Identity and Career
Frank Schaeffer is an American author, film director, screenwriter, and public speaker. Born in Switzerland, he is the son of theologian and author Francis Schaeffer. His professional journey includes working with his father and other members of the Religious Right in the 1970s, during which time he made films, wrote books, and spoke at various churches and venues. In the 1980s, he continued to focus on religious and political themes while also directing several Hollywood movies.
His literary work includes several novels such as Portofino, Zermatt, and Saving Grandma, which depict life in a strict evangelical household. He has also authored non-fiction works related to the Marine Corps and memoirs that explore his personal spiritual evolution, including Crazy for God and Sex, Mom, and God.
Spiritual and Political Evolution
Throughout his life, Schaeffer has undergone significant shifts in his personal beliefs and political affiliations. While he was a conservative, fundamentalist Christian in his youth, he later converted from Presbyterian Calvinism to Eastern Orthodox Christianity in 1990. He has described his current spirituality as that of a "Christian atheist."
Politically, Schaeffer transitioned from being a conservative Republican to becoming a liberal Democrat. His political engagement has ranged from helping produce works for the Religious Right to endorsing Barack Obama in 2008. He has expressed various critiques regarding the American political landscape and the nature of the Republican Party.
