ARTICLE: A GRACIOUS REPLY TO BARRY HANKINS THE MARK OF A SCHAEFFERITE

The debate still continues about Schaeffer with all of it's nuances. I often wonder if there is any Christian scholar more misunderstood or often misrepresented than Francis Schaeffer. Recently, I was reading a post by Barry Hankin's called "The Mark of a Schaefferite : The Lasting Legacy of Francis Schaeffer." Barry Hankins also wrote a book called "Francis Schaeffer and the Shaping of Evangelical America." One of the problems I am seeing as I read these "legacy" type articles is often that they seem to make certain assumptions about Schaeffer purely on the word of his son Franky. Someone who is obviously openly hostile and seems to have a chip on his shoulder in my opinion. Moreover, I venture that critics have not read much of Schaeffer themselves. I am not saying this is the case with Mr. Hankins, but I think that if a scholar reads enough, they just might change their mind.

Now barring any opinions floating about, one of the things that we have discovered about Schaeffer is that he documents why he writes things, one need merely read him in his own words to get the story. In fact he writes a concise little article called How I Have Come To Write My Books, which can be found in his booklet, Introduction to Francis Schaeffer, a study guide to a trilogy. Likewise, Edith Schaeffer is an invaluable resource for learning how the works came about. So I wonder if some authors are going off of their own presuppositions and not doing their homework. Yet then again, perhaps they have and they have just formed their own opinion.

Now as I was reading Barry Hankin's article, I was struck by the fact that it contained many of the prevailing matters I often hear debated. So I decided to reply. My point here is not so much to take exception with Mr. Hankins but to show that I believe there are some other alternatives to the opinions that are being formed and propagated about Schaeffer. I believe they are worth examining before making judgments or characterizations that could serve to distort Schaeffer's legacy, but perhaps that is too late.

While I think the article by Mr. Hankins tries to be favorable, the problem is that I believe there are indeed some historical inaccuracies here. So graciously and respectfully, I would like to point out what I believe are errors:

1. )  "The answer lies in Schaeffer’s having been a complex individual with a wacky son" says Hankins.

The image of Franky spurring on his father is a myth propagated by Franky. Rick Pearcy suggested to Franky to tell his father to do an historical reply to the prevailing historical revisionism being put forward (Kenneth Clark, and Jacob Bronowski to be exact), and this became How Should We Then Live. Franky never mentions this. If one researches How Should We Then Live (see Francis Schaeffer an Authentic Life by Colin Duriez) you will find that Schaeffer had hoped to do this all along and he had told Edith this. So Franky's suggestion only solidified it for him. I am not saying he had no part in influencing his father. I am saying that the picture of him being thrust into the situation and polluted by his son is simply false. See my article here:http://francisschaefferstudies.blogspot.com/2011/11/origins-of-how-should-we-then-live.html

2. ) "There, he found Europeans not much impressed with American fundamentalist heresy hunting. " says Hankins.

While this has some plausibility, it is really an oversimplification. The more pressing reasons for his resignation and the start of L'Abri were wrapped up in the denominational in-fighting of the time they were on furlough in the states and where he was teaching "True Spirituality." Much to his surprise, it was not always well received, many in his denomination mistakenly perceived it was politically motivated.

3. ) Hankins states that one of the goals of L'Abri was to "argue young people into the Kingdom of God."

This wording is a mistake as it could be taken to imply that Schaeffer was a Rationalist, and he was not. He simply believed that a persons faith corresponded to the real world.

4. ) Hankins states that He Is There And He Is Not Silent is one of "Schaeffer’s first three books." 

This may have been a mere editing oversight but, He Is There And He Is Not Silent is not Schaeffer's third book, Death In The City is his third book and "He is There..." was not published until 1972. See Schaeffer's "How I Have Come to Write My Books" where he talks about how  he wished that he had published it third, but he did not. It is however the third book in the trilogy.

5. )  "Schaeffer’s career took another dramatic turn in 1974 when his twenty-two year-old son Franky talked him into making their first film, Whatever Happened to the Human Race?"

