Review: We Are All Philosophers by John Frame

 

John Frame.  We Are All Philosophers.  Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, August 28th 2019. 152 pp.

5 out of 5

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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!