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Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life
A monumental work that draws on specially collected oral history to fully portray the person, work, and teaching of one of the most important figures in modern Christianity. Nearly twenty-five years after his death, Francis Schaeffer's impact as one of the foremost shapers of modern Christianity still reverberates within the church and contemporary culture. A pastor, apologist, best-selling author, and activist whose work and ministry reached around the world, Schaeffer also managed to deeply and personally influence people of every age and position-men, women, youth, and children; the schooled intellectual and the common laborer, the scientist and the artist, the doubting Christian and the skeptical non-believer-in a way that few others have. His impassioned, genuine life is the focus of Colin Duriez's authoritative biography, which draws on over 150,000 words of oral history in addition to personal interviews and other resources to portray not just the man and his relationships but his spiritual formation and the development of his ideas, creative works, and worldview. From his working-class childhood in Pennsylvania, to the founding of L'Abri, his personal crisis of faith, and his latter years as a compassionate controversialist in the worldwide spotlight, all the eras of Schaeffer's life unfold within these pages. But Duriez, who studied under and interviewed Schaeffer, also takes a deeper look, revealing those distinct life phases, as well as Schaeffer's teachings and his complexities as a person, within their historical context so that contemporary readers may better understand all of who Schaeffer was-and why he still matters today. Filling an important void in Schaeffer literature, this full-length biography illuminates the complex journey of one whose relentless passion for truth, reality, a full-orbed faith, and meeting the needs of people made him not just a giant within evangelicalism but a shining example of what every Christian in every generation strives An Authentic Life lived to the glory of God.
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2008
25 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Colin Duriez
38 books53 followersColin Duriez is an English writer and scholar best known for his work on the Inklings, the literary circle that included C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Owen Barfield, and Charles Williams. Born in Derbyshire in 1947, he moved to Leicester in 1983 to work as a commissioning editor for the publisher IVP. Over the years he has combined editorial work with teaching, and in 2002 he established his own business, InWriting, in Keswick, Cumbria, providing writing and editorial services as well as book acquisition for publishers.
Winner of the Clyde S. Kilby Award in 1994 for his research on the Inklings, Duriez has been praised as one of the most valuable contemporary scholars on Lewis. His numerous books explore the lives, friendships, and imaginative worlds of Lewis and Tolkien, including Bedeviled: Lewis, Tolkien, and the Shadow of Evil, The Oxford Inklings, and Tolkien and C. S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship. His work has been lauded for accessibility, scholarly insight, and fresh perspectives.
Duriez has also appeared in television documentaries such as A Quest for Meaning – Myth, Imagination & Faith in the Literature of J. R. R. Tolkien & C. S. Lewis. He lives in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Winner of the Clyde S. Kilby Award in 1994 for his research on the Inklings, Duriez has been praised as one of the most valuable contemporary scholars on Lewis. His numerous books explore the lives, friendships, and imaginative worlds of Lewis and Tolkien, including Bedeviled: Lewis, Tolkien, and the Shadow of Evil, The Oxford Inklings, and Tolkien and C. S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship. His work has been lauded for accessibility, scholarly insight, and fresh perspectives.
Duriez has also appeared in television documentaries such as A Quest for Meaning – Myth, Imagination & Faith in the Literature of J. R. R. Tolkien & C. S. Lewis. He lives in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 31, 2014
A fascinating read on someone who although I have heard so much about, to my shame I know very little. It is always inspiring and challenging to read how one life can have such an influence on a generation. Schaeffer's life and influence continues through the L'Abri communities that are still so popular and his writings. I have appreciated understanding more about the man and the formation of these communities. Although I would have appreciated a bit more in-depth analysis on certain aspects of his thought and writings I have been challenged to read more of what he has written personally. I think Duriez has published a very helpful and accessible biography.
