The Escondido Theology: A Reformed Response to Two Kingdom Theology [Paperback]

Dr. John Frame (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2011

This book is a critical analysis of a theological movement John Frame calls The Escondido Theology. The name is chosen because this movement developed mainly among faculty members of Westminster Seminary California which is located in the city of Escondido, California. Some members of this school of thought, such as Michael Horton, Meredith Kline, and Darryl Hart, are well-known to students of Reformed theology. But these figures have never before been discussed as composing a distinctive school of thought. More often they have been discussed as individual theologians, or simply as representatives of the orthodox Reformed theological tradition. But they are not simply Reformed; they hold views that are quite distinctive, unusual and controversial. In Dr. Frame s view, these positions are not standard Reformed theology. None of their distinctive positions is taught in any of the Reformed confessions. These positions are an idiosyncratic kind of teaching peculiar to the Escondido school. Those who teach them are a faction, even a sect. 1 Taken in the plain sense of the terms, their positions are all unbiblical. Dr. John Frame s The Escondido Theology is a needed corrective to the rapidly growing advocacy and acceptance of a two-kingdom approach to theology and culture. It is not only timely, considering the popularity of Two Kingdom Theology , but also because he is the right individual to address the issues, having previously served as a Professor at both Westminster in Philadelphia and then as a founding faculty member at Escondido. Dr. Frame personally witnessed the inception and development of this doctrinal view in Escondido. Dr. Frame s insight and analysis clearly represents my Christian World and Life View because it is historically rooted in Calvinistic theology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dr. John Frame has taken up the theological issue of Two Kingdom Theology and demonstrated his qualifications in addressing this popular view currently being advocated by various Reformed professors at Westminster Seminary in California. Dr. Frame provides critical insight and analysis of each Professor s published views advocating this doctrinal teaching. The tone and attitude of Dr. Frame is distinctively Christian and his response is clearly Reformed. Whether you advocate for or against Two Kingdom Theology, this book must be read prior to making any final determination as to the biblical and Reformed teaching on the subject. --Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot President, Whitefield Theological Seminary

Frame has lived to see a vocal segment of the robust, rich tradition in which he was educated transformed into a narrow sectarianism that anathematizes other orthodox, Bible-believing Christians; elevates theological and church tradition to near equal status with God s Word; and diminishes that Word as the norm for all of life and thought. This book is the agonizing jeremiad of an older prophet who sadly diagnoses a desiccating illness of a friend and offers a prescription for a wholesome healing. Dr. P. Andrew Sandlin President, Center for Cultural Leadership --Dr. P. Andrew Sandlin President, Center for Cultural Leadership

In these pages John M. Frame clarifies in rather crystal clear terms what many of us have suspected for years: that the Escondido theologians, though claiming the Reformed heritage, are nonetheless out of accord with many of its most fundamental tenets. Broad in treatment, penetrating in scholarly analysis, and avoiding ad hominem, Frame builds a persuasive case the entire Protestant church should take the time to investigate. The sections that scrutinize the two kingdoms perspective of the Escondido teachers show especially the extent to which they have compromised a staple of Calvin s thought: the Lordship of God over all things. Dr. John Barber Pastor, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church --Dr. John Barber Pastor, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church

About the Author

Dr. John Frame is presently Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He previously served as a Professor at both Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia and then as a founding faculty member at Westminster Seminary in Escondido, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 381 pages
• Publisher: Whitefield Media Productions (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1937300005
• ISBN-13: 978-1937300005
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 67 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Review of a Review February 16, 2012

By John A. Van Devender

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Full disclosure: I have benefited greatly from Frame's works and own most of his books. His "Doctrine of the Christian Life" has been immensely helpful in my ministry. I an a pre-suppositionalist and very much on board with Van Til's works. I have little sympathy for what passes today as "Two-Kingdoms" Theology. I am also convinced that one must deal with the arguments that are actually raised and that the Church through the ages has grown to understand scripture through a dialectical process that culminates in creedal unity. Therefore I desire to hear the arguments rather than form knee-jerk reactions.

Accordingly, my project is to read the books that Frame reviews in this book and then see if his critique is accurate. I start with Horton's "Christless Christianity."

One particular negative regarding Frame's book (resulting in 4 stars instead of 5) is that he inserts too much of his personal experience at WSC into the mix. He comes across, surprisingly to me in light of his other writings, as a bit too peevish and I particularly did not approve of his footnoting 'hear-say" authorities about the intentions of those who he states sought to run him out of Dodge.
Positively, that aside, with some caveats, I think he gives a good review and he makes points that Horton would do well to consider. It should be kept in mind that Frame's review is of a particular book and not Horton's entire corpus. Hence his criticisms might not be valid for Horton's comprehensive views but are appropriate for what Horton says in his work.

Both men are somewhat guilty of overstating their case and in this both may be in danger of leading the reader astray.... Frame's general technique is often "reductio ad absurdum", taking Horton's statements to the extreme in order to illustrate the general principle. Horton's general technique is to lump the mass of Evangelicals into a stereotypical paint-can and mix them all up. Horton is right to emphasize the implicit reality (as widely discussed by other authors) of American Gnosticism and implicit works-oriented religion masquerading as Christianity. His work is essentially polemical and not systematic in that regard and hence Frame's essential criticisms are valid. Surprisingly both authors seem to lump all professing Christians into the same lump and fail to accurately and unflinchingly state that the false Gospels of Joel O'Steen, Brian McLauren, etc. and their followers dictate that they are outside the Christian camp. There is a continuum of error in that which is called American Christianity... it is not fair of Horton to say that the two limiting ends (Hell-Fire and Damnation Fundamentalism & Therapeutic Moralism) mean the entire spectrum is guilty of a false gospel. Between those two ends are those who preach the reality of hell, our desperate need of a Savior and the need for perseverance in the faith and works that accompanies salvation. Frame is correct about this logical fallacy in Horton's work.

