A Christian Manifesto: 25 Years Later
Our friends at Boundless are doing something awesome this week: They’re highlighting the 25 year anniversary of Francis Schaeffer’s book A Christian Manifesto. I’ll let Ted Slater (webzine editor) introduce the articles:
Francis Schaeffer was one of the most influential Christian thinkers of the 20th century. Christendom changed course because of his books, his talks, and the L’Abri community he founded.
I first read his work in college. The God Who Is There, Escape From Reason, and He Is There And He Is Not Silent powerfully affected me, providing me a framework for understanding modern philosophy and culture and art. His A Christian Manifesto went on to provoke me — along with perhaps millions of others — to engage their culture with truth and compassion.
I heard him speak at Wheaton College shortly before his death in 1984. Sitting in a chair at center stage, Schaeffer challenged me to think deeply, to consider the weight of ideas, to honor God by wrestling with ideas Christianly and by responding through loving and active social engagement.
Twenty-five years ago he presented ideas from his then-recently-published A Christian Manifesto at Coral Ridge Ministries in Ft. Lauderdale. Twenty-five years later, though the externals of clothing and hair and scenery have become passé, his message remains starkly relevant. The quarter-century anniversary of that message serves as the impetus for this week’s lineup.
Let me encourage you to start with “A Christian Manifesto,” an excerpt from his talk (which is available on DVD). That’ll serve as a refresher for those of you who haven’t read Schaeffer in a while, and as a primer to those just being introduced to his work.
Then spend some time with “A Call to Evangelical Social Engagement,” a hot-off-the-presses article by a seminary president examining how the world has been affected by the message of A Christian Manifesto.
Finally, take a look at “Schaeffer’s Manifesto: A Revolution Realized,” a personal account by an executive vice president of Exodus International of how Manifesto has changed his life.
It’s a challenging lineup. Some of the concepts are difficult. So let me suggest you use the “EASY PRINT” feature at the top right of each article — simply click on that link and print off the article for later study. Consider sharing this series with your friends or church group leaders. The message unpacked in this week’s virtual issue of Boundless is certain to spark some engaging conversations.
After you read the articles, come back here and share your thoughts. 1.) How have Schaeffer’s ideas and work affected you? 2.) Were you familiar with him before now? 3.) If not, what did you think? Happy reading. God bless you all!
October 5th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Hmm… I don’t have much time now, but I’ll respond to the questions more in-depthly later…
How sad it must be for those who think that humans and humanity are the measure for everything. That mindset really makes life seem so empty… no eternity, no real purpose for living.
October 5th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I am a bit short on time, but I will say this in regards to “A Call to Evangelical Social Engagement”:
It’s really inspiring to know that God used Francis Schaeffer’s life to spur other Christians into action like that! How wonderful for Mr. Schaeffer to know that God has used him as such a wonderful tool for His kingdom!
In His service,
~Kirsten A. Gruber
October 5th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
That was a very encouraging book. Sometimes I’m tempted to just run and hide because of how bad things are getting, but I often remember him saying in THE CHRISTIAN MANIFESTO that it is our DUTY as Christians to take a stand. Gov’t can’t reform people, but the transforming message of the gospel is powerful.
Schaeffer has been a huge influence in my life. HOW SHALL WE THEN LIVE is a great overview of how humanism has made its way through each era, and how a nations art reflects those values. He put many things in perspective for me. He truly was a prophet for his time.
And I love the philosophy behind the L’Abri Foundation! So many people need a setting like that where they can work together, share their lives, overcome difficulties, and respect one another enough to have honest dialog about scripture and a forum where one can freely search for truth. That’s so awesome!
October 6th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Thank you for post it!! I love to read the books of Francis schaeffer, his boooks are a great blessing to me!
Thanks
For His Glory.