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January 14, 2023Deeply meaningful to me, as my life story is so bound up with Schaeffer’s writing. His balance of courage for truth, paired with the absolute necessity of all witness being always carried out with love, has never been more needed. His good death profoundly marked me, similar to Lloyd-Jones’ death. Praise God for Schaeffer’s life and legacy.
Duriez writes:
In the final days he was brought from the hospital to his Rochester home to die in familiar surroundings. A bird feeder was set up by the window so he could enjoy seeing the creatures. As he went in and out of consciousness he had hallucinating dreams. Susan, his daughter, came from England, joining her sister Deborah and arriving days before his death. She remembered:
Once he said to us, “I'm late, I'm late, I'm going to miss the plane. Where are my notes?” I said to him, “Dad.” His eyes then cleared—he had beautiful brown eyes—totally focused. “Dad, you are not going to speak.” He said, “I have to do it.” “No,” I said, “you’re going to rest—you’re finished with that. You’ve left people, you’ve left books, and you’ve left the teaching.” I used to hike with him, and I felt as if I was hiking with him to a mountain pass. He was dying and [in his last days and hours when able he] kept saying a psalm, a Psalm of Ascent, where they were trusting in the Lord's grace, trusting in him. He held on to it like a person holding on to a climbing rope. When he’d come in and out of consciousness he would be saying that. I thought, “He's going up; I'm not going to go over the top with him.” But it was very faith-strengthening. There were several [occasions] when he was much more lucid, and once I said, “Is it true?”—what a thing to say to a dying person—and he said, “It is absolutely true, absolutely sure.”
Duriez writes:
In the final days he was brought from the hospital to his Rochester home to die in familiar surroundings. A bird feeder was set up by the window so he could enjoy seeing the creatures. As he went in and out of consciousness he had hallucinating dreams. Susan, his daughter, came from England, joining her sister Deborah and arriving days before his death. She remembered:
Once he said to us, “I'm late, I'm late, I'm going to miss the plane. Where are my notes?” I said to him, “Dad.” His eyes then cleared—he had beautiful brown eyes—totally focused. “Dad, you are not going to speak.” He said, “I have to do it.” “No,” I said, “you’re going to rest—you’re finished with that. You’ve left people, you’ve left books, and you’ve left the teaching.” I used to hike with him, and I felt as if I was hiking with him to a mountain pass. He was dying and [in his last days and hours when able he] kept saying a psalm, a Psalm of Ascent, where they were trusting in the Lord's grace, trusting in him. He held on to it like a person holding on to a climbing rope. When he’d come in and out of consciousness he would be saying that. I thought, “He's going up; I'm not going to go over the top with him.” But it was very faith-strengthening. There were several [occasions] when he was much more lucid, and once I said, “Is it true?”—what a thing to say to a dying person—and he said, “It is absolutely true, absolutely sure.”
December 22, 2015
Francis Schaeffer has often been term as an important modern intellectual, and having read The God Who Is There by Schaeffer, it sparked my interested to read a biography on him. Through this biography, I’ve grown deeper in my knowledge of the life of Francis Schaeffer, not only so, I have grown even deeper in my appreciation of Schaeffer.
Colin Duriez has masterfully written a good biography fit for the important christian thinker. As Duriez traces the life of Schaeffer, he not only brings out what is happening in Schaeffer’s life. More importantly, Duriez shows the progression of the thoughts of Schaeffer. For example, Schaeffer was at first quite adamant about using voice recorders to record his conversations with those living in L’Abri. He felt it wasn’t fair to his questioners that others were able to hear what he thought was private conversations. He was finally persuaded when he learnt that the participants were completely fine with letting others in to this discussion. This then sparked off to the tape ministry that is still in use today.
Duriez also shows very clearly how Schaeffer struggles through the various stages in his life. For example, early in his student life, Schaeffer had decided to embark to study theology towards the end of becoming a ministry. Duriez shows how Schaeffer struggled through in this decision, on one end, he did not want to disappoint his father, yet he knew clearly that God has called him to enter training for the ministry. In the midst of this struggle, Schaeffer with tears pleaded with God for guidance and help and reassurance. He finally emerged and given his dreaded decision to his father. Duriez shows the readers that Schaeffer, like us is one who had to work through his struggles in life, depending solely on the Lord always.