Frame misquotes Horton on page 46. Horton actually uses the word "words" rather than "worlds." It may be a typo that Frame's editor missed.

Frame's best critique of Horton is on the point of sanctification. Horton does sound as if there is no real objective improvement possible in the life of a believer or real progress in what Reymond calls "progressive sanctification." Again, I don't think that Horton actually believes it but his book does come across that way. As much as Horton and his camp attack the Federal Vision folk for their often undisciplined use of terms, he certainly isn't as precise as he should be on this topic. If the Scripture says anything it is that there is a definite difference between the regenerate and the unregenerate. The Scripture proclaims that the indwelling Spirit and the "infused grace" which He brings (WLC 77) enables and empowers sanctification unto the end that the changed lives of believers are a noticeable witness to the power and presence of God. Frame does a pretty good job here and Horton should listen to what he says even if he has to overlook some of Frame's overstatements.

Frame also does well when addressing Horton's "Law/Gospel" antithesis. Horton does hedge some of his statements on this matter but Frame is right - his "tone" and overall impression is distinctly less Reformed than Lutheran on this point.

Lastly, I think both Frame and Horton are in one sense contributing to the American idol of "individualism". In my estimation they both come down together in the sense that Christianity is ultimately about "me and Jesus." Horton is mostly concerned about salvation and "conversion" as an on-going necessity. Frame, from the wider Reformed view, is concerned about the Christian in his whole life rather than just the worship of the Structural Church. But both, disappointingly, do not address the issues of the corporate nature of salvation and the scriptural emphasis that regeneration/conversion is into a new corporate existence as a contributing member of the "body of Christ." When push comes to shove in this particular review, Frame and Horton both are saying the same thing. It's all about how the individual understands himself and his life in apparent isolation from the New Creation, the New Man, and the Kingdom of God that Christ has instituted and which even now is bearing witness before "the principalities and powers in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1-3). I know from other works that Frame is on board with this idea but it is not present in his review of Horton and it should have been.

On the whole... if this one review is representative then aside from his own personal animus and apparently wounded pride, John Frame does a good job of critique and review of particular works and his brothers in the opposing camp, here Horton, should take note of what he says and perhaps adjust some of their rhetoric. Read more ›

11 of 18 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Conflicted April 7, 2012

By Mark Nenadov

Format:Paperback

I'm conflicted about this one. At times Frame seemed to be right on in his critiques of "Escondido Theology". At other times, I felt he seemed to be too nit-picky or just combative or at times even just wrong.

I think there are some positive things that have come out of what has been termed "Escondido Theology". But there are also negative, problematic things that I feel need to be addressed. In that vein, Frame had some good things to say. Unfortunately, I'm not sure Frame's approach was ideal. I will await a better volume on this subject, which probably will say many of the same things Frame said, but hopefully be better framed and more palatable for people that are "on the fence" so to speak.

This book is essentially a set of book reviews. You can safely ignore it unless you know what "Escondido Theology" is and feel somewhat strongly about it one way or another.

18 of 30 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful answer to the disappointing and uncharitable drift of WW April 7, 2012

By dratwood

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Professor Frame has provided a helpful analysis of the theological drift of Westminster Seminary in California (WW) professors who have produced increasingly uncharitable treatments of a large swath of their brothers and sisters in the Reformed community. While Professor Frame may be painting with too broad a brush by lumping some of the good work of men like Dr. Godfrey and Dr. Horton with the cranky sectarianism of folks like Scott Clark, he has certainly been, on the whole, more careful and more charitable than the most outspoken WW men have been to their theological opponents. The Escondido Theology gives us a clear snapshot of WW lying at the bottom of the hole it has dug (Prov. 26:27). Sadly, the response so far by WW and friends has been to blame the messenger for pointing out the obvious about where they have landed, rather than confess that they should have stopped digging this pit years ago. As a former student of both Professors Godfrey and Frame, I hope this book will be the beginning of honest repentance and restoration of fellowship between all those who love the Reformed faith and desire to show the watching world the glory of our Lord by how much we love one another (I Jn 4:11). May He who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead answer this prayer in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Easter 2012

11 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Backs it up with Scripture! June 12, 2012

By SMP

Format:Paperback

John Frame does an outstanding job at presenting his arguments in the light of Scripture. Frame does not merely speak off the top of his head with profound words and philosophical rhetoric. He is a man that is rich in Scripture knowledge. If one is going to resort to a debate as a Christian or things he hears being taught contrary to Scripture. That individual will use what the Lord has provided him with, the Word of God. Which Dr. Frame uses masterfully at showing this school of thought at WSC. I would almost guarantee you that most of the one stars given to this book are those of WSC staff, students, or former students. This book is a must read for those who cannot see the distinctions of Horton's view on Law and Gospel or what Clark stands on when it comes to those who are truly Reformed and the train of thought of those who are not. Also highly valuable is Frame's refute of the Two Kingdom theology that is taught by Van Drunen at WSC. This book is not a personal attack as some people are trying to proclaim. He is calling them out on their errors and he commends them on areas where he is an agreement.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Pro. 16:18.