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The God Who Is There cover
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The God Who Is There

Francis A. Schaeffer (1968)

Genre

Spirituality / Philosophy

Reading Time

240 min

Key Themes

See below

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Francis Schaeffer shows how a personal, infinite God provides the only consistent framework to understand modern philosophy, science, and art.

Core Idea

Francis Schaeffer says modern Western thought, starting from the Enlightenment, has led to a 'line of despair' where meaning, truth, and absolute values are gone, resulting in a fragmented worldview. He claims the only consistent way to understand reality and human experience is the Christian worldview, which offers unified knowledge rooted in a personal, infinite God who has revealed Himself. Schaeffer suggests a method of 'pre-evangelism.' This involves understanding and sympathizing with the non-believer's worldview, showing the logical problems and despair in secular thought, and then presenting Christianity as the only rational and supported answer to life's questions.
Reading time
240 min
Difficulty
Medium
✓ Read this if...
You are interested in the historical development of modern thought's impact on spirituality, want to understand the intellectual basis for Christian apologetics, or are seeking a robust defense of the Christian worldview's coherence and relevance in a post-Christian era.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer a purely devotional or experiential approach to faith, are not interested in philosophical or historical arguments for Christianity, or find academic theological discussions challenging.

Core idea

The central argument and framework that powers the entire book.

Francis Schaeffer says modern Western thought, starting from the Enlightenment, has led to a 'line of despair' where meaning, truth, and absolute values are gone, resulting in a fragmented worldview. He claims the only consistent way to understand reality and human experience is the Christian worldview, which offers unified knowledge rooted in a personal, infinite God who has revealed Himself. Schaeffer suggests a method of 'pre-evangelism.' This involves understanding and sympathizing with the non-believer's worldview, showing the logical problems and despair in secular thought, and then presenting Christianity as the only rational and supported answer to life's questions.

At a glance

Reading time

240 min

Difficulty

Medium

Read this if...

You are interested in the historical development of modern thought's impact on spirituality, want to understand the intellectual basis for Christian apologetics, or are seeking a robust defense of the Christian worldview's coherence and relevance in a post-Christian era.

Skip this if...

You prefer a purely devotional or experiential approach to faith, are not interested in philosophical or historical arguments for Christianity, or find academic theological discussions challenging.

Key Takeaways

1

The Line of Despair

Modern thought's descent into meaninglessness without a transcendent God.

Quote

Above the line is where people tried to find meaning in reason and universals. Below the line is where they gave up on reason and universals and tried to find meaning in non-reason, in experience, in the arbitrary.

Schaeffer says Western thought, from the Enlightenment onward, has moved 'below the line of despair.' This line marks the point where intellectuals stopped believing in objective truth, universal reason, and a transcendent God. At first, philosophers tried to find truth through human reason (like Kant, Hegel). But when these systems failed to give ultimate answers or unify knowledge, the intellectual direction moved towards existentialism, absurdism, and a focus on subjective experience. This led to a fragmented idea of truth and mean...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer meticulously traces the historical progression from Aquinas to the Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment, and then through key figures like Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and the existentialists, showing how each step contributed to the erosion of objective truth and the rise of subjective experience as the ultimate arbiter of reality.

Apply this

Understand the intellectual roots of contemporary relativism and cynicism. When engaging with modern art, philosophy, or cultural trends, look for manifestations of this 'line of despair' – the embrace of the arbitrary, the subjective, and the rejection of universal meaning. This understanding allows for more empathetic and informed dialogue, recognizing the underlying worldview driving certain perspectives.

line-of-despairepistemologyrelativismpostmodernism
2

The Unity of Knowledge

True Christianity offers a consistent framework for all aspects of reality.

Quote

Historic Christianity has always presented itself as a total truth, not just religious truth, but truth about all reality.

Unlike fragmented modern worldviews, historic Christianity, as Schaeffer describes it, offers a unified and consistent explanation for all reality. It does not separate truth into 'religious' and 'secular' parts. Instead, it provides a consistent way to understand God, humanity, the universe, morality, history, science, and art. This 'total truth' addresses both meaning, values, purpose and facts, science, observable reality without contradiction. Schaeffer argues that this complete nature of Christian truth is its strength and its an...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer frequently references the consistent worldview presented in the Bible, demonstrating how it addresses the origin of the cosmos, the nature of humanity (created in God's image), the basis for morality (God's character), and the meaning of history (God's redemptive plan). He contrasts this with the internal inconsistencies of various secular philosophical systems.

