Ya, again, every time I read anything by Schaeffer, this written in 1970, the more I proclaim him a prophet - in both declaring God's Word and being an onlooker on what the future (our present) needs. It's always a loving, kick in the pants too. That's why I read theology!

Schaeffer takes the words of Jesus in John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" and runs with it.

Schaeffer systematizes all the different details to see here. He looks at being accused by the world by not being loving in a proper way that we are called by God to be loving, by telling what is true on the basis of God's revelation. Then he covers when the world calls us unloving because we are unloving - unloving towards others and especially unloving towards other believers. Schaeffer's very striking point he terms "The Final Apologetic" warns Christians that being truly unloving and having the world see it undermines Christ work so much it would be valid to have the unbelieving world declare "God did not send Jesus Christ into the world as an atonement". Schaeffer is not being harsh, he's being challenging. And when he is challenging, he also shows the other avenues of this passage. The believe will fail and with failure we are able to be forgiven and then go and ask for forgiveness - that too is showing love for others and other believers. Then believers are also called to be forgiving of others especially those seeking forgiveness. He provides a very challenging story of post-WWII Germany of believers on both sides of the line and a truly beautiful story about the redemption Christ provides the world after a monstrosity of hatred and death experienced there.

There are so many other points that it would just be the book here instead of the review. So, Christian, go pick this up and be challenged especially with how you respond to others on places like Twitter and especially how you are called to love other believers. Final Grade - A+ ( )

Francis A. Schaeffer the Christian theologian-philosopher wrote this small book back in 1970 but even after four decades it still has timeless, relevant truths for the Christian today. He begins this book with Jesus’ exhortation in John 13:33-35 that his disciples should love one another. Love, Schaeffer demonstrates is the unique quality of the true Christian life that should be evident in their lives. This and this alone is proof of their relationship with the Lord Jesus. He who fails to love has not been truly changed by the gospel message.

At first glance this teaching sounds very simple but Schaeffer explains that this truth is in contradiction against our human self-absorbed depravity. Prior to our redemption by Christ’s sacrificial love we are unable to love others at it does not come natural since it goes against our human nature.

The most important thing that Schaeffer says in this work is what he calls The Final Apologetic. If we as Christians do not love each other, than the world will say that God did not send Christ as the gospel proclaims. Within the framework of the Final Apologetic, we as Christians have a responsibility to live the gospel and in such a way that the dying and hurting world may see it and seek after it. Schaeffer then concludes this short book (p. 204) by saying:

“What then shall we conclude but that as the Samaritan loved the wounded man, we as Christians are called upon to love all men as neighbors, loving them as ourselves. Second, that we are to love all true Christian brothers in a way that the world may observe. This means showing love to our brothers in the midst of our differences-great or small-loving our brothers when it costs us something, loving them even under times of tremendous emotional tension, loving them in a way the world can see. In short, we are to practice and exhibit the holiness of God and the love of God, for without this we grieve the Holy Spirit. 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.”

I highly recommend this work of Schaeffer’s to anyone as it is profound in its simplicity but deep in biblical truth. If you've never read Francis Schaeffer this is a great introduction and a must read for all people. ( )

Small paperback

The Mark of the Christian by Francis A. Schaeffer (?)

If we do not show one another love, the world has a right to question whether Christianity is true.