Preface to Volumes I-V

We are reediting and republishing the twenty-one books written by me between 1968 and 1981. Various people asked for this, so that they would be available in permanent form. I agreed to the work involved in it because we have found that all the books are contemporary for the 1980s. We think they are more contemporary now than when they were first published.

These books are now published as five hardback volumes. Thus, all my printed work which is in book form will be available in five companion volumes.

Much reediting has gone into this. They are the same books, yet brought up to date and clarified where time has shown they need clarification.

A section of The God Who Is There which seems to have been rather widely discussed and, it seems to me, at times misunderstood and misstated has been what is sometimes called “Schaeffer’s apologetics.” This section is enlarged as an added appendix on pages 111–120 below of Volume I of this series.

All the books are to be read and understood together (along with my wife Edith’s books). They together are a unit.

They were written to be read and useful to both Christians and non-Christians. Time has proved this to be the case far beyond our hopes.

They were not written to be only used on the academic scene, though they have been used there, but also for the less academic—though, of course, we realize that they do take care and study and are not popular reading to be pursued while dozing in an armchair. Some have thought the terminology difficult, but I have letters from many parts of the world saying that it was the use of this terminology that for them showed that Christianity has something to say to twentieth-century people, and that it was this terminology which was the bridge which caused them to study the books and to be helped by them. We have tried to make the terminology easier where possible.

The Bible translations have been maintained as they were in the original editions: that is, the King James in the earlier books, and the New International Version in Whatever Happened to the Human Race? and A Christian Manifesto.

Another choice to be made was whether to leave the word man, as designating men and women, or go to the recent usage of indicating in each case that she or he is meant. When the earlier books were written, this was not a problem. In my later books the newer way of speaking and writing has been used. However, bringing the earlier books in line in this regard would have been a horrendous task. Please therefore forgive me, anyone who would be disturbed, and please read the usage in the older accepted way. I would be overwhelmingly sorry if anyone would be “put off.” Please read it as “man” equaling a human being and all human beings—whoever you are—women and men, children and adults.

The basic trilogy has been: The God Who Is There, Escape from Reason, and He Is There and He is Not Silent. All the others fit into these as spokes of the wheel fit into the hub.

The early ...