It’s possible the most important sentence in this book is on p.324, where he (literally) parenthetically admits that earlier in the book he made statements which were not true. He had taken the reader on a grueling trip with him in L.A., where he starves himself, and shoplifts for food. It’s difficult to read, and very manipulative of Frank not to be up front about what was really going on until the end of the book. You’ll miss his confession if you blink. He admits on p. 324 that his actions were not the product of sudden extreme poverty, but the product of a “depression fueled fantasy.” If Frank is periodically divorced from reality to the point of causing himself physical harm and to the point of breaking laws and risking arrest, are we really to believe that the rest of the book is factual and not equally the product of fantasy?

Frank has a habit of playing fast and loose with facts. In interviews, he mentions his sister Priscilla’s supposed support of the account in the book, while neglecting to mention his sister Susan and he are estranged because of it. Further, in the book he goes out of his way to portray Priscilla as someone who will not say a negative word about anyone, even concerning how her husband was treated. Yet we’re asked to believe that Priscilla’s “endorsement” is solid and objective.

In the book, Frank tells of his parents’ reluctance to address his constant sexual activity, even describing one time when his father walked in on him in bed with a girl and nothing was subsequently said. In the book, he makes clear that his parents’ silence was a product of their own unresolved feelings of discomfort and hypocrisy, since Edith concedes that she and Francis were themselves sexually active before marriage. This is a common enough phenomenon in Christian family dynamics–the problem is the way Frank has now become disingenuous about the matter. After the book’s publication, when asked by interviewers why he thinks his father didn’t initiate a conversation about his obvious sexual behaviors, he changes the answer–now he says it’s because his “father wasn’t judgmental.”

Convenient, isn’t it? Abstinence, chastity, holiness in sexually–he decides to suddenly portray his father as caring about none of those things, and those who do as “judgmental.” It’s the product of another depression fueled fantasy. Not able to come to terms with his sexual urges (even after marriage, longing for teen-age girls), he fantasizes his father into a man who condones his every sexual move. Sure, his Dad threw things, swore at his mom and struggled with suicidal urges, but when it comes to sexual matters, he has only blessings for Frankie. Sorry, Frank. No matter how much you try to fantasize your Dad into that kind of man to relieve your conscience, you’re not off the hook. You need to surrender your sexuality to Jesus and repent. No matter what you tell yourself about your Dad’s opinions, he isn’t going to be your judge. Your judge is your heavenly Father, and you know his opinions and care for your sexuality well enough.

Frank details Edith’s own upbringing which is awfully sheltered and narrow. Out of that she brought forth an amazing life, family, and ministry and at great cost. Furthermore, how many of us are old enough to remember the pressures put on those in “fulltime christian service” in the ’50’s, ’60’s, and ’70’s? I’m a little older than Micheal and I remember. The Scheaffers are a product of an even more stilted and crimped time in conservative protestantism that so many today have no frame of reference for. And I disagree with Frank on politics and Iraq, BTW which isn’t importamt. He NAILS life as a missionary.

If you read his book, you need to keep in mind that this is where he is. He has no faith, only a tentative hope, and so he feels comfortable portraying his parents as having no faith. He unhesitatingly portrays them as Christian con artists, and those influenced by them as brain-washed.

If Franky ever comes to faith, perhaps he will write another book that actually reflects his and his parents shortcomings in light of the truth. In the meantime, readers should keep in mind that he acknowledges no Truth. (Os Guinness’ review is good food for thought when it comes to Franky’s versions of the “truth.”)

With no standard by which to examine his or others’ behavior, his book reads like exhibitionism. He delights in revealing every salacious detail of his sexual proclivities. The first time you read about where, when, with whom and to which imagine he masturbated, you scratch your head over why he felt the need to give you every detail. As you keep turning the pages, you’ll discover that his need to open wide his metaphoric trench coat never goes away, and you’ll go from scratching your head to feeling sick over his bondage.

His lack of mature discernment and discretion shouldn’t be lauded as some kind of humble honesty. There is much obvious mean-spiritedness in his portrayals of his parents. I’m sure he would join you in saying he’s just being “truthful,” but his vindictiveness isn’t well hidden. The fact that he mentions that he loves his parents doesn’t negate his clearly mixed motives.

