The Collected Works of John M. Frame, vol. 1: Theology

by John M. Frame

Publisher:

P&R

, 1987–2008

Overview

Volume one of The Collected Works of John M. Frame contains all six of Dr. Frame’s books on theology—including The Doctrine of God, winner of the 2003 ECPA Gold Medallion Award for Theology and Doctrine. That’s over 2,150 pages of cutting-edge Reformed theology.

Among other works, this collection includes 1,500 pages of Dr. Frame’s shorter theological writings: journal articles, pamphlets, lecture outlines, study guides, syllabi, and written sermons—virtually everything Dr. Frame has written about theology over the past 40 years!

Dr. Frame is noted for his belief that theology is application—the use of God’s revelation to meet the spiritual needs of people, to promote godliness and spiritual health. Therefore, his theology is inherently practical, deeply grounded in Scripture, and unusually comprehensive.

In this collection, Dr. John Frame combines his wealth of learning and love for theology with 40 years of teaching, making his writings an extraordinarily seasoned, savory, and satisfying feast for the heart and mind.

In the Logos edition of The Collected Works of John M. Frame, vol. 1: Theology, you get easy access to Scripture texts and to a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Hovering over Scripture references links you instantly to the verse you’re looking for, and with passage guides, word studies, and a wealth of other tools from Logos, you can delve into God’s Word like never before!

Key Features

• Background of the Amsterdam philosophy
• Biblical evaluation of open theism
• Three lectures on perspectives of the word of God
• Basic introduction of systematic theology

Praise for the Print Edition

Few in our day champion a vision of God as massive, magnificent, and biblical as John Frame. For decades, he has given himself to the church, to his students, and to meticulous thinking and the rigorous study of the Bible. He has winsomely, patiently, and persuasively contended for the gospel in the secular philosophical arena, as well as in the thick of the church worship wars and wrestlings with feminism and open theism. He brings together a rare blend of big-picture thinking, leveled-headed reflection, biblical fidelity, a love for the gospel and the church, and the ability to write with care and clarity. These collected works of John Frame are a precious gift to the church.

—John Piper, pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church

Clarity, warmth, thoroughness, and the charm of unassuming mastery are the marks of all John Frame’s published work. As a systematic theologian, he is in fact one of the giants of our time, and to have his stellar writings about God brought together on disk is a tremendous boon.

—J.I. Packer, Regent College

I already own hard copies of most of what John Frame has written and have read the material with enormous profit. Whether he is articulating the best form of presuppositional apologetics, expounding the doctrine of God, or debunking Open Theism, Frame is always worth reading carefully and thoughtfully. To have this material in digital form, not only compact but searchable, is a great boon.

—D.A. Carson, research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

The entire John Frame theological corpus made available to serious students, pastors, and teachers worldwide? What a boon to the church universal! Frame’s rigorous, clear, and passionately biblical theology has graced the hearts and thinking of this generation and, now, so many more. This is essential theological fare. Highly recommended.

—R. Kent Hughes, senior pastor emeritus, College Church

John Frame’s writings are celebrated rightly for their scriptural base, his sober thinking, his spiritual tone and application of sound doctrine, and his simplicity of style.

—Bruce Waltke, professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary

To have so much of John Frame’s theological work—not only all his major books but numerous shorter items—all made available together in this convenient and easily searchable format should greatly enhance his value to the cause of the gospel, for readers both old and new.

—Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

Although I have never sat in his classroom, John Frame has been my teacher for years. His work is marked by a capable handling of Scripture, historical awareness, and astute theological thinking in the Reformed tradition. The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, The Doctrine of God, and No Other God: A Response to Open Theism have helped me much. Because my training is exegetical and historical and not philosophical, I must rely on theologians who are trained in philosophy. But I am frequently displeased with the place the Bible occupies in their work. John pleases me, however, because he deliberately and consistently subordinates his own ideas to the Word of God. All in all, John’s writings have helped me love God better with my mind. As a result, I am happy to recommend The Collected Works of John M. Frame, Volume 1: Theology for those who want a sure guide to many important aspects of Christian theology.

