schaeffer's concentric circles of the christian life

"as i see it, the christian life must be comprised of three concentric circles, each of which must be kept in its proper place. in the outer circle must be the correct theological position, true biblical orthodoxy and the purity of the visible church. this is the first, but if that is all there is, it is just one more seedbed for spiritual pride. in the second circle must be good intellectual training and comprehension of our own generation. but having only this leads to intellectualism and again provides a seedbed for pride. in the inner circle must be the humble heart- the love of God, the devotional attitude toward God. there must be the daily practice of the reality of the God whom we know is there. these three circles must be properly established, emphasized and related to each other. at the center must be kept a living relationship to the God we know exists. . . then, at the end of my life, when i look back over my work since i have been a christian, i will see that i have not wasted my life. the Lord's work will be done in the Lord's way."

-francis schaeffer, no little people