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Product Review Summary: Had him as a Professor His theology is a little off. He also doesnt say a whole lot and I found myself with questions even after taking his classes.
Product Review Summary: Awkward at Times, But Good John Frame's `The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God' (DKG) examines epistemology from a conservative Reformed perspective. John Frame is a long-time Westminster Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) professor. Published in 1987 this is the first installment which is envisioned to be a four-volume series including; The Doctrine of God, The Doctrine of the Christian Life, and a forthcoming volume The Doctrine of the Word of God.
Though I enjoyed the book and have relatively minor substantive disagreement with Frame DKG has a few drawbacks from my perspective. First, it is a bit dated - still good, however, a lot of outstanding work in the area of Christian epistemology has occurred in the intervening decades (esp. Plantinga). Second, and very trivial, the use of a detailed analytic outline seemed out of place - perhaps it had some particular value in his teaching? Third, and most significant, Frame's triperspectivalism and language struck me as awkward and a bit confusing. Those who know Frame are likely aware that he likes triads or breaking things into three - this often works, but sometimes as in the case of DKG it may present a barrier to his otherwise clear thought. The notion that knowledge is derived from multiple and interdependent perspective is unobjectionable, his terminology; the rational, the situational and the experiential, however, seem unintuitive and, often left me asking myself what is he talking about.
These criticisms aside DKG has much strength. Though a capable theologian, I consider Frame to be primarily a philosopher - he has the rare gift of being able to translate potentially complex concepts into clear, concise language. For instance, I find Frame to be a particularly capable Wittgenstein commentator able to use latter's language and concepts with uncommon aplomb and clarity. Frame is also good at highlighting the weaknesses of atheistic systems. For instance, he, I believe rightly, points out the irrationalism of atheistic rationalism - without God where is the foundation for beliefs such as other minds, an ordered universe or even our own rationality. Put otherwise, if we are the result of blind chance why believe that our reason is reasonable? DKG also does a nice job of interacting with other leading Reformed thinkers such as, Van Till, Kline, Dooyeweerd and Murray.
Overall a good read if a bit awkward at times. In my view Frame is an underappreciated Christian philosopher who warrants a larger readership. Fans of Frame may also enjoy some of his Mp3 audio lectures available at no cost from RTS through itunes U.
Product Review Summary: knowing what we know, as revealed How do we know, that we know? Or better put, how do we begin to have any comprehension of the world that we know? For John Frame, a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, all knowledge, of ourselves, of the world around us and anything beyond, the starting point begins and ends with knowledge of God. As such, revelation, knowledge gained from outside our own perspective, given directly to us, must come, or most of what our attempts at knowledge are mere stabs in the dark.
This book is the result of years of teaching, and in fact, the book itself, written about twenty years ago, came about from a class on the Christian Mind. This is a deep and complex book. Many have said, including its author (!), that a great many of its readers will find use of it as primarily a reference book. But there are great truths to think and dwell upon, and yes, wrestle with, if the reader digs deeper.
A key concept expounded in this book is the concept of three perspectives - the rational, the situational and the experiential; with the idea that all forms of knowledge, that is that knowledge of the world, ourselves and God relates in an inter related triangle that are identical and interdependent. In other words they all rely on each other. In other words, while different, all ways that we know, rely on each other. It would be strange to many Christians to think that it is not first the Bible, or revealed revelation that rules knowledge. But Frame, really arguing from a very traditional Reformed stance, says that what you bring to understanding the Scriptures, your reason, your world that you live in and your personal contact with God that determines the way that Scripture rules in the lives of believers. Because Frame writes of a sovereign God, who reveals himself through people, and through nature, that man is in God's image and that nature declares God, that he cites a three way understanding for how we know, beginning with how God reveals himself to us.
Due to the first way of knowledge, God revealing himself to man, Frame cites the uses and abilities of tools of knowing: logic, language, history, science and philosophy, in service to a ruling and revealing God. He strongly believes that every man is a theologian and as a result wrestles with these questions every day, in every part of his life. Again, this is a deep book, but in many ways, it is just an introductory book for dealing with the idea of how do we know what we know, beginning with how God has revealed and continues to reveal himself to man.
If the reader is looking for a long term read dealing with aspects of God's rule over every area of his life, including the religious portion, this would be a fine place to start.
Product Review Summary: Easy Decision........ Stop thinking about it, enter your credit card number, and buy it now. This book may be a bit much for those just dabbling in Christianity, but for those who seek an eye opening perspective on seeking knowledge of God, this is absolutely an easy decision. But like I said, you kinda have to know you basic terms of systematic theology to be able to navigate this book, such as "epistemology" (the study of the knowledge). But don't worry, online dictionaries are sure to help your study of this fantastic book.
Product Review Summary: Biblical Epistemology In the preface, Frame says, "For many readers, this book will be a reference text. Few will bother to read it all the way through." I guess he said that because the book is rather large (404 pp). I wouldn't recommend only reading parts though. Frame has a fairly sustained argument through the whole book. This book is really a biblical epistemology, or biblical theory of knowledge with lots of info and analysis on theological and apologetical method. Frame brings a robust reformed theology to the issue of knowledge. In part one, Frame focuses on the objects of knowledge (God, law, world, selves, studies), part two with the justification of knowledge (rationalism, empiricism, subjectivism), and part three on the methods of knowledge (use of Scripture, tools of theology-language, logic, history, science, philosophy). Two of the appendices were on evaluating and writing theological writings. I believe that all readers (but especially pastors, theologians, and apologists) will profit from this book. My only critique would be that I am not as convinced as Dr. Frame that the abundance of triads, and perspectivalism is as helpful as he would like it to be.
Quotes:
"Rationalism recognizes a need for criteria, or standards; empiricism a need for objective, publicly knowable facts; and subjectivism a need for our beliefs to meet our own internal criteria. A Christan epistemology will recognize all of those concerns but will differ from the rationalist, empiricist, and subjectivist schools of thought in important ways. Most importantly, the Christan will recognize the lordship of God in the field of knowledge. God is sovereign, and He coordinates law, object, and subject, so that the three cohere; a true account of one will never conflict with a true account of the others." 123
"Our apologetics must be pervaded by a sense of Christ's lordship, and this demands diligent preparation so that we may be able to obey our Lord's Great Commission, being prepared to answer inquirers--not only with proclamation, but with answers and reasons. And it requires boldness so that we may take advantage of the these opportunities." 358
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