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Westminster Bookstore Sale on John Frame Titles

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For all John Frame titles at Westminster Bookstore, click HERE.


 Westminster Bookstore

The Story of Philosophy [infographic]

By John M. Frame

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The history of philosophy (and of theology, which closely parallels it) is pretty exciting when you look at it through the lens of God’s Word. It challenges Christians today to resist the fashionable trends of secular thought, to resist temptations to compromise the truth for the sake of academic respectability. Living by faith in Jesus is important, not only in worship and moral living, but also in our intellectual decisions. That is my reason for writing my History of Western Philosophy and Theology, which I hope will encourage Christians to a bolder witness to thinking people of our day.

Many writers today extol the value of storytelling, so my new book will tell a story about philosophy, of all things. This story takes seven radical turns that I callconvulsions. Convulsions happen because philosophy is central to our lives. Philosophies express our heart commitments and apply those commitments to all areas of life. When our philosophy is disturbed, everything else is affected. That makes for a dramatic story.

Here are the convulsions:

  1. Creation. When God brought out of nothing the world in all its splendor, the event was overwhelming and dazzling. And it was philosophical. When God made Adam, he gave him a philosophy that said that God was Lord and that mankind was made to think God’s thoughts after him.
  2. The fall. But then a new convulsion turned this dazzling reality upside down. After the fall, Adam and Eve forsook God’s thoughts to think their own way—“autonomously.” They no longer accepted God’s thoughts as their law, and the whole creation fell under a curse, unwilling to accept easily the dominion of mankind. But God reached out to Adam and Eve in love and promised redemption. Sometimes they and their children lived by the promise, sometimes not, sometimes by a mixture of truth and lies. Their offspring gathered some of the best thoughts of mankind under the labelwisdom. We have some of this wisdom in the Bible—in Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.
  3. Greek philosophy. In Greece people who claimed to love wisdom, and therefore called themselves philosophers, set aside the wisdom of the wise men and the religious traditions and sought to understand the world by their own autonomous reason. Plato, Aristotle, and others wrote ingenious arguments, trying to locate ultimate truth in the abstract forms of human experience. But they failed to impose an autonomous rational scheme on a universe that they insisted was irrational chaos.
  4. Jesus and the gospel. The preaching and teaching of early Christians had the potential to wrench the intellectual initiative from the Greek philosophers. But instead early Christian philosophers sought to gain intellectual respectability through compromises with Greek philosophers. This continued even into the medieval period when Christian philosophy dominated the West.
  5. The Protestant Reformation. Luther, Calvin, and many others challenged Christian philosophers to turn away decisively from autonomous reasoning. But before the Reformers could make progress in philosophy, there was still another convulsion.
  6. “Modern” philosophy. This thinking was marked by an autonomous secularism more radical than that of the Greek philosophers. In Europe, under the leadership of Descartes and others, it focused on human reason. In the English-speaking world, Locke and others proclaimed the authority of sense experience. This secularism continues to dominate academic philosophy down to our own day.
  7. The final judgment. Imagine what will happen to earthly philosophy when Jesus comes again. In our own time, we see trends that anticipate much more consistently Christian ways of understanding the world, inviting us again to think God’s thoughts after him. This trend has the makings of a seventh historical convulsion, and of a new birth in philosophic insight.

The story of philosophy should challenge both Christians and non-Christians to hear God’s Word as they develop their worldviews, for God’s Word teaches us how to think his thoughts. It also shows the importance of asking God for courage in what I call the “spiritual warfare in the life of the mind.” That warfare is not easy, as more and more cultural forces line up to marginalize the biblical view of the world. But God has promised us victory. In time, everyone will bow the knee as God brings every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

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Frame, John

John M. Frame (AB, Princeton University; BD, Westminster Theological Seminary; MA and MPhil, Yale University; DD, Belhaven College) is the J. D.Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and the author of many books, including the four-volume Theology of Lordship series.

 

BOOK HIGHLIGHT – Postmillennialism by Keith A. Mathison

Postmillennialism: An Eschatology of Hope by Keith A. Mathison

304 pages | Direct Price: $17.99 $13.50 |  Theology / Eschatology

Summary

Who says it doesn’t get any better than this?

Is there hope for this world? Do the promises of the gospel hold out a bright future for the families and nations of the earth?

