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6th out of 98 books
—
29 voters
A Christian Manifesto
In this explosive book, Francis Schaeffer shows why morality and freedom have crumbled in our society. He calls for a massive movement-in government, law, and all of life-to reestablish our Judeo-Christian foundation and turn the tide of moral decadence and loss of freedom.
A Christian Manifesto is literally a call for Christians to change the course of history-by returning...more
A Christian Manifesto is literally a call for Christians to change the course of history-by returning...more
Paperback, 157 pages
Published
March 8th 2005
by Crossway Books
(first published June 1981)
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This "manifesto" is the philosophical justification for the Moral Majority that seemed plausible in the 80s but, when read in 2012, the parochial and selective nostalgia of the book becomes quite obvious. The author pines for a religious revival that will manifest itself in the American legal system, particularly in reference to abortion, but he refuses to concede that what he is advocating is a theocratic system or in any way an establishment of a state religion.
In fact, Schaeffer would prefer...more
In fact, Schaeffer would prefer...more
People have mixed feeling about this book, I think because most Christians have a rather mechanical view of Romans 13 and the relation between the Christian and the state. It seems most Christians apply Rom 13 rather woodenly and fail to contextualize both Paul's day and ours. Schaeffer points out that the grounds for Christian disobedience to the state is much greater than just preaching issues and this is where most Christian wince. I found the book extremely helpful in forming and understandi...more
A little dated by its situation within the 1980s American zeitgeist.
But some key points survive well - especially his treatment of worldview, and the universality of faith in something for all humans, whether acknowledged or not.
It was good to go back to the source, but a lot of more current Christian writers have done a great job at incorporating his ideas and bringing them into light - ie Tim Keller, Chuck Colson...
I still want to think more about the constructs Schaffer sets up for thinking a...more
But some key points survive well - especially his treatment of worldview, and the universality of faith in something for all humans, whether acknowledged or not.
It was good to go back to the source, but a lot of more current Christian writers have done a great job at incorporating his ideas and bringing them into light - ie Tim Keller, Chuck Colson...
I still want to think more about the constructs Schaffer sets up for thinking a...more
It is hard to critique Schaeffer, given the man's love for the lost and for culture. I will focus much of my critique on Schaeffer's political ethic expressed in A Christian Manifesto. Here Schaeffer, following Samuel Rutherford, argues that when Caesar goes beyond his authority Christians are to, in increasing levels of intensity and in this order: 1) protest in the public square, 2) flee to different lands, and finally 3) resist by armed force led by the lesser civil magistrate. I can critique...more
I read this book on the recommendation of a friend, and am thoroughly impressed.
Schaeffer starts out by making the case for why we need a manifesto. Namely, that the Christian worldview has been supplanted in this country, in the west even, by the humanist (or what he regularly calls the material-energy, chance worldview). As a result, the freedoms we once had because of the Christian worldview foundation are being lost. They are being lost because the humanist worldview depends not on the Lords...more
Schaeffer starts out by making the case for why we need a manifesto. Namely, that the Christian worldview has been supplanted in this country, in the west even, by the humanist (or what he regularly calls the material-energy, chance worldview). As a result, the freedoms we once had because of the Christian worldview foundation are being lost. They are being lost because the humanist worldview depends not on the Lords...more
Excellent! Prophetic (written in 1981).
From the beginning: "The basic problem of the Christians in this country in the last eighty years or so, in regard to society and in regard to government, is that they have seen things in bits and pieces instead of totals."
Shows how the secular, humanist worldview is antithetical to the Christian worldview, and demonstrates the moral, political, and legal consequences which flow from each worldview.
From the beginning: "The basic problem of the Christians in this country in the last eighty years or so, in regard to society and in regard to government, is that they have seen things in bits and pieces instead of totals."
Shows how the secular, humanist worldview is antithetical to the Christian worldview, and demonstrates the moral, political, and legal consequences which flow from each worldview.