Duriez also shows how the decision to set up L’Arbi was not an ambition of Schaeffer. Rather it was a journey of faith and one filled with dependent on the Lord. In setting up and running L’Arbi Schaeffer faced many issues, funds to buy the location came only at the very last minute. Even in winter logs that had to be very sparingly due to the high cost of firewood, Schaeffer often even sieved through the ashes to see if there’s any firewood was unburned that could be used!
I have enjoyed the many insights that Duriez has highlighted in the life of Schaeffer. I’ve come to learnt how to listen, really listen to everyone who I talk to. These are just some of the lessons I’ve learnt from reading the life of Schaeffer. I hope if you interested to read about his life to pick up this book. I’m quite sure you will go away with a much deeper appreciation of Schaeffer. Schaeffer was not just as an intellectual or apologist, he was also Christian, and one who was truly concern for the people around him, hoping to help them through their struggles in life.
Rating: 4.75 / 5
Colin Duriez has masterfully written a good biography fit for the important christian thinker. As Duriez traces the life of Schaeffer, he not only brings out what is happening in Schaeffer’s life. More importantly, Duriez shows the progression of the thoughts of Schaeffer. For example, Schaeffer was at first quite adamant about using voice recorders to record his conversations with those living in L’Abri. He felt it wasn’t fair to his questioners that others were able to hear what he thought was private conversations. He was finally persuaded when he learnt that the participants were completely fine with letting others in to this discussion. This then sparked off to the tape ministry that is still in use today.
Duriez also shows very clearly how Schaeffer struggles through the various stages in his life. For example, early in his student life, Schaeffer had decided to embark to study theology towards the end of becoming a ministry. Duriez shows how Schaeffer struggled through in this decision, on one end, he did not want to disappoint his father, yet he knew clearly that God has called him to enter training for the ministry. In the midst of this struggle, Schaeffer with tears pleaded with God for guidance and help and reassurance. He finally emerged and given his dreaded decision to his father. Duriez shows the readers that Schaeffer, like us is one who had to work through his struggles in life, depending solely on the Lord always.
Duriez also shows how the decision to set up L’Arbi was not an ambition of Schaeffer. Rather it was a journey of faith and one filled with dependent on the Lord. In setting up and running L’Arbi Schaeffer faced many issues, funds to buy the location came only at the very last minute. Even in winter logs that had to be very sparingly due to the high cost of firewood, Schaeffer often even sieved through the ashes to see if there’s any firewood was unburned that could be used!
I have enjoyed the many insights that Duriez has highlighted in the life of Schaeffer. I’ve come to learnt how to listen, really listen to everyone who I talk to. These are just some of the lessons I’ve learnt from reading the life of Schaeffer. I hope if you interested to read about his life to pick up this book. I’m quite sure you will go away with a much deeper appreciation of Schaeffer. Schaeffer was not just as an intellectual or apologist, he was also Christian, and one who was truly concern for the people around him, hoping to help them through their struggles in life.
Rating: 4.75 / 5
January 10, 2025
A moving, personal account of an evangelical hero. Having read much of Schaeffer already, it was illuminating to understand the man behind the message. Duriez walks through Shaeffer's life: his conversion, his fundamentalism, his relationship with Edith, his involvement in the Bible Presbyterian Church and the Independent Board of Foreign Missions; to the founding of L'Abri and the subsequent international ministry of the Schaeffers. The book focuses on the events of Schaeffer's life without going deep into his thought, but Duriez does interact briefly with the importance of Schaeffer for the modern evangelical landscape. I appreciated the honesty of the book, dealing with the ups and downs of Schaeffer's life. A few sentences were awkwardly worded, making me wonder how thoroughly the book was edited before publication. But overall, a worthy book for an honorable man. Read it - you'll be inspired and thankful God raised up Francis Schaeffer.
