A detailed critical review:
Review of Michael Horton, Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church
Review of Michael Horton, Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church
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Knowing that this is coming from Frame, who left Westminster West for warmer and less confessional waters, I would view this as more of an attempted poke in the eye than a credible review. His footnotes on Mike Horton and other WSC faculty in his last work on ethics were so ridiculous as to make me skeptical that he will ever have anything evenhanded and worthwhile to say in the future about the institution or the men who teach there.
Did you notice Frame attacking Horton for not being confessional in one of the final paragraphs? How ironic is that coming John Frame? This is the man whose theology is the fuel behind the fire in the Pacific NW presbytery of ditching any meaningful view of the confessions altogether; a man who has less use in his works for the confessions than an Oregonian has for sun screen?
Remember, Frame also recently endorsed Norm Shepherd's latest work against the protestant doctrine of justification, and has in his latest volume on ethics completely garbled the relationship between the law and justification. For an example of his confused thinking check out his statement in footnote 20 of the review where he writes: "If we give 'gospel' a broader definition, as I did earlier in this review, it is possible to say that all Scripture is gospel. But it is similarly possible to say that all Scripture is law, worldview, ethical guidance, etc." Huh? Really? Why not just say that it means everything and nothing all at the same time?
When Frame can begin to speak with some coherence about the classic articulations of Reformed doctrine in his own writings, I will begin to take his critiques of others more seriously. Until then, I just chalk this review up as an excuse to rant against an institution towards which he is still sore through one of its theologians.
Knowing that this is coming from Frame, who left Westminster West for warmer and less confessional waters, I would view this as more of an attempted poke in the eye than a credible review.
Well spoken, Mr. Moderator. Frame's critique was shameful. His track record shows that he would rather defend Evangelicalism rather than classic Reformed Protestantism.
The law/gospel dichotomy that downplays, is critical of, is negligent in, or recasts any of the three uses of the law does not represent classic or confessional Reformed Protestantism. Frame may have a great deal amiss, and his formulation of law/gospel may be problematic, but he is closer to the Westminster Standards on this than a more antinomian approach.
Cheers,
Knowing that this is coming from Frame, who left Westminster West for warmer and less confessional waters, I would view this as more of an attempted poke in the eye than a credible review.
To close your mind to an article because it is written by a certain person that you dislike is certainly not going to benefit this thread, nor yourself. I am not a big fan of Frame, but the article contains some excellent points.
Well spoken, Mr. Moderator. Frame's critique was shameful. His track record shows that he would rather defend Evangelicalism rather than classic Reformed Protestantism.
The law/gospel dichotomy that downplays, is critical of, is negligent in, or recasts any of the three uses of the law does not represent classic or confessional Reformed Protestantism. Frame may have a great deal amiss, and his formulation of law/gospel may be problematic, but he is closer to the Westminster Standards on this than a more antinomian approach.
Cheers,
Can your rephrase this so I can understand what you are saying? I am not getting your point? Are you saying that the three uses of the law are incorrect according to the Westminster Standards?
Ad hominem is still a logical fallacy. Frame's shortcomings should not be read into this review, unless they are actually relevant.
The law/gospel dichotomy that downplays, is critical of, is negligent in, or recasts any of the three uses of the law does not represent classic or confessional Reformed Protestantism. Frame may have a great deal amiss, and his formulation of law/gospel may be problematic, but he is closer to the Westminster Standards on this than a more antinomian approach.
Cheers,
Can your rephrase this so I can understand what you are saying? I am not getting your point? Are you saying that the three uses of the law are incorrect according to the Westminster Standards?
How ironic is that coming John Frame? This is the man whose theology is the fuel behind the fire in the Pacific NW presbytery of ditching any meaningful view of the confessions altogether; a man who has less use in his works for the confessions than an Oregonian has for sun screen?
Randy, my read was that many people critique the WSC crew for taking a more Lutheran than Calvinian view of the Law. Luther vacillated greatly in trying to bring himself to affirm what Calvin called the third use of the Law. Critics of WSC often try to make them out to have a more Lutheran than Calvinian approach. So, in his critique of Horton, it would not be unusual to make the standard objection to WSC profs.
The positives of this review are to be found in the criticisms of Horton's view of law, morality, and redemption. I think it can be sustained that Horton is representing more of a Lutheran than Reformed view of the law. He seems to espouse the "gospel of justification alone," with very little concern with the way the gospel changes man in the totality of his life. At this point some of Frame's criticisms are very pointed and well worth pondering in an age when reformed churches are falling prey to the "justification only" gospel.
