Review: Speaking The Truth In Love: The Theology Of John M. Frame

John J. Hughes. Speaking The Truth In Love: The Theology Of John M. Frame.  Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, November 1st 2009. 1118 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

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.

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