IVP Classics: The Mark of the Christian, 2nd Edition
Overview
"It is possible to be a Christian without showing the mark, but if we expect non-Christians to know that we are Christians, we must show the mark." Christians have not always presented an inviting picture to the world. Too often we have failed to show the beauty of authentic Christian love. And the world has disregarded Christianity as a result. In our era of global violence and sectarian intolerance, the church needs to hear anew the challenge of this book. Decades ago Francis Schaeffer exhorted, "Love--and the unity it attests to--is the mark Christ gave Christians to wear before the world. Only with this mark may the world know that Christians are indeed Christians and that Jesus was sent by the Father." More than ever, the church needs to respond compassionately to a needy world. More than ever, we need to show the Mark.
The file for this resource is currently an EPUB. When it ships, it will be a Logos edition.
- Title: IVP Classics: The Mark of the Christian, 2nd Edition
- Author: Francis Schaeffer
- Publisher: InterVarsity Press
- Print Publication Date: 2018
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subject: Textbooks
- ISBNs: 9780830895366, 9780830834075, 9780877844341, 0830895361, 0830834079, 0877844348
- Resource ID: LLS:WS_D5F1599E75244D5EB621AD7E919C6F53
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T04:24:37Z
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
12/1/2023
Ya, again, every time I read anything by Schaeffer, this written in 1970, the more I proclaim him a prophet - in both declaring God's Word and being an onlooker on what the future (our present) needs. It's always a loving, kick in the pants too. That's why I read theology! Schaeffer takes the words of Jesus in John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" and runs with it. Schaeffer systematizes all the different details to see here. He looks at being accused by the world by not being loving in a proper way that we are called by God to be loving, by telling what is true on the basis of God's revelation. Then he covers when the world calls us unloving because we are unloving - unloving towards others and especially unloving towards other believers. Schaeffer's very striking point he terms "The Final Apologetic" warns Christians that being truly unloving and having the world see it undermines Christ work so much it would be valid to have the unbelieving world declare "God did not send Jesus Christ into the world as an atonement". Schaeffer is not being harsh, he's being challenging. And when he is challenging, he also shows the other avenues of this passage. The believe will fail and with failure we are able to be forgiven and then go and ask for forgiveness - that too is showing love for others and other believers. Then believers are also called to be forgiving of others especially those seeking forgiveness. He provides a very challenging story of post-WWII Germany of believers on both sides of the line and a truly beautiful story about the redemption Christ provides the world after a monstrosity of hatred and death experienced there. There are so many other points that it would just be the book here instead of the review. So, Christian, go pick this up and be challenged especially with how you respond to others on places like Twitter and especially how you are called to love other believers. Final Grade - A+