Speaking the Truth in Love: The Theology of John M. Frame

It was as advertised. Very good.

"Speaking the Truth in Love: The Theology of John M. Frame" puts the "giant" in "gigantic" since this festschrift honoring Professor Frame is over 1200 pages - Amazing! Subsequently if you've only a cursory acquaintance of Dr. Frame, scholar/academician/philosopher/worship leader who has been called Van Til's second most significant advocate, you may be surprised to learn what a forbearing apologist he is."Speaking the Truth in Love" is teeming with outstanding essays by a variety of erudite apologists, ministers, and theologians. Herein are chapters touching an array of fascinating and diverse topics. For the Presuppositional devotee there are three essential chapters that offer fresh and potent analysis and application of Frame's employment of Cornelius Van Til's apologetic commencing with James Anderson, Don Collect and pressed further by Steve R. Scrivener.Additional chapters (editor is John J. Hughes) have a mix of superb, splendid, captivating, ordinary, tedious, and lackluster writing from first-class scholars such as:- Wayne Grudem- Richard Pratt- Paul Helm- Vern Poythress- Bruce Waltke (resigned from RTS due to his defence of "scientific evolution.")- William Davis- William Edgar- Peter Jones- Reggie Kidd- Don Collett (his chapter is his third published revision of his essay on Van Til's TAG)- Frame's most recent reply to Collect's defense of the Transcendental Argument for God's Existence (TAG)- And more mostly fine essays.An extraordinary chapter includes Steve R. Scrivener's cogent essay contrasting and intermingling of Frame's and Van Til's apologetic while utilizing insights from Greg Bahnsen: fresh, perceptive, remarkable, stupendous, and profoundly contemplative. Scrivener makes use of the work of Frame, Van Til, and Bahnsen as he issues a powerful defense of TAG. He then reformulates the classical arguments in a TA formulation. One may not affirm all of Scrivener's innovations and amalgamations, but all readers will be challenged and encouraged in the employment of TAG. Scrivener discusses the work of Craig and other non-presuppositionalists as he presses the need of presenting the Gospel as the center of one's apologetic approach.Another superb essay comes from the pen of Esther L. Meek on Frame's epistemology in comparison with Michael Polanyi's (1891-1976, a European chemist who became a groundbreaking philosopher and epistemologist) epistemic insights. Polanyi asserted that epistemic rights are obtained by central and subsidiary aspects of awareness while fixing on the article at hand while focusing on less important derivative things as epistemic backdrops. Meeks notes that for Polanyi "normative structures such as interpretive frameworks, or even languages, work like hammers... I indwell them, I pour myself into them, to attend beyond me a further focus or project. All knowing involves integrative orientation from subsidiary to focal, from `from' to `to' and beyond" (p. 619). Meek's work in this volume is captivating, enthralling, instructive, and enlightening. A must read for Christians interested in epistemology.Classical apologist R. C. Sproul acknowledged that "John Frame ... has distinguished himself in the fields of theology, apologetics, philosophy, and Christian ethics." The Necessary Existence of God: The Proof of Christianity Through Presuppositional Apologetics This massive volume offers several convincing assessments of Frame's academic efforts regarding the following issues:- Theology- Van Til's apologetic- Ethics- Worship- Ecclesiology- Classical apologetics- Evidential apologetics- Law and government- Moral absolutes.A chapter that is well-fitted for a pastor is Bruce K. Waltke's explication of "Psalm 19: A Royal Sage Praises and Petitions I AM." Waltke delivers an exegetical gem infused with precision and hearty application. His exposition is laden with exceptional scholarship that makes for a stirring devotional read and will drive many men of letters to their knees in humble thanksgiving (note: Professor Waltke resently resigned from RTS due to his defence of "scientific evolution," but not "philosophical evolution").Two other noteworthy chapters discuss "The Attributes of God Within Frame's Theology"(Derek Thomas) and Paul Helm on "Frame's Doctrine of God."The price of this admirable book is nearly cut in half since its publication; moreover I would heartily recommend this volume for Christian apologists, philosophers, epistemologists, and ministers of all apologetic schools and disciplines. Truth, Knowledge and the Reason for God: The Defense of the Rational Assurance of Christianity One Way to God: Christian Philosophy and Presuppositional Apologetics Examine World Religions

For decades John Frame has been a prolific Christian author, theologian, apologist, philosopher and churchman who has written on a wide array of topic. This book is a festschrift honoring John Frame which means is a collection of various other theologians, apologists, and pastors writing on topics related to John Frame’s interests. Some of the contributors are some of Evangelical’s leading scholars in their respective field. It is a massive project coming in length of over a thousand pages and it took me some time to finish reading this after reading a few pages of this work every morning. But I’m glad I read it as I have grown more sharper theologically and also in my critical thinking as the result of reading this work.The book has eight parts with a total of thirty nine chapters and two appendixes though I thought the glossary and bibliography were also helpful gems to read through since some of Frame’s terminology are technical and have nuanced definition in Frame’s usage. The eight parts of the book include introduction to John Frame’s thoughts, discussion on Theology, Apologetics, the Church, Worship, Ethics, Culture and future relevance. While most people often think of Frame as a theologian and apologist I think Frame has good and helpful things to say about the church and ethics as well. In the areas of church I appreciated the chapter by D. Clair Davis on Christian unity and for the chapter on ethics I enjoyed the discussion of medical ethics and why it is never right to lie. Although I don’t agree with every writer’s contribution to this volume nevertheless I was challenged to think more biblically and clearly concerning a vast array of subjects. I enjoyed every chapter in the section on theology and apologetics (no surprise to those who read my reviews). Though technical at times especially with the discussion about the Transcendental Argument and syllogisms, yet overall discussion about John Frame’s theological method and apologetics often invoke awe and admiration of God in ways that lead readers to worship God which is something some academic theology books does not adequately invoke but which Frame’s work is often able to do.I think this book is best read after some basic familiarity of some of Frame’s writings and books. I think those who want to think more critically of Frame’s thought should definitely get this book. Still even for those who might be new to Presuppositional apologetics and Reformed theology, whether for or against or still learning, will find this book immensely helpful. I recommend this book and give this a 5 out of 5.

VERY WELL DONE!!! Backs EVERYTHING with scripture. Very knowledgeable. Thank you.

I have been a Christian for many years, and have read fairly widely. Unfortunately, I had never read anything by John Frame, until I purchased this book. John himself, along with a host of other substantial writers (J.I. Packer, Wayne Grudem) contribute to this 'Festschrift', edited by John J. Hughes.John Frame has a beautifully systematic, winsome way of writing, and teaching theology. He reasons in Christ. He keeps close to, and speaks from what he hears in the biblical text. We might expect that, since he was a student of Cornelius Val Til, something one may find surprising, at first.I learned some new, rich insights from his fresh, clear and enjoyable perspective. This book has given me the desire to read more of Frame's theology, and to appreciate his character. Frame has been a man with a generous, ecumenical, biblical heart for Christ and for life. He is certainly a master theologian with much to share. He has taught truth, with an ability to fiercely oppose and refute error - all with a gracious and winsome disposition. People who disagree with him, generally honour him, and his faithful work. (Hah! ..fierce and winsome).Students, preachers, and long time theologians will undoubtedly, benefit and learn a great deal, from reading this book, of over 1000 pages. Great book!

I hate it that the book is not available in Kindle format... hope the publishers make it possible for the public to buy it and enjoy it on kindle.... As far as the reviews i have come across on the web... the book is a good read and a review/ assesment of john frame.... PLS PUBLISH IT IN KINDLE Format....