A Christian Manifesto (Paperback)

by Francis A. Schaeffer (Author)
Key Phrases: humanist world view, evangelical leadership, final reality, United States, Supreme Court, Lex Rex (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Schaeffer was right. Today, we need leaders who can show us how to operate... in a way that does not neglect or enshrine politics. We need to discern which behaviors by Christians are helpful... and which are not." -- --Marvin Olasky, editor-in-chief, World magazine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Description
In this explosive book, Francis Schaeffer shows why morality and freedom have crumbled in our society. He calls for a massive movement—in government, law, and all of life—to reestablish our Judeo-Christian foundation and turn the tide of moral decadence and loss of freedom.

A Christian Manifesto is literally a call for Christians to change the course of history—by returning to biblical Truth and by allowing Christ to be Lord in all of life.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (March 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581346921
• ISBN-13: 978-1581346923
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #112,588 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thought-provoking and interesting book, July 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Christian Manifesto (Paperback)

I am just coming to read the books of Francis Schaeffer, and what has impressed me initially is his holistic perspective of Christianity. Schaeffer insists that Christian belief and God's reality necessarily pervade the whole of life, and he justifies his insistence with Biblical/theological evidence that is both reasonable and practical. This book focuses on how Christian belief should extend into the realm of government. He persuasively argues that not only is the United States founded upon the Christian belief in an ultimate truth, God, but also that this is the only foundation upon which a government can truly stand. "A Christian Manifesto" is essentially a warning cry about the encroachment of humanism, but rather than being an alarmist writing (although at times it ventures dangerously close to that ground), "Manifesto" is instead a reasonable, logical presentation of predictable results of the humanist world view. If there is anything alarming about "Manifesto" it is the realization that the humanist world view cannot compel a person to obey the law for any other reason than force.

Equally interesting is Schaeffer's discussion of a Christian's proper response to government, the basis of a government's authority, and the Christian response to government that usurps it's authority. In all of these discussions Schaeffer undergirds his arguments with the ultimate reality of God and the implications of this reality.

I found myself uncomfortable at times as I made my way through this book because I came at it from a liberal Christian perspective. However uncomfortable I felt, I found his arguments difficult to deny.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Standard Schaeffer..., August 30, 2003

By	bill_the_great (Interlochen, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Christian Manifesto (Paperback)

Like most works by Schaeffer A Christian Manifesto contains Schaeffer's standard rundown of Western Civilization after the Reformation. If you've read any of his books you probably know his take on things. However, the reason I would recommend this book is his emphasis on how Christian truth is not just for Sunday mornings. It affects every facet of our lives, including politics; which, prior to the 80's was a field that most Evangelicals had previously been reluctant to enter. His insight into the acceptance of abortion in Western culture is unique and must be read by anyone who wants to understand the issue.

With these good points, I must point out that some of his historical analysis, with regard to the Reformation, is definitely faulty. He tries to point out how political activism of the Reformers insured the success of the Reformation in Northern European nations. Then he tries to tie it to peaceful (to an extent) anti-abortion activism. His historical analysis is so scant because he probably wouldn't want to point out that the reason the Reformation was successful in those countries because the reformers themselves promised a select group of nobles absolute power and free reign to loot Catholic lands. Once the rulers were in the hands of the reformers they could enforce whatever they wanted to.

Despite flaws like this felt that overall it was a good, thought provoking read.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Before Its Time, September 29, 2003

By	"mswates" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Christian Manifesto (Paperback)

Seldom do I read many things that peak my attention such as the works of Francis Schaeffer. "A Christian Manifesto" reads as though it were written today. One can imagine it was a book before its time as the idea of "post-modern" Christianity has now become a forward-moving trend. Above all, I believe what this book succeeds in doing is calling Christians to serious reform in worldview; linking the problems of our society today to a humanistic view of total reality that has lost its morality and spiritual roots. He renounces dualism and admonishes us to look at issues in their totaliy as symptoms of a greater problem. In this book, Schaeffer sites some of the top legal decisions that will affect the people of faith in the coming decade. The issues still stand even today. He challenges the censorship of the open marketplace where people should be able to decide for themselves whose "god" is God. This is perhaps one of the most profound reads in quite awhile. You will be challenged, if not changed.