Schaeffer on the Christian Life: Countercultural Spirituality (Theologians on the Christian Life)

“Francis Schaeffer was small of stature but a giant in his tenacious concern for truth, for God, for people, and for reality. He became convinced that Christian faith was the radical path for our own day, the realistic answer to the hard questions of a modern, troubled world. William Edgars compulsively readable study of Francis Schaeffers thought is set in the context of his rough-edged life and his brilliantly-inspired work in the LAbri community he established with his remarkable wife, Edith. LAbri, perched high on the slopes of a remote alpine valley, drew a motley procession of mainly young travelers from the ends of the earth. Schaeffers own, sometimes anguished, quest to communicate the ancient biblical text in a century of unprecedented historical changes attracted and opened doors for a generation of Christians. It also convinced many outside the faith with honest questions (like Bill Edgar himself) to follow the way of Christ. This engaging book captures the fire of Francis Schaeffers thought and concerns, and revisits and reinvigorates the still urgent challenge he presented to the church in the modern world.”

“In a brilliant combination of personal recollections and thorough analysis, William Edgar demonstrates convincingly that the Schaeffers' encounter with the triune God who is there is entral to the rise, growth, and impact of L'Abri. This refreshing study will arouse the enthusiasm of all who yearn for a true spirituality that transforms minds and lives, regenerates the church, and 'flows into the total culture.'”

“For many years I hoped that I could spend some time at LAbri, but that was not Gods plan for me. Instead, God enabled me to become friends with many LAbri alumni, of whom Bill Edgar was one. I have been impressed with the intellectual caliber of those men and women, but even more with their godly character. LAbri evidently had a way of leading people from intellectual atheism, to conversion, to spiritual maturity. Bills book focuses, more than other LAbri books, on this process of what we now call spiritual formation. The whole church can learn much from it. I commend this excellent book to all who seek to draw nearer to God.”

“This book by Dr. Edgar on countercultural spirituality is much needed as a trustworthy guide in the dark confusion of the postmodern world.”

“An engaging, fascinating account, seasoned with unusual insight into one of the truly original apologists of our time.”

“Friendly, passionate, intellectual, and constantly engaged with people as well as ideas and contemporary affairs, Francis Schaeffer comes alive in Edgar's objective but affectionate portrait. Rescued from the distortions of both lionisers and demonizers, here is 'FAS' as so many of us knew him in the great years of L'Abriand with so much to contribute to our world today.”