www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Books DANCING ALONE BY FRANK SCHAEFFER

I have just completed reading Dancing Alone: The Quest for Orthodox Faith in the Age of False Religion. I thought this was an incredible expose of the real beliefs the founding fathers of America had. If Mr. Schaeffer's research is accurate, and I have no reason to doubt so, then a lot of the history I was taught that America was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs is not entirely true. Mr. Schaeffer writes that most were Deists, combining French enlightenment philsophies with the emphasis of human reason promoted by Rousseau. I was wondering if anyone else has read this and am curious of your thoughts, comments, and reactions.

Have a blessed day,

V

I haven't read the book in question, but it is true that Jefferson et al. were Deists and Freemasons.

I thought this was generally pretty well known. American religiosity is pretty much a 19th century phenomenon.

Jim,

It is pretty well known, but since I am a revert to the faith, I had all the training and education from Evangelicals who teach an entire different American History. They even have a video series out supporting their "version." And when I was growing up in public school, I was also taught that they founded the country on Judeo-Christian values. I guess I am a late bloomer to the truth.

V

V

I had all the training and education from Evangelicals That pretty much says it all. I think they are still pretty much telling their own version of the story. Thanks for the post.

Jim

Actually, almost everything Schaeffer wrote about the founders was wrong, but then, so much of his book is nothing less than apologia pro vita sua for his abandonment of evangelicalism. An angry young man, Little Frankie was, and an angry older man he became over the years, one who eventually found that Orthodoxy was not quite the perfect Church he thought it to be. My understanding is he no longer considers himself to be Orthodox.

I still believe he considers himself to be Orthodox, but he is not the staunch Republican conservative he was in the past. This may be the reason why it is thought that he may not be Orthodox anymore.

I did not mention the book meaning to encourge anyone to assess Dr. Schaeffer. I thought he did a wonderful job of showing how the Reformation philosophies have opened the door for everyone to be their own eccliastical authority and interpreter of life and the Bible.

I do appreciate all of your responses.

V

Have not yet read Frank Schaeffer's book. Can someone tells me if he takes the "Great Awakening" into account?

Fr. Serge

Little Frankie is not a doctor. You are mistaking him for his illustrious father, the Evangelical preacher Dr. Francis Schaeffer.


Alas, that Frankie refuses to follow his own advice.