The book that Franky urged Schaeffer to do first was How Should We Then Live? in 1976. As stated earlier, although he did urge him, the idea was suggested by Rick Pearcy. Whatever Happened to the Human Race? I believe was published in 1979 not 74.

6. ) "More important than the film itself was the shift in Schaeffer’s tone."

This is of course a matter of opinion, but I would argue that it is inaccurate. One merely need to read Death In The City to hear many of the same tones from Schaeffer. In that book he address politics in passing at various times as well.

7. ) "Schaeffer began to call for the defeat of secular humanists, not their conversion"

Again, the same objection as #6. However, this statement is caustic and is simply untrue. Schaeffer never lost his evangelical emphasis. If he had, he would not have organized his combined works to show that he was pushing forward an entire concept... "The Lordship of Christ in every area of life... even politics." He comments on this goal in the preface of to A Christian Manifesto. His dedication of the book to Samuel Rutherford should also not be overlooked, for he says..."he has meant much to me for many years." Likewise, his book The Great Evangelical Disaster represents a significant evangelical ecclesiology.

These are respectfully, my opinion and I offer them for your consideration as I hope that Schaeffer scholars will consider that there are plausible answers in the midst of the ongoing debate. Thus I humbly submit to Mr. Hankins what I believe are errors in his interpretation of Schaeffer's legacy.

~ Dan Guinn

THE MARK OF A CHRISTIAN CLASS

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE YOUTUBE PLAY LIST >>

You may know that we began filming a class called The Works Of Francis & Edith Schaeffer and are also working on filming video of our first study project on Schaeffer's True Spirituality. Yet, sometimes taking the path of least resistance produces unforeseen results. Most recently we were asked to teach The Mark Of A Christian, and having just purchased some new video equipment, we realized that we would be able to post the video from this class more quickly than our earlier filmed classes which were filmed in standard definition, due to decreased amount of editing that would be required.

While this is unforeseen, it seems rather providential since The Mark Of A Christian is my favorite work. Yet it is also significant in another way, in that this work is perhaps the key to understanding the basis of Francis & Edith Schaeffer's works. So we are excited to release this lecture series, which we hope will aid people in understanding Schaeffer and encourage people to read him for themselves. Likewise, we hope that churches and ministries will use these videos to educate Christians on the much needed balance of truth and love as Schaeffer taught it.

Careful thought has been given to the accuracy of my personal commentary, and it should be understood that I have tried to stay as true to what Schaeffer was trying to communicate as possible. I of course am human and very prone to error and mistakes, so it is hoped that others will see this as my take on Schaeffer's work and feel free to give me feedback and correction where needed.

THE CLASS LOGO

The logo depicts Schaeffer's concept of "flaming truth" utilizing a compass cross pointing "true north." Truth here is inseparable with love as depicted by the "the burning heart," which... is how Schaeffer described both the theology of the Reformation (which was waning during the era of the birth of Liberalism) and the heart we should have in evangelism to speak with "concern and truth content." 

Together, they represent the Mark Of A Christian - The proper emphasis and balance of truth and love. Here are the two quotes that we drew upon:

FLAMING TRUTH
"It must be understood that the new humanism and the new theology have no concept of true truth — absolute truth. Relativism has triumphed in the church as well as in the university and in society. The true Christian, however, is called upon not only to teach truth, but to practice truth in the midst of such relativism. And if we are ever to practice truth, it certainly must be in a day such as ours." ~ Francis Schaeffer

"Christ is the Lord of our whole life, and the Christian life should produce not only truth — flaming truth — but also beauty." ~ Francis Schaeffer

THE BURNING HEART
"I believe the reason they capitulated was that their theology was already less than it should have been. By the middle of the eighteenth century in the German universities, the theology of the Reformation, having “the burning heart,” was coming to an end. What remained of orthodox theology had largely become only repetitive. Such a theology, of course, can never stand for long. " ~ Francis Schaeffer

I do not do it just as a duty. I do not have a hard heart but a burning heart. The burning heart is quite proper. Jesus taught His disciples, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10). "  ~ Francis Schaeffer

~Providence!
Dan Guinn

VIDEO INTERVIEW: THE SCHAEFFER COLLECTION WITH DR. BRUCE LITTLE

As part of the Francis Schaeffer Centennial Celebration we were honored to interview Dr. Bruce Little, the director of the Francis Schaeffer Collection at the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith & Culture at SEBTS. Dr. Little shared how Schaeffer influenced him, as well as gave an update on the early findings from the Francis Schaeffer Collection. You'll want to watch the interview to learn how the L. Russ Bush Center received the Schaeffer papers as well as initial discoveries that have been made such as a  forgotten and unreleased Schaeffer film.

