Douglas R. Groothuis reviews two recent Schaeffer biographies (which I haven’t yet read) and provides an interesting commentary on how Schaeffer speaks to contemporary society as it looks for “authenticity”:
“I fear that the younger generation of evangelicals do not know enough about the remarkable life and achievements of Francis Schaefer; instead they are opting for the trendy but intellectually barren hype of much of the emergent church movement-which claims to be “authentic.” (“Authentic” often means little more than emotional, unconventional, and obsessively autobiographical.) Many older evangelicals may have forgotten many of the salient lessons from his life and teachings as well. Reading these two new biographies can help rectify this problem.”
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7 comments
SamR says:
January 14, 2009 at 5:37 am (UTC 10 )
Great quote. Thanks for sharing. Have you got a copy of the biographies? I’ll put my hand up for a loan after you’re done reading them if you do!
Doug Groothuis says:
January 14, 2009 at 6:04 am (UTC 10 )
Thanks for posting this. The Duriez book is the better of the two, I think. But both are carefully done and worthwhile.
mark says:
January 14, 2009 at 6:45 am (UTC 10 )
Doug, my pleasure – thanks for doing the original reviews. I’ll be sure to read the Duriez book. If it’s anything like Follis’ review of Schaeffer’s apologetics I’ll be very glad.
Sam, I’ll lend you the Duriez one once I’ve finished with it. Also, if you’re keen for something great – I’ll loan you Schaeffer’s DVD of How Then Shall We Live. It’s fantastic!
psychodougie says:
January 16, 2009 at 12:57 am (UTC 10 )
“Authentic” often means little more than emotional, unconventional, and obsessively autobiographical.
surely the truest quote i’ve read in a long time.
schaeffer would be a good one to read as a gang – put it on the list, eh?
SamR says:
January 16, 2009 at 3:38 am (UTC 10 )
Also, if you’re keen for something great – I’ll loan you Schaeffer’s DVD of How Then Shall We Live. It’s fantastic!
I’m up for it – definitely.
mark says:
January 19, 2009 at 11:16 am (UTC 10 )
Doug, for sure mate – there’s a whole host of classic schaeffer books we could read together. “The God Who is There” might be a good one to check out!
And Sam – no worries bro, I’ll lend it to you when I’m back from South Africa!
Steve Kryger says:
February 23, 2009 at 11:15 pm (UTC 10 )
Morning, I’m writing a post next week on Bible college students who blog. I’ve discovered your blog, and out of courtesy wanted to check if you would prefer I didn’t publish a link to your blog. My email is steven AT sydneyanglicans DOT NET.
Thanks,
Steve
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Steve Kryger
Tech Writer
Sydney Anglicans