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Francis Schaeffer
Francis Schaeffer (January 30, 1912 – May 15, 1984) was an American preacher, philosopher, and author whose ministry bridged theology and culture, influencing evangelical thought across four decades. Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, to Frank August Schaeffer, a janitor and cable worker, and Bessie Williamson, he grew up in a working-class home with minimal church ties until converting at 17 through a tent revival and personal Bible reading. He graduated magna cum laude from Hampden-Sydney College in 1935, then earned a divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1937, completing studies at Faith Theological Seminary in 1938 after a split over premillennialism. Schaeffer’s preaching career began with ordination in the Bible Presbyterian Church in 1938, pastoring Covenant Presbyterian in Grove City, Pennsylvania (1941–1943), and Bible Presbyterian in Chester (1943–1948), before moving to Switzerland in 1948 as a missionary with the Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions. There, he founded L’Abri Fellowship in 1955, a community where his sermons—blending apologetics, biblical truth, and cultural critique—drew seekers worldwide, later amplified by books like The God Who Is There (1968) and Escape from Reason (1968). His 1970s film series How Should We Then Live? extended his reach. Married to Edith Seville in 1935, whom he met at a youth event, they had four children—Priscilla, Susan, Deborah, and Frank. Schaeffer died at age 72 in Rochester, Minnesota, from lymphoma.
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Dr. Francis Schaeffer's profound impact on a generation stemmed from his ability to communicate historic Biblical Christianity with intellectual integrity and practical care, rooted in his deep commitment to Jesus Christ and critical study of humanity. He emphasized the relationship between beliefs and actions, highlighting the influence of truth on individual choices and societal trends. Through his teachings, discussions, and interactions, Schaeffer inspired many to engage with the truth of God's creation and revelation, leading to a lasting legacy seen in books, films, and academic lectures worldwide.
Who Was Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer?
The unique contribution of Dr. Francis Schaeffer on a whole generation was the ability to communicate the truth of historic Biblical Christianity in a way that combined intellectual integrity with practical, loving care. This grew out of his extensive understanding of the Bible from a deep commitment to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and a critical study of the world of man. These two pillars supported his inquisitive and analytical mind on the solid reality of the truth of God's creation and of his revelation. He understood the roots of modern thinking in its rejection of reality and rationality and pointed out the logical conclusions in a wide range of disciplines and in society. Dr. Schaeffer understood that what a person believes will influence the way he acts in history and individual situations. There is a relationship between a person's view of truth and life, between philosophy and practice, between faulty ideas and foolish choices. Dr. Schaeffer discussed the truth of reality with anyone in many settings. This in turn brought students, professionals, scholars and others from around the world to his home to learn from his insights. They returned with them to their own world and applied them to their circle of life amd work. The ideas continue to bear fruit and to stimulate discussions and discoveries through more than 25 books, several films, taped seminars and lectures at leading universities in Europe, the US and abroard. The result has been a profound and enduring impact upon many thousands, who have themselves gone to make their own mark in history. The central thrust of Dr. Schaeffer's teaching is that Biblical Christianity is the truth about the real world. The only reason to be a Christian is an ackjnowledgement of what is objectively true about human beings, the real world and the basic human predicaments. The Bible is true in all that it affirms. This emphasis is not so much the summary of academic instructions or doctrinal positions. It is the result of a searching mind, of being exposed to human history, the European culture and art, and of in-depth discussions with knowledgeable people for a life time of study, observation and work. With the Bible as his base and a profound interest in human beings, Dr. Schaeffer's insights were developed through the experience of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the study of Florentine society and art, in lectures followed by tough discussions at modern Cambridge, in rude exposure to the slums of Bombaay and in probing questions of people from a great variety of backgrounds, in abortion protests, in response to life in the wider arena of human need and pervasive intellectual confusion in our world. - Udo W. Middelmann, President - The Francis A. Schaeffer Foundation
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Francis Schaeffer (January 30, 1912 – May 15, 1984) was an American preacher, philosopher, and author whose ministry bridged theology and culture, influencing evangelical thought across four decades. Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, to Frank August Schaeffer, a janitor and cable worker, and Bessie Williamson, he grew up in a working-class home with minimal church ties until converting at 17 through a tent revival and personal Bible reading. He graduated magna cum laude from Hampden-Sydney College in 1935, then earned a divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1937, completing studies at Faith Theological Seminary in 1938 after a split over premillennialism. Schaeffer’s preaching career began with ordination in the Bible Presbyterian Church in 1938, pastoring Covenant Presbyterian in Grove City, Pennsylvania (1941–1943), and Bible Presbyterian in Chester (1943–1948), before moving to Switzerland in 1948 as a missionary with the Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions. There, he founded L’Abri Fellowship in 1955, a community where his sermons—blending apologetics, biblical truth, and cultural critique—drew seekers worldwide, later amplified by books like The God Who Is There (1968) and Escape from Reason (1968). His 1970s film series How Should We Then Live? extended his reach. Married to Edith Seville in 1935, whom he met at a youth event, they had four children—Priscilla, Susan, Deborah, and Frank. Schaeffer died at age 72 in Rochester, Minnesota, from lymphoma.