In this enlightening work, Keith A. Mathison sets forth a wealth of biblical, historical, and theological evidence for an optimistic eschatology. Unlike end-time forecasts that see modest growth in the church before Christ’s return, postmillennialism expects the Spirit-blesses gospel to have overwhelming success in bringing the world to Christ. Mathison explains why, and he calls us to renewed faith and expectation as we serve the reigning King of Kings.

About the Author

Keith A. Mathison (MA, Reformed Theological Seminary; PhD, Whitefield Theological Seminary) is dean of the Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies and an associate editor of Tabletalk magazine at Ligonier Ministries. He is also the author of Dispensationalism: Rightly Dividing the People of God?The Shape of Sola Scriptura; and Given for You: Reclaiming Calvin’s Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper. He is editor of When Shall These Things Be: A Reformed Response to Hyper-Preterism and associate editor of The Reformation Study Bible. He lives in Lake Mary, Florida, with his wife and children.

Endorsements

“Keith Mathison provides the church an apologetic for ‘an eschatology of hope’ that is thoroughly biblical, soundly evangelical, impressively thorough, logically structured, and easily understandable. The Christian community should gladly welcome this sane and hope-filled exposition.”

—Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.

“This book is a must read for those who follow the current debate regarding the various schools of preterist and postmillennial thought. It is balanced, insightful, and provocative.”

—R. C. Sproul

 

NEW RELEASE – A History of Western Philosophy and Theology by John M. Frame

A History of Western Philosophy and Theology by John M. Frame

928 pages | $59.99 | Hardcover

Summary: Christians should evaluate philosophy by biblical criteria. This will shed greater light on the developments in the history of philosophy and better prepare us for the intellectual challenges of our time. The fall of Adam brought intellectual as well as moral corruption on the human race, and the effects of the fall can be seen in the work of philosophers, most of whom try to understand the world autonomously—through reasoning apart from God’s revelation. Some philosophers have appealed to God’s revelation, but their work has often been compromised with the wisdom of the world. Revelation should inform reason, and not the other way round. In the past, even Christian theology was corrupted by the movement toward intellectual autonomy, creating the tradition of liberalism, which has unhappily dominated academic theology down to the present day. But there is hope—a new generation of Christian thinkers take God’s Word seriously. Frame’s unique new contribution augments that process.

 

about the author

Frame, JohnJohn M. Frame (AB, Princeton University; BD, Westminster Theological Seminary; MA and MPhil, Yale University; DD, Belhaven College) holds the J. D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and is the author of many books, including the four-volume Theology of Lordship series.

 

 

Endorsements

The endorsers for this book include (in alphabetical order):

James N. Anderson  |  John Barber  |  Bruce P. Baugus  |  Richard Bledsoe  |  Robert C. Cannada Jr.  |  D. A. Carson  |  Bryan Chapell  |  William Edgar  |  Richard B. Gaffin Jr.  |  Timothy George  |  Liam Goligher  |  R. J. Gore Jr.  |  Howard Griffith  |  W. Andrew Hoffecker  |  Frank A. James III  | Peter Jones  |  Peter A. Lillback  |  Samuel Logan  |  Rod Mays  |  Esther Lightcap Meek  |  Eugene H. Merrill  |  Michael A. Milton  |  Joseph R. Nally  |  David Naugle  |  Marvin Olasky  |  J. I. Packer  |  Andrée Seu Peterson  |  John Piper  |  Vern S. Poythress  |  Richard L. Pratt Jr.  |  John Scott Redd Jr.  |  Mark P. Ryan  |  P. Andrew Sandlin  |  Kenneth Talbot  |  Justin Taylor  |  Erik Thoennes  |  Tim J. R. Trumper  |  Kevin J. Vanhoozer  |  Jeffery J. Ventrella  |  Greg Welty  |  Luder G. Whitlock Jr.

Here are a few of the endorsements:

“John Frame has done it again! In the lucid and comprehensive style of his Theology of Lordship volumes, he here presents a full overview of Western thought about knowledge of God as it must appear to all who receive Holy Scripture, as he does, as the record, product, and present reality of God speaking. And the solid brilliance of the narrative makes it a most effective advocacy for the Kuyper-Van Til perspective that in a well-digested form it represents. It is a further outstanding achievement by John Frame. The book deserves wide use as a textbook, and I hope it will achieve that. My admiration for John’s work grows and grows.”

—J. I. Packer

“This is the most important book ever written on the major figures and movements in philosophy. We have needed a sound guide, and this is it. Philosophy has many ideas and systems that are attractive but poisonous. Over the centuries people have fallen victim again and again. Frame sorts out the good and the bad with clarity and skill, using the plumb line of Scripture. Along the way he also provides a devastating critique of liberal theologies, showing that at bottom they are philosophies of human autonomy masquerading as forms of Christianity.”

