As the world celebrates Halloween this week, evangelical Protestants recall the actions of Martin Luther and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in 1517. Acknowledging the fact that the Reformation had precursors and multiple theological influences, Reformation Day (October 31) brings to mind the manifold blessings that came when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Castle door. Indeed, that event marked a dramatic change in church history, one that continues to influence the world to this day.
Indeed, when Francis Schaeffer looked back to the Reformation, he marveled at the recovery of God’s Word and the proclamation of biblical truth. Indeed, in How Shall We Then Live? He offered two chapters on the Reformation. The first considered the Reformation proper, where the church recovered the gospel and reclaimed the Bible as its magisterial authority. Then, in the second chapter, he considered the impact of the Reformation on culture and political institutions.
Indeed, for as much attention is given to the Reformation in its biblical, theological, and ecclesial impact, we should remember that the recovery of the gospel had effects for the wider world. As Schaeffer begins his second chapter, he writes, “Let us also note the political freedom which the return to biblical Christianity gradually brought forth.”[2]
2. How Shall We Then Live?, in The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer, Vol. 5: A Christian View of the West, 2nd Ed. (Westchester, IL: Crossway, 1982), 135.
This secondary, gradual, and imperfect freedom was the result of God’s light shining into the darkness. Most immediately, this light brought salvation to souls who received Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone. That said, the light that saved individuals also impacted kings, countries, civilizations, and cultures.
For the last month, we have been considering Francis Schaeffer’s attempt to show how this light touched America. And at this turning point in the month, as we reflect on the last month and preview the next, it’s good to recall what we have seen from Schaeffer’s A Christian Manifesto, as we prepare for entering a new month with a new theme: Engaging Evangelicalism.
A Christian Manifesto
What pertinence does Francis Schaeffer’s A Christian Manifesto have for our society today? See for yourself! Below are the chapter titles with their brief teasers:
- Chapter 1: The Abolition of Truth & Morality by Levi Secord – Why does thinking in “bits and pieces” have such a disastrous outcome for Christians? Read about why “true truth” is so necessary to defy secular humanism.
- Chapter 2: Foundations for Faith and Morality by Andy Naselli – What defines a human right, and where do they come from? Is there a human right for LGBT justice, reproductive justice, distributive justice, racial justice, and social justice?
- Chapter 3: The Destruction of Faith and Freedom by Andrew T. Walker – How much diversity can a society stand before it breaks under the weight? And what do science, the legal system, and pluralism have to do with the death knell of stable order?
- Chapter 4: The Humanist Religion by Mark Coppenger – Francis Schaeffer is more hedgehog than fox. Find out how this relates to the Moral Majority, political media bias, and the two Humanist Manifestos.
- Chapter 5: Revival, Revolution, and Reform by Michael Carlino – What would Schaeffer say to the church today about abortion, especially in light of the overturn of Roe v. Wade?
- Chapter 6: An Open Window by P. Andrew Sandlin – A window of opportunity was opened around forty years ago; is it still open? And what would Francis Schaeffer counsel Christians today in their political environment?
- Chapter 7: The Limits Of Civil Obedience by Ardel Caneday – What happens when you combine a tyrant who’s historic, a Lex Rex, and a generally Christian foundation? (And when is it OK to disobey?)
- Chapter 8: The Use of Civil Disobedience by David Schrock – “Fulminate” means expressing vehement protest, and it is the first of three steps that Schaeffer counsels Christians who are forced to say “no” to their government. Fulminate, Flee, Force.
- Chapter 9: The Use of Force by David Schrock – Is physical resistance against a government by Christians ever justifiable? And what does the Declaration of Independence have to do with this?
- Chapter 10: By Teaching, By Life, By Action by Doug Huffman – What are the culminating take-aways from Schaeffer’s A Christian Manifesto? Read the implications of worldview, wholistic thinking, and the church.
