Reading: “Speaking the Truth in Love: the Theology of John Frame”

P&R’s new Speaking the Truth in Love: The Theology of John Frame is a fantastic volume of contributions on the theology and influence of John Frame.  Rarely do we see a festschrift of this proportion – over 1,100 pages, with 39 articles, and 8 sections.  Instead of a normal review, let me suggest a reading plan of sorts for those who are unfamiliar with the content of Frame’s thought (for a thorough review read Iain Campbell’s review at Ref21) .  I do not suggest you read it through, but let it become your companion as you become more and more familiar with John Frame and his thought.

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Where to begin?

• The place to begin is at the beginning.  Read the Personal Words from Many Friends.  It is a fun read from theologians and pastors from across the spectrum whom Frame has influenced over the past several decades.
• Chapters 1-2 – After the Personal Words you should read chapter 1 My Books: Their Genesis and Main Ideas by John Frame himself.  Its a good and brief summary of the literature he has produced.  Then move directly to chapter 2 Background to My Thought.

Understanding John Frame and His Influence

• Chapter 12 – Justin Taylor and James Grant’s chapter on “John Frame and Evangelicalism” is a good introduction to how Frame has interacted with evangelicalism broadly speaking and more particular in Presbyterian circles.
• Chapter 8 – Vern Poythress’ chapter “Multiperspectivalism and the Reformed Faith” is a crucial chapter in understanding Frame’s concept of multiperspectivalisim (or triperspectivalism), how it affects different disciplines (theology, apologetics, linguistics, ethics, etc), and how it has affected the Reformed faith.  This is probably the most important chapter in understanding Frame’s thought.
• Chapter 19 – James Anderson’s “Presuppositionalism and Frame’s Epistemology” is probably the best chapter in the book on Frame’s apologetic.  This is strictly an opinion because all of them (there are 8 total) are very good.  But Anderson works to make Frame’s presupppositionalism practical, which is always helpful for apologetics.  Its also another helpful chapter on his multiperspectivalism.
• Chapter 32 – David Powlison’s “Frame’s Ethics: Working the Implications for Pastoral Care” is really helpful in understanding how Frame’s ethical triperspectivalism is practical for the pastor looking to “cure souls.”  While ethical reflections tend to be “static,” human hearts and souls are perplex and dynamic, needing multiple perspectives – sort of like jazz!

Digging Deeper into Frames Thought

• Chapter 9 – K. Scott Oliphint’s “The Prolegomena Principle: Frame and Bavinck” is his attempt to cure “Bavinck’s bug” with Frame’s epistemology.  Its a good chapter on showing the superiority of Frame’s prolegomena over Bavinck in order to remain consistent with the Reform Theology they both set forth.
• Chapter 13 – Paul Helm’s “Frame’s Doctrine of God” is no bedside reading (which is what I attempted one evening!).  I can’t imagine anyone requesting Paul Helm to expand more on his ideas, but that is what Frame has requested.  And so Paul Helm has obliged.  Although there is a good bit of assumed knowledge of Helm’s book The Providence of God, it is still worth the read if you have not read Helm’s book.
• Chapter 20 – Donald Collett’s chapter “Van Till and Transcendental Argument Revisited” is worth reading only if you are familiar with the interaction between Frame, Bahnsen, Craig, and Collett on Frame’s use of the Transcendental Argument.  Frames tends to recognize more continuity between traditional and presuppositional transcendental arguments, while other Van Tillian’s don’t, emphatically.

I truly enjoyed plowing through this volume.  It is astonishing to see Frame’s fingerprints in almost every single theological discipline – including worship wars.  His contribution is massive.  I have a deeper appreciation of John Frame after reading these articles, which I am grateful for.

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