Nature’s Case for God: A Brief Biblical Argument
God Revealed in Nature
Many Protestant Christians are suspicious of natural theology, which claims that we can learn about God through revelation outside the Bible. How can we know anything about God apart from Scripture? In Nature’s Case for God, distinguished theologian John Frame argues that Christians are not forbidden from seeking to learn about God from his creation. In fact, the Bible itself shows this to be possible.
In nine short and lucid chapters that include questions for discussion, Frame shows us what we can learn about God and how we relate to him from the world outside the Bible. If the heavens really do declare the glory of God, as the psalmist claims, it makes a huge difference for how we understand God and how we introduce him to those who don’t yet know Christ.
Praise for Nature’s Case for God
This is an eye-opening book that shows us exactly how Scripture directs us to see evidence of God in every part of the world around us each day, and also to recognize the presence of God in the quiet, inward testimony of our consciences. As with everything John Frame writes, this book is clear, insightful, wise, and relentlessly faithful to Scripture.
—Wayne Grudem, research Professor of theology and biblical studies, Phoenix Seminary
This side of Karl Barth, natural theology has gained a very bad odor. But John Frame shows, ironically, that Scripture itself reserves a place for natural theology, for setting forth the things we can learn about God for the world in which he has placed us. Frame is suitably cautious: he speaks, not of nature’s proof for God, but its case for God. And as usual with this author, the argument is lucid, interesting, and important.
—D. A. Carson, research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
In the midst of a renewed and blurry-eyed fixation on Thomistic natural theology, John Frame writes to give us a clear, 20/20 vision of God and his creation. We must, he argues, see God in creation through the spectacles of Scripture. This brief work is not only accessible to all, it is, most importantly, biblical in its entire orientation. Frame’s emphasis comes at a perfectly opportune time.
—K. Scott Oliphint, professor of apologetics and systematic theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
Nature’s Case for God is an excellent exploration of the ways in which nature testifies to God. By relying on Scripture to teach us about the testimony from nature, the book avoids the difficulties involved in attempting independently to find God. Included in the book is attention to human nature, especially the testimony of conscience. This book is helpful not only for its content, but for the way in which it shows how people who do not want to pretend to be independent of Scripture can properly use the testimony of nature.
—Vern S. Poythress, professor of New Testament interpretation, Westminster Theological Seminary
Top Highlights
“When fallen human beings encounter natural revelation, they ‘suppress’ it, so the message of salvation must come from somewhere else. God saves us from sin through an additional form of revelation, the preaching of the good news of Christ (Rom 10:14–17). It is preaching that breaks down our rebellion and brings us to repent and believe. So the mechanics of natural revelation are to some extent irrelevant to our salvation from sin. For saving knowledge of God, natural revelation is insufficient.” (Page 6)
“Wisdom is a deep level of knowledge applied with skill to practical life” (Page 41)
“So natural revelation does have a high importance, even in the salvation of sinners. Though nature does not itself proclaim the gospel of Christ, it serves as its presupposition, its foundation. And it establishes the reality of sin, which makes the gospel necessary. But how does natural revelation accuse us of sin? How does it leave us without excuse (Rom 1:20) for our rebellion?” (Page 11)
“One of the most obvious testimonies to God in the natural world is the sheer size of it all. Both” (Page 21)
“So the tendency of human worship is to diminish the Greatness, to bring it down to our level.” (Page 25)
Contents
- Part One: The Witness of the Created World
- The Greatness
- The Oneness
- The Wisdom
- The Goodness
- The Presence
- Part Two: The Witness of Human Nature
- The Seared Conscience
- The Accusing Conscience
- The Awakened Conscience
- The Good Conscience
Product Details
- Title: Nature’s Case for God: A Brief Biblical Argument
- Author: John Frame
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2018
- Pages: 96
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 5x7
- ISBN: 9781683591320
About John Frame
Dr. John M. Frame is the retired J. D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and is the author of many books, including Salvation Belongs to the Lord, A History of Western Philosophy and Theology and the four--volume Theology of Lordship series.
Sample Pages from Nature’s Case for God
Reviews
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Larry Craig
7/4/2018
I wish there were some sample pages It sounds like a good book, but do I really need it. Does it tell me something I don't already know? I don't know.