—Robert A. Peterson, professor of systematic theology, Covenant Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Collected Works of John M. Frame, vol. 1: Theology
• Author: John M. Frame
• Publisher: P & R
• Pages: 3,737

John M. Frame: Talks and Lectures

• Author: John M. Frame
• Resource Type: Audio

This resource contains approximately 70 hours of audio lectures by John M. Frame that cover a host of theological topics.

The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God

• Author: John M. Frame
• Series: Theology of Lordship
• Publisher: P & R
• Publication Date: 1987
• Pages: 437

This first volume in the Theology of Lordship series addresses the implications for life and thought of the fact that God is the Lord and we are his servants by creation and redemption. Accordingly, Frame develops an epistemology based on the idea of servant thinking—the way a servant is to think in the presence of his Lord.

In the course of his inquiry, Frame focuses on the nature of theology (the application of God’s word to all areas of life) and its various methodological aspects. The book is also an introduction to apologetics, for it attempts to show what it is to know God and how people can come to know him as a friend rather than an enemy.

Like other books in the Theology of Lordship series, this volume analyses God’s lordship by means of threefold distinctions that derive ultimately from the doctrine of the Trinity. Lordship is God’s control, authority, and presence, and that triad provides three “perspectives” essential to human knowledge.

A magnificent treatment that will be a standard work for decades. Frame stands in the great Reformed tradition of Calvin and Charnock, Hodge and Bavinck, yet in his treatment of the doctrine of God, he surpasses them all with an amazing breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding. In every section, Frame brings fresh insight to old doctrines.

—Wayne Grudem, research professor of Bible and theology, Phoenix Seminary

A meticulously biblical, remarkably cogent, and powerfully transforming presentation.

—Richard L. Pratt Jr., president, Third Millennium Ministries

The Doctrine of God

• Author: John M. Frame
• Series: Theology of Lordship
• Publisher: P & R
• Publication Date: 2002
• Pages: 992

This second volume in the Theology of Lordship series provides Frame’s fullest exegetical defense of the centrality of God’s lordship in Scripture. It shows in detail the three aspects of that lordship—God’s control, authority, and presence—and then shows that all the Bible’s teaching about God’s nature and actions can be understood as applications of his lordship. God acts and speaks to us so that we may know that he is Lord. In this way, we can better understand the importance of Jesus’ lordship as creator and savior and the lordship of the Holy Spirit as he brings Christ to us and us into Jesus’ presence.

Frame also discusses the traditional controversies: divine sovereignty and human responsibility, the goodness of God and the evil in the world, whether we should ever speak of God as “mother,” the possibility that God “changes” in some way, the nature of miracles, divine election, and whether God is “in time.” On many of these issues, Frame explores new ground, remaining all the while within the bounds of Reformed orthodoxy.

May prove to be one of the most useful all-purpose, “nuts and bolts” theology books written in this generation. . . . Its analytical clarity and style is complimented by a remarkably warm, non-technical, down-to-earth, “shirt-sleeve” approach.

—Philip Blosser, professor, Lenoir-Rhyne College

Extremely relevant . . . simply the best thing I have seen in this area.

—Reginald McLelland, professor of philosophy, Covenant College

No Christian who is serious about thinking God’s thoughts after him can afford to miss this book.

—Peter J. Leithart, pastor, Trinity Reformed Church, Moscow, Idaho

Salvation Belongs to the Lord

• Author: John M. Frame
• Publisher: P & R
• Publication Date: 2006
• Pages: 382

Beginning students of theology and church leaders looking for a theological refresher or teaching tool will welcome this remarkably clear introduction to the doctrines of Scripture. In an almost conversational style, Salvation Belongs to the Lord explores all the major biblical truths, explains key terms of systematic theology, and reflects on their implications and connections under the lordship of Christ.

John Frame is not only one of the most productive theologians of our day, he is also one of the most lucid. Deceptively so, for behind every sentence in this extraordinary volume lies deep reflection. It is at once vigorously orthodox and sweetly pastoral. We can be grateful for such a powerful and clear exposition of the whole range of theology.

