The
Doctrine
of God

John M. Frame

PO BOX817 • PHILLIPSBURG • NEW JERSEY 08865-0817

© 2002 by John M. Frame

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—except for brief quotations for the purpose of review or comment, without the prior permission of the publisher, P&R Publishing Company, P.O. Box 817, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865–0817.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Italics in Scripture quotations indicate emphasis added.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Frame, John M., 1939–

The doctrine of God / John M. Frame.

p. cm. — (A theology of lordship)

Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and indexes.

ISBN 0–87552-263–7

1. God.I. Title.II. Series.

To Justin

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8–9)

For this is what the high and lofty One says—

he who lives forever, whose name is holy:

“I live in a high and holy place,

but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly

and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isa. 57:15)

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

“Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?”

“Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay him?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Rom. 11:33–36)

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise! (Rev. 5:12)

Why can’t I see God; Is he watching me?

Is he somewhere out in space, or is he here with me?

I am just a child; teach me from his word;

Then I’ll go and tell to all the great things I have heard.

Teach me while my heart is tender;

Tell me all that I should know,

And even through the years I will remember,

No matter where I go.*

Contents

Analytical Outline

Preface

Abbreviations of Frequently Cited Titles

1. Introduction

Part One: Yahweh the Lord

2. The Lord

3. The Lordship Attributes: Control

4. God’s Control: Its Efficacy and Universality

5. The Lordship Attributes: Authority

6. The Lordship Attributes: Covenant Presence

7. Transcendence and Immanence

Part Two: Some Problem Areas

8. Human Responsibility and Freedom

9. The Problem of Evil

Part Three: A Philosophy of Lordship

10. Ethics

11. Epistemology

12. Metaphysics

Part Four: The Acts of the Lord

13. Miracle

14. Providence

15. Creation

16. God’s Decrees

Part Five: Biblical Descriptions ...