#i often preface statements or questions with 'this is morally neutral'

[brinnanza]

you guys know stuff can just be neutral right. like it doesn't have to be good or bad it can just Be ykwim like sometimes an experience is Weird but that doesn't necessarily imply that it was good or bad sometimes things are just so unfamiliar that the sheer novelty overrides having an opinion about it. sometimes you hear someone's died, but it's no one you knew or would ever know and it's so many degrees of separation from the source that they have no emotional investment in it either and that's not automatically a tragedy OR a relief it's just a statement of fact.

sometimes stuff just Is. and it's okay that it is.

[musicgoon]

Book Review: We Are All Philosophers by John Frame

I will read anything that John Frame writes. While often above my reading level, I have still learned and benefitted much from reading his work. With We Are All Philosophers, he seems to be reaching me at my own level. 

In the preface, Frame states that this book is intended for beginning philosophy students, collegians, seminarians, and “even some high school” students, which is basically my level. 

And this book is important because we all ask philosophical questions. So with this entry, he attempts to write a shorter and simpler book while providing clarity and depth. And as a general disclaimer, he writes that philosophy cannot be religiously neutral. So he writes from a Christian perspective.

The Real God, Free Will, and Knowing the World

In 7 quick chapters, Frame gives us a Christian introduction to seven fundamental questions. First: What is everything made of? He introduces us to Thales and Aristotle, as well as the theories of atomisms, holism, and pantheism. Frame then brings us to the real God. He says that God has made the world so that if we want to understand the world we must turn to him. And only God can know the ultimate constituents of the universe because he is the creator. We risk idolatry when we claim to know as God knows by our own intellect. In the doctrine of the Trinity, we are shown how the world is one and many because God has made it to resemble himself. And here lies the answer to our initial question of the basic composition of the world: It is God’s creation, fit to serve the purpose of glorifying him.

Next, Frame tackles this ever-present question: Do I have free will? He helps us understand that freedom always involves human activity, and an actual or potential barrier to do that activity. So freedom is being able to do what you want to do with no barrier that keeps you from doing it. He introduces us to Libertarianism but ultimately brings us to the problem of evil. He lets Paul explain in Romans 9 how Christ is the savior of philosophy because he is the savior from sin. And he gives a yes and no answer to the question of free will.

In Chapter 3, Frame asks: Can I know the world? He defines the concept of justified, true belief. He then helps us understand the concept of justification. He concludes that knowledge is a moral issue. We know something because God permits or even obligates us to believe it. So we can believe and ought to know the world. But, ultimately, we know the world because we know God.

The Existence of God, Christian Living, and Human Rights

The existence of God is questioned next. Interestingly, Frame brings up the concept of multiverses. He concludes that God is clearly perceived and even shown in us because we are his image. He reminds us that knowledge presupposes a relationship to God, and this acts as a final statement to end the chapter.

Frame prudently asks: How shall I live? He shows us how ethics is linked to theology. He explains the concepts of theological ethics, deontological ethics, existential ethics, and biblical theism. He takes us to the Ten Commandments, but what I appreciate most is that he makes it a point to say that our attitude must come from a heart of obedience.

He next asks a question that has significant importance today: What are my rights? While acknowledging the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he arrestingly declares that this presupposes values and worldview. So Frame brings us to a Biblical Doctrines of Rights. Going back to our primary commands of loving God and loving our neighbor, he comes to this startingly conclusion: Often we are to relinquish our rights in the love of God and others.

Salvation for Seekers

In the concluding chapter, Frame asks: How can I be saved? Interestingly, Buddhism is brought to the forefront and then contrasted with Biblical salvation. Frame declares that philosophy will fail us. We are to turn to God. and trust in Jesus.

An appendix is included consisting of 70 pages of letters on philosophical topics. They are taken from the 2017 Lexham Press book The Theological Correspondence of John Frame. He shares letters from teachers, students, alumnus, and friends and attempts to answer their questions. It is a worthwhile inclusion and offers an inside look to excellent thinking.

As a high school Sunday School teacher, I find this book to be a great resource to help with common questions I have encountered from my own students. As a husband and father, I find this book to be a trusted guide as I try to lead my family in the faith. And as a Christian, I find this book to be an excellent testimony of the way God’s wisdom is often foolishness to this stuffy world, but it is the sweet air of salvation for those who seek him. 

I was provided a free copy of We Are All Philosophers but was not required to write a positive review. Read more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life.