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October 7, 2021«Francis Schaeffer: Una vida auténtica» es un regalo para nosotros, y es la biografía más completa que tendremos de Schaeffer al menos durante un buen tiempo. Eso la convierte en una lectura obligatoria para quienes quieran saber más sobre Schaeffer o sobre el pensamiento contemporáneo.
Lee la reseña en Coalición por el Evangelio.
Lee la reseña en Coalición por el Evangelio.
April 2, 2018
Great overview and inspirational work of the Christian writer, apologist, pastor, and cultural commentator Francis Shaeffer. A great introduction to his life and work.
October 16, 2018
A well-written, honest, and encouraging account of an admirable man and his family!
December 17, 2018
If you want to know what authentic Christianity looks like, here it is! A great read to challenge yourself.
April 22, 2013
The Word of God in the Bible needs to be more than a set of intellectual truths that are assented to as if they only needed to be recited when asked. This is something that Francis Shaeffer wrestled with to a great degree. In my own life I have experienced a pull to defend Christianity for the wrong reason: to defend myself above all else. There is a sense that it is the party line that I have to tow. I have committed to being a member of the party and now if my belief system is challenged, I am challenged. My focus gets all out of sorts. Instead taking refuge in Christ and trusting in Him, I put the burden on my shoulders of being all that I can count on. I think that I have to be able to explain everything. I have to have all the answers. I have to be the winner. One of Francis’ daughters (Deborah) remarked how as Francis was returning to questions that he had asked when he first came to Christianity that were very specific. Questions like: “Is the Bible true?” Francis saw the broad practice of Christianity as one where there was much evidence that people who called them selves Christian didn’t show real evidence that they actually believed in Christ. This is an observation that every follower in Christ must come to deal with. It is an observation that I am still dealing with. I, and every Christian, needs to be able to remember what they believe and why they believe it.
As a parent, the account of how Francis dealt with his daughter was particularly encouraging. She told him that she wasn’t a Christian and instead of just telling her not to worry and that she will feel better later, he actually stopped and let her ask whatever questions she wanted to ask about the faith. As it turned out, he treated any genuine enquirer the same way. Real questions were really considered and given real answers. This is the kind of thing you can do if you have real confidence that what you believe is true. You don’t have to avoid tough questions. At my worst, I avoid dealing with certain questions dealing with faith because I know that I am ignorant of what God really has to say about some things.
One of the greatest encouragements a Christian can take from Francis’ story is regarding prayer. He prayed for everything. The ministry of L’Abri would not have been possible without the reliance on the Lord in the various aspects of running the mission there. Everything from financial support, who to minister to, who to recruit to do the work, and what to plan on for day to day operation were all brought before the Lord in prayer in reliance that He would be the one to bless each of these areas. Immediately after reading this as well as the reports of how Francis and Edith prayed for specific things that God provided for exactly and even in abundance, I was convicted of the lack of reliance on prayer in my own life. Their example is a guide for putting your faith in a God who is actually there and you really do expect Him to hear your prayers.
As a parent, the account of how Francis dealt with his daughter was particularly encouraging. She told him that she wasn’t a Christian and instead of just telling her not to worry and that she will feel better later, he actually stopped and let her ask whatever questions she wanted to ask about the faith. As it turned out, he treated any genuine enquirer the same way. Real questions were really considered and given real answers. This is the kind of thing you can do if you have real confidence that what you believe is true. You don’t have to avoid tough questions. At my worst, I avoid dealing with certain questions dealing with faith because I know that I am ignorant of what God really has to say about some things.
