Like many other folks, I was influenced early in my ministry by the books, audio messages, and video recordings of Francis Schaeffer. I never gave in to trying to grow his goatee or dress like him… but I’m certain from time to time I surely must have tried to speak like him. I used to obsessively study philosophy, worldview-thinking, ethics, theology, culture, and apologetics through seminary and well into the first half of my ministry. Francis Schaeffer helped me navigate much of that journey. He helped show me how those subjects were all connected as well as how understanding such things was essential for practical day-to-day life and ministry. More than that, his biblical, theological, and philosophical convictions compelled him to bear faithful Christian witness to the world in which he lived. Reading Schaeffer’s works and learning more about him, his family, and his ministry also led me to discover others who have greatly impacted my thinking and ministry, such as Jerram Barrs, Os Guinness, and Dick Keyes. Though I never really stopped studying those disciplines I just mentioned, I have had something of a renewal of interest and focus on them during this last few years. Thus, I thought I might share this post on Schaeffer that I shared shortly after the centennial celebration of Schaeffer’s birth. During that time I read some great tributes to his life and ministry and thought that I would share some of those, as well as a few inspiring websites and ministries that are carrying on his work. I hope something mentioned here will bless you. Grace and Truth, Dale A few articles about Schaeffer… Remembering Francis Schaeffer by T.M. Moore (good list of links at the end of the article). In many ways Charles Colson and his various ministries (The Colson Center, BreakPoint, etc., are carrying on in the same spirit as Schaeffer. 100th Anniversary of Francis Schaeffer’s Birth by Nathan Bingham at Ligonier Ministries Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life (a review by Hunter Baker) at Gospel Coalition Francis Schaeffer at 100 at Credo Magazine Covenant Theological Seminary’s magazine issue on Schaeffer The Need to Read Francis Schaeffer by Todd Kappelman at Probe Ministries Francis Schaeffer and a World in Desperate Need by Lane Dennis at Crossway Francis Schaeffer at Wheaton How Then Should We Live?: Francis Schaeffer at 100 by Charles Colson Here are some great websites/ministries serving in the “Schaeffer spirit”… L’Abri Fellowship -This is the ministry that Schaeffer and his wife founded. It has greatly expanded and continues to do a wonderful job of ministering today. Check out their page on the history of L’Abri. Francis A. Schaeffer Institute at Covenant Theological Seminary. Jerram Barrs is closely connected to this. Two of his courses, on the early and later years of Schaeffer, are available (for free!!!) at the Covenant website. And HERE Francis Schaeffer Studies.org -a new website and ministry launched to celebrate the 100th birthday of Schaeffer. Lots of great resources available. Francis A. Schaeffer Foundation – The Francis A. Schaeffer Foundation was incorporated in 1988 by Edith Schaeffer, Udo and Deborah Middelmann and several of their friends as a foundation of ideas. The Francis Schaeffer Study Center – This is an awesome ministry to students. From their webpage… “The focus of the Study Center curriculum is on equipping high school students with basic biblical knowledge, an understanding of the Christian world-view and an integrated study of the literature, history, and art of western civilization.” Other helpful resources… And… what would a post on Schaeffer be without something from the man himself…
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In an effort to communicate my appreciation for, and my indebtedness to his life and writing, I decided to put together a post sharing resources on C.S. Lewis to help others find these treasures on Lewis. I told my wife not too long ago that I really do think I could spend the rest of my days reading his books, as well books about him. His contributions across various spheres of Christian life have been vast. He speaks to me as very few others do, outside of Scripture.
Of course, I’m no Lewis scholar. I’m a rank amateur at best. But I am a fan. And while I can’t cite every fact about his life or how he influenced such-and-such school of thought, I find myself returning to him time and time again… whether it is his fiction, nonfiction, letters, or poetry. For that matter, I usually have a biography of Lewis somewhere near my bedside table. Below are a few links to websites by folks who really are Lewis scholars and who have contributed in helping us think about how Lewis may serve us as a spiritual guide, among other things. I have also included links to websites about his friends, his influences, and those who have been greatly influenced by him. Enjoy. Joy and Truth, Dale Courses on C.S. Lewis C.S. Lewis: His Theology and Philosophy by Michael Peterson (at biblical training.org) The Life and Writing of C.S. Lewis by Louis Markos (at Great Courses) C.S. Lewis by Knox Chamblin (at Reformed Theological Seminary) Mere Christianity by Christopher Mitchell (at C.S. Lewis Institute) The Screwtape Letters by Jerry Root (at C.S. Lewis Institute) Letters to Malcolm by Marjorie Lamp Mead (at C.S. Lewis Institute) Theology of C.S. Lewis by Andrew Hoffecker (at The Gospel Coalition) An Introduction to C.S. Lewis (at Hillsdale College) Influences on the Thought of C.S. Lewis by Jerry Root (at Logos.com) C.S. Lewis Foundation seminars Websites and Organizations 1.) C.S. Lewis Institute – Bonanza of great resources. Check out their publications, Reflections and Knowing & Doing. They have great curricula on two Lewis books as well as many audio messages you can listen to or download. 2.) C.S. Lewis Foundation – Another bonanza. Lots of great resources including an online journal and blog. 3.) The C.S. Lewis Review 4.) Into the Wardrobe 5.) Diana Glyer’s website 6.) Mere Lewis.org 7.) C.S. Lewis at Harper 8.) C.S. Lewis Society of California 9.) Narnia Web.com 10.) C.S. Lewis & Public Life Websites with lots of articles about Lewis 1.) Catholic Education Resource Center 2.) Books and Culture 3.) C.S. Lewis, Literature, and Life Inklings and Other Friends of Lewis Related Sites 1.) The Kindlings and Earl Palmer Ministries 2.) Peter Kreeft 3.) Ralph Wood 4.) American Chesterton Society 5.) The Tolkien Society 6.) The Inklings 7.) Mythopoeic Society 8.) George MacDonald Society 9.) George MacDonald Info Web |
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