The Church at the End of the 20th Century

In our "Books Change" series, historians of religion consider books that have changed us or have themselves been changed.

Francis Schaeffer has changed thousands of lives, including mine. This other, earlier “Pope Francis” might not bear the same weight he once did. However, a Christianity Today readers’ poll once placed him above John Calvin in influence. Following World War II, Schaeffer had left behind separatist fundamentalism to help Billy Graham and the Jesus Movement usher in a golden age of evangelical conservative prestige. 

From their shelter in the Swiss Alps, Schaeffer and his family amassed explanations for what had gone wrong with Western Christian civilization—and who was to blame. If Christ was Lord over all of life, they maintained, then it was up to the Bible-believers to recapture modern thought, culture, and humanity. Francis eventually descended from the mountains to pen more than 20 books, produce two video series (including a groundbreaking national tour on abortion), and protect biblical inerrancy everywhere, including Princeton, MIT, and the White House. He could count among his legions of disciples Jerry Falwell, Larry Norman, and Jack Kemp. Today, early new evangelical writings such as Schaeffer’s are experiencing a kind of renaissance among China’s house churches.