[unspun]

Francis Schaeffer is widely regarded as the first notable person to explain our current relational, philosophical, cultural, and political conditions, as they were developing (or "fragmenting," as the case may be).

I though I'd pass along this little introduction. I've extracted the entire article, though I encourage going to the source, checking out the links, and books.

[unspun]

ping

[anniegetyourgun]

F.S. was amazing...but the last? I'm not convinced, especially in light of this scholar, teacher, apologist, author, pastor, theologian....and all around great guy!

[nicmarlo]

Thanks for the ping. Although I have not finished reading How Should We Then Live?, I'm hoping, one day, to get around to doing that......I've found myself drawn to C. S. Lewis, of late; am currently reading Mere Christianity, after having recently read The Problem of Pain. Of course, I must fit in FR and other political readings, as well. So much to read, and so little time! : )

[hoosierskypilot]

My favorite book of the esteemed author/philosopher is How Should We Then Live? Absolutely relevant to our time.

[Cicero]

If we are talking about great modern theologians, I don't see how you can leave out Hans Urs von Balthasar.

[slimer]

Thanks for posting this. I am a big fan of Francis Schaeffer.

[jude24]

"It is important to show forth beauty before a lost world and a lost generation. All too often, people have not been wrong in saying the church is ugly. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called upon to show a watching world -- our own children -- that the church is something beautiful." -- Francis Schaeffer

[viaveritasvita]

Thank you so much for the article about Dr. Schaeffer! He is one of the very best of the deep Christian thinkers. I know Chuck Colson is not a theologian, but his book titled "How Now Shall We Live?" is excellent -- Colson gives much credit to Dr. Schaeffer for his work (with Nancy Pearcey).

Schaeffer had the most wonderful way of imparting theology in the most loving manner; he got me thinking with a discussion of the balance between love and holiness (where I tend to balance between love and justice).

Thanks for the links, too.

[P-Marlowe]

What exactly is Francis Schaeffer's Theology anyway?

And which is more important, the work of a theologian or the work of an evangelist?

[betty boop]

Thanks for the ping, unspun! I highly recommend Schaeffer's Trilogy. It is a simply outstanding work.

[Darlin']

I'm not familiar with Mr Schaeffer's writings but I'd like to know more and will look for his books in our church library. Thanks for the ping.

[don-o]

Gotta bump so I can find it later.

Shaeffer was an important influence to me.

[unspun]

Interesting that this thread gets side-tracked to "Religion," when posts such as this: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/836099/posts thrive in "News/Activism." To me, understanding such things as the subject of this thread is pivotal to understanding the American republic.

Not a criticism though, an observation! I understand the obvious reason for diverting this thread is that Francis Schaeffer is labeled a "theologian," while a republican theorist writing about government per se (or a typical libertarian theorist, who believes the concept of discipleship irrelevant to the social contract) are labeled "political philosophers."

"Separation of Church and State" meets FR then, eh? Tempts me to wish that Thomas J. had never written back to the Danbury Baptists.

Pinging a few FR philosophy guru's ;-) for any comments.

Thanks for your good work, servants of the server!

[aardvark1]

FS is one of my all time favorites and his writings were instrumental in my transitions from Arminianism to Calvinism, baptistic to presbyterian, and dispensational to covenantal. I own many of his books and reread them regularly.

Having said all that, I have to say that I think FS's one huge professional flaw is that he tended not to credit his sources. Although he broke somewhat with Van Til's apologetical method, he still owed much of his approach to him. Also, much of his critique of culture came from RJ Rushdoony's teaching and writing, but rarely if ever a mention of these.

[RnMomof7]

I finally had time to devote to reading this. I have heard of Schaffer , but I had no clue who he was..excellent read..

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thanks for the post and the ping. The reading of Francis Schaeffer's books were part of God's work in my life. He answered my generation's questions about God with love and Holy logic. His L'Abri fellowships are a model of what every church that understands the questions being asked by the young (and the old) could do in loving acceptance of and openarmed ministry towards those who rebel and challenge the Truths of the Gospel. He would be the epitome of - I don't care about how much you know until I know about how much you care. My generation needed to know God is real - and God cares. Francis and Edith Schaeffer expressed both in L'Abri.

I have since given Francis Schaeffer's books to many many young people coming along today with the same questions I had way back then. They still are powerful and lifechanging. Thanks be to God for giving us Francis - and Edith - Schaeffer!

[Destro]

Author Frank Schaeffer to speak on his conversion to the Orthodox faith

Frank Schaeffer, son of the late renowned Christian theologian Francis Schaeffer, holds a photo of his son, John, a Marine.

[Gamecock]

Ping to a thread long forgotten....

[kalee]

ping

[P-Marlowe]

I don't think I would categorize Francis Schaeffer as a "Theologian". Schaeffer should more correctly be categorized as a Christian philosopher. I have read some Schaeffer books in the past and found them to be interesting and provocative, but I would not place his works in the category of Theology, at least not in the classical sense. His works were more centered on his own view of man and mankind as analyzed through the lens of scripture than man's view of God as revealed in the scripture.

The fact that his namesake has abandoned the protestant reformation theology in favor of returning to the social gospel of the Roman Catholic Church has made me curious as to exactly what Francis Schaeffer really believed and taught. I haven't read anything by Francis Schaeffer probably in the last 20 years. To be honest, I don't recall that anything I read was particularly profound. All I recall is that 20 or 30 years ago he was as hot as Tim LaHaye and everyone was buying up his books and acting like what he was saying was new and profound, but I don't recall anyone really being changed in any dramatic way by reading his books.

Personally I have been much more impressed by some books I have recently purchased from James McDonald. McDonald is not a Christian Philosopher. He just preaches the gospel in a way which makes me feel guilty as hell. I don't get all warm and fuzzy inside thinking that I am going to be able to change the world. I realize instead how utterly worthless we are without God, and how far I am from the place that he wants me to be.