As you may recall, we were privileged to create a video for the Francis Schaeffer Collection as well. This video highlights the event itself and contains an interview with Udo Middleman and actual photos depicting the archiving process that is underway on the Francis Schaeffer Collection.

We think you will be delighted to watch both videos!

SCHAEFFER'S APOLOGETIC - DR. GROOTHUIS

We were overjoyed to have Dr. Groothuis with us for the Francis Schaeffer Centennial via Skype. It was definitely a highlight of the event. His insight into Schaeffer and his relevance in apologetics today needs to be heard. What people often forget about Schaeffer is that he was a catalyst. He did not seek to be exhaustive in his explorations of various fields of study, but he did seek to be honest and to motivate the church to explore these things for themselves.

For men like Doug Groothuis, Schaeffer provided a spark that would create a passion for truth and a restoration of the integrity of Christian thinking. The ripples of which are still being felt.

The Outline for Doug's Talk:
Download Outline

Links for Doug:
http://theconstructivecurmudgeon.blogspot.com/

Books by Doug:

NEWS: 100 DAYS OF SCHAEFFER!

The L. Russ Bush Center for Faith & Culture is presenting 100 days of Schaeffer on Facebook and Twitter. You can follow along as they present memorable quotes and scholarly comments for 100 days straight!

Here is what they have presented already!



Day 1 - David Wells on Schaeffer's 100th bday; "Schaeffer inspired us as he engaged the artists, musicians and philosophers of his day. It was not so much the engagement itself that moved us as the realization of how great and grand is the truth which God has given us, one that is large enough and deep enough to speak to every human situation. At L’Abri, we were talking about reality in a way that was authentic."

Day 2 - Jeremy Begbie on Schaeffer's 100th bday; "Francis Schaeffer was a man for his time, who could energise countless Christians into a cultural engagement they would never have imagined possible had they not met him. His influence was incalculable."

Day 3 - David Naugle on Schaeffer's 100th; "How many of us have received our initial Christian aesthetic inspiration from FAS and Art and the Bible. I did. Thanks be to God… for him."

“The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars.” Francis A. Schaeffer, Art and the Bible (Downers Grove: IVP, 1973), p. 61.

Day 4 - Timothy George on Schaeffer's 100th: Francis Schaeffer had a great influence on my life as a young Christian. Though I met him only briefly, I devoured everything he wrote and listened on tape to many of his talks from L’Abri. Schaeffer showed me that it was possible to engage fully with issues of life and culture including art, music, philosophy, and history, without abandoning “the faith once delivered to the saints.” In these and other ways, Francis Schaeffer taught me the meaning of what I believed.

Day 5 - Danny Akin on Schaeffer: Francis Schaeffer taught us the presence and importance that presuppositions play in the makeup of our worldview. What we value and how we live are inescapably influenced by these realities. Schaeffer also taught us how to expose presuppositions, critique them, and in light of God revealed truth, transform them.

Day 6 - Francis Schaeffer, True Spirituality, “God commands that we should assemble ourselves together until Jesus comes (Hebrews 10:25). . . Christianity is an individual thing, but it isn’t only an individual thing. There is to be true community, offering true spiritual and material help to each other. . . The local church or Christian group should be right in its teaching, but it should also be beautiful. The local groups should be the example of the supernatural, of the substantially healed relationship in this present life between people.”

Day 7 - “Our calling is to exhibit the existence of God and to exhibit his character, individually and collectively. God is holy and God is love, and our calling is simultaneously to show forth holiness and love in every aspect of life—as parent and child, as husband and wife, in business, in our Christian organization, in the church, in government, in everything—an exhibition of the character of God showing forth his holiness and love simultaneously.” Schaeffer, The Great Evangelical Disaster, 351–352.

