Francis Schaeffer: The Last Great Modern Theologian

Next Wave ^ | December, 1999 | David Hopkins

[jude24]

I acquired a taste for Schaeffer's writings about two summers ago. Ironically, it was because of a Christian ska band that I liked that credited him as one of their sources.

He really does a good job explaining the broad sweep of philosophy from Ancient Greek to the current post-modernists.

Personally, I'd consider him the second-best apologist I've ever read. The best apolgist I've ever read has to be C.S. Lewis. Even athiests have to admit that Mere Christianity is irrefutable. (I've heard one of the leading atheists from the Center from Inquiry admit that here at UB.) Other good ones are Cornelius Van Til (but he's pretty dry reading -- my pchem textbook is easier reading), Lee Strobel (innovative approach -- interviews with experts in their particular fields), Ravi Zacharias (he can popularize Christian philosophy like no-one can), and Josh McDowell (if you want to know the proponderance of evidence for Christianity, he's your man.)

[jude24]

Agreed .........but a faulty theology can damn:>)

Some can, some really don't matter worth a hill of beans.

We as Christians really need to learn what's important and whats not. A lot of our theological squabbles aren't. Though some certainly are.

[RnMomof7]

agreed...but the important thing is to know what IS important and what is not..

No one will go to hell based on the differences in Arminian/Calvinists .but for sure a denial of the trinity or the finished work of the cross damns..

[jude24]

No one will go to hell based on the differences in Arminian/Calvinists .but for sure a denial of the trinity or the finished work of the cross damns..

Agreed.

[P-Marlowe]

We are commanded to do the work of an evangelist:

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

I don't see any commandment to do the work of a theologian.

[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!

[RnMomof7]

Got me..but do we agree that proper theology is important? Much of what we call theology today was developed as apologitic answers to error

[P-Marlowe]

Got me..

Not really. You just should have responded with this:

Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine

You're slipping mom. I expect better of you. :-)

[RnMomof7]

LOL..got me again:>)

[unspun]

Is this thread still functional? (If so, hi, RN! ;-)

[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.

[unspun]

Thank you for linking these two threads. Interesting. I appreciate an interest in being true to the New Testament Church (being as true as possible to its Head). I don't see how that is accomplished through grasping any particular tradition, as it presents itself subsequent to those fresh years. I think it best to gain as much as one truly can from the Scriptures, the Logos they describe, the Holy Breath that conveys the Good News, and our Father whom Word and Spirit relate -- abide therein and obediently, creatively apply, here and now.

[don-o]

(I highly reccommend this book by John and Frank.)

Frank Schaeffer, who converted to Orthodoxy, (I believe after his father's death,) tells a story. Francis was in a Catholic hospital in Philadelphia and there was a Crucifix on the wall. He was asked if he wanted it removed. He said to leave it.

Don't know the signifigance of that, but I believe I have heard that Frank says that he believes that had his Father lived, he would have become Orthodox also.

Which resonates with me, because he was a disciplined thinker and well able to analyze and debunk the illogic of postmodern thought. No, he was not a "theologian" in the Protestant definition. But, I think Frank is saying that his intellectual honesty would have lead him to Orthodoxy

But, IMHO, he was tending to theology in the tradition of Orthodox Christianity, which involves learning the truth by direct experience rather than avademic methodology.

fwiw

[RnMomof7]

I am in agreement regarding both FS and Ravi, but I have great respect also for R.C.Sproul. Although not a "theologian" per say, Alvin Plantinga is at the top of the heap of philosophers, but Christian and non-Christian.

I too am a HUGE fan of Sproul and did not want him left out. He is a man that teaches theological concepts in a way that a layman can understand.

For anyone looking for a good read "The Holiness of God" is worth your time.

[RnMomof7]

nteresting 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.

And do not forget the humor threads , and the Nascar threads, MTV awards etc

[Destro]

http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ102.HTM

When I walk into an Orthodox Church . . . one is immediately aware that one has stepped into the presence of what St. Paul would call the whole family in heaven and earth. You have stepped into the precincts of heaven! . . . I love the Orthodox Church's spirit. I think the Orthodox Church many, many centuries ago, discovered a mode of music and worship which is timeless, which is quite apart from fashion, and which somehow answers to the mystery and the solemnity and the sacramental reality of the liturgy.

{"A Conversation With Thomas Howard and Frank Schaeffer," The Christian Activist, vol. 9, Fall/Winter 1996, p. 43}

[don-o]

Scaheffer and Howard

[betty boop]

"Orthodox tried to stick with their liturgy, not change to fit the fashions of the day," Schaeffer said. "Orthodoxy has not tried to keep up with every passing fashion and make itself 'relevant.' It is much more relevant because it doesn't change."

How can Truth "change?" Thank you for the ping, Destro!

[RnMomof7]

Actually I don't like to categorize myself in theologies inasmuch as when it comes down to brass tacks it is not a systematic theology that saves us, it is Christ alone

Marlowe without a systematic base ..... that is building from scripture on scripture and precept on precept what happens is error. It is like faulty logic .

bobby has a short hair cut
boys have short haircuts
therefore bobby is a boy

Unless one starts at the beginning and builds their knowledge of God scripture on scripture, testing the truth by scripture explaining scripture then we can come up with any number of the heresies that have grown over the generations,

So is systematic theology necessary for salvation NO, but it does clarify and define our faith so that the nature and work of God is correct and biblical .

There are many Jesus's only one saves. If your faith is in any other Christ no amount of "faith " saves

[P-Marlowe]

I posted that nearly two years ago Mom. Why are you just now responding to it?

What compelled you to respond to it today? The last post to that thread was 9/3/03.

Would you like me to respond to some of your "old" posts? :-)