Francis Schaeffer wrote "How Should We Then Live," to approach the topic of Western civilization. Throughout his book, Schaeffer points out the highs and lows of Western civilization. In Francis Schaeffer's first chapter, he focuses on ancient Rome. Schaeffer introduces his readers to the civilization of Rome, which allows readers to see what the Roman people were all about. He states that "a culture or an individual with a weak base can stand only when the pressure on it is not too great." (Schaeffer, 23) His statement regarding the rise and fall of a person or culture is significant because it accurately represents the Roman culture. The Roman culture faced its decline due to inward problems surrounding military and political power. Their
