Why I Am An Atheist Who Believes In God: How To Give Love, Create Beauty And Find Peace (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
I find it interesting to read about how other atheists view spirituality. Schaeffer is gentle in his atheism, unlike Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchins or Daniel Dennett (etc) and the New Atheism they embrace. I don't care for the New Atheism because of its stripping down of the numinous. Schaeffer lends a different perspective on atheism, and although it isn't my perspective, it's positive and kind. Don't judge this book by its title. This isn't a book attempting to prove or disprove anything like the title seems to say, and it also doesn't offer practical life advice like the subtitle would lead you to believe. I think Schaeffer's goal with the title was to highlight the paradoxical nature of life at large and many of his own beliefs, which I don't think the title successfully communicates (but maybe that's just me). This is less a book about atheism or theism and more about the messy, complex, contradictory nature of life, art, and our own souls. And the joys of being a grandfather and creating and enjoying art. (I feel like he had at least two books that he ended up cramming into one.)"Why I Am an Atheist Who Believes in God" is an essay book that shares stories, musings, and sometimes rants by an eccentric, artsy, raw, inappropriate, cranky, hot-tempered old man turned doting grandfather. Frank Schaeffer is the son of Francis and Edith Schaeffer -- famous among Evangelicals for their missionary work in Switzerland and for their many books. So how his political ideologies and theology have changed since his boyhood as son of a famous missionary does come up in passing throughout the book, as well as how he now attends a Greek Orthodox church. But Schaeffer's main loves -- if this book is any indication of them -- aren't theology or politics but art and his grandchildren.Some of Schaeffer's stories and comments are raw, inappropriate, and laugh-out-loud funny (like how he feels like "the best lie" he's ever told was when he told his now-wife he'd "pull out" because, otherwise, he wouldn't have his daughter or grandchildren). Other stories are touching and adorable (like the joy and pride it brought him when his very young grandson asked to see the pictures of two classical paintings by name). The first ten or so chapters were, without a doubt, my favorites because he focuses primarily on his love of art and his grandchildren, while touching on how life can be messy and complex. I'd love to give this book a highter rating because I loved his stories of his grandchildren so much, but -- perhaps I'm being too finicky -- the organization of this book made it feel haphazard and in need of another round of editing. The transitions between chapters were strange; they often began with a transitional word like "therefore" and, unless I'd read the previous chapter in the same sitting, I would often have to go back and reread the end of the last chapter to see what he was referring to exactly. And sometimes, especially later in the book, there were some pretty hefty rants that really weren't of interest at all (like how Schaeffer feels museum curators aren't as educated and competent as they once were or how annoying it is that the signs next to paintings in art galleries have become so wordy -- I'm not doubting him, I just honestly don't care).This book is a mixed bag. I don't feel like I wasted my time reading it, and I did greatly enjoy some of the sections (I also skimmed some of the rants -- which is something I usually never do when reading). But I feel like -- due to a lack of organization and focus -- it doesn't live up to its full potential as an essay book.
What do You think about Why I Am An Atheist Who Believes In God: How To Give Love, Create Beauty And Find Peace (2014)?
Great little book. Very personal and real. Highly recommended to all.
—GFD2
I enjoyed Schaeffer's writing style, more musing than telling.
—shirshak
