Basic Bible Studies

by Francis A. Schaeffer

Ideal for seekers who want to systematically find out what the Bible actually says regarding real problems in the real world and the most fundamental questions about God. Lets God's Word speak for itself.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Christian, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, Faith, Religion

Paperback

First published June 1, 1972

About the author

Francis August Schaeffer was an American Evangelical Christian theologian, philosopher, and Presbyterian pastor. He is most famous for his writings and his establishment of the L'Abri community in Switzerland. Opposed to theological modernism, Schaeffer promoted a more historic Protestant faith and a presuppositional approach to Christian apologetics which he believed would answer the questions of the age.

Wife: Edith Schaeffer
children: Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

Reviews

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francis Schaeffer wrote this book for a friend of his who was an atheist. There’s 25 chapters and they’re each about 2 or 3 pages long (ridiculously short). Schaeffer was writing a book for a friend who simply wanted to know what the Bible teaches. And he wrote these 25 Bible Studies as an overview of all of biblical theology. It starts with God and who He is and then Creation. And then moves on to Jesus and how all of that affects us. And finally he talks about how things will look when Christ comes back. But it’s super simple and super easy to read. He just references a verse (or number of verses) from the Bible then explains it for one or two sentences, and he does that with 10 or 15 verses per chapter and that’s it. It is theologically excellent, while also being very easy to read. At the end of the forward to the book Schaeffer writes this little prayer that he asks people to pray as they read through this book alone in the quietness of their own room. And he says “O God, if there is a God, I want to know whether You exist. And I ask you that I may be willing to bow before you if You do exist.” Short, simple and clear and that is how these Bible Studies are written. I would strongly encourage you to read these studies in the quietness of your own room while looking up each of the Scripture references that he gives.

[Ryan Hawkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Page one: “These twenty-five studies are not meant to be read as a book. If they were, a much more detailed text would have been given. Rather, they are to be follow to be a help in a study of the Bible itself.” I feel strange, therefore, reviewing this since I *did* read this straight through, as a book (whoops).

So, I will not review it as such, since it is a collection of Bible studies. Instead, I’ll review it as a collection of Bible studies. And for that, I give it 2 stars only.

Now, I’m torn about it. For on the one hand, the logic and the Bible passages for the studies are spot on. His theology is good. And his little snippets after each text are often helpful.

But on the other hand, these just aren’t Bible studies—at least not how I consider Bible studies (but perhaps that’s because the term has changed since this was published in 1972?). Each of the 25 “Bible studies” is a topic (eg. our relationship with God the Father) with like 20-40 Bible texts listed for each topic, with a short explanation of each text. That’s it. No probing questions or things to leave with or pray about. So it’s more like a topic with then a bunch of verses you can look into about that topic. If someone, then, were to do these as “bible studies,” it would take hours to do just one, because there’s so many verses to look up. This technically is studying the Bible, but I don’t consider these “Bible studies.”

But again, perhaps that’s because the term has changed since 1972—since we now see Bible study as one text (or maybe a few) with exegesis, probing questions, and applications. Either way though, I don’t think I could ever really recommend the book (I’d just recommend an easier systematic theology book instead).

Yet still, I’m sure God used it for good in the lives of many. For again, his logic is good, his comments are helpful, and his Bible text choices are excellent.

[Grant Fawcett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little Bible study aid. Thought provoking systematic theology; but you have to invest the time to read the accompanying scripture to receive the greatest benefit.

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 estrelas para o "25 estudos bíblicos" e 5 estrelas para o " Dois conteúdos, Duas realidades".

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like an outline than a true book, Schaeffer provides 25 sections of Christian theology, such as God, Creation, Grace, Man’s condition, Christ’s redemption, and so forth with corresponding Bible verses to look up and read as you go along. He provides a short sentence or two of commentary for each verse to explain its inclusion for each section. I could see the usefulness for something like this for a new believer or someone who is curious what the Bible and the story of Christ is all about, without having to read cover to cover.

[Stephen Odhiambo]

Day 1

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 25 studies are a wonderful way to walk through Bible doctrine, and especially with a seeker. The Two Contents, Two Realities shows how FAS applied doctrine to life and relationships. Very good.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. I'd like to read more Schaeffer.

[Travis Daggett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some pretty good stuff and some pretty inconsistent stuff.

[Alex Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s essentially a nice and thin systematic theology book. What is different with this book is that he points the reader to 10-15 scripture verses that show you what the Bible says about each topic. If you use this book as intended, you will be spending 90% of your time in the Bible, and 10% reading Schaeffer’s notes. This book helped me see the interconnections with the OT and NT and gave me a renewed passion for studying the Bible. Two Contents, Two Realities is also very great. Highly recommend for personal study or a 1-1 resource.

[Jeff Hoenshell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a commentated statement of faith. It is very systematic with a logical flow, but simple and refreshing. Schaeffer is a clear-cut and genuine believer with a heart to see others transformed holistically by the blood of Christ. He pleads the case for intellectual assent and honesty to right doctrine and the questions of life, while urging the application of truth both in our love for God and in the beauty of relationships.

[Scott Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent reference book to help you learn more about the Bible and what it says about certain topics. I wouldn't recommend it for small groups based purely on discussions but I would recommend it for self-study and memorizing verses.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book to use among friends to study the Bible. Simply ask, "What does this verse have to do with this doctrine?" Great for discussion.

Two Contents, Two Realities is a fabulous read.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good systematic Bible study through many of the key topics of the Christian faith. I still recommend it to others to help them grow in their faith.