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Frank Schaeffer?
- 05/22/04
- 7
Until today I had no idea that Francis Schaeffer had a son named Frank. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. What is surprising is that he has forsaken his parents' faith and has converted to Greek Orthodoxy. He has also directed several films, three of which were were rated "R" for their violent content.
I guess it shows that even the most Biblically-sound parents can still "lose" their children.
On the bright side, he made some interesting comments about The Passion of the Christ in Christianity Today. You can read the article here.
Published in 2008, this book
This is a guide that calls men,
This review of the bestselling
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Comments (7)
I read a book by Frank (then "Frankie") Schaeffer back in the 70's (boy I'm old) titled "Addicted to Mediocrity". His view was that too many Christians are not only satisfied with but are actually addicted to and prefer mediocrity in the creative realm. The book was thought-provoking but something about it was bothersome, too. Later I realized that there was a certain scornfulness in its tone and that he seemed to be giving too much preeminence to the arts themselves. It was a bit confusing, since I had read Francis Schaeffer's books and expected the son's writings to be similar. Interesting and sad...Frank Schaeffer has a sister, Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, who is also an author.
That is interesting. I had no idea...
I read his book "Sham Pearls for Real Swine" back in the late 80s. An unplesant book--the tone is vitrioticly condescending. Frankie obviously had an ax to grind against the artistically challenged "fundamentalist." (I think he was very sore about the criticism he had received for making his horror flicks.) I asked my sister to read it and tell me what she thought. She did so and when she finsihed I can remember her exclaiming presciently , "That boy is on the road to Rome!"
Well, o.k....Byzyantium.
You commented that "Frank Schaeffer had converted to Greek Orthodoxy, and has directed R rated films. This shows that even the most Biblically sound parents can lose their children"
Why did his parents lose him? Because he embraced a "historic faith", and not one that came out of the hippie movement of the 60's? If you make PG13 your salvation is secure, but R condems one as lost! Personally, I find PG13 more often offensive morally than R rated movies. My prayer is that you are not on the board deciding who does, and who does not enter heaven. If you are on that board, then I'm in trouble.
Frank Schaeffer's writing reflect much of the confusion I experienced as a child from fundamentalist teachings. While Christianity is not a set of morals or doctrines, it is a way of life. We can connect with one another because we share this life. Why criticize Frank for being frank about his life's experience. If I listen to his Dad through his books and tapes, surely I can listen to the son.
Thank God for people like Frank Schaeffer who acknowledges our humanity and shortcomings;, even though he was expected to be the perfect preacher's son - not merely a disciple of Christ.
The kingdom of heaven is within and as a result, I think that leaves many fundamentalists kind of lost .
I agree with Bruce, I hope God is more merciful than those who can't handle R movies. Afterall, St. Paul murdered and Christ accepted him.
Forsaken his parents faith? His parents faith is Christianity. Who are you to say that Greek Orthodox does not fall under that umbrella? Can you list for me which denominations fall under Christian?
Greek Orthodoxy is not Christian in its teachings about salvation. It's barely different from Roman Catholicism, in that it teaches justification by theosis -- progressive glorification of the worshiper into a god. It explicitly denies justification by faith alone. By that standard, it is heterodox. It's not sufficient to affirm Nicene symbols if you corrupt it with sacramental and good-works salvationism. I regard Greek Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism to be in equal violation of Galatians 1:6-8.