—Vern S. Poythress

“Few in our day champion a vision of God that is as massive, magnificent, and biblical as John Frame’s. For decades, he has given himself to the church, to his students, and to meticulous thinking and the rigorous study of the Bible. He has winsomely, patiently, and persuasively contended for the gospel in the secular philosophical arena, as well as in the thick of the church worship wars and wrestlings with feminism and open theism. He brings together a rare blend of big-picture thinking, levelheaded reflection, biblical fidelity, a love for the gospel and the church, and the ability to write with care and clarity.”

—John Piper

“When I was a young man, I plowed through Bertrand Russell’s 1945 classic, A History of Western Philosophy. A couple of years ago I read the much shorter (and more interesting) work of Luc Ferry, A Brief History of Thought. Between these two I have become familiar with many histories of Western thought, each written out of deep commitments, some acknowledged, some not. But I have never read a history of Western thought quite like John Frame’s. Professor Frame unabashedly tries to think through sources and movements out of the framework (bad pun intended) of deep-seated Christian commitments, and invites his readers to do the same. These commitments, combined with the format of a seminary or college textbook, will make this work invaluable to students and pastors who tire of ostensible neutrality that is no more neutral than the next volume. Agree or disagree with some of his arguments, but John Frame will teach you how to think in theological and philosophical categories.”

—D. A. Carson

 

Author Interview with Joshua Mack

This week’s author interview is with Joshua Mack. He is the author of Compassion and the coauthor of A Fight to the Death, Courage, and God’s Solutions to Life’s Problems.


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  • Question #1 – Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, family, job, personal interests, unique hobbies, what you do in your spare time, etc.

I am originally from Pennsylvania, went to university in California, married a girl from Alaska, and now live in South Africa. My wife and I met on a missions trip to Africa, and we both came away from that trip with a particular desire to serve God here. After ministering for a few years in the United States, we were able to move to Africa, where within a few short years, our family grew from three children to nine! I am the pastor of a church in the inner-city of Pretoria and our congregation is made up of individuals from all over Africa. It’s our prayer to be a church that raises up missionaries for Africa from Africa!

 

  • Question #2 – Which writers inspire you?

I get excited when I read authors who are excited about Christ and who help me think more deeply about Him than I have before. So for example, and this is hardly surprising, but I love reading John Calvin’s Institutes and also his sermons. The sermons he preached on Ephesians in particular made me want to sing! Maybe I should say shout, because I am not really a very good singer. I also spend a lot of time reading the sermons of Jonathan Edwards and the works of John Owen. I love these men because not only does their love for Christ come leaping off the page, they also help me think thoughts about God and the gospel and Jesus that are truly biblical but which honestly, I probably wouldn’t have seen or considered on my own.

 

  • Question #3 – What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?

I wrote this booklet on compassion because I wanted to remind those who love the truth how important it is that they also love people. It is a great privilege to know the truth, and as a result, it is very sad when we make the truth more difficult for others to hear and embrace through our own arrogance and uncaring attitudes.

 

  • Question #4 – What book are you reading now?

I am enjoying Dale Ralph Davies commentaries on Joshua, Judges, Ruth and Samuel. I am re-reading C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy. And I am working my way through David Talley’s, The Story of the Old Testament.

 

  • Question #5 – Do you have a favorite quote? What is it and why?

My favorite quotes usually come from whatever Jonathan Edwards sermon I have most recently worked my way through. Though it’s long, the following quote has often encouraged me regarding the importance of showing compassion not only to men’s bodies but especially to their souls.

“Is it not a great pity that things which are so precious as souls are, should be lost? Should we not, if we saw any man in distress of body and in great danger of dying, be willing to lend him a hand to save his life? Why, let us look about us and we shall see thousands of men in a sorrowful condition, and in danger of dying every moment. Should we see a man a-drowning, should not we be willing to afford him some assistance to help him out of the water? If we look about we may see thousands of poor souls drowning in sin and iniquity, and in danger of being drowned in the lake of fire and brimstone. Let us therefore do what we can for them; perhaps we may be instrumental of saving several souls from everlasting ruin and destruction. If each one here present should do what he could towards it, there is no doubt to be made that many souls might be saved by their means. Let us therefore do our utmost; don’t lest us be so inhuman as to see men sick and not help them.


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