October 6th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
1) Francis Schaeffer’s work has indelibly altered my thinking- about history, society, the arts, the rationality of our beliefs, and the way I ought to approach each day of the culture war we are fighting. I have always enjoyed a logical discussion, and been fascinated by the impact of philosophy on all other aspects of life, but it was reading Schaeffer that molded my thinking on these areas. I would recommend How Then Shall We Live as the most important (non-Scriptural) reading for a committed Christian. We must all understand the historical and philosophical train of events (and its expression in the arts) in order to most effectively see to the heart of the culture and engage in the battle with a clear vision and true compassion.
2) I was already familiar (if that wasn’t quite apparent) with Schaeffer’s work. I started reading him about three years ago, but received a great deal of excellent teaching from an elder who had been influenced by him- I didn’t know how much until I started recognizing ideas left and right. I have read: The God Who is There, He is There and He Is Not Silent, Genesis in Space and Time, and How Then Shall We Live (In addition to a few books by Edith Schaeffer). A Christian Manifesto has just jumped to the top of my reading list!
Thanks so much for those links… I’m really glad you brought Schaeffer up.
Jessie C.
October 6th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I am sorry to admit that up until now, I have never read any of Mr. Schaeffer’s writings. Wow! What a man of God! He has so many valid arguments and points…and they still are 25 years later. Christians haven’t been doing much to take back this nation for Christ. It starts in the heart, yes, but I believe we all have a duty to get involved politcally and socially as well. We have strayed from the Founding Fathers; The United States is not what it set out to be. Now, with the abortion rates sky high, the bill in the UN that would place children over parents, pornography and homosexuality invading our culture…all of it needs to go. By God’s grace and strength, we should get out from behind the shadows and work on bringing God back into our public buildings!
October 6th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Schaeffer is definitely my favorite author. I started reading his trilogy about a year and a half ago and it profoundly changed my life and helped solidify my faith. I have also read a work written by his son called “Addicted to Mediocrity” which I also recommend. Right now I am in the middle of reading Francis Schaeffer’s “True Spirituality.”
Francis Schaeffer inspires and challenges me. He had such wise insights into our culture and how to engage it for the cause of Christ. He was definitely before his time. He understood where our philosophical thought back in his day would lead and literally predicted where we are today in that area.
October 7th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Unfortunately, I have not yet read any of Schaeffer’s books… However, that’s not to say that I haven’t heard about him– I certainly have. Two of my friends are, (or maybe I should say were,) in the process of reading ‘How Shall We Then Live.’ One of them told me how incredible the book was, and how it revealed to them the truth about humanism in a rather unique way… I suppose you posting this article was a reminder to read Schaeffer’s works myself.
I read the articles, (’A Christian Manifesto,’ ‘A Call to Evangelical Social Engagement,’ etc.) and thoroughly enjoyed them. I have been writing an essay on the destructive nature of humanism, (and atheism, the extreme form of this ‘intellectual movement’ as one dictionary put it,) and they only confirmed what I have learned…
…As much as I love delving into, and studying these issues, there are moments when I feel like I’ve jumped into deep water when I can’t even swim! …
October 7th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
It was reading Francis Schaeffer a few years ago that got me started in reading Christian books. In fact, I think before I had read “The God Who is There”, I had read only a dozen or so books about the Christian faith. My dad had a huge library of Christian books, but I had always considered them boring and dull and only for people like my dad who were interested in ‘that sort of thing’. But one day, for some strange reason, I picked up “The God Who is There” and it was as if a light came on. After that I went on to read, “Escape from Reason”, “He is There and He is Not Silent” and “Back to Freedom and Dignity.” I can’t remember much of any of those books, but it started a real hunger in me for understanding more about Christianity that resulted in me picking up a book by John Bunyan…which resulted me in picking up another and another. And as it was only after I discovered the Puritans that I actually came to trust Christ, I owe a great deal to Schaeffer’s works.