—William Edgar, professor, Westminster Theological Seminary

No Other God: A Response to Open Theism

• Author: John M. Frame
• Publisher: P & R
• Publication Date: 2001
• Pages: 235

Using ideas developed in The Doctrine of God as a theological basis, Frame provides a biblical analysis and critique of the “open theist” movement, which is shaking the church today by challenging the Reformed doctrines of God’s sovereignty, foreknowledge, and providence. In this timely work, Frame clearly describes open theism and evaluates it biblically. He addresses such questions as “How do open theists read the Bible?” “Is love God’s most important attribute?” “Is God’s will the ultimate explanation of everything?” “Do we have genuine freedom?” “Is God ever weak or changeable?” “Does God know everything in advance?” Frame not only answers the objections of open theists, he also sharpens our understanding of the relationship between God’s eternal plan and the decisions and events of our lives.

Open theism is bad news. The appearance of this book is good news. Precisely because God is closed and not open to the nullification of his purposes (Job 42:2), he has opened a future for believers that is utterly secure no matter what we suffer. The key that would open the defeat of God is eternally closed within the praiseworthy vault of His precious sovereignty. John Frame delights to show when it is good to be closed and when it is good to be open. And the Bible is his criterion.

—John Piper, pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church

This book is something both to read and to give away . . . both needed and effective.

—D.A. Carson, research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Here one will see vividly so much that is wrong with open theism while encountering afresh the beauty and glory of the true and living God of the Bible.

—Bruce A. Ware, professor of Christian theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

A convincing . . . biblical case for a God whose sovereignty is something not to be avoided but cherished.

—William Edgar, professor of apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary

A devastating critique of the concept of human freedom as articulated in the “open theistic” view.

—Roger R. Nicole, professor of theology, emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando

The Amsterdam Philosophy

• Author: John M. Frame
• Publisher: P & R
• Publication Date: 2005
• Pages: 55

This booklet was published in the midst of theological warfare. Representatives of the Amsterdam philosophy (Herman Dooyeweerd and others) were taking a militant stance against traditional Reformed theology, and the controversy created partisan battles on the campus of Westminster Theological Seminary, where Frame was a young professor. It also threatened to split churches, Christian schools, and other Christian organizations. As a member of a committee of the Ohio Presbytery of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Frame was asked to write a brief study of the movement. This booklet is the result.

Perspectives on the Word of God

• Author: John M. Frame
• Publisher: P & R
• Publication Date: 1990
• Pages: 76

This succinct volume consists of three lectures examining the nature, media, and application of God’s word. Frame develops fresh applications of ideas set forth in The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. In addition, he offers a preview of the central theses to be discussed in two later volumes in his Theology of Lordship series—The Doctrine of the Word of God and The Doctrine of the Christian Life. Those looking for a concise presentation of Frame’s “perspectival” approach will find it here.

The Collected Shorter Theological Writings

• Author: John M. Frame
• Publisher: P & R
• Publication Date: 2008
• Pages: 1,560

Like most academics, Frame published much of his thought in the form of articles rather than books. The Collected Shorter Theological Writings includes all his theologically focused articles published in scholarly journals, multiauthor volumes, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and more popular publications, as well as his articles posted at such internet sites as www.frame-poythress.org and www.reformedperspectives.org. There also are a number of book reviews in this collection. In his book reviews, Frame tries not only to describe and evaluate an author’s work but also to engage in a dialogue—an exchange of views. Thus, his book reviews contain many of his ideas, as well as those of other writers. Shorter Theological Writings also includes a number of written sermons, syllabi, lecture outlines, and study guides. The included “Primer on Perspectivalism” provides a concise introduction to some of Frame’s distinctive ideas.

About John M. Frame

John M. Frame (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary, MPhil, Yale University, DD, Belhaven College) is professor of systematic theology and philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church in America. Previously, he taught at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (1968–80) and Westminster Theological Seminary in California (1980–2000).