Follow the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith & Culture on Facebook and Twitter for more!

A GLOBAL CELEBRATION ~ SCHAEFFER REMEMBERED!

As you probably know by now, yesterday (as of the time of this writing), Jan. 30th, was Francis Schaeffer's 100th birthday. Yet, what was astonishing was the vast celebration that transpired on the web. So many scholars, authors and teachers took time to remember Schaeffer. We here at francisschaefferstudies.org noticed the trend early and posted updates to our fan page every 15-30 minutes throughout the day. It was a day to remember, with so many significant reminders of what Schaeffer meant to those who his thought has impacted. It was a wonderful collage of writings that served to affirm that Schaeffer is still respected. Here is a list we collected in case you missed this huge "splash" made on the web this weekend. There may be more, but this is what we found:

Friday the 27th

Kingsmeadow Study Center, Parish Presbyterian Church  & Cor­ner­stone Pres­by­ter­ian Church, launched their "Schaeffer 100" celebration.

Dr. Grant displays the Schaeffer 100 Cake.

MORE PICTURES BELOW!

Saturday the 28th

• Francis Schaeffer Studies began posting updates and video segments on the Francis Schaeffer Centennial mini-conference.

Our video on the Francis Schaeffer Collection 

at the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith & Culture.

Our video on the new True Spirituality studies coming this year.

Sunday the 29th

The Schaeffer 100 conference post pictures on Facebook:

Click Image To See the Facebook Album

Monday the 30th, Schaeffer's Birthday
(note: not chronological)



Francis Schaeffer Studies releases first pictures of the Centennial Celebration.

Pastor Tony Felich of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, "Happy Birthday Francis Schaeffer," on the Reepicheep Blog.

A letter to Francis Schaeffer from R.C. Sproul Jr. on his 100th Birthday. http://ow.ly/8Lcmh

Remembering Francis Schaeffer - Made Alive With Christ Blog. http://ow.ly/8LeR8

SEBTS post a comment from David Wells, as it begins it's 100 days of Schaeffer: http://www.facebook.com/cfc.sebts

100th Anniversary of Francis Schaeffer's Birth by Nathan W. Bingham http://ow.ly/8LcHM

Francis Schaeffer and a World in Desperate Need
By Lane T. Dennis, PhD, Crossway, President and Publisher - http://ow.ly/8LiNu

Crossway Publishers on Francis Schaeffer's 100th - http://ow.ly/8LitS ~ In honor of Dr. Schaeffer many of his works are marked down to just $3.99!

Here are some great resources on Francis Schaeffer plus a chance to win his Complete Works. http://www.challies.com/resources/the-works-of-francis-schaeffer

100 Years of Francis Schaeffer - Faith Radio - http://ow.ly/8Lj7f

Author Don Sweeting: Remembering Francis Schaeffer: On The Occasion of His 100th Birthday http://ow.ly/8LjCC

We featured our video on the Francis Schaeffer Collection at the L.Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture at SEBTS. http://ow.ly/8LmKR

The Gospel Coalition - Francis Schaeffer - 100 Years - http://ow.ly/8Ld4A

Francis Schaeffer 100 years - JesusFame.net http://ow.ly/8LpqF

Pastor Tony Felich of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, "Schaeffer On The Gospel" on the Reepicheep Blog.

VIDEO: Francis Schaeffer - 100 Years - Stand To Reason, Greg Koukl http://ow.ly/8Lvw8

Nancy Pearcy is on "Chris Fabry Live!" to talk about the 100th anniversary of Francis Schaeffer's birth.
http://www.moodyradio.org/chrisfabrylive/

Nancy pearcy was on Faith Radio to talk about Francis Schaeffer's legacy.
http://www.faithradionet.com/2012/remembering-francis-schaeffer/

How Francis Schaeffer Saved My Saved Soul ~ Tim Challies' mother: http://ow.ly/8Lefj

