Continuing our discussion of Frank Schaeffer's book about his parents Francis and Edith, I came across a passage today that I found highly interesting and revealing. Speaking of the hikes he and Francis used to go on and the nature of their conversations during them, Frank writes:"Left to himself, Dad never talked about theology or God, let alone turned some conversation into a pious lesson the way Mom did. Left to himself, reality seemed enough for Dad. Besides, this was a day off, and God and the Bible were work....
"Sometimes I meet former L'Abri guests who tell me they went on a hike with my father. (He would occasionally take a student.) They tell me about the deep, long philosophical or theological discussions they had with Dad on this or that memorable hike. They say how privileged they feel at having gotten 'so close to him.' I want to tell them that if Dad was talking about his usual subjects, they never did get close to him. They only saw him when he was 'on.'"
That passage just spoke to me in a way that's hard to explain....
Thank you for this. This is helpful to read, and arresting in its surprising, likely wisdom.
ReplyDeleteHits home for many people, including myself. Too often, the person I am when I am "on" at church is not the same person I am with my own family.
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting. I'm a little confused though; given how last time he described being turned-off by his mother's constant artificial application of piety, is this memory of his father good, bad or neutral? Does he go on to describe making natural, real connections on these hikes?
ReplyDeleteI am very appreciative that my pastor is good at not being "on" all the time, so we can interact in a common way during the week once in a while.
"Left to himself, reality seemed enough for Dad." Wonderful line! I hope I'm able to let reality be enough vis-a-vis my sons, rather than shoe-horning piety into every interaction.
ReplyDeleteSo, Frankie, what are you saying? God and the Bible are not reality, not real, only "work" or a performance that is switched on?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there's a warning to us all (as a few have noted), but isn't Frankie trying to rewrite the story of his father? Isn't he engaged in a smear campaign against his folks and what they stood for? Perhaps he is unintentionally letting slip that he wished his dad would have conversed with him the way he did with L'Abri students? I don't think this is supposed to be complementary to Francis.
I'm certain Francis Schaeffer wasn't the perfect dad. I'm all too aware of my failings and sins as a dad (some of them anyway, mercifully not all of them).
-=Cris=-
Rube,
ReplyDeleteI'm a little confused though; given how last time he described being turned-off by his mother's constant artificial application of piety, is this memory of his father good, bad or neutral? Does he go on to describe making natural, real connections on these hikes?
This is a good memory. In the larger context he talk about all the topics he and his father DID discuss. What I'm gathering from the book is that Francis Schaeffer did a lot of what he did out of a sense of calling and duty (with heaps of nudging from his wife), but his heart was often set on other pursuits.
Cris,
ReplyDelete... isn't Frankie trying to rewrite the story of his father? Isn't he engaged in a smear campaign against his folks and what they stood for? Perhaps he is unintentionally letting slip that he wished his dad would have conversed with him the way he did with L'Abri students? I don't think this is supposed to be complementary to Francis.
No, he's not. He says quite plainly that his book is a memoir and not a biography, and that it is all passing through his own memory before it hits the page (which is unavoidable). But he does solicit the input of his sisters to offer their own reflections of childhood, which he includes in full.
You should read the book. If you did, there's no way you'd describe it as a "campaign against his folks." He has some amazing things to say about them. And no, he absolutely did not wish his dad treated him like one his students.
Jason, fair enough that you should encourage (tell?) me to read the book myself. But I certainly was getting a different vibe from what I previously have seen of Frank Schaeffer.
ReplyDelete-=Cris=-
My two cents (and that's all it's worth, I didn't think it worth my time to read), but from what I have seen/read of Frank I think you are being extremely charitable in your judgement...
ReplyDeleteA number of you talk of being 'on' at church, and that this being 'on' runs counter to who you are, I agree this is sad. It's also disconcerting to me as a congregant. I'm curious to know from where does this pressure come? And just to be clear, your family may not be the only ones who find this behavior unappealing. One of the epiphanic moments of a monergistic faith, seems to be the the realization that; 'it's not about me'. I think I'd rather be offending those who have unrealistic expectations of piety and wisdom of the pastor.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to read positive reflections about Frank Schaeffer coming from a more evangelical source. I have long had great respect for Francis and Edith, and so found it quite disturbing what I have been hearing about what their son has been writing about them. From what I've heard, he seems to paint them as stereotypical fundamentalists, which to anyone who knows even a little about them just isn't accurate. And for him to present a negative picture of his upbringing, and then give the disclaimer that he it is only from his memory and he didn't check his facts, well, it just isn't kind or fair. And this isn't the only book he has written about them, casting them (or at least his Dad) in a very negative light. What about the 5th commandment? I have no doubt they were not perfect parents. None of us are. But I sure wouldn't trust anything Frank says about them. I can't even begin to speculate on his motives, but I have heard that he had some character issues even back when he was promoting the evangelical faith. I think we need to read any book with some wisdom, understanding that the author's perspective may not be accurate--but especially one where the author tears down someone's reputation. Maybe I shouldn't comment since I haven't actually read his books. But I think anyone who quotes from his books as if they are painting an accurate picture of his parents needs to have read and studied a bit about their ministry too.
ReplyDeleteFrank's a really good writer, especially his fiction. Check out Portofino, Saving Grandma & Zermatt for a real slice of fried gold.
ReplyDelete