The Mark of the Christian

by Francis A. Schaeffer, James W. Sire

"It is possible to be a Christian without showing the mark, but if we expect non-Christians to know that we are Christians, we must show the mark." Christians have not always presented an inviting picture to the world. Too often we have failed to show the beauty of authentic Christian love. And the world has disregarded Christianity as a result. In our era of global violence and sectarian intolerance, the church needs to hear anew the challenge of this book. Decades ago Francis Schaeffer exhorted, "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 and that Jesus was sent by the Father." More than ever, the church needs to respond compassionately to a needy world. More than ever, we need to show the Mark.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Discipleship, Spirituality

63 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

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

[Dawn Dishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In John 13 the point was that, if an individual Christian does not show love toward other true Christians, the world has a right to judge that he is not a Christian. Here Jesus is stating something else which is much more cutting, much more profound: We cannot expect the world to believe that the Father sent the Son, that Jesus’ claims are true, and that Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians.”

For the world today, we need this teaching! The world does not see our love for one another, nor our love for all mankind. What is the mark of a true Christian? Francis Schaeffer spells it out quite clearly in this short, but packed full of truth, little gem of a book.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

An brief, but sharp, kick in the pants. Love your neighbor, dummy, because he/she is created in the image of God.

[Kelsey Crandall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, inspiring read. Simple, yet anything but simplistic. This is a great primer on the high calling of Biblical unity and brotherly love.

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love everyone. Love especially true Christians. Sounds basic, but Schaeffer's Biblical exposition and illustrations drive the point home.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good exposition on John 13, the true disciple of Christ is one who exemplifies true holy love as described by the Word of God. Jesus said that by this the world would know that the Father had sent him! Powerful exposition by Dr. Schaeffer.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating treatise on the often neglected command to love one another (John 13, 17), and he does so without making it sound sentimental. He also discuses practical issues regarding unity and differences among believers.

[Chris Priestley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, emotionally and intellectually gripping study of John 13 & 17. Written with a rare mix of kindness and firmness.

[Scott Appleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book that packs a big punch, challenging us as to do we love as Christians should love.

[Ryan Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s the mark? Love. Love for one another, and love for the world, both flowing from our real, conscious moment-by-moment relationship with God.

It’s amazing that a man so philosophically wise, apologetically clever, and exegetically and pastorally strong can then also write such a compelling book about love. Usually love is for the devotional people, while theology is for the intellectuals. Not so with Schaeffer; he here shows that we *must* be people of love—not just in word, but in actual emotions, in actual actions.

Per his own advice, this book should be coupled with his *The Church Before the Watching Word*. Schaeffer believes the church needs to do two difficult things simultaneously: 1) to show forth real love to the world as the final apologetic, and 2) to keep purity (moral and doctrinal) in the church. *The Mark* deals with love; *The Watching World* deals with the purity aspect.

I recommend. I definitely don’t think it’s one of his best, but it’s a great read, and challenging as to love as well.

[Marina Klimova · Rating 5 out of 5]

A succinct book on the imperative for Christians to be holy AND loving AND unified despite large doctrinal or organizational differences. Schaeffer urges love in the every day moments and through difficulties. I was struck by his plea for the simple humble apology. When a Christian hurts someone just say sorry with a sincere heart and reconcile the relationship. The doctrinal differences fade but the bitterness remains. Love is the mark of the Christian for the watching world. John 13:35 If you love each other, all men will know you are My followers.

[Ben Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short book, but wonderful message.

A new commend I give you, that you love one another.

- love your neighbor (good Samaritan)
- as you love yourself
- as Christ loved us (sacrificial)

- I’m sorry (reconcile)
- Forgiving (even if the offender not asking for)
- at all Costs (and even if suffer loss)

The point is unity and to glorify God, not to “win”

[Lance Crandall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic little book, and needed that much more for us today!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very convicting, especially the part about loving your brothers/sisters in Christ outside of your denomination/tradition.

[Peter Kiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great treatise on unity, love, and how to handle disagreement. Francis Schaeffer moment.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schaeffer provides an exposition on Christ's words concerning what marks a Christian out as a true Christian. That answer is of course that we would have love for one another, but what does that actually look like? Schaeffer answers this question in a short and an easy-to-follow manner.

