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The Mark of the Man
Most readers' responses to published articles are critical, frequently offering opposing opinions. Yet, in the case of Michael Hamilton's reflective article on the work and ministry of Francis Schaeffer (Mar. 3), overwhelmingly the sentiments expressed by the many who wrote were appreciation and gratitude for Schaeffer's impact on their own lives.

Over and over readers responded with comments like this one by Gerald Rodriguez of San Jose, California: "Schaeffer's writings, and the writings of others influenced by him, have helped to shape and define my place in this world as both a Christian and a citizen." And Charles McCoy of Watchmen Fellowship in Mt. Hermon, California, observed: "It would be interesting to know how many of us were deeply touched by his life and work despite his feet of clay. With all of his limitations, he was a pivotal figure for twentieth-century Christianity." Well said.

A Faithful Disciple
Thank you for Michael Hamilton's insightful treatment of the ministry of Francis Schaeffer, a Christian whose desire to be a faithful disciple of our Lord could not be captured by any of our labels ["The Dissatisfaction of Francis Schaeffer," Mar. 3]. Perhaps reflection on his life would help us avoid the temptation to dispose of others by categorizing them.

Prof. Stanley K. Fowler
Heritage Baptist College and Seminary
Cambridge, Ont., Canada

In my view, there are two things wrong with the article. One was that it seems to relegate Schaeffer to history—in fact, a history that existed in the 20 years prior to his death, the 1960s and 1970s. Nothing could be further from the truth. The world Francis Schaeffer fought against is still the same—only much worse.

The second missing element is intellectual passion. Schaeffer was a true believer and a prophet as well as an evangelical and activist. When he wrote to my family from Switzerland about the "Christians thundering in the background" without providing alternatives to abortion, he was reminding us that faith without works is dead—or quite useless.

B. J. Wheeler
Cedar Falls, Iowa

* I have had the Complete Works of Francis Schaeffer on my shelf for several years. Though I know the writings of Francis Schaeffer are considered watershed material, they have always been books that seemed too daunting to try to read. And so they have sat unread. Your article has stirred me to make the effort to read his works and have my mind and faith challenged. Hopefully, your article will introduce many more to Francis Schaeffer and they will be enlightened by the thinking of this intellectual giant of the evangelical world.

Gregory Woodard
Emmanuel Christian Center
Minneapolis, Minn.

* My campus ministries pastor at the University of Iowa in the mid-1970s helped me to apprehend the works of Francis Schaeffer. Since then, I have recognized that there are two types of Christians: those who read Schaeffer, thus identifying the "Line of Despair" in art, science, and contemporary culture; and those who refuse to read Schaeffer and in bewilderment ask, "What in the world is happening, and how did our culture get so messed up?"

Steven J. Baker
Missionary with New Tribes Mission
Urbandale, Iowa

Michael Maudlin's introductory article ("Inside CT") leaves a completely wrong impression concerning two matters. First, Schaeffer's last book, The Great Evangelical Disaster, was his own book in every respect. Though I worked closely with Schaeffer in putting the book into final form, the content was Schaeffer's own material—namely, his lectures, notes, and articles that he had assembled over a number of years (as well as his two-page outline that determined the structure).

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April 28 1997, Vol. 41, No. 5