Frame by Frame

Frame by Frame: Notes on John Frame’s Systematic Theology: An Introduction

Chapter 1: What is Theology

Theology is replete with definitions, anything from justification to Christ’s second coming.  Definitions are rarely found in scripture of theology or theological concepts.  We grapple with Scripture and this wrestling in human form are less than adequate to describe the ways the Bible deals with language, narratives, and teaching.

Theologians and scholars of the Bible come up with various definitions.  Frame mentions effectual calling “God’s sovereign summons that actually draws a person into union with Christ.” (3)  But calling also has referent points to “name giving, invitation, request for someone’s attention.”  The point here is that one definition is simply too narrow to encompass all that Scripture states about a particular theological concept. 

Our theological definitions must be measured by Scripture, they must not go beyond what Scripture says or say less than what the Scriptures affirm or deny.  There is latitude for various definitions, depending also on what biblical author one is examining. 

Various definitions of Theology:

Barth – Theology is science seeking the knowledge of the Word of God spoken in God’s work – science in the school of the Holy Scripture, which witnesses to the Word of God

Theology As Application

“Christianity is a study of God’s revelation of himself.” (5)  We need both natural and special revelation in interpreting Scripture.  Languages, culture, things that are outside Scripture are necessary to interpret Scripture.  Theology must essentially be a study of Scripture. 

Charles Hodge said that theology “is the exhibition of the facts of Scripture in their proper order and relation, with the principles or general truths involved in the facts themselves, which pervade and harmonize the whole.” 

Friedrich Schleiermacher taught that religion or theology is an analysis of human religious consciousness or feelings (a feeling of absolute dependence).

Schleiermacher’s view is subjectivist – dealing with human feeling and 

conviction.

Hodge – objectivist dealing with facts of Scripture and their relation

Hodge is a better definition but not good enough because “aren’t the facts of Scripture already exhibited in the biblical text itself?

The problem is that seeking a definition of theology needs to hold continuity with the Scripture but also discontinuity since it is something different than Scripture.  What is the difference between Scripture and theology?

“the theologian states the facts and truths of Scripture for the purpose of edification.”  (6)

Theology and its definitions should accord with teaching and preaching in the NT.  The word group didasko, didache, didaskalia refer to the exposition of God’s truth to build people up.  1 Cor. 14:6, 1 Tim. 1:10; 2 Tim 4:2.  Frame writes, “Notice also the phrase sound doctrine, in which sound is hygianios, “health-giving”, the purpose of teaching is to bring people to a state of spiritual health.

Theology responds to the needs of people and in their behavior.  Imitation godly people is very important part of learning.  Questions and queries from academics and mothers, professors and mechanics on the table with theology.

“The professor or theology at a university or seminary is no more or less a theologian than the youth minister who seeks to deal with the doubts of college students, or the father who leads family devotions, or the person who simply tries to obey Scripture.” (8)

Frame’s definition of theology: Theology is the application of Scripture, by persons, to every area of life.” (8).  Reminiscent of Abraham Kuyper. 

Frame then outlines some ways theology is done, systematic, historical and practical theology and how these need to be faithful to Scripture also.

Theological Method- Theology should be Bible-centered, we must show the biblical basis for a view.  We need auxiliary disciplines, languages, cultureal issues, past theologians and their works, and creeds and confessions.  The kind of theology that Frame argues for is seen with skepticism and rejected by secular universities and many seminaries because it only desires to be descripture (this is how history has dealt with x,y,z) but not normative (this is how the Bible calls you to live)

Frame lays his Reformed background on the table and his desire to be faithful to Scripture and Reformed doctrine.  The failure that many have is following novel interpretations of Scripture when the truth is often quite obvious.