[Laurel (Yeetarandomwriter) Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read about how it is by our love as Christians, especially in our disagreements with other Christians, that the world sees God. Love and holiness together.

It seemed cool to me. I would need to read it more in depth/discuss it to see if there was anything I did disagree with but *shrugs.*

[Mike Fendrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

07/08/2025 Thanks to my friend Zach who unknowingly reminded me to reread this little book. Remains an important reminder to be known for observable love, not just doctrinal fidelity. Both are necessary.



04/13/2021 - OK make it 11. This is still an important exhortation to the church, that their love for one another (all of the one anothers!) must be visible, real and at times costly even in light of real differences we have. When we have the desire to be known as right, or to win the argument over loving another soul that Christ has saved, what do we expect the world to think of the church? In our city, we recently had yet another Bible believing, strong church split. Perhaps this was unavoidable but the after effects of the split show the world that we really aren't any different from them. Shame on us.



This is about my 10th reading of this little book. While I get a little nervous about the validity of Christianity being based upon how I show love to others, especially other believers, Schaefer's point in this book is spot on and, in my experience, sorely missing in today's church. Read Colossians 3: 12-17 and examine yourself and your church to see if these characteristics, what it means to love others, are present in your own heart or in your church. And then thank God that Jesus died for these sins also. And then, take "The Mark of a Christian" seriously and with God's help, make some changes. Me too!

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, but packed with so much practical, Biblical truth. Worth the read!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading for all Christians, especially those with any kind of social media presence.

[Gabe Bruner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just reread this for a class recently and outside of its repetitiveness, this essay really packs a convictional punch. I want to reread this often.

[Cap · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb little booklet on a foundational principle taught by our Lord: the world has a right to reject the church's message if those in the body of Christ fail to love each other as commanded. It is a scathing indictment of the Christian's capitulation to internet culture, with all of its rash assumptions, uncharitable judgements, and tribalist posturing. Schaeffer not only diagnoses the problem; he prescribes a solution in the form of five exhortations that will effectively demonstrate to the world the true countercultural nature of Christianity. This booklet is, to quote its own subtitle, "A classic statement--never more needed than today."

[Will Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The version of this book which I read came as an appendix in Schaeffer's larger work, "The Great Evangelical Disaster." This was a wonderful booklet calling Christians to pursue the kind of unity which Jesus says will cause the watching world to know that the Father has indeed sent the Son, but to do so without compromising what Schaeffer calls the "principle of the practice of the purity of the visible church," that is without compromising along with erring Christians in matters of doctrine and practice. This book would be a help to any Christians in today's church.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus gave the non-Christian world permission to judge those of us who say we are Christians by our love for one another. In John 13 Jesus told his disciples at the last supper that he had a new commandment - love one another - but He added 5 words that are to set us apart - Love one another; AS I Have Loved You! He loved us enough to die for us and we are to love Him enough to die to ourselves and truly love other Christians and the world of people we are living in. Francis A. Schaeffer put it in a way that leaves no "buts' or "what if's!" Great book that can be read in one sitting.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francis Schaeffer, one of the greatest thinkers and theologians of the 20th century, examines what it means to be "know by our love" as Jesus states Christians ought to be in the gospel of John. This short book packs quite a bit in its small stature, as with books such as Escape from Reason: A Penetrating Analysis of Trends in Modern Thought.

[Andy Treece · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Written in 1970, this short book still applies today. It’s essentially an exposition of John 13:34-35 and 17:20-21 and discusses how Christians are to love one another as a “final apologetic” before the unbelieving world. It gives some practical advice on balancing truth/holiness with love/forgiveness. Francis Schaeffer was a gift to the church.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timothy George mentioned this book in the little book Building Bridges about the Southern Baptist Convention. I decided to get it because it was about Christian love and I wanted to see what one of the wisest men of my young adult years had to say on the subject after just studying I Corinthians 13 and now going on to 14.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet.

[Pat O'Keeffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly clear and brief call to exhibit the one true mark of Christian discipleship: love. A very worthwhile read!

[Tyler Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a quick read, yet with so much practical application! The challenge to love your neighbor and your brother is practically overwhelming. I can’t count how many times while listening to this hour long audiobook that I said out loud, “yes!” In agreement.