Short Review of John Frame’s “Apologetics to the Glory of God”

This is a short one-page review; there were things I appreciated about Frame’s book, but given the short nature of the review, I filled it with what I saw as problems in his work.

Right on the first page, Frame gives away what I believe to be his tendency to eisegete the Biblical text. He uses 1 Peter 3:15-16 as his premier verse for apologetics, pointing out that apologetics may be defined as, “the discipline that teaches Christians how to give a reason for their hope” (p. 1). While at first glance, this might not seem to show any tendency toward eisegesis, it becomes clearer as Frame moves farther into his explanation. “In the larger context, Peter is telling his readers to do what is right, despite the opposition of unbelievers (vv. 13-14). He tells us not to fear them. Surely it was not his view that in apologetics we should set forth something less than the truth, out of fear that the truth itself might be rejected” (p. 6). But I believe Frame is seeing what he wants to see here, and is reading apologetics into this verse.

Cambodia Updates

You can keep up with what all is happening during my time in Cambodia on the STM blog here: http://cambodiastm08.wordpress.com/

Please keep us in your prayers!

Hello from Cambodia!

The first two weeks of my trip are over – how time flies!  I took Christiana to the airport today, she’s on her way back to California.  What a wonderful time it was to spend with her and the team here.  Truly the Lord has been so gracious to me in my soon-to-be help-mate.  It was so special to share Cambodia with her and to look forward to a future ministry together here.  It’s hard to imagine going back to school (yes, I am going back!)! Thank you so much for your prayers and for your support – it has been amazing to be reunited with so many here. 

Order of Salvation

What’s the order of salvation?
Today in Theology class my professor pointed out something interesting in regards to those who like to speak chronologically of salvation.
If regeneration comes before faith, then you have an unbelieving regenerate.
And if faith comes before regeneration, then you have an unregenerate believer.
So most likely, from God’s perspective, there is no chronology involved.

Is Love a Feeling or a Choice?

It seems that much of evangelicalism today views love as a choice, a commitment, a decision of the will.  This is to combat what is seen in the world.  The world’s love is emotion driven and inconsistent, demonstrated in the ramped divorce rate in America.  But is love truly just a choice?  And I ask that question in a biblical way – is God’s love for us, and the love that He would have us love each other just a choice, or is it a feeling?

Psalm 119:89-92 Contextual Analysis

Psalm 119:89-92

[89] From eternity O LORD, your word has been firmly fixed in the heavens.

[90] Your faithfulness has stood firm through all generations.

You established the earth therefore it endures.

[91] By your decision all things endure today,

Surely all things are your servants.

[92] If your law had not been my delight,

Then I would have perished in my affliction.

(NOTE: this is a paper I did for my Hebrew Exegesis class – the fourth in a series of five)

Introduction

The goal of this paper is to explore the various contexts of Psalm 119:89-92 in order to better understand the passage and to give insight into its meaning, as well as to protect against error in exposition.

Grasping the Cross

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! – and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;” (Ephesians 2:4-8)

Father, what can be said in view of your amazing, rich mercy? How can I even begin to speak of your grace – for it is so vast! How little I think about and ponder what you have done, for I forget, I cringe at this thought, but I forget, that you saved me.