Rick Pearcy: How was FRANCIS SCHAEFFER different from the Evangelical Machine? http://www.pearceyreport.com/blog/2012/01/how_was_francis_schaeffer_different_from_the_evangelical_machine.php

Happy 100th Birthday Francis Schaeffer! From Christian Heritage UK http://ow.ly/8LdqK

Francis Schaeffer - 100 Years - Frank Gantz http://ow.ly/8LesM

 

VIDEO: Francis Schaeffer -- 100 Years by Jason Burns http://ow.ly/8LwSS

Francis Schaeffer at 100 - Daniel Silliman http://ow.ly/8LDVx

Francis Schaeffer at 100, and Edith Schaeffer’s wonderful note to me. Francis Beckwith http://ow.ly/8LFcg

Happy Birthday, Francis Schaeffer - The Get Anchored blog. - http://ow.ly/8LGIQ

The Baptist Bulletin offering free reprint of Schaeffer's address “An Examination of the New Modernism," August 1950. http://ow.ly/8LHUh http://ow.ly/8LIcO

The shepherd poet: centenary of Francis Schaeffer: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fallenporto.blogspot.com%2F

More Portuguese Schaeffer celebration!

Updates:

Tuesday the 31st

Covenant Seminary shares the francisschaefferstudies.org "Legacy Project" interview with Dr. David Calhoun on his friend Dr. Francis Schaeffer (we are very honored).

SEBTS L. Russ Bush Center for Faith & Culture, continues it's 100 Days of Schaeffer, with contributors from various scholars.

ARTICLE: SCHAEFFER'S 100th BIRTHDAY!

Today, Jan. 30th, 2012, is Francis Schaeffer's 100th birthday. 

We at francisschaefferstudies.org constantly strive to communicate the value of Dr. Schaeffer's work, a task that can be overwhelming and sometimes nearly impossible to communicate succinctly. Yet, we are determined that if the world does not understand Schaeffer, it will not be for lack of trying on our part. So the following paragraph will be my attempt to encapsulate something of the core reasons why we are remembering Schaeffer on this, his centennial year. I will explain simply by telling you how that he has helped me.

Schaeffer's cultural analysis helped me understand the world and inspired me to go deeper as a Christian at a very critical time in my life. His apologetic inspired a way to engage the non-believer with integrity and sincere compassion, respecting the created order while remaining honoring to God. Yet his two concepts of 1.) Truth & Love, and a 2.) "moment-by-moment" spirituality, have thoroughly transformed my walk with Christ and relationship with others. He is the most significant mentor in my life and more than any other scholar, his works have constantly and consistently lead me to Christ and His Word for the answers against real-world adversity in the whole of life. So let me be plain, the reason I love Dr. Schaeffer, is for how his works have directed me to Christ and aided in helping me understand how to live in a post-Christian world. 

We at francisschaefferstudies.org have the solid conviction that his thought must be passed on to the next generation. In fact, we feel that it is critical for the future of our culture. Schaeffer's vast mental reach, significant moral character, simple honesty and ability to speak with a near prophetic understanding stand starkly in contrast to so much of what has caused disillusionment with Evangelicalism today. The church as a whole must turn to Schaeffer's maxim of "honest answers to honest questions," else risk losing another generation to secularism. It is our prayer that as we expand this work, that we are able to continue to provide a service to the Francis Schaeffer community to that end.

Providence!

~ Dan Guinn

FOLLOWING THE FRANCIS SCHAEFFER CENTENNIAL

If you can't make it to Kansas City to attend the Francis Schaeffer Centennial Celebration, you can do the next best thing... follow it on line!

Content from the event will be posted in multiple places so you can pick the one that best works for you. You will see regular updates, pictures, videos and more.




Here are your options:

• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on our Facebook Fan Page
• Follow on our Facebook Group
• Follow on Google+ (limited)

If you would like more information on the mini-conference, check out the
Francis Schaeffer Centennial Event Page.

ARTICLE: SCHAEFFER AND THE NEXT GENERATION

Dr. Donald Williams

It seems hard to fathom, that the average college age Christian student may have never heard of Francis Schaeffer, but that is exactly what concerns scholars like Donald Williams, who has witnessed this first hand as an educator. He describes teaching a class of 125 students and asking them at the close of the class, “How many of you had never heard of Schaeffer or L’Abri before taking this class?” Soberly he watched, as nearly every hand in the class went up. Donald Williams notes that this never would have happened even five years ago.

