Words Written to Friends
selections from the letters of Francis Schaeffer
Posted on 04/11/2005 7:28:38 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
Words Written to Friends
selections from the letters of Francis Schaeffer
Letter Eight
Being Angry at God
In the midst of a fallen world things are abnormal; they have been changed from that which God made them originally. Christ could be angry at the tomb of Lazarus as He faced the abnormality of death; and we have a right to be angry too. But to be angry at God is both silly and blasphemous. One cannot have the Christian answer that men are really significant in history and then expect God to eradicate every wrong result from that significance while allowing the good aspects of that significance to still operate. If man can influence history, he can influence it for evil and cruelty, as well as for good and noncruelty...
August 28, 1969
1861 Huemoz sur Ollon, Switzerland
Widely recognized as one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer was the founder of the L'Abri Fellowship, an international study center and Christian community with branches in Switzerland, England, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States. Through his work at L'Abri, Dr. Schaeffer came into personal contact with thousands of people searching for truth and reality in their lives. Before his death in 1984 he lectured frequently in the leading universities in the United States and abroad on the relevance of Christian thought. Author of twenty-three books, Dr. Schaeffer was a dedicated writer of letters, corresponding with many of the thousands of individuals his life and teaching had impacted. This brief compilation gathers excerpts from a few of these letters, offering an intimate view of a passionate Christian communicator and mind.
The unique contribution of Dr. Francis Schaeffer on a whole generation was the ability to communicate the truth of historic Biblical Christianity in a way that combined intellectual integrity with practical, loving care. This grew out of his extensive understanding of the Bible from a deep commitment to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and a critical study of the world of man. These two pillars supported his inquisitive and analytical mind on the solid reality of the truth of God's creation and of his revelation. He understood the roots of modern thinking in its rejection of reality and rationality and pointed out the logical conclusions in a wide range of disciplines and in society.
Dr. Schaeffer understood that what a person believes will influence the way he acts in history and individual situations. There is a relationship between a person's view of truth and life, between philosophy and practice, between faulty ideas and foolish choices. Dr. Schaeffer discussed the truth of reality with anyone in many settings. This in turn brought students, professionals, scholars and others from around the world to his home to learn from his insights. They returned with them to their own world and applied them to their circle of life amd work. The ideas continue to bear fruit and to stimulate discussions and discoveries through more than 25 books, several films, taped seminars and lectures at leading universities in Europe, the US and abroard. The result has been a profound and enduring impact upon many thousands, who have themselves gone to make their own mark in history.
The central thrust of Dr. Schaeffer's teaching is that Biblical Christianity is the truth about the real world. The only reason to be a Christian is an acknowledgement of what is objectively true about human beings, the real world and the basic human predicaments. The Bible is true in all that it affirms. This emphasis is not so much the summary of academic instructions or doctrinal positions. It is the result of a searching mind, of being exposed to human history, the European culture and art, and of in-depth discussions with knowledgeable people for a life time of study, observation and work.
With the Bible as his base and a profound interest in human beings, Dr. Schaeffer's insights were developed through the experience of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the study of Florentine society and art, in lectures followed by tough discussions at modern Cambridge, in rude exposure to the slums of Bombaay and in probing questions of people from a great variety of backgrounds, in abortion protests, in response to life in the wider arena of human need and pervasive intellectual confusion in our world.
- Udo W. Middelmann
President - The Francis A. Schaeffer Foundation
Fortunately, instead of having to type book excerpts by hand, I discovered a website that has reprinted seventeen of the letters from his book. Earthly duties permitting, I plan to post one each day and hope that each of you will benefit from a brief glimpse into the mind and heart of Francis A. Schaeffer.
Please let me know if you would like to be included on a ping list to these threads.
Francis A. Schaeffer ping
There were many times in my life when I use to be angry with God until I came to the full realization that God was completely sovereign over my life and that in everything that happens, He causes it to happen for my good. That is a comforting thought.
Hey man,
can I be on your ping list?
how do you rate Harley LOL?
Not to start a flame war - but everything He causes to happen is not for your good, rather, because it suits His plan and glorifies Him
Now if you are in communion with God - then what happens to you will glorify the Kingdom because your faith is an example
But I think you need to be cautious in saying "He causes it to happen for my good"
St. Steven - and a few other Martyrs might disagree IMO
Why?
Done!
no thanks - not today ksen - have a great day
Please add me to your ping list -- I'm a great admirer of the Schaeffers.
I can't disagree with the latter half of your statement, but I'm afraid you're at odds with the Apostle Paul on the former half....
| And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28 |
Have added you to the pinglist as well!
8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived [again]: 9 I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they art not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Perhaps you have a misguided definition of good, FRiend?
It should be every Christian’s desire to bring glory to God and why not? God is perfect love, joy, peace, etc. Why would we not wish to honor God and why would God not want these traits to be honor? Just because they relate to Him and this is part of His Plan is not self-serving-only righteous because He is righteous. (Please see God's Delight is Our Reward by Kelly Liebengood )
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
God wants us to glorify Him and He helps us to do that through His Holy Spirit. God is in total control of our lives. Everything for good and for ill is meant for our growth and edification so that we may let our lights so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.
- y'all ignore Matthew though
Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous
God wants us to glorify Him and He helps us to do that through His Holy Spirit. God is in total control of our lives. Everything for good and for ill is meant for our growth and edification so that we may let our lights so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.
Thats great, and I can agree with this - but its not what you stated initially
I use to be angry with God until I came to the full realization that God was completely sovereign over my life and that in everything that happens, He causes it to happen for my good.
To which Im pointing out that "rain" in this sense - is not always good
maybe we need to quantify the meaning of "good" with regards to spiritual good or physical good, or is that putting too fine a point on it.
either way - have a great day
Actually, what "we" need to do is to stay on topic.
The topic of this thread is Francis Schaeffer's personal letter, dated August 28, 1969, on "Being Angry at God". If you have something edifying to post, I'm sure we would love to read it. Otherwise, I would ask that you be a man of your word, leave the thread so that others can post their thoughts without criticism, and not attempt to start another flamewar yourself.
sure no problem alex - It wasnt actually criticism - rather a discussion on Harleys "me" centered comment that God causes everything in Harleys life, for "good" - when clearly Matt tells us otherwise -
You guys still believe in a soveriegn God right?
In keeping with your wishes - the subject is dropped
You can't have tulips without a little rain. ;O)
I hate to rain on your parade but the sense in which rain is used is this verse is a good rain. In context, God sends what is needed, both sun and rain, to both the wicked and righteous, and Jesus uses this as an example of how the righteous should treat their enemies, just like God treats his enemies, with goodness.
No need to falsely dichotomize in some gnostic sense between the spiritual and the physical. Perhaps you meant to dichotomize between the temporal and the eternal?
nice - keep your day job LOL
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