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Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life (2008)

by Colin Duriez(Favorite Author)

3.85 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1581348576 (ISBN13: 9781581348576)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Crossway Books

review 1: The Word of God in the Bible needs to be more than a set of intellectual truths that are assented to as if they only needed to be recited when asked. This is something that Francis Shaeffer wrestled with to a great degree. In my own life I have experienced a pull to defend Christianity for the wrong reason: to defend myself above all else. There is a sense that it is the party line that I have to tow. I have committed to being a member of the party and now if my belief system is challenged, I am challenged. My focus gets all out of sorts. Instead taking refuge in Christ and trusting in Him, I put the burden on my shoulders of being all that I can count on. I think that I have to be able to explain everything. I have to have all the answers. I have to be the winne... morer. One of Francis’ daughters (Deborah) remarked how as Francis was returning to questions that he had asked when he first came to Christianity that were very specific. Questions like: “Is the Bible true?” Francis saw the broad practice of Christianity as one where there was much evidence that people who called them selves Christian didn’t show real evidence that they actually believed in Christ. This is an observation that every follower in Christ must come to deal with. It is an observation that I am still dealing with. I, and every Christian, needs to be able to remember what they believe and why they believe it. As a parent, the account of how Francis dealt with his daughter was particularly encouraging. She told him that she wasn’t a Christian and instead of just telling her not to worry and that she will feel better later, he actually stopped and let her ask whatever questions she wanted to ask about the faith. As it turned out, he treated any genuine enquirer the same way. Real questions were really considered and given real answers. This is the kind of thing you can do if you have real confidence that what you believe is true. You don’t have to avoid tough questions. At my worst, I avoid dealing with certain questions dealing with faith because I know that I am ignorant of what God really has to say about some things. One of the greatest encouragements a Christian can take from Francis’ story is regarding prayer. He prayed for everything. The ministry of L’Abri would not have been possible without the reliance on the Lord in the various aspects of running the mission there. Everything from financial support, who to minister to, who to recruit to do the work, and what to plan on for day to day operation were all brought before the Lord in prayer in reliance that He would be the one to bless each of these areas. Immediately after reading this as well as the reports of how Francis and Edith prayed for specific things that God provided for exactly and even in abundance, I was convicted of the lack of reliance on prayer in my own life. Their example is a guide for putting your faith in a God who is actually there and you really do expect Him to hear your prayers.
review 2: Just started, but Colin is excellent in bringing you into Schaeffer's life by using great narrative...Now that I've finished Schaeffer's biography I have a renewed appreciation for the man and his ministry. He was an '80's spiritual hero of sorts to me. This book paints the fascinating and humble life of Fran...as he was called. Both his successes and struggles are pretty well documented. It has caused me to go back and reread some of his classic works as well as a few I didn't read. Highly recommend this book! Colin does a great job of providing a biography with personality. less

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