Schaeffer on the Christian Life: Countercultural Spirituality (Theologians on the Christian Life)
Overview
Francis Schaeffer was one of the most influential apologists of the twentieth century. Through his speaking, writing, and filmmaking, Schaeffer successfully transformed the way people thought of the Christian faith, from a rather private kind of piety to a worldview that addresses every sphere of life. This volume—written by a man converted from agnosticism within days of meeting Schaeffer—is the first book devoted to exploring the heart and soul of Schaeffer’s approach to the Christian life, and will help readers strive after the same kind of marriage of thought and life, of orthodoxy and love.
Save more when you purchase this book as part of the Theologians on the Christian Life collection.
- Critically analyzes, quotes, and applies these four major Christian influences
- Questions what the Christian life is supposed to look like
- Challenges readers to live their convictions
Top Highlights
“At this point Fran decided that two strategies were open to them. The one was to contact all the authorities they could, telegram their senator, and so forth. The other was to kneel down and pray, and see what the heavenly Father would do. They chose to pray. During their prayers it occurred to Fran that they ought to contact at least one of their Protestant Swiss friends about this, so as to stave off rumors.” (Page 57)
“Finally, if Christians are to meet the challenges of the day, they must acknowledge ‘two contents and two realities.’65 This is Schaeffer’s creative way of stressing the need for solid doctrine along with solid practice. The first ‘content’ is sound doctrine. The second is honest answers to honest questions.” (Page 94)
“Schaeffer was not interested in doing formal systematic theology. To be sure, he was doctrinally aware and stood within the contours of the Reformed faith. And yet he was always fresh. Most often, he set forth doctrines in a way that expressed apologetic and pastoral concerns.” (Page 88)
“What are the characteristics of revolutionary Christianity? First, it needs to be hot.” (Page 172)
“Death is the result of the fall. And death means separation: first, between human beings and God; second, between parts of the self and other parts of the self (a sort of spiritual schizophrenia); third, between one human being and another; fourth, between mankind and the world (which man was meant to govern but which now swallows up humanity). Everything is now abnormal.32 Humanity does not lose its imago, but struggles with all the tasks originally assigned.” (Page 89)
Friendly, passionate, intellectual, and constantly engaged with people as well as ideas and contemporary affairs, Francis Schaeffer comes alive in Edgar’s objective but affectionate portrait. Rescued from the distortions of both lionisers and demonizers, here is ‘FAS’ as so many of us knew him in the great years of L’Abri—and with so much to contribute to our world today.
—Os Guinness, cofounder, The Trinity Forum
This book by Dr. Edgar on countercultural spirituality is much needed as a trustworthy guide in the dark confusion of the postmodern world.
—Wim Rietkerk, Chairman, L’Abri Fellowship International Board of Trustees
An engaging, fascinating account, seasoned with unusual insight into one of the truly original apologists of our time.
—David F. Wells, Distinguished Senior Research Professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
- Title: Schaeffer on the Christian Life: Countercultural Spirituality
- Author: William Edgar
- Series: Theologians on the Christian Life
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2013
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 208
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Schaeffer, Francis A. (Francis August); Evangelicalism; Christian life
- Resource ID: LLS:SCHFFRCHRSTNLF
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-06-08T17:04:54Z
