The God Who Is There - Schaffer

If you are looking for proof that there is a “…God Who is There”, as given to us by Francis A. Schaffer in 1968 in his book, ‘The God Who Is There”, unless you are willing to convert to Christianity on the spot, you will probably look elsewhere.  In this book Schaeffer is not writing as an apologetic to the masses who have not found salvation through Jesus Christ.  He is writing to those already saved and explaining to them a formula to combat Secular Humanism and still win disciples for Christ in this 20th Century.  In so doing he tosses out the theology of men such as Soren Kierkegaard disallowing a “Leap of Faith” discussion, which Schaffer believes to the root cause of a New Theology.   A theology that is incorrect because it merely uses religious Truths shared as iconic representations of greater meaning without actually understanding that which is true, namely that God exists.

If this is the best Schaffer can do, he still has some unfinished work left.  Unfortunately he moved on in 1984.  As far as I can tell, however, it is three things that form the basis of Truth.  

First, the observation of God's of effect on humanity.  Using the scientific method, we first conduct an experiment and look at the result.  God exists because we can observe how people change in his presence.  

Second, each and every individual longs for some meaning in their life.  

And third, the argument for a source from which morality springs.

In his first proof, which I believe to be his most compelling, we cannot differentiate Christianity from other religions.  Plus, if as what Marx calls the opium of the people, or as Freud calls an illusion, we still see societies reacting in ways that are rallying around a higher calling.  Societies can always be motivated to rally around a higher calling...there are many examples both good and bad.

In his second proof, the search for meaning at the individual level, here too, if Christianity is an illusion -- just like a placebo, the meaning could profoundly affect the individual. It is this purpose that separates us from the machine, plants, and animals. A lot wrong here -- and although his profound love for humanity is clear, he has no faith that humanity is ultimately good and will find their own way to the Truth.  Instead, if they are left to their own devices they will only deteriorate and then commit suicide.  He uses prime examples from the masters of Secular Humanism who happen to be some of the most arrogant individuals in society -- that were in fact -- truly lost because of their pride and higher intellect.  He paints a very depressing and bad view of society without the Love of Christ in an individual’s heart.  Christians know that God works in everyone even if they are not "conscious" of his presence, and humanity, on the whole, has more love than hate.  So Schaeffer is really dark on this subject. 

And finally in this third proof, I think a great deal of work as been done in the area of morality and where it comes from since Schaeffer wrote this book.  Again, Christians already believe the work of God always prevails here – because they can pin it on Him because they know His finger prints.  The rest of humanity will still search for another cause and never see that He was in the house.  No proof here for those who do not believe already.

So basically -- once you come to believe -- the proofs Schaeffer uses are self-evident which brings up his most powerful contribution to both theology and conversion.  This is his requirement for apologetics to both prove God's existence and communicate His existence at the same time.  Otherwise they are just philosophers. It puts the burden on the actions and deeds of the individual and not just the words. And for the witness, once you bring someone over to Christ, what more proof do you need.  It's a self reinforcing algorithm.  And for the subject, once you believe, again, the proof becomes self evident.  So it's a great approach for gaining disciples -- which is what Christians are called to do, and why this book is from them.   

So Schaeffer was clearly one of the best apologetics and put the formula for coming to know the Truth in writing.  Ultimately -- the proof is in the pudding.  It's therefore a very powerful proof – it does not mean, however, that the Kierkegaard  “Leap of Faith” is wrong because the Truth can still not be proven quantitatively -- and therefore, no matter how deep we dig, taking the plunge is what's important -- that also gets the non-believer where they need to be…believing.