He Is There and He Is Not Silent
Encyclopedia
He Is There and He Is Not Silent is a philosophical work written by American apologist
and Christian theologian
Francis A. Schaeffer, Wheaton, IL:Tyndale House, first published in 1972. It is Book Three in Volume One of The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer A Christian Worldview. Westchester, IL:Crossway Books, 1982. This is the third book of Francis Schaeffer's "Trilogy."
; the second, morals; and the third and fourth, epistemology. The first appendix concerns revelation
and the second the concept of faith
. To give the reader an idea of what the book is about, an overview of "Chapter 1. The Metaphysical Necessity" is presented.
Chapter 1. The Metaphysical Necessity
In the opening chapter, Schaeffer, after briefly defining "metaphysics," states two dilemmas concerning humankind. First, he claims that humans exhibit "mannishness" and have a personal nature, separating them from the impersonal, but that humans are also finite. Second, he points out the contrast between the nobility and the cruelty of man. He then presents his view of the two classes of answers to these dilemmas.
First, what Schaeffer calls the "Line of Despair" (and associates with existentialism
): that there is no logical answer to the dilemmas, and that all is "chaotic, irrational, and absurd." Schaeffer characterizes this view as impossible to hold in practice, because order is necessary for life. Schaeffer also accuses advocates of this viewpoint of utilizing logic
when it suits their arguments, but attacking logic when it is convenient.
The second class of answers Schaeffer postulates is that logic exists, and that the subject of metaphysics is open to rational discussion. Within this category, Schaeffer discusses three specific answers: first, existence ex nihilo, that all that exists "has come out of absolutely nothing." Schaeffer labels this answer "unthinkable." Second, Schaeffer lists the "impersonal beginning," and along with it, "reductionism." His criticism is that such an answer fails to give meaning or significance to particular
s. Furthermore, he alleges that there is no proof that an impersonal beginning could produce complexity or personality
. Schaeffer also attacks pantheism
in this vein, which he labels "paneverythingism," propounding that while it provides an answer for unity and universals, it fails to explain the origin of diversity and particulars.
Finally, Schaeffer introduces the answer of the personal beginning. In addition to providing an explanation for both complexity and personality, Schaeffer writes that the answer to the dilemma of both unity/universals and diversity/particulars may be found in the doctrine of the Trinity
.
Returning to the two dilemmas given at the beginning of the chapter, Schaeffer describes what he calls the "Personal-Infinite God." On the side of personality, Schaeffer posits a "chasm" between God and Man, on the one side, and the animal, the flower, and the machine on the other. On the side of infiniteness, Schaeffer moves the chasm to between God and Man. The existence of this "complete chasm," Schaeffer says, is the origin of our confusion on issues of metaphysics.
Schaeffer finishes the chapter by concluding that there is a "God who is there," reprising the titular phrase of his book, The God Who Is There
. However, he extends beyond this by describing revelatory knowledge, via the idea that God has spoken: "He is not silent."
Chapter 2. The Moral Necessity
Chapter 3. The Epistemological Necessity: The Problem
Chapter 4. The Epistemological Necessity: The Answer
Appendix A. Is Propositional Revelation Nonsense?
Appendix B. "Faith" Versus Faith
Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views...
and Christian theologian
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
Francis A. Schaeffer, Wheaton, IL:Tyndale House, first published in 1972. It is Book Three in Volume One of The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer A Christian Worldview. Westchester, IL:Crossway Books, 1982. This is the third book of Francis Schaeffer's "Trilogy."
Overview
He Is There and He Is Not Silent is divided into four chapters, followed by two appendices. The first of these chapters deals with metaphysicsMetaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
; the second, morals; and the third and fourth, epistemology. The first appendix concerns revelation
Revelation
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a supernatural or a divine entity...
and the second the concept of faith
Faith
Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,...
. To give the reader an idea of what the book is about, an overview of "Chapter 1. The Metaphysical Necessity" is presented.
Table of contents
IntroductionChapter 1. The Metaphysical Necessity
In the opening chapter, Schaeffer, after briefly defining "metaphysics," states two dilemmas concerning humankind. First, he claims that humans exhibit "mannishness" and have a personal nature, separating them from the impersonal, but that humans are also finite. Second, he points out the contrast between the nobility and the cruelty of man. He then presents his view of the two classes of answers to these dilemmas.
First, what Schaeffer calls the "Line of Despair" (and associates with existentialism
Existentialism
Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
): that there is no logical answer to the dilemmas, and that all is "chaotic, irrational, and absurd." Schaeffer characterizes this view as impossible to hold in practice, because order is necessary for life. Schaeffer also accuses advocates of this viewpoint of utilizing logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
when it suits their arguments, but attacking logic when it is convenient.
The second class of answers Schaeffer postulates is that logic exists, and that the subject of metaphysics is open to rational discussion. Within this category, Schaeffer discusses three specific answers: first, existence ex nihilo, that all that exists "has come out of absolutely nothing." Schaeffer labels this answer "unthinkable." Second, Schaeffer lists the "impersonal beginning," and along with it, "reductionism." His criticism is that such an answer fails to give meaning or significance to particular
Particular
In philosophy, particulars are concrete entities existing in space and time as opposed to abstractions. There are, however, theories of abstract particulars or tropes. For example, Socrates is a particular...
s. Furthermore, he alleges that there is no proof that an impersonal beginning could produce complexity or personality
Sentience
Sentience is the ability to feel, perceive or be conscious, or to have subjective experiences. Eighteenth century philosophers used the concept to distinguish the ability to think from the ability to feel . In modern western philosophy, sentience is the ability to have sensations or experiences...
. Schaeffer also attacks pantheism
Pantheism
Pantheism is the view that the Universe and God are identical. Pantheists thus do not believe in a personal, anthropomorphic or creator god. The word derives from the Greek meaning "all" and the Greek meaning "God". As such, Pantheism denotes the idea that "God" is best seen as a process of...
in this vein, which he labels "paneverythingism," propounding that while it provides an answer for unity and universals, it fails to explain the origin of diversity and particulars.
Finally, Schaeffer introduces the answer of the personal beginning. In addition to providing an explanation for both complexity and personality, Schaeffer writes that the answer to the dilemma of both unity/universals and diversity/particulars may be found in the doctrine of the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
.
Returning to the two dilemmas given at the beginning of the chapter, Schaeffer describes what he calls the "Personal-Infinite God." On the side of personality, Schaeffer posits a "chasm" between God and Man, on the one side, and the animal, the flower, and the machine on the other. On the side of infiniteness, Schaeffer moves the chasm to between God and Man. The existence of this "complete chasm," Schaeffer says, is the origin of our confusion on issues of metaphysics.
Schaeffer finishes the chapter by concluding that there is a "God who is there," reprising the titular phrase of his book, The God Who Is There
The God Who Is There
The God Who Is There is a Christian apologetic work written by American philosopher and Christian theologian Francis A. Schaeffer, published in 1968. It is Book One in Volume One of The Complete Works of Francis A...
. However, he extends beyond this by describing revelatory knowledge, via the idea that God has spoken: "He is not silent."
Chapter 2. The Moral Necessity
Chapter 3. The Epistemological Necessity: The Problem
Chapter 4. The Epistemological Necessity: The Answer
Appendix A. Is Propositional Revelation Nonsense?
Appendix B. "Faith" Versus Faith
External links
- Todd Kappelman, "The Need to Read Francis Schaeffer" An overview of Schaeffer's Trilogy from Probe Ministries. Retrieved 25 September 2006.