Customer Reviews

Francis Schaeffer: The Man and His Message

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The author was Dr. Schaeffer's pastor during the last few years of Schaeffer's life while he was fighting cancer. Half of the book tells the basic story of Schaeffer's remarkable life; the second explores Schaeffer's thoughts on theology, apologetics, culture, and ethics. Parkhurst was very taken with Schaeffer and wanted to honor his life with this book. However, he was not the best author for this challenging task.

I found nothing really wrong with the book. It is clear and simple; but it does not go very deep into the subject matter, especially concerning Schaeffer's worldview and apologetic method. One finds some deep waters here, especially for those not steeped in apologetics and philosophy.

The best biography on Schaeffer is Colin Duriez, "Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life" (Crossway, 2008). The best book on Schaeffer's apologetics is Bruce Follis, "Truth With Love" (Crossway, 2006). If one could only read a few of Schaeffer's books, I recommend, "The God Who is There" (apologetics); "True Spirituality" (the Christian life); and "Whatever Happened to the Human Race?" (ethics and culture).

Parkhurst shows Schaeffer as truly a man of God. He is a man both of words and action. In the first half of his book Parkhurst weaves together L'Abri, Tapestry, and many other interviews of the family and friends in a tender biography of the Schaeffers. The second half of his book outlines much of Schaeffer's thought on various theological issues. Each chapter testifies to Schaeffer's deep faith in a living God who is there.

The book is a fine introduction to his life and work. It does leave out many of the cultural, literary, philosophical, and social and political action themes of Schaeffer's work. But if you are not acquainted with Schaeffer, this is the place to begin.