One of the greatest encouragements a Christian can take from Francis’ story is regarding prayer. He prayed for everything. The ministry of L’Abri would not have been possible without the reliance on the Lord in the various aspects of running the mission there. Everything from financial support, who to minister to, who to recruit to do the work, and what to plan on for day to day operation were all brought before the Lord in prayer in reliance that He would be the one to bless each of these areas. Immediately after reading this as well as the reports of how Francis and Edith prayed for specific things that God provided for exactly and even in abundance, I was convicted of the lack of reliance on prayer in my own life. Their example is a guide for putting your faith in a God who is actually there and you really do expect Him to hear your prayers.
August 17, 2013
I had just enough time to read this book during a short visit to L'Abri Fellowship in Rochester, Minnesota. It was an appropriate venue, because Francis and Edith Schaeffer founded L'Abri in Rochester, along with the "mother ship" in Switzerland.
But I wish it had been longer. Francis Schaeffer was such a complex, fascinating figure, and at times the book seemed to move too swiftly.
Still, no one better qualified than Colin Duriez is likely to come along to tell Schaeffer's story. He studied under Schaeffer at L'Abri in Switzerland and extensively interviewed him in 1980, four years before Schaeffer's death. His material includes interviews with any of the people who knew Schaeffer best, including his children.
J.R.R. Tolkien once said of C.S. Lewis, "You'll never get to the bottom of him." ("Jack," by George Sayer)
I think this also could be said of Francis Schaeffer. As a young man, he was the typical fundamentalist preacher, down to the super-short haircut and conservative clothes. After a spiritual crisis and spiritual renewal in the early 1950s, his fundamental beliefs never changed, but he became something completely different.
He wore knee breeches and colorful socks, what remained of his hair long in the back with a goatee in front. He hung out late at night with rowdy Italians in Milan, banging a Coca-Cola bottle on the table as they banged wine bottles on the table.
He quoted Bob Dylan and the Beatles. In 1968, in Berkeley, he went to a Jefferson Airplanes concert with 16-year-old son Franky and went on to purchase several of their albums and sometimes play them at full volume.
He loved nothing better than to sit up long into the night, talking with university students.
Duriez borrows this snippet from author Greg Jesson:
"When Schaeffer lectured at Wheaton College and frequently referred to the existentialist films of Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini, the students were in the midst of fighting with the administration for the right to show films like 'Bambi' and 'Herbie the Love Bug' on campus."
(In Rochester L'Abri, at least, Tuesday evening is still movie-and-discussion night.)
When Francis and Edith founded L'Abri -- French for "The Shelter" -- they did it with no fundraising and no plan. All were welcome; you didn't have to be a Christian to come. No topics of conversation were forbidden.
Schaeffer provided the intellectual underpinnings for the Moral Majority and later the Christian Right without ever seeming to fit the popular image of the Moral Majority.
He never strayed from the central mission of his life, described by Schaeffer in his 1980 interview with the author:
"I'm only interested in an apologetic that leads in two directions, and the one is to lead people to Christ, as Savior, and the other is that after they are Christians, for them to realize the lordship of Christ in the whole of life."
But I wish it had been longer. Francis Schaeffer was such a complex, fascinating figure, and at times the book seemed to move too swiftly.
Still, no one better qualified than Colin Duriez is likely to come along to tell Schaeffer's story. He studied under Schaeffer at L'Abri in Switzerland and extensively interviewed him in 1980, four years before Schaeffer's death. His material includes interviews with any of the people who knew Schaeffer best, including his children.
J.R.R. Tolkien once said of C.S. Lewis, "You'll never get to the bottom of him." ("Jack," by George Sayer)
I think this also could be said of Francis Schaeffer. As a young man, he was the typical fundamentalist preacher, down to the super-short haircut and conservative clothes. After a spiritual crisis and spiritual renewal in the early 1950s, his fundamental beliefs never changed, but he became something completely different.
He wore knee breeches and colorful socks, what remained of his hair long in the back with a goatee in front. He hung out late at night with rowdy Italians in Milan, banging a Coca-Cola bottle on the table as they banged wine bottles on the table.
He quoted Bob Dylan and the Beatles. In 1968, in Berkeley, he went to a Jefferson Airplanes concert with 16-year-old son Franky and went on to purchase several of their albums and sometimes play them at full volume.