Apply this

Integrate your faith into all areas of life and thought. Don't relegate Christianity to Sundays or 'spiritual' matters. Actively seek to understand how Christian truth informs your views on science, politics, art, ethics, and personal relationships. Challenge the secular notion that faith is inherently irrational or separate from intellectual pursuits. Engage in conversations that demonstrate the comprehensive explanatory power of a Christian worldview.

total-truthworldviewcoherenceholistic-faith
3

The God Who Is There

The personal, infinite God provides the only anchor for truth and meaning.

Quote

The God who is there is not silent. He has spoken. And because He has spoken, we can know true things about Himself and about the universe and about man.

The main point of Schaeffer's argument is that a personal, infinite God — the God revealed in the Bible — is not just a religious belief. It is necessary for any consistent understanding of reality. This God 'is there' (He exists objectively), and 'He is not silent' (He has communicated through creation and Scripture). Without such a God, Schaeffer claims, there is no ultimate basis for objective truth, absolute morality, human dignity, or the universe's intelligibility. The alternative is a universe governed by chance, where human re...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer points to the human longing for meaning, the existence of moral absolutes (even among those who deny them), and the order/intelligibility of the universe as evidence that points towards a personal, intelligent Creator. He argues that only the Christian God adequately explains these phenomena without falling into logical contradictions.

Apply this

When confronted with skepticism or relativism, gently guide conversations towards the implications of an absent God. Ask: 'If there is no God, what is the basis for... truth? morality? human dignity? meaning?' Emphasize that the Christian God offers a robust and satisfying answer to these fundamental questions. Live as though God is truly 'there' and 'not silent,' allowing His revealed truth to shape every aspect of your life.

personal-Godtranscendent-Godobjective-truthrevelation
4

Pre-Evangelism: Clearing the Ground

Before sharing the Gospel, address underlying worldview assumptions.

Quote

Before a person can come to Christ, he must understand that the problem is not just one of facts, but one of presuppositions.

Schaeffer changed evangelism by focusing on 'pre-evangelism.' He said that in a post-Christian world, simply sharing Gospel facts often doesn't work because people have very different basic worldview assumptions. Modern people often do not believe in objective truth, moral absolutes, or even a personal God. So, effective outreach needs to first deal with these underlying assumptions. It should show the inconsistencies and despair in non-Christian worldviews. This 'clearing the ground' involves listening with empathy, asking questions,...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer's own ministry at L'Abri demonstrated this approach. He engaged with intellectuals, artists, and students, not by immediately quoting Bible verses, but by listening to their questions, understanding their worldview crises, and showing how their own presuppositions led to despair and contradiction, thus paving the way for the Christian answers.

Apply this

Practice active listening and ask clarifying questions to understand someone's worldview before presenting Christian answers. Instead of immediately sharing the Gospel, try to discern their 'line of despair' – where their worldview breaks down or leads to logical inconsistencies. Gently expose these inconsistencies, not to win an argument, but to demonstrate the need for a more coherent framework, thereby creating fertile ground for the Gospel message.

pre-evangelismpresuppositionalismworldview-apologeticscultural-engagement
5

The Upper and Lower Stories

The modern mind's destructive separation of facts and values.

Quote

Modern man has two stories to his house. In the lower story are facts, reason, science. In the upper story are values, meaning, purpose. But there is no stairway between them.

Schaeffer uses the image of a two-story house to show the modern intellectual problem. The 'lower story' represents facts, scientific data, and objective observation, which are generally accepted as true. The 'upper story' holds values, meaning, purpose, and subjective experiences. The problem is that there is no 'stairway' connecting these two stories. Modern thought, having given up on a transcendent God, has no rational way to get meaning or values from facts. This leads to a deep disconnect: scientific progress continues, but it c...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer points to the rise of logical positivism, which denied the meaningfulness of any statement not empirically verifiable, thus relegating ethics and metaphysics to the realm of non-sense. He also highlights modern art and music that reflect this fragmentation, where form and meaning are divorced from traditional structures.

Apply this

Identify this 'two-story' thinking in everyday conversations and media. When someone states a scientific fact but then struggles to articulate its ethical implications or ultimate meaning, gently point out the disconnect. Help people see that without a unifying worldview (like historic Christianity), facts remain isolated, and values become arbitrary. Advocate for a holistic understanding where science and ethics are integrated.

fact-value-dichotomyepistemological-crisissecularismmeaninglessness
6

The Christian Distinctive

Historic Christianity uniquely affirms both antithesis and common grace.