At this point in his life, Franky Schaeffer is an exhibitionist, not a truth-teller. If and when he gets to the point where he knows the Truth, perhaps he’ll write something with proper perspective concerning his and his parents’ struggles. Until then, if you pick up one of his books you’ll read about how all Christians are power-hungry fakes, and nothing spiritual can be known for certain–and as a bonus, you’ll be treated to intimate vicarious knowledge of every type of sexual behavior to which he’s ever been inclined.

But then, I’m just a close-minded prude who arrogantly believes that Jesus is who he said he is.

Thanks so much for reading and writing about Schaeffer’s “Crazy For God”. I want to recommend it highly but am afraid that the folks who read it won’t have the open-mindedness to deal with it.

Aloha,

Chris

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Mike Freije

I never felt as free as the day I let my “faith” slip away. I took Thomas Jefferson’s advice to heart, and questioned “boldly even the existence of God” and I came to the same basic conclusion that Mr. Jefferson did: there isn’t one, at least not in any form we would recognize, and certainly not the human being writ-large that is the idol of the evangelical world. One day I resolved that I would not believe anything simply because it gave me comfort, but only because I thought it to be true. Soon after that I saw the faith I had been programmed into for what it was, an elaborate opiate for the fearful masses.

As one who was a child in a home of fervent belief, who later found that belief wanting, I found great comfort and honesty in Mr. Schaeffer’s book. And I should note that, just as Mr. Schaeffer has recently seen, I have found more truth and real love in the company of rough-and-tumble, foul-mouthed Marines than in any church I was ever in.

And to Os Guninness who said in his review that Frank now believes that “there are no heroes once you see what really makes people tick,” I suggest he take a gander at what Frank writes about Marine Drill Instructors. Frank knows real heroes when he meets them, and now I think he realizes that the parading poppicocks who flounder around on the stages of the evangelical theatre/churches don’t hold a candle to the men of iron will and fierce discipline his son encountered when he joined the Corps.

I suggest you all take heed and shed your heavy baggage. You’re fretting about with a lot of unnecessary self soul-torture. Live your lives in the here and now. It’s all we have. Neuro-scientists and evolutionary biologists are quickly explaining everything that you attribute to God and faith. All the “gaps” between the science are quickly being filled, so buck up, find some courage, and stare into the abyss with awe and wonder like the rest of us clear eyed pagans.
Patrick the Rogue

There is no doubt Frank loves and adores his parents. It is also evident and understandable that he is angry with the evangelical community. Consider, for instance, the leadership of the evangelical community endorsing political figures that do not represent Christian morality–in fact rejecting principles they themselves have pretended to stand for all these many years. Consider also the commercialization of the faith, etc.

My assessment of Frank’s Crazy for God could be summed up in three elements:

1. He is in a faith crisis himself and needs our prayer.
2. He wants to tell the world he is the authority on his parents and not the evangelical establishment (hence the tidbits about Billy Graham, etc)
3. His truth-telling (honesty) lacked wisdom; I wonder if he attempted to confront each of the leaders privately, etc (according to Matthew 18: 15-16.)

Old post, but I just saw it and can’t let this pass –

on 06 Dec 2007 at 10:43 pm
you wrote of Frank :

“As a leading member of his communion … ”

Oh, please ! A “leading member” ? Not really. You know little of the Orthodox Church. The man is no more a leading member of the Greek Orthodox Church than I am (another Protestant convert.) He’s a layman and not especially influential in Orthodox circles. (nothing wrong with that at all , of course , but it’s simply naive to characterize him as a leading member of the Greek Orthodox Church. He just happens to be the only Greek Orthodox you know of because he’s related to someone who is semi-famous in your circles: Francis Schaeffer. I don’t think Frank himself makes any such claim to be a “leading member” of the Greek Orthodox Church. )

I realize that some Evangelicals continue to be fascinated by Frank. And yet his only claim to fame in Evangelical circles is that he’s Francis Schaeffer’s son , a fact which he seems to despise and yet simultaneously exploit to sell his books. It’s just a bit of a freak show : Come and see, come and see . “Whatever Happened to Frank Schaeffer ?” Come out and see the famous Schaeffer’s son who went Greek Orthodox. (kissing icons , praying for the dead, incense, monks, whoopee !) Step right up folks.

Os Guinness had a falling-out with Francis Schaeffer and left the L’Abri community, but he was there and saw this stuff up close . He doesn’t put the senior Schaeffer’s on a pedestal and recognizes that both Francis and Edith had their failings , but Guinness thinks that Frank’s book is deeply flawed and unfair to his parents.

Have you read his review ?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2008/002/1.32.html