Randy, my read was that many people critique the WSC crew for taking a more Lutheran than Calvinian view of the Law. Luther vacillated greatly in trying to bring himself to affirm what Calvin called the third use of the Law. Critics of WSC often try to make them out to have a more Lutheran than Calvinian approach. So, in his critique of Horton, it would not be unusual to make the standard objection to WSC profs.
Is this true though? I noticed this accusation in Rev. Winzer's comments.
The positives of this review are to be found in the criticisms of Horton's view of law, morality, and redemption. I think it can be sustained that Horton is representing more of a Lutheran than Reformed view of the law. He seems to espouse the "gospel of justification alone," with very little concern with the way the gospel changes man in the totality of his life. At this point some of Frame's criticisms are very pointed and well worth pondering in an age when reformed churches are falling prey to the "justification only" gospel.
I don't listen the White Horse Inn nor have I read much of Horton. I did read 'Christ the Lord' many many moons ago which was on the Lordship Controversy issue. I don't recall it being a 'gospel of justification alone' type of book. I like that phrase, "Gospel of justification alone." That is a catchy phrase and very descriptive. I just don't have the experience of hearing such teaching coming out of Reformed leaning men.
I think it can be sustained that Horton is representing more of a Lutheran than Reformed view of the law.
Well perhaps not christless but the Christ worshipped is not the Christ found in God's word.
6. Law and gospel should be utterly separate. There should be no good news in the bad news and no bad news in the good news. This is a longstanding complaint by Frame. Not only does he consistently misrepresent the Lutheran view on this point; he seems to be unaware of the consensus of Reformed theologians that the confusion of law and gospel is the heart of theological errors. This point has been made not only by Calvin, but by Beza, Ursinus, Perkins, Owen, and Spurgeon all the way to Louis Berkhof and John Murray. In Christless Christianity (and elsewhere), Horton very clearly affirms that law and gospel are to be distinguished but never separated. The one thing that Professor Frame accurately says about the book on this point is that “There should be no good news in the bad news and no bad news in the good news.” That’s why the law reveals our sin and misery (as the Heidelberg Catechism and Westminster Shorter Catechism confess), and the gospel reveals God’s saving grace toward us in Jesus Christ. One should be far less bothered that Professor Frame is confused about Christless Christianity than that he seems confused about the difference between commands (imperatives) and declarations of God’s promises (indicatives).
How ironic is that coming John Frame? This is the man whose theology is the fuel behind the fire in the Pacific NW presbytery of ditching any meaningful view of the confessions altogether; a man who has less use in his works for the confessions than an Oregonian has for sun screen?
I appreciate you mentioning this. I assume you are referencing the examination of the views of Peter leithart by the PNW Presbytery?
The positives of this review are to be found in the criticisms of Horton's view of law, morality, and redemption. I think it can be sustained that Horton is representing more of a Lutheran than Reformed view of the law. He seems to espouse the "gospel of justification alone," with very little concern with the way the gospel changes man in the totality of his life. At this point some of Frame's criticisms are very pointed and well worth pondering in an age when reformed churches are falling prey to the "justification only" gospel.
Don't get me wrong, I love Mike Horton. I consider him a dear Brother in Christ and an important voice for the Gospel of Grace. I also note, however, that the WHI has a problem with some of our Confessional notions where there is an "oughtness" to the Gospel. Romans 6 is as much a part of the Gospel as Romans 8. Both are grounded in what God has accomplished through the power of Christ's death and resurrection for us His own.The positives of this review are to be found in the criticisms of Horton's view of law, morality, and redemption. I think it can be sustained that Horton is representing more of a Lutheran than Reformed view of the law. He seems to espouse the "gospel of justification alone," with very little concern with the way the gospel changes man in the totality of his life. At this point some of Frame's criticisms are very pointed and well worth pondering in an age when reformed churches are falling prey to the "justification only" gospel.
RAS,
Don't get me wrong, I love Mike Horton. I consider him a dear Brother in Christ and an important voice for the Gospel of Grace. I also note, however, that the WHI has a problem with some of our Confessional notions where there is an "oughtness" to the Gospel. Romans 6 is as much a part of the Gospel as Romans 8. Both are grounded in what God has accomplished through the power of Christ's death and resurrection for us His own.