[1]WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)–Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary has announced the addition of a large collection of papers and correspondence of the late Francis A. Schaeffer, one of evangelical Christianity’s most prominent 20th-century voices.
The Francis A. Schaeffer Foundation is putting the collection in the care of the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture at the seminary’s Wake Forest, N.C., campus.
The collection includes select unpublished papers and correspondence, source materials, notes and recorded discussions of Schaeffer, a Christian thinker and apologist who authored 27 books.
The Francis A Schaeffer Foundation is overseen by Udo Middelmann, its president and Schaeffer’s son-in-law. Middelmann said the foundation is pleased to entrust the materials to Southeastern in the hopes that Schaeffer’s work will continue to be influential for years to come.
“A lifetime spent in the pursuit of truth, and its relationship to society, philosophy and culture, is found in the collected papers and correspondence of Francis Schaeffer,” Middelmann said.
At Southeastern, the collection will be placed under the direction of Bruce Little, professor of Christian philosophy and director of the Bush Center for Faith and Culture.
[2]“We are thankful to the Francis A. Schaeffer Foundation for entrusting us with this priceless treasure of historical significance,” Little said in the Sept. 14 announcement by the seminary. “Every now and then, God gives his church a unique voice for his people. Schaeffer was such a voice. It is our privilege to have a part in preserving and promoting this legacy for the generations to come.”
Schaeffer was born in the United States but spent most of his life in Switzerland with his wife Edith and their four children. In 1955, Francis and Edith Schaeffer opened their chalet/home to those who were seeking answers to life’s questions, sparking a ministry known as L’Abri. The Schaeffers welcomed thousands of visitors during several decades, some who stayed for only a few days while others a much longer time. However long the stay, it was an opportunity to learn from Schaeffer how the inerrant Scriptures give the only fitting understanding of the real world.
In addition to the books he authored, Schaeffer also recorded the influential series of videos called “How Should We Then Live?” examining the rise and decline of Western thought and culture.
Southeastern President Daniel Akin said he hopes that “the spirit of Francis Schaeffer, with his mind for truth and heart of love, will pervade our campus. I pray that this collection will allow Southeastern to serve the church by extending the legacy of this great man of faith.”
–30–
Jason Hall is director of communications at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. For more information about the Francis Schaeffer collection at the seminary, contact Hall at 919-761-2270 or Julie Anne Rouse in the Center for Faith and Culture at 919-761-2190.