer's Trilogy. And, of course, it paves the way for all his other books. In his own words: 'All the others fit into these as spokes of the wheel fit into the hub.'Schaeffer remains the leading Christian apologist for the 60s generation, and has done many of us an immense favour by exposing the countercultural, flower-power utopianism of the Woodstock generation for what it was: A non-rational escape leading to nothing but despair. I first read this book as a college student and it impacted me so much that I rushed out to buy his collected works - one of the best investments of my life. If you are serious about understanding your faith, Schaeffer is a must. And if you are serious about understanding Schaeffer, his Trilogy is a must.

This is a great set of books. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand 20th century people living in the desperation that our society leaves them in. Schaeffer has a tremendous grasp of the historical context of our century, but he doesn't beat you over the head with it or use it to show how smart he is. He constantly shows how this information should be used to show LOVE to others and show them the light of Christianity in truth! He is a very tender writer.

Ideas have consequences. Today's society predicament is the result of our preeminent worldview. In this century, Orthodox Christianity thinking has been taken out of balance by anti-theistic views. Schaeffer search the how, when, where of this shift of thinking and explains the slow reaction of orthodox Christian thinkers. Finally he offers a sincere advice to Christians to change their thinking and their life. Great reading, great writer, I miss him.

I majored in Philosophy, and can honestly say that none of the big names holds a stick to the clarity of thought and pure logic evidenced in these books. The most distinctive feature of the ideas put forth in Schaeffer's writings are their coherence with reason and experience. This is one philosopher who thought with his eyes open, and actually had something useful to say. Ideas you can sink your teeth into and live by.

Schaeffer deserves to be widely heard. These three books generally focus on the necessary conclusions that must be reached based on much of modern thought. Coining the word 'anti-philosophies', Schaeffer contends that it is impossible to sustain philosophical coherence when a transcendent basis is lost. The effect of modern philosophical trends are traced through music, art, philosophy, and theology, providing a much more well rounded perspective than books of this sort usually do. I read the series twice, taking notes the second time through, as it was the only way I could really absorb the material