He loved nothing better than to sit up long into the night, talking with university students.
Duriez borrows this snippet from author Greg Jesson:
"When Schaeffer lectured at Wheaton College and frequently referred to the existentialist films of Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini, the students were in the midst of fighting with the administration for the right to show films like 'Bambi' and 'Herbie the Love Bug' on campus."
(In Rochester L'Abri, at least, Tuesday evening is still movie-and-discussion night.)
When Francis and Edith founded L'Abri -- French for "The Shelter" -- they did it with no fundraising and no plan. All were welcome; you didn't have to be a Christian to come. No topics of conversation were forbidden.
Schaeffer provided the intellectual underpinnings for the Moral Majority and later the Christian Right without ever seeming to fit the popular image of the Moral Majority.
He never strayed from the central mission of his life, described by Schaeffer in his 1980 interview with the author:
"I'm only interested in an apologetic that leads in two directions, and the one is to lead people to Christ, as Savior, and the other is that after they are Christians, for them to realize the lordship of Christ in the whole of life."
December 13, 2015
Francis Schaeffer is one of my favorite authors and a towering intellect in Christian history. Duriez' treatment of his phenomenal life story was a breath of fresh air. Schaeffer was accomplished as a faithful pastor and denominational influencer before his journey to Europe which resulted in the founding of L'Abri. In later life as a writer, philosopher, teacher, and lecturer (not mention a pioneer in the use of technology for the advancement of the gospel) Schaeffer impacted not only his generation, but many to come. Perhaps the most impactful aspect of the universality of Schaeffer's influence, is the fact that he didn't reach for any of it. Always reluctant to focus on anything but what (and who) was right in front of him, he impacted the world by bringing the gospel to all those who crossed his path. Francis and Edith Schaeffer maintain a powerful influence on the Evangelical world, as well they should.
February 23, 2013
I greatly enjoyed reading Francis Schaeffer an Authentic Life by Colin Duriez.
The book has a nice flow especially in the early chapters recounting the life of Dr. Schaeffer in his youth, meeting the love of his life, his education marriage, family, pastoral ministry and L'Abri. Colin also does a very nice job describing the trials that Francis faced in the fundamentalist movement and how in the end he retained the core of sound doctrine, yet with a different perspective of how that doctrine is to flesh out in the culture in which we live.
In the later chapters there seems to be some redundancy of content, yet with that in mind I highly recommend this biography.
The book has a nice flow especially in the early chapters recounting the life of Dr. Schaeffer in his youth, meeting the love of his life, his education marriage, family, pastoral ministry and L'Abri. Colin also does a very nice job describing the trials that Francis faced in the fundamentalist movement and how in the end he retained the core of sound doctrine, yet with a different perspective of how that doctrine is to flesh out in the culture in which we live.
In the later chapters there seems to be some redundancy of content, yet with that in mind I highly recommend this biography.
September 26, 2008
Just started, but Colin is excellent in bringing you into Schaeffer's life by using great narrative...
Now that I've finished Schaeffer's biography I have a renewed appreciation for the man and his ministry. He was an '80's spiritual hero of sorts to me. This book paints the fascinating and humble life of Fran...as he was called. Both his successes and struggles are pretty well documented. It has caused me to go back and reread some of his classic works as well as a few I didn't read. Highly recommend this book! Colin does a great job of providing a biography with personality.
Now that I've finished Schaeffer's biography I have a renewed appreciation for the man and his ministry. He was an '80's spiritual hero of sorts to me. This book paints the fascinating and humble life of Fran...as he was called. Both his successes and struggles are pretty well documented. It has caused me to go back and reread some of his classic works as well as a few I didn't read. Highly recommend this book! Colin does a great job of providing a biography with personality.
April 12, 2013
This book is an easy read and flows well. Duriez is a good writer.