I think that what started it all was Schaeffer’s insistence that Christianity was not only reasonable but could and should impact every single aspect of life. I had never thought of seeing every part of life under the lordship of Christ. I saw how truncated my own view of Christianity was and I wanted to know how I could get what Schaeffer had. I wanted to know for myself the great passion and joy that showed forth when he spoke of the Personal God who was there.
So, whoever you are, read Schaeffer! Which reminds me I should probably return to those books again myself, now that I can actually see for myself the God who he’s talking about…
(By the way, our family recently purchased the documentary video series called “How Shall We Then Live.” It may be a good starting point for those who don’t feel like delving into a thick book just yet. Though I warn you, it is rather antiquated in presentation. But the content is timeless.)
October 8th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Schaeffer is one of my favorite “great minds” of the 20th century. The Christian Manifesto impacted me like few other books (save those by CS Lewis) have come close to. My favorite aspect of the book was an explanation of force and authority, making a distinction between the two. To say that the distinction ought to be made is a grave understatement.
Schaeffer’s impact will be felt for generations to come.
October 9th, 2007 at 8:19 am
My personal favorite of the three articles was probably “Shaeffer’s Manifesto: A Revolution Realized”. It was so wonderful to hear about Randy Thomas’ testimony.
I think I have read a portion of his book, but I havent read the entire thing. I will have to read them soon… those articles are very thought-provoking.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Thank you Elisabeth! I really enjoyed writing the article. Please, do read the whole book. It’s good stuff and while it is deeply thought provoking, it’s straightforward and easy to read. I read it the first time on a flight that was just a little over two hours long.
October 9th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
That’s cool that they did that!
October 17th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Not that anybody’s entirely interested, but I’ll still post because I wish to express my excitement… My friend let me borrow the book! I’m thrilled to start reading it!
Okay. That’s all.
God bless.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Well, I’m two weeks late for the anniversary. It’s been 6 months since I last visited the Rebelution website, and I have missed it. I just want to say that F. Shaefer (other than Lilias Trotter) has made the biggest spiritual impact as an author on my life. I want to encourage every student who is a part of the rebelution to read at least one of his writings. (Though I dare you to read one and not feel compelled to read them all!)
October 29th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Ah, Francis Schaeffer! I definitely know of him because of the school I go to (we have watched many of his movies on art and philosophy in class). He is definitely a good influence on my life and throughout highschool, I’ve really been able to better understand the concepts he teaches (nature vs. grace, ideals vs. particulars, etc.). I’m stuck in the middle of Escape from Reason, but I will finish it! Haha. Well, I have to go do homework now…soon…=).
November 10th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
1) I have only read one book, L’abri, by his wife, Edith Schaeffer, which was extremely inspiring. It also demonstrated what fervent prayer can accomplish. 2) yes! In the 70s, my daddy wandered around Europe trying to find a meaning in life. He eventually ended up at L’abri, where he stayed for a few (I forgot how many exactly) months. He later got saved and ever since our whole family has been aware of and deeply respects the ministry he had. My dad has read many of his books.
P.S Did you say your birthdays were on October 28th? That’s my birthday, too.
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
We were introduced to Francis Schaeffer when we were twelve, when a close friend of our family gave us “How Should We Then Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture.” It has possibly inspired us more than any other book in both our studies of Christian history and of presuppositional apologetics. It was the first time we had read an author present presuppositional thought in such depth and with such import and passion. We were deeply impressed, and from the moment we read the first chapter we began to more seriously consider the perspective from which we lived every aspect of our lives in view of our presuppositions. We sought to identify more of our presuppositions and conform them more closely to the Word of God. We both began reading Greg Bahnsen’s “By This Standard” soon afterward because our hearts were eager to learn to better defend the faith presuppositionally, and to learn the rich history of dominion in Christendom. In terms of our Christian walk as well as our interest in history and apologetics, Schaeffer remains one of our greatest influences. We are very thankful for his insight concerning society, which in our opinion is only equaled by the likes of R.J. Rushdoony, Gary North, and Joel Schlossberg, and through which we believe God gave us hearts for our culture.