John Frame. We Are All Philosophers. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, August 28th 2019. 152 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
Everyone in some sense is a philosopher; the question is whether they are a good philosopher or a poor one. In light of the fact that all of us encounter the big and deep questions of life Christian apologist and theologian John Frame has written this helpful work concerning Christian philosophy. John Frame has written History of Western Philosophy and Theology which I highly recommend and in the preface of this present volume he noted that after finishing that earlier massive work he realized that he need to write another book on philosophy that would be more for the average reader. Part of making this more accessible is this book is not only shorter but arranged topically instead of historically. The language is simpler and I appreciate the definitions of terms after each chapter. Although he said this book is an introduction still I think even Christians who know theology, apologetics and philosophy will benefit from it as Frame has a way of thinking through the Scripture and seeing connections between doctrines, philosophical categories and how they relate perspectivally in a way that makes you appreciate the world more and also the beauty of God’s glory.
There are seven chapters in this book with each one titled in the form of a question. For instance chapter one is titled “What is everything made of?” while chapter two is titled “Do I have free will?” Chapter three is titled “Can I know the world?” that covers epistemology from a biblical worldview and chapter four answers the question “Does God exist?” Chapter five is “How shall I live?” and chapter six is “What are my rights?’ in which both these chapters, chapter five and six covers ethics. I love how the first chapter on ethics covers what is our obligation and the next chapter on ethics John Frame observes how rights are others’ obligations towards us. Chapter seven of the book is “How can I be saved?” and I love how John Frame explains in the Gospel, something you don’t often see in works on Christian philosophy. This is what I love about John Frame, his desire to be biblically centered. The second half of the book is the appendix which are selected letters to John Frame on various philosophical topics. John Frame is one of those professors that have a lot of correspondences with those inquiring questions to him. I’m glad I read this book not only seeing how Frame answers questions but also because the first question that John Frame answers in the appendix was a question I asked him 11 years ago!
Very interesting!
Hemp is that Marijuana?
This is indeed a good resource and reference when sharing the Gospel to potential believers and edifying both new ones and those who have been living in the faith in the Triune for quite some time. Thank you for the review, Jim! I wonder what was your question to the author then.
Thank you for your comment! Have you heard of John Frame before? I recommend his books he is writes biblically and deeply and interestingly about a vast amount of theological subjects. The question I asked him in the book was about the philosophical problem of the one and the many, or sometimes stated as how do we have universals and particulars and how do they relate and whether or not the way we theorize how they relate destroy the concept of the particular or universals, based upon what we think everything is made out of or came into existence/being and also what we consider as more important or more basic. I know you never cease to amaze me how much you know from Government, comics, the Scripture, science and how institutions work, wondering if philosophy is also similar to your other areas of knowledge where you know a lot about? I think the answer might be yes.
That is a profound question to the author, Jim! My apologies, both my answers to your questions are no. I have not recalled hearing John Frame prior to your post and Philosophy is “not my cup of tea” although I appreciate it as a subject.
Thanks for this good review! I appreciate learning the basics about Frame, Van Til, and Bahnsen from you.
RE: another book on philosophy that would be more for the average reader.
You mean a book for T-301 types and above, NOT for T-101 types like myself. 🙂
Lol. Good comment. I know Frame in the introduction said it is written for beginners and I think some of the concepts can still be not easy but still he’s written a beginning volume and he did a pretty good job, probably better than most I’ve seen in terms of being biblical and as introductory materials. I barely finished 10 K steps the last few days, how was your steps yesterday and this week with all the work with leaves?
Glad you’re able to get 10K steps! Keep it up! Yeah, my count is rising because of the leaf campaign. I averaged 6.6K steps for Oct. and I’m at 9K avg. for this month and rising. The leaves have been coming down like crazy the last several days.
The two chapters on ethics sounds interesting. The political conversations today hinges on differences of worldviews with different beliefs about morality
I need to buy this.
Can I send this to you as a gift via Amazon? Or do you want his big volume instead? Let me know which book! Email me your address!
You don’t have to send this to me! Thank you though, that is SO kind of you!!! How are things in CA? I am numb, Jimmy, numb. I NEVER thought I would live in a world nor a state (literally PA and figuratively emotions) with so much confusion and turmoil. I use to read Revelation and wonder how life for people could just change in an instant. God in and thru 2020 has made me WAY more sensitive/aware of how quickly and profoundly things can change. May hearts be stirred for salvation because the time is drawing ever nearer to our Lord’s return.
Have you ever read Frame’s History of Western Philosophy and Theology? I’ve thought of getting that as well.
Interesting. I have to confess that I’ve been studying so hard to know the content of The Scriptures that I haven’t stopped to consider Them philosophically.
I know what you mean sometimes just being in the Word and knowing the Word itself is already so much work in the midst of so much going on in life! Of course the Bible takes priority! Make sure let us know about your biopsy before it happen so God’s people can pray!
Will do! Thanks Jim!
[…] Note: For a basic topical introduction to Philosophy by John Frame check out We Are All Philosophers by John Frame […]
Ha Ha! Love this: “Everyone in some sense is a philosopher; the question is whether they are a good philosopher or a poor one.”
Perhaps I can move up from being a poor one!
Blessings.
John Frame has written a lot of books. It seems his books are really short or really long and less so that’s middle length lol
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Going to get this on Amazon
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I’m going to get this to disciple a young man majoring in philosophy
Everyone should learn good sound philosophy from a Christian worldview. This is especially the case for the epistemic unconscious unbelieviers who are presupposing faulty presuppositions.