Francis Schaeffer has drawn many people to the feet of Jesus through his persuasive writings and personal relationships. But not everyone has been satisfied with that legacy. One journalist recently claimed that, “The tragedy of Francis Schaeffer is that, at some deep inner level, he knew what he preached was a con.” With statements like these, it’s helpful to look to fresh perspectives on what Schaeffer taught and how he lived and what that means for Christians today. Bryan A. Follis has provided such a perspective in his book Truth with Love: The Apologetics of Francis Schaeffer. Dr. Follis traces the intellectual roots of Schaeffer’s theology and apologetics in order to expose the true picture of one of the 20th century’s most noted apologists. |
After a brief introduction and biography, Dr. Follis explores the theology of John Calvin and Reformed interpretations since. This lays the groundwork for Schaeffer’s understanding of the dignity of humanity despite its depravity and the role of reason in his apologetic. The second chapter considers the various arguments Schaeffer put forward, including the well-known “taking the roof off,” and places Schaeffer’s love and compassion in proper relation to his apologetics. Francis Schaeffer has been accused of rationalism by some evangelicals, so Dr. Follis seeks to defend him against that charge in the third chapter. He argues that Schaeffer’s argumentation cannot be separated from his spirituality and that critics simply do not consider the full canon of Schaeffer’s work and life.
In the fourth chapter, Dr. Follis explores methodology, noting that Schaeffer was not a presuppositionalist in the tradition of Cornelius Van Til, but more like a verificationist in the tradition of Edward Carnell. He makes the important note, however, that Schaeffer did not believe “there is any one apologetics which meets the needs of all people. The concluding chapter considers the role of love in Schaeffer’s work and life, which Schaeffer called “the final apologetic.” Dr. Follis explains the personal nature of Schaeffer’s evangelism and the importance of community.
Truth with Love by Bryan Follis not only sets the record straight about the beliefs and life of Francis Schaeffer, but also puts forwards an inspirational vision for apologetics in our current postmodern culture. It’s main fault is that some of the points are placed repetitively throughout the book, but with such important points that may be forgiven.
