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Systematic Theology by John Frame

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7.125 × 10.25 SPINE: 2.5 FLAPS: 3.5 “It is a special joy to see this, the A biblical, clear, cogent, accessible, ystematic Theology is the quintessence of a lifetime of Frame’s culmination and creative study of God’s Word.” comprehensive, and practical summary of synthesis of John Frame’s —Walter C. Kaiser Jr., President Christian belief by one of the most important S writing on, teaching about, Emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological and studying of the Word of God. This Seminary and original American theologians of the last magisterial opus—at once biblical, hundred years. clear, cogent, readable, accessible, “This major work maintains Frame’s and practical—summarizes the mature reputation for impeccable scholarship “Few in our day champion a vision of God as massive, magnificent, and thought of one of the most important on the one hand and eminent biblical as John Frame’s. For decades, he has given himself to the church, to and original Reformed theologians of practicality on the other.” his students, and to meticulous thinking and the rigorous study of the Bible. the last hundred years. It will enable you —Eugene H. Merrill, Distinguished He has winsomely, patiently, and persuasively contended for the gospel in the SYSTEMATIC to see clearly how the Bible explains Professor of Old Testament Studies, secular philosophical arena, as well as in the thick of the church worship wars God’s great, sweeping plan for mankind. Dallas Theological Seminary and wrestlings with feminism and open theism. He brings together a rare blend THEOLOGY SYSTEMATIC of big-picture thinking, levelheaded reflection, biblical fidelity, a love for the “John M. Frame’s Systematic Theology “Here, at last, is John Frame’s magnum gospel and the church, and the ability to write with care and clarity.” is a remarkable achievement. It is opus. Few other contemporary —John Piper, Chancellor, Bethlehem College and Seminary; Founder and simultaneously scholarly yet accessible, theologians have influenced me as much sweeping in scope but penetrating in Teacher, www.desiringGod.org BELIEF CHRISTIAN AN INTRODUCTION TO as Dr. Frame.” insight, steeped in historic orthodoxy —Justin Taylor, Blogger, “Between Two “Systematic Theology . is a worthy climax to the life’s work of one who has THEOLOGY yet fresh in reflection.” Worlds” only ever sought to be a faithful servant of Christ, teaching in his church. It is —Peter A. Lillback, President, a privilege to celebrate its appearing and to commend it for serious study. I Westminster Theological Seminary “John Frame is one of the most seminal guarantee that the dividends of such study will be uniformly high. Thank you, Reformed theologians of our age, and AN INTRODUCTION TO John Frame, for this superb gift.” “The biblical and practical nature of his this is his most significant work.” —J. I. Packer, Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College perspective makes this a refreshing and —Mark Driscoll, Founder, the much-needed resource for all of us who Resurgence; Cofounder, Acts 29 “This new systematic theology comes from one of the great theological CHRISTIAN BELIEF care about a vital Reformed theology.” minds of our age. John Frame’s contributions to theology are already massive —Richard J. Mouw, President, Fuller and many, but now he has given the church a systematic theology. This is a Theological Seminary very important book, and it represents a lifetime of consecrated theological reflection. This new volume promises to be an enduring contribution to “Frame has produced what should evangelical theology.” become required reading in seminary —R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary JOHN M. FRAME classrooms and pastors’ studies for years to come.” —Mark Young, President, Denver “John Frame is one of my favorite theologians, and his Systematic Theology is FOREWORD BY J. I. PACKER filled with the deep learning and warranted wisdom of a lifetime. I commend it Seminary John M. Frame (A.B., Princeton University; warmly to the Lord’s people everywhere.” B.D., Westminster Theological Seminary; M.A. —Timothy George, Founding Dean, Beeson Divinity School of Samford “Clear, thorough, intelligent, and fair to and M.Phil., Yale University; D.D., Bellhaven University; General Editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture FRAME opposing views, John Frame’s work will College) holds the J. D. Trimble Chair of now be the standard within traditional Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed theology.” Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando “Wonderfully clear, refreshingly insightful, profoundly biblical. and is the author of many books, including —Cornelius Plantinga Jr., President, the four-volume Theology of Lordship series. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY An outstanding achievement!” —Wayne Grudem Calvin Theological Seminary EAN ISBN: 978-1-59638-217-6 www.prpbooks.com 54999 Cover design by Tobias’ Outerwear for Books 9 781596 382176 Image © nanamee.com / Trikona SEMINARY LEADERS “All good theology is practical. Proper theology is for the church, not just for academics. Biblical systematic theology impacts the way we think, the way we live, and the way we feel about God, ourselves, the world, and others. John Frame always does ‘good’ theology. It will change your life.” — Robert C. (Ric) Cannada Jr., Chancellor Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary “Many times in the past I have grown in my understanding of Scripture and benefited in my practice of ministry as a consequence of John Frame’s written reflections on God’s Word. Now the opportunity to draw upon that thought from a work that expands and systematizes his reflections from a lifetime of study and devotion is a great treasure for the church and a great gift to all in ministry.” —Bryan Chapell, President Emeritus, Covenant Theological Seminary “Theology reflects our study of God’s general and special revelation and our attempt to express that theology in the language of those to whom we seek to communicate our conclusions. Theology must be faithful to the authority of the Word of God, and must be written in an understandable style. For those reasons, John Frame has once again used his gifts to give us a systematic theology that is consistently bibli- cal and written within the framework of Reformed theology. Familiarity with the author’s writings makes the reader aware of his ability to express himself clearly and to the point. He does not waste words or the reader’s time. You will find an immediate appreciation of and benefit from his definitions and expressions of our Reformed doctrine. While a number of outstanding systematics reside within the family of biblically Reformed theology, Frame’s will complement and deepen one’s understanding and appreciation of the ‘faith once delivered to the saints,’ yesterday and today. Without question this work will be taught and studied in a way that will enable the reader, teacher, and student to see and understand the sovereignty of God, the kingdom of God, the lordship of Christ, and salvation with fresh minds and day-to-day application. You will find Frame, as usual, demonstrating his well-known mantra, ‘theology is life and life is theology.’ Each page is a constant reminder that the truth will make us free.” — Charles Dunahoo, Chairman of the Board, Westminster Theological Seminary; Coordinator for Christian Education and Publications, Presbyterian Church in America; pastor and teacher “John Frame is an esteemed colleague and one of the most important contempo- rary Reformed systematic theologians in the English-speaking world. His Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief reflects a half-century of distinguished teaching, prolific writing, and serious study. For that reason alone, especially in a day and age in which many evangelicals question the legitimacy of systematic theology, Frame_Systematic Theology.indd 1 9/25/13 2:15 PM this volume commends itself to our attention. Frame (thankfully) encourages a Bible- centered approach to doing theology and (rightly) asserts that even ‘practical theology’ is a department of systematic theology. Here you will find the Professor Frame you have come to expect: clear, readable, restrained, and conversational in his presenta- tion, and thoughtful, biblical, consistent, and careful in his views. Many years ago, Carl F. H. Henry suggested that we need a ‘recovery of Christian belief.’ May your engagement with this book serve to introduce you to and ground you in genuinely Christian belief.” —Ligon Duncan, Chancellor and CEO, Reformed 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 Scripture “It is always a joyous occasion when one of God’s faithful servants of his Word pro- duces the fruit of his many years of labor into a full-fledged systematic theology. This is no small undertaking, but in the grace of God, we in our generation are the happy recipients of just such a work from Professor John Frame. He is, by all odds, one of the best known and most respected Reformed theologians in our day. It is a special joy to see this, the quintessence of a lifetime of his study of God’s Word, and now to commend it to all the body of Christ with thanksgiving to God for his gift of Dr. John Frame to the church.” —Walter C. Kaiser Jr., President Emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary “When one thinks of modern Reformed theologians, John Frame is at the top of the list. He has the rare ability to explain complex theological truths in a manner that is simple enough for the layman and deep enough for the scholar. Moreover, his theo- logical guidance is always wise, steady, and, more than anything else, biblical.
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