This is an interesting book. It is a call to action. It makes the case that Christianity is not just a set of ideas as it is a way of living every minute of every day. Francis Schaeffer also asks some hard questions about when it is right for a Christian to participate in civil disobedience. This is a thought provoking book and one that is worth considering, especially if you are thinking about the role of Christianity in society.
I hate to be contrary to Schaffer because of his devotion to a gospel centered ethic. However, the need for Christians to be actively involved in the politics of Babylon is an issue that I have mixed feelings about. I do agree with his comment that we can not expect to establish a Theocracy but must work within the system to do justice to the oppressed and live out the Ethics of the Kingdom of God.
There were many arguments posed as to the influence of the Christianity on the U.S. revolution and the role that Christianity played on the founding of America. There is a lot of good information related to these topics in the book. I thought Schaeffer outlined his view very well with references to guide the reader to be able to make their own conclusion.
I thought this book shed some light for me in regards to the battle that we are in for our culture and government. The book talks about the fact that as Christians we only focus on one part of life, the spiritual, but forget that God's principles applies to all areas of life. As Christians we have to extend our influence in all areas of life.
I read this book in college and it was horrible. The writing was bad, the arguments lacked logical cohesion. I agreed with a lot of his positions (although not all), but the tone, style, diction, and syntax made it all but unreadable.
Sep 25, 2010
Sarah
added it
I read this at 20 years old shortly after I came to faith in Christ. Sadly, I do not remember much though I do remember wrestling with the material Schaeffer put forward. I need to re-read this one.
I'm not sure if I'll like this book or not, so I'm a little nervous to read it. :-) It was, however, only 50 cents at Goodwill, so I figure it was a bargain. ;-)
I found this book though it was written in the 80's to seem to be very relevant for today. Schaeffer was a wise man who saw the rise of Humanism in the American culture as a danger to our religious freedoms and a danger to our Christian world view. Perhaps he is one of the early Christian philosophers of our century to speak of this term " world view." He seemed to be called by God in his latter years to warn America of what freedoms we could loose if we did not wake up spiritually. Europe has l...more
I read this book in college in the early 80s. It was good at the time, but I would like to re-read it to see how it holds up after all that time.
This book is more of a call to action than his previous titles which I would characterize more as analysis and insight. Sure do miss his voice.
When I bought it I just could not get into it. I put it on the shelf figuring I'd eventually get around to reading it. That was 25 year ago.
a critique of humanism and its stark contrast with Christianity. worth reading for his thoughts on the role of God in government.
This was a book that did an excellent Job at making you think, was a little preachy at the end, but was an amazing book
Very thought provoking. Not sure I agree with the late Professor's view on civil disobedience or even armed resistance.
Schaeffer uniquely ties secular humanism through politics, government, and law to explain the degradation of society.
Food for thought....one of his last books before he died. Thought provoking and debatable.
A must read for all christians right along with Marx´s manifesto. Absolutely fantastic!
A christian classic a great christian philosopher of the 20th century.
Such a helpful discussion. Lots to think about and much to apply.
Very accessible and clear call for Christian action in all of life.
Jul 14, 2012
Wayne Brooks
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Any serious Christian
A must read for any Christian interested in world issues
Jul 26, 2011
Robert Davis
added it
Excellent reading for Christian Lawyers.
This really set me right.
Thought provoking.
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'Francis Schaeffer was a Presbyterian minister with an ability to see how the questions of meaning, morals, and value being dealt with by philosophy, were the same questions that the Bible dealt with, only in different language. Once an agnostic, Schaeffer came to the conclusion that Biblical Christianity not only gave sufficient answers to the big questions, but that they were the only answers th...more
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“The basic problem of the Christians in this country in the last eighty years or so, in regard to society and in regard to government, is that they have seen things in bits and pieces instead of totals.”
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11 people liked it
“If there is no final place for civil disobedience, then the government has been made autonomous, and as such, it has been put in the place of the Living God.”
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6 people liked it
More quotes…
Nov 22, 2011 01:03pm