A Christian Manifesto
Overview
In this explosive book, Francis Schaeffer shows why morality and freedom have crumbled in our society. He calls for a massive movement-in government, law, and all of life-to reestablish our Judeo-Christian foundation and turn the tide of moral decadence and loss of freedom. A Christian Manifesto is literally a call for Christians to change the course of history-by returning to biblical Truth and by allowing Christ to be Lord in all of life.
Top Highlights
“In other words, God in His sheer power could have crushed Satan in his revolt by the use of that sufficient power. B” (Page 28)
“Humanitarianism is being kind and helpful to people, treating people humanly. The humanities are the studies of literature, art, music, etc.—those things which are the products of human creativity. Humanism is the placing of Man at the center of all things and making him the measure of all things.” (Page 23)
“This concept was the same as William Penn (1644–1718) had expressed earlier: ‘If we are not governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants.’ This consensus was as natural as breathing in the United States at that time.” (Page 34)
“True spirituality covers all of reality. There are things the Bible tells us as absolutes which are sinful—which do not conform to the character of God. But aside from these the Lordship of Christ covers all of life and all of life equally. It is not only that true spirituality covers all of life, but it covers all parts of the spectrum of life equally. In this sense there is nothing concerning reality that is not spiritual.” (Page 19)
“Think of this great flaming phrase: ‘certain inalienable rights.’ Who gives the rights? The state? Then they are not inalienable because the state can change them and take them away. Where do the rights come from? They understood that they were founding the country upon the concept that goes back into the Judeo-Christian thinking that there is Someone there who gave the inalienable rights. Another phrase also stood there: ‘In God we trust.’ With this there is no confusion of what they were talking about. They publicly recognized that law could be king because there was a Law Giver, a Person to give the inalienable rights.” (Pages 32–33)
- Title: A Christian Manifesto
- Author: Francis Schaeffer
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2005
- Logos Release Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Church renewal; Christianity › 20th century; Moral conditions; Christianity and politics
- ISBNs: 9781581346923, 1581346921, 9780891072331, 9781596444270, 0891072330, 1596444274
- Resource ID: LLS:CHRSTNMNFST
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T22:41:32Z
Francis Schaeffer (1912–1984) was an evangelical missionary. After studying at Hampden-Sydney College, Westminister Theological Seminary (where he studied under Cornelius Van Til), and Faith Theological Seminary, Schaeffer pastored churches in Pennsylvania and Missouri.
In 1948, Schaeffer moved to Switzerland and founded L’Abri, a community where people discuss philosophy and religion. Thousands of people have passed through L’Abri, and it has expanded into several other countries. Schaeffer held a presuppositional approach to apologetics which many believe heavily influenced the Christian Right movement in the United States.
He was the author of many books, including Escape from Reason and How Should We Then Live?, which have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Reviews
1 rating
Patrick
1/19/2022
This was my first taste of Schaeffer and I liked what I got pretty much. To be fair the book is a bit dated as it is commententing on 1982 political themes and situations. But the influx of humanism was starting to peak in the 1980s and we can see today the political climate and world view of the state and humanism from when it peaked. This was my first political book that started with a worldview assumption. The worldview here being of Christianity. Schaeffer makes his point for Christianity (of course) and the reason why humanism has no firm foundation. This book is a response to humanism and its manifestos over the last century. It's nice to see a political book stating that "by what system you interpret facts and what basic views you hold determine what decisions you make". My favorite part of the book was the part I've been thinking over for some time. As an American and libertarian (in political thought), Romans 13 has always been a struggle for me. The book is great on three chapters concerning this subject "The Limits of Civil Obedience", "The Use Of Civil Disobedience", and "The Use Of Force". The thrust is that Christians are called to obey the lawful ruling authority in as such time it tells us to violate what God's Word says. The latter chapters deal with degrees of resistance. It also ties in examples such as the Reformation and the Revolutionary War, among others. Schaeffer seems to have a good grasp on presuppositional arguementation and application of God's Word. My biggest flaw with this book is how little Scripture is used to support specific points. While there is some which are well used. There is more adherence to Samuel Rutherford's "Lex Red" which may indeed have more and he is pointing to that work for specifics. After all, this is a manifesto not an apology. Final Grade - B