Dr. Schaeffer’s sweeping epic on the rise and decline of Western thought and Culture

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A Time Magazine article from January 11, 1960 describes Francis Schaeffer’s ministry as a “mission to intellectuals.”  While one can understand why this might be said, my reading about Francis and Edith Schaeffer belies this simple assertion.  In reading, what stands out to me is his love for children, his pastor’s heart, and his working class roots which gave him an identification with ordinary folk everywhere.

Children.  In the Summer of 1936 the newlywed Schaeffers accepted a job directing Camp Richard Webber Oliver in Rumney, New Hampshire, in the White Mountains.  This “apostle to the intellectuals,” Edith recounts, “cared for little boys — taught them, hiked with them, read them stories at night, tucked them in, prayed with them, led them to the Lord with a measure of real understanding, tied their shoes, put mecurochrome on their cuts and ice on their bruises, scolded them and loved them” (Tapestry, p. 188).  Shortly thereafter, in his first pastorate at Covenant Presbyterian Church, in Grove City, Pennsylvania, Edith says “Fran’s first thought was to start reaching children in the town, but he hadn’t one child to start with, let alone a nucleus” (Tapestry, p. 204) (It was a church of 18 people, all adults!)    And so he began — with hot dog roasts, door-to-door visitation, and, finally, the first two-week Summer Bible School, at which 79 children showed up.

The emphasis on children continued into his next pastorate, at Bible Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where past Covenant Seminary President Will Barker (who was a young boy then) recalls Schaeffer piling a load of boys in his car and taking them through the St. Louis zoo, with some antics along the way.  It was here that the Schaeffers began a work called “Children for Christ,” a seven point program for reaching out to the children of St. Louis which included camps, open-air gatherings, Summer Bible Schools, released time classes, and Empire Builder Clubs.  The ministry spread to other churches beyond their denomination.  In fact, Children for Christ was a significant factor in their being sent to Europe.  Once in Europe, they went about with flannel boards to illustrate the Gospel, sang and taught songs, and began founding Children for Christ clubs wherever they could.  In sum, children were forever on Francis and Edith Schaeffer’s hearts; these little ones mattered as much as any adult, much less intellectuals.  Ironically enough, a number of these children were the future intellectuals, if you call it that.

A Pastor’s heart.  His sensitivity to children no doubt came from his pastor’s heart.  In his first pastorate, his congregation and community were made up working class families and farmers.  Edith recounts that “Fran’s pastoral calls included taking a chair along to sand while he talked to a farmer milking a cow.  He felt that working together provided a better atmosphere for conversation, something real rather than just “polite” (Tapestry, p. 208).  It was a humble beginning and yet exactly the right beginning in ministry for a man who would live humbly all his life, opening his home and life to so many, having so little “space” for himself.

Working class roots.  Having grown up in a family that valued hard work, Schaeffer learned to work with his hands, be it carpentry work, electrical wiring, or plumbing.  At Covenant Presbyterian Church, he joined in the remodeling of a church building, painting the steeple himself.  No doubt this openness to doing menial work endeared him to people.  Certainly it also helped him identify and empathize with people of all backgrounds.  This disciplined upbringing helped him endure some of the relative privations of post-War Europe and certainly increased his accessibility to all with whom he came in contact.

Apostle to the intellectuals?  Yes, but not exclusively so.  Apologist?  Yes, but also (and perhaps foremost), a pastor.  What shines through Francis and Edith Schaeffer is a love for and openness to people, old and young, blue-collar worker and intellectual.

I have gone back and forth and back and forth with many liberals on the Arkansas Times Blog on many issues such as abortion, human rights, welfare, poverty, gun control  and issues dealing with popular culture. Here is another exchange I had with them a while back. My username at the Ark Times Blog is Saline […]

It is not possible to know where the pro-life evangelicals are coming from unless you look at the work of the person who inspired them the most. That person was Francis Schaeffer.  I do care about economic issues but the pro-life issue is the most important to me. Several years ago Adrian Rogers (past president of […]

I got this off a Christian blog spot. This person makes some good points and quotes my favorite Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer too. Prostitution, Chaos, and Christian Art The newest theatrical release of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel “Les Miserables” was released on Christmas, but many Christians are refusing to see the movie. The reason simple — […]

Francis Schaeffer was truly a great man and I enjoyed reading his books. A theologian #2: Rev. Francis Schaeffer Duriez, Colin. Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008. Pp. 240. Francis Schaeffer is one of the great evangelical theologians of our modern day. I was already familiar with some of his books and his […]

Francis Schaeffer: “Whatever Happened to the Human Race?” (Episode 2) SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS Published on Oct 6, 2012 by AdamMetropolis ___________ The 45 minute video above is from the film series created from Francis Schaeffer’s book “Whatever Happened to the Human Race?” with Dr. C. Everett Koop. This book  really helped develop my political views […]

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Francis Schaeffer: “Whatever Happened to the Human Race?” (Episode 2) SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS Published on Oct 6, 2012 by AdamMetropolis The 45 minute video above is from the film series created from Francis Schaeffer’s book “Whatever Happened to the Human Race?” with Dr. C. Everett Koop. This book  really helped develop my political views concerning […]

Francis Schaeffer: “Whatever Happened to the Human Race” (Episode 1) ABORTION OF THE HUMAN RACE Published on Oct 6, 2012 by AdamMetropolis The 45 minute video above is from the film series created from Francis Schaeffer’s book “Whatever Happened to the Human Race?” with Dr. C. Everett Koop. This book  really helped develop my political views […]

I have gone back and forth and back and forth with many liberals on the Arkansas Times Blog on many issues such as abortion, human rights, welfare, poverty, gun control  and issues dealing with popular culture. Here is another exchange I had with them a while back. My username at the Ark Times Blog is Saline […]

Francis Schaeffer: “Whatever Happened to the Human Race” (Episode 5) TRUTH AND HISTORY Published on Oct 7, 2012 by AdamMetropolis The 45 minute video above is from the film series created from Francis Schaeffer’s book “Whatever Happened to the Human Race?” with Dr. C. Everett Koop. This book  really helped develop my political views concerning abortion, […]