In an era when culture is under siege, and given the value of Schaeffer's thought in this area, one has to wonder how this could happen. One of the symptoms of the system formerly known as "modernism," (now Liberalism) is the tendency toward forsaking the value of history and constantly seeking the latest and greatest thing. To what extent has the church adopted this model? Time will tell, but this is one of the motivating factors behind francisschaefferstudies.org. Our desire is to introduce Schaeffer's thought to a next generation that is so in need of it. A generation in search of truth and answers.

I recall speaking to a man last year over dinner and talking to him about Schaeffer and L'Abri. He was greatly moved and overwhelmed by what he heard. Not because Schaeffer is some sort of icon, but because his thought and the work of L'Abri was so relevant to his life and struggles in the real world. The next week we planned to meet again, however he notified our mutual friend that he would not be able to make it. He had promptly decided to take the week off from work and drove to L'Abri in Rochester, MN. His hunger for truth, is typical of the next generation. When they are impacted by it, it naturally invokes passion and desire for greater truth.

READ TRUE TRUTH: Francis Schaeffer’s Enduring Legacy by Donald Williams
It's well worth the read.

ARTICLE: RONALD REAGAN POPULARITY, FRANCIS SCHAEFFER & STATISM

As a new year starts, and new presidential hopefuls begin their caucus runs, the name Ronald Reagan has been dropped many times over. Many seeking the office, have regularly touted the need for a true "Reagan Conservative." Some in the media have even sought to cast our current president as "Reaganesque" last year during Reagan's Centennial Birthday Year. Yet, many may not know of the name of a man who had an important influenced on Ronald Reagan and so many Conservatives to follow. That name of course is Francis Schaeffer. Schaeffer in fact was influential to several presidents in that era. He visited the White House to meet with Gerald Ford as well as George H. W. Bush.

Schaeffer was not a politician, a political guru, or even a politically driven person. Rather, he was a pastor-teacher-philosopher that cared deeply about people and culture and realized the role that politics play.  His care and concern are something which Ronald Reagan deeply admired about him. Here is a quote from Ronald Reagan after Schaeffer's passing.

"He will long be remembered as one of the great Christian thinkers of our century, with a childlike faith and a profound compassion toward others. It can rarely be said of an individual that his life touched many others and affected them for the better; it will be said of Francis Schaeffer that his life touched millions of souls and brought them to the truth of their creator." ~ Ronald Reagan

It is quite telling that in this election cycle, Reagan can be admired by the Left by separating him from his thought, and Schaeffer who in some very significant ways contributed much to Reagan and Conservative thought, is still misunderstood and misrepresented. It is such that a Conservative politician might not dare mention Schaeffer in a political context without suffering criticism. The mistaken accusations of "dominionism" last year seem to evidence this. Yet, it's rather strange that no one is accusing Reagan of such positions. We have to question all such attacks as attempts to silence, and further question the greater potential of the state to manipulate as Schaeffer warned.

Given the current climate of Reagan name capital, and the obvious desire to manipulate, it will be important to remember what both Reagan and Schaeffer warned about in the future of America, namely "statism." In closing, I would like you to read this excerpt from Dr. R.C. Sproul recounting a talk he once had with Schaeffer on the subject.:

"About thirty years ago, I shared a taxi cab in St. Louis with Francis Schaeffer. I had known Dr. Schaeffer for many years, and he had been instrumental in helping us begin our ministry in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, in 1971. Since our time together in St. Louis was during the twilight of Schaeffer’s career, I posed this question to him: “Dr. Schaeffer, what is your biggest concern for the future of the church in America?” Without hesitation, Dr. Schaeffer turned to me and spoke one word: “Statism.” Schaeffer’s biggest concern at that point in his life was that the citizens of the United States were beginning to invest their country with supreme authority, such that the free nation of America would become one that would be dominated by a philosophy of the supremacy of the state." Read The Full Article