Quote

The Christian must live in the tension of recognizing the antithesis between belief and unbelief, while at the same time remembering common grace.

Schaeffer stresses two important parts of the Christian worldview: antithesis and common grace. 'Antithesis' means the basic, opposing difference between the Christian worldview (based on God's truth) and non-Christian worldviews (based on human independence or chance). This means there are real, objective differences in how one understands reality, morality, and purpose. However, 'common grace' recognizes that God, in His goodness, gives blessings and truth to all people, believers and unbelievers alike. This explains why non-Christi...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer frequently cites biblical passages that affirm both the uniqueness of Christ and the widespread goodness God grants to all people (e.g., rain falling on the just and unjust). He points to the beauty in non-Christian art or the integrity in secular philosophy as examples of common grace, even while critiquing their ultimate conclusions.

Apply this

Engage with culture discerningly. Appreciate beauty, truth, and goodness wherever you find it (common grace), but also be prepared to articulate the fundamental differences in worldview (antithesis). Avoid both uncritical acceptance of secular ideas and a judgmental rejection of everything outside Christianity. Seek to understand and critique from a distinctly Christian perspective, honoring what is good while exposing what is ultimately flawed.

antithesiscommon-gracecultural-discernmentworldview-analysis
7

The Weight of the Evidence

Christianity's truth is not based on blind faith but on compelling evidence.

Quote

Christianity is not a blind leap, but a reasonable step into the light once the evidence is examined.

Schaeffer firmly rejects the idea that Christian faith is an irrational 'leap of faith.' Instead, he says that historic Christianity has strong evidence, both internal (the Bible's consistency, explanatory power) and external (historical reliability, scientific consistency, human experience). While faith is ultimately needed, it is a faith based on reason and evidence, not against it. He challenges skeptics to look at the 'weight of the evidence' and consider if any other worldview explains reality more consistently or satisfyingly. T...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer often discusses the historical reliability of the New Testament documents, the witness of creation to a Creator, the moral law written on human hearts, and the internal consistency of biblical revelation as compelling evidence. He also points to the explanatory power of Christianity in making sense of human experience, suffering, and the search for meaning.

Apply this

Familiarize yourself with the intellectual arguments for Christianity. Be prepared to articulate *why* you believe, not just *what* you believe. Don't be intimidated by intellectual challenges; instead, see them as opportunities to present the rational and evidential strength of the Christian worldview. Encourage critical thinking and the examination of all worldviews, confident that Christianity stands up to scrutiny.

apologeticsrationality-of-faithevidence-for-christianityintellectual-honesty
8

The Importance of Truth

Without objective truth, all meaning and morality collapse.

Quote

If there is no absolute truth, then all is relative, and all is lost.

For Schaeffer, objective truth is necessary and fundamental. He says that giving up absolute truth in modern times, caused by the 'line of despair,' leads to moral relativism and a deep feeling of meaninglessness. If truth is just subjective or cultural, then there is no basis for judging right from wrong, no universal standard for justice, and no ultimate purpose to human life. This intellectual path, Schaeffer warns, is not harmless; it has bad consequences for people and society, breaking down the very things needed for human well-...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer illustrates this through historical examples, showing how societies that abandoned objective truth descended into chaos or totalitarianism. He points to the rise of moral relativism in modern education and media as a direct consequence of denying absolute truth, leading to a lack of moral compass.

Apply this

Champion the concept of objective truth in your conversations and actions. When you hear statements like 'that's true for you, but not for me,' gently challenge the implications of such relativism. Point out how denying objective truth can lead to logical contradictions and undermine the possibility of meaningful dialogue or moral consensus. Live a life that reflects a commitment to truth, integrity, and absolute moral standards.

objective-truthmoral-relativismabsolute-truthnihilism
9

Living Consistently

Authentic Christian living requires consistency between belief and practice.

Quote

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle.

Schaeffer cared deeply about how faith played out in life. He said that just agreeing with Christian truth is not enough; true Christianity requires a consistent and real lifestyle that matches one's beliefs. Hypocrisy, inconsistency, and a lack of real love among Christians are, in his view, the biggest obstacles to the Gospel in a skeptical world. When believers do not live out what a God who is there and who has spoken means, they accidentally support the secular criticism that Christianity is just an intellectual idea or a set of ...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer's own life and ministry at L'Abri were a testament to this principle, where intellectual rigor was always coupled with genuine community, hospitality, and practical love. He often recounted stories of seekers who were drawn to Christianity not just by arguments, but by observing the consistent, loving lives of believers.

