A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance
by Steve West
About the Author
Francis Schaeffer was one of the most influential Christian apologists in Western history. He emphasized the importance of worldview thinking from a Christian perspective. Schaeffer called evangelicals to rigorous philosophical and theological thinking, as well as social and cultural engagement.
Table of Contents
1 The Law and the Law of Love
2 The Centrality of Death
3 Through Death to Resurrection
4 In the Spirit’s Power
5 The Supernatural Universe
6 Salvation Past—Present—Future
7 The Fruitful Bride
8 Freedom from Conscience
9 Freedom in the Thought-life
10 Substantial Healing of Psychological Problems
11 Substantial Healing of the Total Person
12 Substantial Healing in Personal Relationships
13 Substantial Healing in the Church
Summary
Chapter 1: The Law and the Law of Love
It is vital at this time in history that we understand the nature of true spirituality. No one can genuinely do this or live the Christian life until they are converted and regenerate. Everyone is lost in sin and can only be saved by the redemption that comes through Jesus Christ: we can add nothing to the cross. The only instrument for receiving the righteousness of Christ is faith. Once we are born again we must live a life of following Christ, avoiding both legalism and antinomianism. We are to live in obedience to the moral law of God and his law of love. Holy, Christian living is not merely a matter of external conformity in actions; love is internal and is essential. We are to submit to God fully, and love our neighbors so well that we no longer covet in envy or find ourselves discontented. No matter what happens in our lives, we know that it is working out for good, and we are to give thanks to God in all things. We live in a personal universe because of the existence of a personal God. True spirituality in relation to him is not only expressed negatively (i.e., refraining from certain things) but is a positive mode of existence. There are numerous ways that we can honor God and act out of love for him. We need to see that external acts must be motivated from healthy internal dispositions, but also that external acts are the manifestation of our internal state. Our positive love for God and love for others will generate positive, healthy spiritual fruit and external actions. . . .
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