The Final Apologetic

Francis A. Schaeffer, The Marks of the Christian

“Notice, however, that verse 21 [of John 17] says, ‘That they all may be one…’ The emphasis, interestingly enough, is exactly the same as in John 13 not on a part of true Christians, but on all Christians not that those in certain parties in the church should be one, but that all born-again Christians should be one.

“Now comes the sobering part. Jesus goes on in this 21st verse to say something that always causes me to cringe. If as Christians we do not cringe, it seems to me we are not very sensitive or very honest, because Jesus here gives us the final apologetic. What is the final apologetic? ‘That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.’ This is the final apologetic” (15).

1 comment:

Nick Curteman said...

Would you say that Schaeffer does not argue for a Love which accommodates on issues of Holiness? He seems to be pointing out that we must balance both the Love of God and the Holiness of God. We must rely on the Spirit to empower us to maintain this balance. But, we need to realize that a failure to demonstrate either side shows the world a diminished God.