Apply this

Examine your own life for areas of inconsistency between what you profess to believe and how you actually live. Strive for integrity in all areas: your finances, relationships, work ethic, and speech. Recognize that your life is a powerful testimony, for better or worse. Cultivate genuine love and compassion, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel through your actions, not just your words.

Christian-witnessintegrityauthenticityhypocrisy
10

The Hope of the Cross

Despite modern despair, the Cross offers the only ultimate solution.

Quote

The cross is the ultimate answer to the problem of man's alienation and the meaninglessness of modern thought.

While Schaeffer carefully identifies modern intellectual and cultural problems, he always points back to the Cross of Christ as the answer. The Cross addresses not only humanity's sin and guilt but also the existential despair and meaninglessness that affect a world without God. It provides reconciliation with a personal God, forgiveness for moral failure, and a renewed purpose for life based on God's redemptive plan. For Schaeffer, the Cross is not just a historical event but the central truth that re-establishes objective meaning, m...

Supporting evidence

Schaeffer's entire work is built towards demonstrating that only the Christian worldview, centered on the person and work of Christ, can consistently answer the 'big questions' of life without falling into logical contradictions or despair. He highlights the historical fact of the resurrection as the validation of Christ's claims and the foundation of Christian hope.

Apply this

Always bring conversations back to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Understand that while intellectual arguments are crucial for clearing the ground, the ultimate solution to humanity's problems—both intellectual and spiritual—is found in the Gospel. Present the Cross as the hope for those struggling with meaninglessness, guilt, and despair, offering not just a philosophy, but a personal relationship with the God who is there.

the-crossredemptionhopegospel

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

“The Bible is not a book of abstract truths, but a book of concrete answers to real questions.”

— Schaeffer emphasizes the practical and relevant nature of biblical truth for human experience.

“True spirituality begins with the recognition that God is there, and that He is not silent.”

— The opening premise of the book, establishing the existence and communicability of God as foundational.

“Modern man has largely lost the objective standard by which to judge between good and evil.”

— Schaeffer critiques the relativistic tendencies of modern thought that undermine moral absolutes.

“If God is not there, then everything is permitted.”

— A concise summary of the existentialist dilemma and the loss of meaning in an atheistic worldview, echoing Dostoevsky.

“The greatest danger of all is to live in a world where there is no absolute truth.”

— Schaeffer argues for the societal and individual dangers of embracing a purely relativistic epistemology.

“Christianity is not just a series of propositions, but it is truth concerning what is there.”

— Distinguishing Christianity from mere intellectual assent, emphasizing its grounding in objective reality.

“The flow of modern thought has led to a situation where man is left without meaning, without purpose, and without hope.”

— Schaeffer traces the historical development of philosophical thought leading to a crisis of meaning in the 20th century.

“We must not only believe that God is there, but we must act as though He is there.”

— Encouraging a consistent integration of belief into one's life and actions.

“The strength of Christianity is that it is true to what is there, in the external world and in the internal world of man.”

— Highlighting Christianity's ability to explain both objective reality and subjective human experience.

“The knowledge of God is not just an intellectual exercise, but it is to know the living God.”

— Emphasizing a personal and relational understanding of God beyond mere factual information.

“The problem with much of modern theology is that it has lost the concept of God as truly 'there.'”

— Critiquing theological trends that diminish God's objective existence and active presence.

“Only Christianity gives a sufficient base for meaning and morals.”

— Schaeffer posits Christianity as the unique worldview capable of providing a coherent framework for life.

“God is not silent, and therefore we have knowledge, not just opinion, about ultimate things.”

— Reiterating the theme of God's revelation as the source of objective truth, in contrast to subjective opinions.

“The uniqueness of Christianity is that it gives a unified field of knowledge for all of reality.”

— Schaeffer argues that Christianity offers a comprehensive worldview that integrates all aspects of existence.

“Truth is not relative; it is absolute. And it is knowable.”

— A direct challenge to relativistic thought, asserting the objective and accessible nature of truth.

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Key Questions (FAQ)

The book argues for the rationality and historical truth of historic Christianity as a comprehensive worldview capable of answering life's biggest questions. Schaeffer contends that modern thought has drifted into an irrational 'line of despair' and that only the God who 'is there' provides a consistent foundation for truth, meaning, and morality.

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