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The Mark of the Christian (IVP Classics)

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Christian theologian and philosopher Francis A. Schaeffer (1912-84) wrote this pamphlet (38 pages) as a warning to fellow believers. Beginning with Jesus' admonition in John 13:33-35 that his followers should love one another, Dr. Schaeffer goes on to explain the love that a Christian *must* have, and how that love should be manifested. In particular, this book is advice on how Christians of differing denominations should love each other, and how they can avoid the pitfalls of showing their love in the wrong way. The book ends with a poem selected by Dr. Schaeffer to accompany this text; it is quite moving, and worth being read in its own right.

Although written in 1970, this book could have been written yesterday...I suppose you would have to say that it is timeless. This book is quite touching, and should be required reading for all followers of Christ. I highly recommend this book!

Some of you might have thought, "What an old booklet it is! " when you saw the publishing year of this piece. Well, I must admit that I thought it's rather thin in size. Nevertheless, the message was strong enough: to love one another, as I have loved you, so that the world may know that the Father has sent me, and they will see that you are truly followers of mine. The message has a very clear structure and the author pointes out the aspects that I seldom thought of when I read the New Testament. By the way, he "speaks", rather than "writes" the book.

Schaeffer's tiny booklet is a must for anyone who calls themselves a Christian. In it, Schaeffer shows that Christianity is not simply about right answers or intellectual belief, but about a deep, heart-felt love. We may be able to share a perfect gospel presentation and logically and concisely answer all objections, but as Schaeffer says, our "final apologetic" is that the world sees us love each other. Christians can do infinitely more harm with all our bickering and in-fighting that we could ever do good with mere words.

The same problems plagued Francis Schaeffer in 1970 that continue to plague Christianity today. This little book is a mini-exegesis of John 13:33-35. The question being, even in our differences, can a world of non-believers see Christ's love in our dealings, one with another? If you've never read Francis Schaeffer this is a great introduction. If you've already read Schaeffer, then this is a great addition. In either case, 'The Mark of the Christian' is must read material!

What is it that sets the Christian apart from the unbeliever - it is faith, or devotion, or piety? Schaeffer explores this question in light of the fact that today it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between professing followers of Christ and anyone else. Schaeffer believes that this is a unique quality of the Christian life that should be present in their lives that would not only clearly demonstrate their relationship with the Lord, but would also transform those around them in the process - that quality is love.

An incredibly short book, less than 40 pages long, The Mark of a Christian is a powerful and poignant book for every Christian today. In the era when denominational struggles reign and Christianity is presented to mainstream audiences highlighting the most extreme antics of gay-bashing and anti-abortion demonstrations where young women are labeled as murderers, it's not difficult to see why the world views all religious people as "fanatical" and "extremists." Some radicals are "called by God" to fly planes into tall buildings, others cut the arms off their infant children. The world is left wondering what kind of God these people worship. Schaeffer agrees with them.

True Christianity, Schaeffer argues, is marked by this one great principle - love. Love for God is demonstrated by a love for His greatest creation: man. Which means that one fundamental principle of the Christian walk is truly loving one another. While this may sound simple, Schaeffer explains that this is the greatest contradiction to the self-centered human nature of the unredeemed and when faced with the concept of a sacrificial love for another, the world will be turned upside down!

We all know those self-professed followers of Christ who we definitely wouldn't describe as embodying the quality of love - this short and powerful book is for them; and for all Christians as a reminder that what the world needs more is love, sweet love...it truly is the only thing that's worth living (and dying) for.

Francis Schaeffer defends the simple notion that a Christian must be known by their love in this short and meaningful book. Astounding in its simplicity but deep in its implications.

This is an important little book by Schaeffer. Of course, we know that we should love our neighbor and love our brother but Schaeffer outlines the consequences of of failing to show that love, specifically love for the bretheren. He argues convincingly that the world is in scripture granted the right to doubt our salvation if we do not love fellow Christians. He further argues that it is this love that shows the unity of the Church to the world and if we fail to show that unity the world will not believe that the Father sent the Son. This Love is what Schaeffer calls the final apologetic. We must have the answers for peoples honest questions but without openly demonstrated love the world will not care.

It should also be pointed out that Schaeffer does not argue for a Love which accomodates on issues of Holiness. We must both balace the Love of God and the Holiness of God. We must rely on the Spirit to empower us to maintain this balance. But, we need to realize that a failure to demonstrate either side shows the world a diminished God.

Spoiler alert = the mark of the Christian is love.

This simple book is an argument for Christians to adorn themselves with love. Not just for outsiders; but for each other. Not just for each other, but for outsiders (those who don't know God) too. He claims that this balanced love-giving is not automatic; and takes discipline to maintain.

Our love, as Christians, is supposed to show the world something about God. And our love should be according to, or similar to, the love Christ has for us. "According to the Scripture and the teaching of Christ, the love that is shown is to be exceedingly strong. It is not just something you mention in words once in a while." (p.21)

Visible love includes apologizing and giving forgiveness. Also, we must have a deep unity according to John 17 - not merely a shallow organizational unity.

He gets into church discipline and true disagreement; but maintains that this is not unloving - quite the opposite! it is not true love to merely tolerate each other and watch as we each destroy ourselves.

Schaeffer rebukes churches for acting snobby and rejecting toward fellow believing churches. He mentions that the non-Christian world doesn't understand all of the little theological differences, and that we would have a better witness to them if we could focus on the good things in other churches that can be agreed upon. As Believers, we don't need to rely on fakery or shallow love - we literally do have a unifying factor between ourselves and other Christians = God's Spirit. So, when we preserve the unity He gives us, we are allowing His Spirit to show something to the world about God.

He concludes: "In short, we are to practice and exhibit the holiness of God and the love of God, for without this we grieve the Holy Spirit. Love - and the unity it attests to - is the mark Christ gave Christians to wear before the world. Only with this mark may the world know that Christians are indeed Christians (Jn.13:34-35) and that Jesus was sent by the Father (Jn.17)."

This book clearly and succinctly (the book's only 38 pages) spells out the duty that a Christian has. Both to other believers and to the world at large. Schaeffer always bases his theories heavily on Scripture and this book is no exception.

This book is a must-read for Schaeffer enthusiasts and Believers who are searching for a way to reconcile their inward faith with the outward world.

More than a global condemnation or a decrying of denominational distinctives, the Mark of a Christian is an honest view of how Christ has given the world the "right to judge Christians," by the merit of their love for each other. Schaeffer doesn't set up love for the brethren as penultimate, but he takes seriously the fact that Jesus stated that the second greatest commandment as, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

This was a very convicting work for me. It's too easy to live life in thinking that "love" is just as well as getting along with other people. Schaeffer gets to the point that loving our neighbors is more than we are capable of - something that only Christ can bring alive through the muck of our souls.

Schaeffer was very aware of the human condition. He doesn't set up unrealistic expectations before us. He has taken truth and set it before us to say, "This is what the Lord has said, how do you measure?" This is a very stern work for such a grace-centered man. I would recommend reading True Spirituality in addition to Mark of a Christian in understanding that our lives in Christ are much less centered upon what we do and don't do and so much more imperative upon the object of our faith. Therein, He bears fruit through trees that should be tossed into eternal flame.