Friday, September 29, 2017

Theology in Three Dimensions, by John Frame

Leading Reformed theologian John Frame believes that he idea of triperspectivalism can be transformative for Christian belief.  In Theology in Three Dimensions: A Guide to Triperspectivalism and Its Significance, Frame provides a relatively brief introduction to triperspectivalism.  By this he means three perspectives: the situational, the normative, and the existential.  These are "three ways by which we may interact with experience, three emphases of our study. . . . each includes the other two."  He draws on his collaborator Vern Poythress's work.

Frame gives some examples of reading scripture from a triperspectival position.  He writes, "The significance of triperspectivalism is that it keeps us focused on the biblical bottom line, that God is nothing less than the Lord, and that his lordship is fully revealed in Jesus Christ." 

Drawing from a wide array of philosophical and theological sources, Frame packs a lot into a small book, but keeps it accessible to the educated lay reader.  But accessible doesn't necessarily mean helpful.  He did a much better job of describing the concept than convincing me that it matters. 


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

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