Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief
"Few in our day champion a vision of God as massive, magnificent, and biblical as John Frame's. 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, levelheaded reflection, biblical fidelity, a love for the gospel and the church, and the ability to write with care and clarity."—John Piper, Chancellor, Bethlehem College and Seminary; Founder and Teacher, desiringGod.org"John M. Frame's Systematic Theology is a remarkable achievement. It is simultaneously scholarly yet accessible, sweeping in scope but penetrating in insight, steeped in historic orthodoxy yet fresh in reflection."—Peter A. Lillback, President, Westminster Theological Seminary"Systematic Theology . . . is a worthy climax to the life's work of one who has only ever sought to be a faithful servant of Christ, teaching in his church. It is a privilege to celebrate its appearing and to commend it for serious study. I guarantee that the dividends of such study will be uniformly high. Thank you, John Frame, for this superb gift."—J. I. Packer, Board of Governors' Professor of Theology, Regent College"The biblical and practical nature of his perspective makes this a refreshing and much-needed resource for all of us who care about a vital Reformed theology."—Richard J. Mouw, President, Fuller Theological Seminary"This new systematic theology comes from one of the great theological minds of our age. John Frame's contributions to theology are already massive and many, but now he has given the church a systematic theology. This is a very important book, and it represents a lifetime of consecrated theological reflection. This new volume promises to be an enduring contribution to evangelical theology."—R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary"John Frame is one of my favorite theologians, and his Systematic Theology is filled with the deep learning and warranted wisdom of a lifetime. I commend it warmly to the Lord's people everywhere."—Timothy George, Founding Dean, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University; General Editor, Reformation Commentary on ScriptureFrame has produced what should become required reading in seminary classrooms and pastors studies for years to come.—Mark Young, President, Denver Seminary"Clear, thorough, intelligent, and fair to opposing views, John Frame's work will now be the standard within traditional Reformed theology."—Cornelius Plantinga Jr., President, Calvin Theological Seminary---Near the end of his long and fruitful career, John Frame has given us his chef d oeuvre. His Systematic Theology is the distillation of a life s work in reflecting on how God s Word relates to the Christian life of the simple believer. As his readers have come to expect, his chief emphasis is on the glory of God, the God who saves, the God who loves us. It would be nearly impossible to read this volume without being drawn into fellowship and conversation with the God who is at its center. Full of quotes from poetry, traditional theology, and even hymns, this is perhaps one of the most practical systematic theologies ever penned. It belongs alongside Turretin, Hodge, Bavinck, and the other hall-of-famers in the discipline. All we can say is: thank you, John Frame!—William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological SeminaryJohn Frame s Systematic Theology is an important landmark in one-volume treatments of the major loci of doctrine. Frame s signature is readily apparent on every page: commitment to Scripture for everything he writes, accessible philosophical analysis of difficult questions, and, yes, triperspectivalism. This volume ranks as the most recommendable single-volume systematic theology of our time.—Derek W. H. Thomas, John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson; Minister of Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, JacksonJohn Frame the author has in Systematic Theology captured comprehensively and with clarity what many of us have benefited from in the classroom through John Frame the professor and teacher. His biblical precision and personal passion is spread on every page, which you will quickly desire to turn in order to get to the next page as he allows and propels us to see the singular glory of the triune God revealed in his Word as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.—Harry L. Reeder, Pastor/Teacher, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, BirminghamHurray for John Frame! At a time when systematics has been shoved into a corner by biblical theology in many seminaries, John has published what I can only hope will be an alternative to that imbalance. Not since A. A. Hodge s Outlines, Buswell, Reymond, and Grudem has a truly substantive systematic theology appeared. I expect Systematic Theology to become a classic, and I look forward to its publication with the greatest anticipation.—Jay E. Adams, Author of Competent to Counsel; founder of the Institute for Nouthetic Studies (INS), the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC), and the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF)---On my bookshelf sit numerous systematics by Charles Hodge, Louis Berkhof, Robert Reymond, and Wayne Grudem. I enjoy them all. They inform, educate, and bring clarity to different issues within Scripture. While systematics are full of precious knowledge to assist any student to better understand God and his holy Word, the reader will find none so well written, with a meekness and tenderness of heart, as Frame s. The breadth and length and height and depth of God s amazing love graces this volume of theology. If Edwards s Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God can be said to have drawn sinners to Christ, Frame s work will be said to draw Christians even closer to understanding their Creator, God, and Lord more fully. This work is a necessity for every layman, pastor, and scholar alike.This systematic theology is written from and faithful to a Reformed perspective glorifying God and his Word. As expected, Frame makes extensive reference to Scripture and the Westminster Confession of Faith, but he makes good use of other confessions, too. While Frame is careful to address numerous contemporary issues, his work directs the reader to Christ to his salvation alone. This personalizes the text. Though it draws on yesterday, it makes it applicable to the reader today and forever (Heb. 13:8).—Joseph R. Nally, Theological Editor, Third Millennium MinistriesJohn Frame writes theology for those who want to use, and be used by, the Word of God. He has done his professional theologizing for many years in the context of the preparation of young men for ministry in seminary. But more to the point, his theology s practicality springs from his understanding of the nature of theological reflection itself. When I was his student over forty years ago, he told us, Theology is application. His discussions of the various loci of systematic theology always have an eye on the Holy Scriptures power and purpose to transform the lives of the people who study them intellectually and ethically. Anyone who reads this volume will be blessed with a more comprehensive and systematic appreciation for the teachings of the Word of God and at the same time will grow in renewing the mind and life by the Holy Spirit s speaking through the Word.—Roger Wagner, Pastor, Bayview Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Chula Vista, CaliforniaSystematic theology is notoriously challenging to read but even more challenging to write. I tell students that too many modern theologians have given us cookbooks that feed neither the mind nor the soul. John Frame is a great evangelical exception. He has mastered the historical method, and more importantly, his readers have come to expect that biblical theology will guide his systematic theology. As he says, The Bible is the most important thing. I welcome this important volume and encourage all readers of theology, especially students, to have Frame s valuable work at their side.—John H. Armstrong, President, ACT3 Network; Adjunct Professor, Wheaton College Graduate SchoolAs one who has long admired and learned so much from John Frame s contributions to Reformed life and thought, I am so pleased that we now have this fine volume that gathers together the insights of a half-century of serious theological scholarship. The biblical and practical nature of his perspective makes this a refreshing and much-needed resource for all of us who care about a vital Reformed theology.—Richard J. Mouw, President, Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary---