I think I am safe to say that no single theologian has had more of a profound impact on me than has John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. It’s not that I always agree with Frame, I certainly don’t. At the simple level he is a Presbyterian and I am not. Nonetheless, I continually find myself drawn to his teaching and especially to his humility. It is these two things combined which makes Frame such a great theologian. I have especially loved his Theology of Lordship series and just finished the final volume in this week. The Doctrine of the Word of God, like the other volumes in this series, combines a deep theology with an accessible practicality. It’s the kind of book that I love to read and love to share.
Frame is thoroughly conservative, as his thesis makes clear. “My thesis is that God’s word, in all its qualities and aspects, is a personal communication from him to us (3).” He holds the traditional Evangelical doctrines regarding Scripture to be true and he spends less time defending them in this volume than one might expect. It’s actually quite refreshing to read a volume on weighty theology that doesn’t feel the need to spend countless pages contesting every potential and real contrary theology. Frame does build a case for his theology, but it’s rooted in the Word of God itself, not in theological acumen (though he clearly possess that too). So Frame starts the book off with a bit of an unusual confession for theological works, one he makes no apologies for:
The main difference between this book and other books on the doctrine of revelation and Scripture is that I am trying here, above all else, to be ruthlessly consistent with Scripture’s own view of itself. In that regard, I’m interested in not only defending what Scripture says about Scripture, but defending it by means of the Bible’s own worldview, its own epistemology, and its own values. That there is some circularity here I do not doubt. I am defending the Bible by the Bible. (7)
For Frame this is not a mere academic exercise. In fact it seems very clear throughout this work that he is not writing from within the academic bubble (i.e. one professional theologian writing solely for other professional theologians). He is writing in a very pastoral manner to pastors and laymen. On this point he comments:
I have often said that theology is not primarily an academic discipline, observing the impersonal academic conventions. It is rather (as in the NT) a highly personal communication, a testimony of faith. Our God is personal, and the Christian didache is also personal. I will never change in that respect. If the theological community has adopted rules that conflict with this vision, then it ought to change them. (xxix)
I love that about Frame, and this work evidences that personal view. It is a work that is both concise and practical, yet it never lacks for content.
Don’t be fooled, the book is deep and wide (640 pages in fact). And Frame is an erudite theologian. He touches on a host of topics and crosses disciplines at various times (evidencing his eclectic learning). It’s not a book for the light reader as it touches on issues of philosophy, theology, and exegesis. And yet it is not a book for only the learned theologian. Frame writes in a very casual manner and communicates deep truths with a rare gift for clarity and brevity. In fact at times I was shocked by his ability to concisely cover a major doctrinal point. He covers the subject of “Inspiration” in five pages (140-144), and yet does a quality job. He is careful to avoid the rabbit trails and the unnecessary debates (xxviii).
This is the kind of book I love to read because it helps to clarify for me the practical side of so many of these profoundly important doctrines. Fred Sanders in his book on the Trinity explains how a lack of clarity on practical implications can lead to a useless doctrine. At times it seems to me that this is clearly what has happened in conservative circles regarding the doctrine of Scripture. We are quick to spout off our statements about the inerrancy and inspiration of Scripture, but so often Christians don’t believe it to be sufficient. In fact so many Christians don’t even read it. Frame draws us to careful consideration of the power and importance of this Word in our daily lives for our pursuit of growth in godliness.
This is also the kind of book I love to share with others. The church I help pastor has started a Free Seminary for our community. We have various godly and seminar-trained pastors in our community teach courses. One of the goals of this endeavor was to help our people grow as practical missionaries and ministers in our community. We weren’t interested in their ability to summarize Rudolf Bultmann’s theology or explain the caveats of Karl Barth’s doctrine. We teach church history where it is relevant, but we aren’t interested in filling them with knowledge alone. We are interested in helping them use the theology they get in practical, tangible, community-impacting ways. And John Frame’s The Doctrine of the Word of God is that kind of book. It’s the kind of book I want to take my students through. It’s the kind of book you should read too.
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 