- A Brief Chronology of the Life of Francis A. Schaeffer by Stephen Wellum – Read a brief timeline of Francis Schaeffer’s life, from the first time he met his future wife to his days in seminary all the way to the providential founding of L’Abri.
In two longforms, two podcasts, a chronology, and ten chapter engagements, we have worked our way through Schaeffer’s A Christian Manifesto. From Steve Wellum’s introduction to Francis Schaeffer’s Legacy to Brad Green’s engagement with A Christian Manifesto itself, we have seen the many strengths and a few shortcomings of Schaeffer’s work. As an evangelist to the culture, Schaeffer reminds us that America was deeply influenced by Christian ideas. And that influence has given the church freedom to gather, to preach, to evangelize, and to stand for life. Such a place in the culture is worth defending, and Schaeffer explains why and how in this volume.
In our efforts, we have sought to examine his arguments and imitate his faith. Accordingly, we have been reminded how the chief divide in the world stands between Christianity and humanism. Likewise, his book helps us to consider how to stand for life, how to speak up for truth, and to make use of opportunities to do good in the world around us. Is civil disobedience necessary? Schaeffer answers that question and helps us to do the same.
Indeed, the call of A Christian Manifesto does not seek to change the church’s mission of making disciples (Matt. 28:18–20), but it does urge disciples to obey all that Christ commanded. This means learning how to be faithful witnesses in all spheres of society. Moreover, Schaeffer calls Christians who live in America to preserve the freedoms we have, so that the church can continue to live peaceably and serve God faithfully. If we are commanded to pray for these things (1 Tim. 2:1–4), then we should work for them also (with God’s help).
Indeed, Schaeffer’s argument in his 1981 manifesto is timeless in many ways. Not only does it depend on the legacy of the Reformation, but it presses that legacy into the public square. In this way, Schaeffer’s words continue to ring true today. And we commend his manifesto as an important book for rightly understanding our day and the days to come.
Engaging Evangelicalism
From Francis Schaeffer in October, we now turn to engage evangelicalism more broadly in November.
In the coming month, we will start with a longform that connects Francis Schaeffer to modern evangelicalism. Ranald Macauley is the son-in-law of Schaeffer, and he starts the month with a personal reflection on what Schaeffer would say to modern evangelicals. Later in the month, Brad Green will give us a more comprehensive survey of evangelicalism. Our two podcasts will feature interviews with these two men as well.
Complementing these longforms and their podcasts, we will offer a series of reflections on evangelicalism over the last century. Understanding how to be faithful in the present is aided by a robust understanding of the recent past. From J. Gresham Machen in the 1920s to the rise and fall of the Young, Reformed, and Restless movement, we will consider the strengths and weaknesses of evangelicalism. From Tom Nettles to Jonathan Leeman, and from Fred Zaspel to Virgil Walker, we have a full slate of pastors and scholars writing this month.
Additionally this month, Christ Over All will be in Denver for the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS). If you are there, we’d love to see you. On Wednesday night, Nov 16, after the banquet at around 9:15pm local time, we will be gathering in the lobby of the Sheraton Downtown Hotel (1550 Court Place, Denver, CO 80202). Please stop by if you are there.
For those who won’t be there, please tune into the podcast and check the website for new material. Our basic rhythm is a new podcast every Monday and multiple articles published each week. If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast yet, you can do that wherever you listen to podcasts (e.g., Apple, Spotify, Anchor, or at Christ Over All).
At the same time, if you find the content of Christ Over All helpful, please spread the word. To do that, you can share this newsletter, follow us on Twitter, or just tell someone about this new work.
This month, I have been deeply encouraged to talk with pastors who have been reading and sharing Christ Over All. Our prayer is that God would edify the church with the evergreen content we produce. And to that end, we ask that you would pray for this ministry and support this work financially, as the Lord allows.
There are a lot of great content coming this month. May the Lord use it for his gracious purposes.
