How John Frame Makes Theology Cool!

Herein is a potpourri of blessings with a definitional piece and a host of notations from the assortment of my reading.

One of my most cherished moments in seminary was being exposed to John Frame’s definition of theology. For Frame, theology was defined as “the application of the Word of God by persons to all areas of life.”

There were always academic dimensions to theology, but theology was something immensely practical. It brought people to a "state of spiritual health." This definition is helpful because,

“Theology is thus freed from any false intellectualism or academicism. It is able to use scientific methods and academic knowledge where they are helpful, but it can also speak in nonacademic ways, as Scripture itself does – exhorting, questioning, telling parables, fashioning allegories and poems and proverbs and songs, expressing love, joy, patience . . . the list is without limit.”

I have repeatedly used this definition and learned to appreciate it even more as a pastor. The Spirit does not implant in us an application out of nothing. Instead, theology is applicable and needs to be made relevant by pastors to parishioners and from parishioners to parishioners.