The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God

This first volume in the Theology of Lordship series addresses the implications for life and thought of the fact that God is Lord and we are his servants by creation and redemption. Accordingly, Frame develops an epistemology based on the idea of servant-thinking—the way a servant is to think in the presence of his Lord.

In the course of his inquiry, Frame focuses on the nature of theology ("the application of God's word by persons to all areas of life") and various aspects of theological method. The book also is an introduction to apologetics, for it attempts to show what it is to know God and how people can come to know him as a friend, rather than an enemy.

Like other books in the Lordship series, this volume analyses God's lordship by means of threefold distinctions that derive ultimately from the doctrine of the Trinity. Lordship is God's control, authority, and presence, and that triad provides three "perspectives" essential to human knowledge.

A magnificent treatment that will be a standard work for decades. Frame stands in the great Reformed tradition of Calvin and Charnock, Hodge and Bavinck, yet in his treatment of the doctrine of God, he surpasses them all with an amazing breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding. In every section, Frame brings fresh insight to old doctrines.
Wayne Grudem, research professor of Bible and theology, Phoenix Seminary

A meticulously biblical, remarkably cogent, and powerfully transforming presentation.
Richard L. Pratt Jr., president, Third Millennium Ministries

A joy to read. It is an intellectual treat, rigorous in its analysis, exhaustive in exposition, and cogent in argument. It has listened reverently to all the great voices of the past, yet chooses its own innovative framework, forms its own independent conclusions, and participates fully in all the major theological discourses of the present. Even when I disagreed (as I sometimes did), I was never offended: my position had been treated with respect. Preachers and academic theologians will soon count it as an indispensable tool.
Donald MacLeod, principal of the Free Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland

Masterfully expounds and defends the biblical doctrine of God. Its adherence to a scriptural worldview gives its power, freshness, and creativity that provide deep roots for the future of systematic theology.
Vern S. Poythress, professor of New Testament Interpretation, Westminster Theological Seminary

Biblical and pastoral, profound and clear. . . seeks fresh ways to address “open theism,” process theology, feminism, and other contemporary issues in light of the triune God.
Dennis E. Johnson, academic dean and professor of practical theology, Westminster Seminary California

The Doctrine of God

This second volume in the Theology of Lordship series provides Frame’s fullest exegetical defense of the centrality of God's lordship in Scripture. It shows in detail from Scripture the three aspects of that lordship—God’s control, authority, and presence—and then shows that all the Bible's teaching about God's nature and actions can be understood as applications of his lordship. God acts and speaks to us so that we may know that he is Lord. In this way, we can better understand the importance of Jesus' lordship as creator and savior and the lordship of the Holy Spirit as he brings Christ to us and us into Jesus' presence.

Frame also discusses the traditional controversies: divine sovereignty and human responsibility, the goodness of God and the evil in the world, whether we should ever speak of God as "mother," the possibility that God "changes" in some way, the nature of miracles, divine election, and whether God is "in time." On many of these issues, Frame explores new ground, while remaining within the bounds of Reformed orthodoxy.

May prove to be one of the most useful all-purpose, “nuts and bolts” theology books written in this generation. . . . Its analytical clarity and style . . . is complimented by a remarkably warm, non-technical, down-to-earth, “shirt-sleeve” approach.
Philip Blosser, professor, Lenoir-Rhyne College

Extremely relevant. . . . simply the best thing I have seen in this area.
Reginald McLelland, professor of philosophy, Covenant College

No Christian who is serious about thinking God’s thoughts after him can afford to miss this book.
Peter J. Leithart, pastor, Trinity Reformed Church, Moscow, Idaho

Salvation Belongs to the Lord

Beginning students of theology and church leaders looking for a theological refresher or teaching tool will welcome this remarkably clear introduction to the doctrines of Scripture. In an almost conversational style, "Salvation Belongs to the Lord" explores all the major biblical truths, explains key terms of systematic theology, and reflects on their implications and connections under the lordship of Christ.

John Frame is not only one of the most productive theologians of our day, he is also one of the most lucid. Deceptively so, for behind every sentence in this extraordinary volume lies deep reflection. It is at once vigorously orthodox and sweetly pastoral. We can be grateful for such a powerful and clear exposition of the whole range of theology.
William Edgar, professor, Westminster Theological Seminary

No Other God

Using ideas developed in The Doctrine of God as a theological basis, Frame provides a biblical analysis and critique of the “open theist” movement, which is shaking the church today by challenging the Reformed doctrines of God's sovereignty, foreknowledge, and providence. In this timely work, Frame clearly describes open theism and evaluates it biblically. He addresses questions such as How do open theists read the Bible? Is love God's most important attribute? Is God's will the ultimate explanation of everything? Do we have genuine freedom? Is God ever weak or changeable? Does God know everything in advance? Frame not only answers the objections of open theists, he also sharpens our understanding of the relationship between God's eternal plan and the decisions and events of our lives.

Open theism is bad news. The appearance of this book is good news. Precisely because God is closed and not open to the nullification of his purposes (Job 42:2), he has opened a future for believers that is utterly secure no matter what we suffer. The key that would open the defeat of God is eternally closed within the praiseworthy vault of His precious sovereignty. John Frame delights to show when it is good to be closed and when it is good to be open. And the Bible is his criterion.
John Piper, pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church

This book is something both to read and to give away. . . . both needed and effective.
D. A. Carson, research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Here one will see vividly so much that is wrong with open theism while encountering afresh the beauty and glory of the true and living God of the Bible.
Bruce A, Ware, professor of Christian theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

A convincing . . . biblical case for a God whose sovereignty is something not to be avoided but cherished.
William Edgar, professor of apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary

A devastating critique of the concept of human freedom as articulated in the “open theistic” view.
Roger R. Nicole, professor of theology, emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando

Exactly the book we need today to put into the hands of Christians attracted to the allegedly “new” doctrines of so-called open theism. . . . comprehensive and compelling.
Robert B. Strimple, professor emeritus of systematic theology, Westminster Seminary California

The Amsterdam Philosophy

This booklet was published in the midst of theological warfare. Representatives of the Amsterdam Philosophy (Herman Dooyeweerd and others) were taking a militant stance against traditional Reformed theology, and the controversy created partisan battles on the campus of Westminster Theological Seminary, where Frame was a young professor. It also threatened to split churches, Christian schools, and other Christian organizations. As a member of a committee of the Ohio Presbytery of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Frame was asked to write a brief study of the movement. This booklet is the result.

Perspectives on the Word of God

This succinct volume consists of three lectures examining the nature, media, and application of God's word. Frame develops fresh applications of ideas set forth in The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. In addition, he offers a preview of the central theses to be discussed in two later volumes in his Theology of Lordship series—The Doctrine of the Word of God and The Doctrine of the Christian Life. Those looking for a concise presentation of Frame’s “perspectival" approach will find it here.