Guinness Blasts "Crazy" Journalism in "New Statesman" Schaeffer Article

By Rick Pearcey

In "Holy Fools," New Statesman writer Jeff Sharlet describes Francis Schaeffer and L'Abri Fellowship in ways that are perhaps unrecognizable to many. You might even say "crazy," to borrow a word from the title of a new book, Crazy for God, by Schaeffer's son, Frank (aka Franky).

"I lived with Francis and Edith Schaeffer in their home for five years, and with Frank too for much of that time," says author and lecturer Os Guinness in a reader comment at the end of the article.

"What you have written is a tissue of falseness, distortion, and unchecked allegations -- in short of shoddy journalism. Write if you want a more accurate account."

The New Statesman article is here. It contains vulgar language. Also, don't miss the reader comments by "JimBerkley" and "mmarc."


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Rick Pearcey is editor and publisher of The Pearcey Report (archives).

Chattanooga Nancy at Bryan College

By Rick Pearcey

Nancy is honored to participate in the Distinguished Speaker series this Friday, October 26, under the auspices of Chattanooga Matters.

Here's the announcement from the Chattanooga Matters website:

"Nancy Pearcey, the acclaimed author of Total Truth, is the next in our Distinguished Speaker Series.

"She will appear at a Chattanooga Matters event being held on Friday, October 26th at 12 Noon on the campus of Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee. Nancy will speak and then take questions over lunch.

"The cost is $12 per person so please join us for this rare opportunity to hear from one of the leading Biblical Worldview speakers in the nation today. Seating is limited so make your reservations today at: info@chattanoogamatters.org."

For more information, contact Chattanooga Matters at 423-756-0410. Or visit the website.

Speaking of Bryan College, Nancy will also deliver remarks this Friday at the college chapel (11:00 a.m.) as part of the International Leadership Forum.

Go here for a review of Total Truth that appears on the Bryan College website. The main Bryan phone number is 423-775-2041.


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Rick Pearcey is editor and publisher of The Pearcey Report (archives).

New Chancellor, President at PBU

By Rick Pearcey

On Sept. 5, 2007, we announced Nancy's new position as scholar for worldview studies at Philadelphia Biblical University (PBU).

There are continuing developments at PBU, which now announces the appointments of a new chancellor and president.

"The Board of Trustees of Philadelphia Biblical University is pleased to announce the appointment of President W. Sherrill Babb as Chancellor effective January 1, 2008. Succeeding Dr. Babb as President will be Dr. Todd J. Williams, Sr. Vice President and Provost of the University since 2005," says the university.

“The appointments of Dr. Babb as Chancellor and Dr. Williams as President were confirmed by the Board in recognition of the gifts, experience, and leadership acumen they will each bring to their new roles,” says Mel Nace, who is chairman of the board.

“These transitions are very timely and appropriate as the University seeks to further define and establish itself as a premier institution offering a distinctive biblical worldview education,” says Nace (emphasis added).

"Dr. W. Sherrill Babb served as President of PBU for 28 years," says PBU. "He became the University’s 4th President, assuming the role when the institution moved from Center City Philadelphia to Langhorne in September 1979 . . . . During his tenure as President, Dr. Babb conferred degrees upon 5,823 graduates. One of those was Todd J. Williams, a cum laude graduate of the Class of 1992. . . .

"Dr. Williams has inspired students and faculty with his passion for an enlarged academic vision that includes scholarly endeavors such as the newly established Center for University Studies and appointment of Worldview Scholar Dr. Nancy Pearcey, graduates who demonstrate an ability to engage in the cultural discourse of the day, and pursuit of academic rigor and curriculum that will establish PBU as a premier institution of Christian higher education that is distinctly and intentionally biblical in its approach."

The full announcement is here.

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Rick Pearcey is editor and publisher of The Pearcey Report (archives).

Generation Next: BBC Interviews Young Co-Authors of "Conspiracy of Calaspia"

By Rick Pearcey

There's a delightful "Generation Next" BBC radio interview with the two young co-authors of a new work of fantasy titled Conspiracy of Calaspia. This is Book One in a planned series of six called the Insanity Saga. The BBC program includes readings, an overview of the book, and background on the co-authors.

Speaking of which, they are Suresh and Jyoti Guptara, a set of twins from Zurich. Their collaboration is a 21st century phenomenon, with Suresh attending school in England (with designs on Oxford), and Jyoti a freelance journalist in Switzerland.

I read aloud a portion of the book last night to our son Michael -- and we both look forward to completing it. Michael's review: "It's good."

Readers of The Pearcey Report may recall "Koran Does Not Forbid Images of Muhammad -- What's Really Going On?," by the twins' father Prabhu (website).

To learn about a writing contest based on the book, go to the Conspiracy of Calaspia Literary Competition.

The twins' website is here. More about the book at Amazon, here.

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Rick Pearcey is editor and publisher of The Pearcey Report (archives).