One aspect of Schaeffer's early life with which I was unaware was the extent of his separatism, and his involvement with the International Council of Christian Churches, then his eventual move away from this position. Nor was I aware of his involvement with the Children for Christ movement. This is the biography of an highly intelligent complex man which the Christian world, during his lifetime or since, has fully appreciated.
One aspect of Schaeffer's early life with which I was unaware was the extent of his separatism, and his involvement with the International Council of Christian Churches, then his eventual move away from this position. Nor was I aware of his involvement with the Children for Christ movement. This is the biography of an highly intelligent complex man which the Christian world, during his lifetime or since, has fully appreciated.
March 6, 2015
"For me, apologetics only has value insofar as it is related to evangelism". This quote from Schaeffer reflects the pastor-theologian's heart that Duriez adeptly captures in his biography. While other biographers have struggled with how to portray the passionate, oftentimes disagreeable man, this particular biography lays out the life of Shaeffer in light of his life-long and genuine wrestling with God, reality and Scripture, leading him to convictions that God would use to shape the evangelical landscape of today. Excellent read.
February 23, 2009
An upclose and personal look at a man who's been influential in shaping Christian thought, even after an early death in 1984. He left a legacy of many books that deal intellectually with Christianity (the one I've read is "True Spirituality") and the "L'Abri" centers throughout the world that welcome those seeking to engage in their faith journeys. The beginning of this biography was more interesting than toward the end ... I began to lose interest.
November 13, 2016
Biography of Francis Schaeffer who shaped theological thinking in the 60s though 80s. Very interesting life. He was a philosophical thinker who was concerned in the shift in Western thinking that took place during these decades. I am inspired to read his three core books, "Escape from Reason," "The God Who is There" aned "He is There and He is Not Silent," as well as his follow up book "True Spirituality."
November 7, 2010
This is an excellent book. To those who love and appreciate the work of Schaeffer, clearly one of the most significant Theologians and thinkers of the 20th century, or those who love the Gospel and the Truth; I would recommend this book. This is an excellent starter point in getting to know the man, his ministry, and his thought. Then go read his works!
February 13, 2012
A fairly well written but general introduction to the man and his basic theology. Nothing is developed at length and so one leaves the book a little cold and feeling as though he should have been more properly presented to the man. As a travelogue it works fine; as a biography I much rather enjoyed the new Bonhoeffer book.
June 28, 2013
Written from someone who knew him, offers insights on Schaeffer's life: what motivated him and kept him going. His commitment to evangelism, dedication to prayer, faithfulness to God's Word, ability to challenge the culture with clear thinking and his ability to articulate the faith impressed me from Schaeffer. He was a "prophet" for our times.
May 6, 2014
This was an interesting and fairly easy to read (after the first two chapters) biography of a man I knew little about except for the names of some of his books. Rather than being a book I'll remember, the biography has spurred me on to go and read Schaeffer's own works for myself, which is I'm sure a result Duriez aimed for.
September 4, 2012
I'd heard a lot about Francis Schaeffer through other books I've read and so I got this book because I wanted to learn more about him. The book is pretty detailed and at times it gets pretty boring. Did help me to understand more about him and the reasons he thought the way he thought.
November 23, 2008
A detailed accounting of Schaeffer's life and work which includes strengths and weaknesses but generally is a grateful and positive portrayal. I liked it.
January 1, 2015
An interesting biography of someone I didn't know much about. I'm not a big biography fan, but it was good as biographies go.
May 17, 2011
Great life of a great man. Makes me want to read some more Schaeffer now.
July 1, 2011
An inspirational and challenging life. Someone who mixed intellectual honesty with genuine care and concern for others.
December 23, 2013
Bit disappointed in this book. Dry in places and I personally am of the opinion that it really only scratched the surface of the life of fs.
June 23, 2014
Excellent.
October 11, 2014
A fascinating subject, but the book didn't really grab my interest like I thought it might. Does make me want to read more of Schaeffer's books though.
March 29, 2015
from the church library.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews