Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 512 pages
• Published by: Crossway Books; Stg edition March 31, 2008
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1433502208
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1433502200
• Book Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Weighs: 1.4 pounds

From Publishers Weekly
As a religiously adrift young adult in the 1960s, Pearcey found her way to the Swiss retreat, and the intellectually rigorous faith, of the Calvinist maverick Francis Schaeffer. This book continues the Schaeffer-inspired project that Pearcey and Chuck Colson began in How Now Shall We Live?—awakening evangelical Christians to the need for a Christian "worldview," which Pearcey defines as "a biblically informed perspective on all reality." Pearcey gives credibly argued perspectives on everything from Rousseau's rebellion against the Enlightenment, to the roots of feminism, to the spiritual poverty of celebrity-driven Christianity. She also provides a layperson's guide to the history of America's anti-intellectual strain of evangelicalism. Unfortunately for the book's chance at a wide audience, several chapters are devoted to a critique of Darwinism and defense of Intelligent Design—with no substantive engagement with the many thoughtful Christians (John Polkinghorne, Ken Miller, Nancey Murphy, etc.) who dissent from Intelligent Design's scientific and philosophical program. Still, Pearcey deftly applies Schaeffer's core insight that modernity has been built on a "two-story" view of reality—with "facts" on the ground floor and "values" up in the air. Her critique of this view is compelling, and her final chapters, which begin to sketch an integrated Christian way of living and thinking, are exceptional. This is the rare long book that leaves one wanting to read more.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Review
A vitally important work for the church today . . . Pearcey explains the secular/sacred dichotomy that continues to permeate society. -- Sarah Flashing, The Foundation for Women of Faith in Culture, February 22, 2005

An outstanding writer. If you buy only one book this year, this would be at the top of the list. -- Charles Dunahoo, Christian Education and Publications, November 2004

Brilliant analysis and perspective, designed to . . . equip evangelicals apologetically. -- Catez Stevens, Allthings2all, April 12, 2005

magnificent . . . Pearcey’s worldview guide [is] getting rave reviews from many sources. We highly recommend it. -- Byron Borger, Hearts & Minds, January 5, 2005

Pearcey advances well beyond Schaeffer, both in the maturity of her thought and in her original work. -- Bill Wichterman, Townhall.com

Pearcey argues passionately. . . . [she] can help Christians develop a more consistent orientation to all of life with a Christian worldview. -- Jim Skillen, Public Justice Report, 2nd quarter, 2005

Probably the most significant book of 2004. I pray its influence and impact will be felt for decades. -- Ray Bohlin, Probe Ministries, February 2005

Total Truth is probably the most significant book of 2004 its influence and impact will be felt for decades. -- Probe Ministries, February 2005

Very well written and spiced with anecdotes. Would that every Christian pastor and youth group leader read this book. -- Angus Menuge, Touchstone, December 2004

Viewed by many as the Francis Schaeffer of her generation . . . essential reading for all serious-thinking Christians. -- Adrian Warnock, UK Evangelical Blog, February 2005 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity (Hardcover) Nancy Pearcey's Total Truth explains the essence of Christian worldview. While many scholars, including Francis Schaeffer, have extensively discoursed on worldviews, Pearcey communicates these lofty thoughts in an understandable manner. Total Truth is a must read. Using a plethora of external sources, Pearcey dissects the philosophy of modern society. She starts with the fact/value split in society, showing how our society constrains religion to the relativistic values realm while society deems science the only realm that universal absolutes can exist. Our society allows for religion and its moral implications provided that the religious do not impose their morality on others as universally valid. We have created a sacred/secular dichotomy that restricts Christianity to the realm of religious truth. Christianity must be viewed as ultimate Truth that pervades every part of our life. She delves deeper into the meaning of worldview. She explains, "[E]ach of us carries a model of the universe inside our heads that tells us what the world is like and how we should live in it. We all seek to make sense of life. Some convictions are conscious, while others are unconscious, but together they form a more or less consistent picture of reality." In essence, a worldview answers the question, "Why does reality exist?" Pearcey also tackles the most pervasive worldview in society, philosophical naturalism, which is an extension of atheism. After explicating the biological impossibility of evolution, she explores the philosophical implications of naturalism. From a naturalistic standpoint, the chemical processes in our minds should not reflect the order of the universe. For example, math, which is a conjuring of the human mind, should not function in nature. Naturalism has no rational explanation for reason or logic. Pearcey also notes, "[E]thics depends on the reality of something that materialistic science has declared to be unreal." After eliminating other worldviews as antithetical to reality, Pearcey traces the roots of Christianity, identifying the fact/value split in even the Great Awakening. She concludes with a call to Christians: we must "liberate Christianity from its cultural captivity," because Christianity is a worldview, not just a religion. A necessary for every Christian, philosopher, and inquisitive mind, Total Truth should be on every bookshelf.