The Doctrine of God (A Theology of Lordship) [Hardcover]

John M. Frame (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2002

The second volume of Frame's Theology of Lordship series; here he examines the attributes and names of God in connection with a full spectrum of relevant theological and ethical truths.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Readers familiar with Frame’s analysis of historic doctrines and current questions will welcome this long-awaited second installment in the Theology of Lordship series. Here he examines the attributes, acts, and names of God in connection with a full spectrum of relevant theological, ethical, spiritual truths.

The Doctrine of God received the 2003 ECPA Gold Medallion Award in the Theology and Doctrine Category. Congratulations, Dr. Frame, for this award reflecting many years of study on the topic of God's attributes and character.

About the Author

John M. Frame is professor of systematic theology and philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando campus. Among his published works are No Other God, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, and Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 864 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875522637
• ISBN-13: 978-0875522630
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > History

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Indeed, December 28, 2004

By 

J. F Foster - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Doctrine of God (A Theology of Lordship) (Hardcover)

John Frame has delivered us a very big book addressing an infinitely bigger topic - the Doctrine of God. It is a book that is thorough in its coverage, clear in its language and thought, and organized in its presentation. All of this is important since Frame's methodology is unconventional to the point where some academic controversy has ensued - though most readers, I suspect, will not notice one way or the other. It is a heady read in spots, but is a book that is much needed and worthy of serious perusal.

Frame properly mentions early on that the Protestant Reformation did not really touch on the area of Theology Proper that much. The Reformation focused on other theological loci such as soteriology and ecclesiology, but left much of the medieval understanding of Theology Proper fairly intact. Therefore, Frame's book, along with some other books that have come out recently, really represent the first serious attempt to apply Semper Reformanda to the Doctrine of God, and it is an effort that is long overdue. Frame's considerable interaction with non-evangelical views of God in this book amplify the fact that evangelical Protestantism has, for way too long, failed to develop a distinctly Protestant understanding of God that sets a reliable standard against heterodoxy.

In this book, Frame emphasizes the concept of God as covenant Lord, and develops much of the book in accordance with this organizing principle. While Frame is careful to note that covenant Lordship is not the only legitimate way to organize a Theology Proper, it is nonetheless a compelling approach given its constant theme throughout Scripture. In fact, Frame convincingly argues that many heterodox attempts to develop a theology of God deliberately avoid this theme because of its obvious threat to the autonomizing of man that so many modern day theologies try to stress. In this vain, Frame's systematic critique of libertarian free-will and the notion of divine middle knowledge are extremely good. Frame's sustained focus on the Biblical names of God is quite refreshing in showing how His names are themselves a form of revelation that teach us more about Him. Frame's discussion of transcendence and immanence draws heavily from Van Til, but is a presentation that is most helpful, and most needed. Lastly, Frame's interaction with the gender-neutral and 'maleness of God' controversy is both very relevant and substantive. Frame takes a conservative view on this question, but the reader is comforted by the fact that Frame's presentation is respectfully Biblical in its emphasis, rather than reaking of the kind of hysteria that is typically employed by folks on all sides of this issue who tend to have axes to grind. Those looking for solid critiques of Barth, Moltmann, Pinnock, McFague and others will find much to chew on here.

Readers who are familiar with Frame's perspectivalism may find some of the early chapters to be a bit redundant, but these chapters are very helpful for those are just beginning to get exposed to Frame's approach. In addition, those who are well versed in many of Frame's other works will find a bit of duplication here. Lastly, while many of the appendices are good, a number of them seem off-topic and make an already big book unnecessarily larger.

But overall, this is a very important book that makes significant in-roads in developing a Protestant and strongly Reformed Doctrine of God. It is a book that forges a careful path of sound theology where God is concerned amidst a forest of competing theological constructions that often leave much to be desired. Frame has provided the church with a valuable service here.

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the wait!, July 3, 2002

By 

Justin G Taylor (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Doctrine of God (A Theology of Lordship) (Hardcover)

The Doctrine of God may very well be the best book ever written on the doctrine of God. John Frame expounds God's covenant lordship in a way that causes one to worship God in spirit and truth. His biblically-grounded methodology yields many fresh insights into the control, authority, and presence of our covenant Lord in the context of his acts, descriptions, and Trinitiarian presence. I highly commend this deeply profound and persuasive book. I am confident that it will be worth the investment of time, money, and labor to digest its contents.

--Justin Taylor
Director of Theological Resources & Education
Desiring God Ministries

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't get any better than this!, March 13, 2003

By 

Nathan Hogan (El Cajon, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Doctrine of God (A Theology of Lordship) (Hardcover)

I found this book to be incredible. I sincerely appreciated Frame's balanced and kind-hearted approach to theology. He handled issues that have many people up in arms with love and respect. I have yet to see such a readable, comprehensive, and profound book that so easily defends the Reformed faith. I particularly enjoyed the portion on the immutability of God. Frame handles this masterfully! This section alone is worth the price of the book. John Frame is to be commended for his achievment in this book. I am anxiously anticipating the future books in this series. This book needs to be in every serious believer's library.