Evangelical Reunion: Denominations and the One Body of Christ [Paperback]

John M. Frame (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 185 pages
• Publisher: Baker Pub Group (July 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801035600
• ISBN-13: 978-0801035609
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,707,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Evangelical Reunion: Denominations and the Body of Christ, May 10, 2000

By 

Michael E. Marshall - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evangelical Reunion: Denominations and the One Body of Christ (Paperback)

Irenic is the term to describe the tone of this study of what can be the subject of the most strident of conversations among believers. In this book, Pastor Frame manages to examine the history of sectarianism within the Church and offers some jewels of wisdom for the reader. Beginning with the first division in the early Church and continuing to now, this book is a study in the processes that led to the present, fragmented Church. Frame challenges every Christian to distinguish between loyalty to Christ and denomination. Offering clear insights, this book is a "must read" for every evangelical.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reformed Ecumenism, September 24, 2005

By 

Kathy F. Cannata "Rev. Dr. R. Cannata" (New Orleans, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Evangelical Reunion: Denominations and the One Body of Christ (Paperback)

This book changed my mind. The best I have ever read on ecumenism from a conservative Reformed perspective. Dr. Frame is a Yale graduate, seminary professor, and PCA pastor.

He argues that schism is dangerous stuff, always tragic, and not to be entered into lightly. So, he says, the PCA's leaving the PCUS in 1973 may have been justified, but their not joining up with an existing body like the ARP or OPC at the time was a sin. They made some amends by merging with the RPCES, which itself was a merger of two other bodies. Organic union is not the sole test of catholicity, but it is one important goal. You have to wonder about the PCA and ARP's indifference to even beginning talks of merger.

5.0 out of 5 stars Be One as the Father and Christ are One, February 2, 2012

By 

Bradley P. Hayton - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Evangelical Reunion: Denominations and the One Body of Christ (Paperback)

A new ecumenism was afoot among Christians. This movement was different from the old ecumenism which tried to water down the faith for unity's sake. This movement hold dearly those doctrines that are essential to the faith, and discovers afresh what common doctrines bind us together. John Frame writes directly to this point. He believes that denominationalism is a curse that defames the Lord. And by denominationalism, he means that sinful attitudes and mentalities that cause the splits as well as the splits themselves.

Frame speaks directly to evangelical churches using evangelical arguments. Similar to Catholic Christopher Dawson, Frame believes that most denominationalism comes about through political, social, and personal disagreements, rather than key theological ones. Frame, as Dawson, even questions the motives and outcomes of the dividing of Christendom at the Reformation. He believes that denominationalism weakens church discipline, weakens the meaning of church membership, causes an imbalance of spiritual gifts, hardens existing divisions, and even destroys church courts. They create unholy alliances, comprise the church's witness to the world, and lead to creedal stagnation, as well as superficiality and distorted priorities. The church becomes parochial rather than universal, emphasizing unhealthy competition among denominational groups and ungodly pride and snobbery. Yet Frame discusses how legitimate forms of denominational loyalty are valid.

Frame outlines a biblical view of tolerance where "[t]he ideal is not a tolerant church where all views are given equal respect (i.e., doctrinal indifference); rather, it is a church where all members are agreed on the truth so that tolerance of opposing views in unnecessary" (p. 91). He then applies his abstract theories to nitty gritty disagreements over theology, worship, the sacraments, church government, ethnic differences, and differences in priorities. He even goes on to deal with the practicalities of inter- and intradenominational cooperation, para-church ministries, partial unions, and trans-denominational loyalty.

Though Frame is a Calvinist from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, he looks beyond Calvinism. He still feels uncomfortable joining with denominations that are radically different from the Reformed faith, but believes that they are at least a good place to begin. His illustrations and examples are mostly from his own denominational background, but they are highly applicable to all biblical forms of church unity.

The time is ripe for evangelical reunion. In fact, the time is ripe for Christian reunion. It is high time that the universal church renew its roots in the gospel, quit bickering, and start living the gospel out in life itself. Its calling is to disciple the nations, and when it does less, it becomes ingrown and unchristian. As therapists we are sometimes even more sensitive to these issues, since our clients are usually not limited to denominational divisions. Our treatment includes the essence of the gospel that applies to all Christians. It is God's power through the death and resurrection of His Son, and the enlivening Holy Spirit, that has come to heal the world by drawing all people unto Himself. Let us not draw the world simply in our particular denomination. The Christian faith is so much richer in both theology and heritage.