Month: December 2010

Reading ‘The Defense of the Faith’ – Part 1

Ok, so my hope was to understand something – no matter how small – of this seminal work by Van Til. At the time of writing this post I have reached page 53 covering an extremely helpful introduction to the book by Scott Oliphint, Van Til’s preface and introduction and his section on Christian theology. I’ve also read the section on ‘The Christian Philosophy of Reality’ and have just started the next section on ‘The Christian Philosophy of Knowledge’.

My concern is this: have I bitten off more than I can chew? Do I actually have the ability to comprehend what is read? With no training in philosophy or theology a great deal of what has been read has the ‘whoosh factor’ as it goes flying over my head. There’s little point in trying to comment on his introduction as it sets the philosophical context for a series of academic objections to his apologetic. The footnotes are vital here but the bulk of it is beyond me – a second reading may provide some clarity. [What’s interesting though is the comment on ‘knowing’ a flower (p. 16ff). I’ve heard this before as a criticism of Van Til , but if I have understood it aright, it’s the criticism that is attributed to him and not what he actually wished to communicate – this will, I trust, become clearer.] Having confessed that, over the years my reading of sound Christian literature and listening to sound theology and especially through reading and studying the Scriptures I find myself in complete agreement with Van Til’s brief section on Christian Theology. I see this theologically as a safe place to be. When venturing out into unfamiliar territory it’s important to have a framework or a strong tower to which one can retreat or regroup. The foundations that Van Til lays out forms such a framework. My counsel to any new Christian is get these foundations in place as quickly as possible. One of the best places to get these is the 2 Volume Study Guide to the Westminster Shorter Catechism by G I Williamson.

The theological headings (foundations) covered are: 1) The Doctrine of God, 2) The Doctrine of Man, 3) The Doctrine of Christ, 4) The Doctrine of Salvation, 5) The Doctrine of the Church, and finally 6) The Doctrine of the Last Things.

It’s important – I believe – to be honest about my reading as a lay person. I’m not a specialist but an ordinary believer wishing to understand Van Til in order to effectively defend the faith. That’s my little caveat.

Onto A Christian Philosophy of Reality. Again, much of this is over my head despite the notes by SO (Scott Oliphint) until reaching ps. 52 & 53 under heading 3. ‘Sin and Its Curse’ whereupon I read the following:

‘When men ask us, What is, according to your notion, the nature of reality or being?, we shall have to say that we cannot give an answer unless we are permitted to split the question. For us God’s being is ultimate, while created being is, in the nature of the case, derivative.

Again, if we are asked, What do you think of the relation of the eternal to the temporal?, we reply that the eternal for us does not exist as a principle but as a person, and that as an absolute person. Accordingly,  we do not use the eternal as a correlative to the temporal; we use he notion of the eternal God as the personal creator of the temporal universe.’

We are brought here face to face with practical implications (in part) of God existing as a Triune person in complete blessedness. He is totally other than we  are as His creatures, He has no need of us, at all. Yet, out of His love and free grace He has chosen to redeem a people for His glory, sending His own blessed and glorious Son to shed His precious blood to pay the price of redemption. With that I’ll end. More to follow in due course.

Presuppositional Apologetics – Resources

Temple of Zeus in Athens at Athens.
Image via Wikipedia

As previously explained, my aim is to understand PA, try to explain it to others and then apply it – probably in that order. Any helps to do this then are welcome. Here’s a few book recommendations, a couple of booklets, some articles and a link to some quite extensive lecture notes. BTW The ‘Two Circles’ graphic is taken from The Confessional Outhouse and is how Van Til expressed the Creator / Creature distinction. Notice the two circles do not touch because God is totally other than we are. The initiative therefore is all of God.

Four book recommendations are: Every Thought Captive by Richard Pratt,  The Battle is the Lord’s by Scott Oliphint, a biography, Cornelius Van Til: Reformed Apologist and Churchman by John R. Muether and The Defence of the Faith by Cornelius Van Til edited by K. Scott Oliphint (Just started reading it)

Two booklets to read – both by Van Til – are: Why I Believe in God and Paul at Athens. I’m also waiting for a copy of The Intellectual Challenge of the Gospel (recommended by Jim) also by Van Til and may be ordered from Covenant Media Foundation ($4.96 + $5.00 international shipping). There are also many free resources available at CMF. This e-book available through CMF may also prove helpful: Faith with Reason: Why Christianity is True by Joseph R. Farinaccio. Download HERE.

The following on-line Articles are helpful: Let God Be True: A Brief Defense of the Christian Faith by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr; Presuppositional Apologetics by John M. Frame; two others by John Frame, PRESUPPOSITIONAL APOLOGETICS: AN INTRODUCTION Part 1 of 2: Introduction and Creation & PRESUPPOSITIONAL APOLOGETICS: AN INTRODUCTION
Part 2 of 2: Fall and Redemption; and Summary and Conclusion. I realise links change but these articles are all still available.

Follow Erik Wait’s Introduction to Van Tillian Apologetics for extensive notes taken during lectures given by Greg Bahnsen (and be sure to read his caveat). Thanks to Slim Jim for the link.

I have been putting these links together for a few weeks now and I don’t have to tell you that there are probably thousands of articles and links to do with Presuppositional Apologetics but these are the ones I have read, am reading or will be reading. More posts to follow on this topic.

Now all I have to do is try to explain it to someone else without sounding like a complete idiot.

The Defence of the Faith

At last, a long-awaited copy of ‘The Defence of the Faith’ by Cornelius Van Til dropped through my letterbox today. The edition that seemed to be most helpful is the volume edited by K. Scott Oliphint. This will be my Christmas reading, so I’m probably going to be really boring. It will most likely be a case of ‘listen to this’ and then I’ll realise as I try to explain it to my long-suffering wife that I haven’t understood it at all and will require many further readings. Well, at least I’ve made a start.

I am persuaded my experience will be similar to the editor of this edition when he writes on page xii ‘… the book arrived. I devoured it, but only understood a fraction of what I read.’ If only I could have such high hopes! To understand a fraction of what I read. It’s encouraging though and with the help of the extensive notes I will understand at least a fraction.

Again to quote from professor Oliphint’s introduction, ‘Once Van Til’s thought is grasped, the implications for the work of the church are most profound.’ Even my limited understand finds agreement with this. And so, I will begin to read and slowly understand. This method I believe inevitably leads to ALL the Glory being given to God – I’m sure Van Til would wish it to be so.

Hallelujah Chorus Flash Mob – Must See!

I was made aware of this video by my good friend Pastor Robert Briggs. This video is just amazing. Watch, listen, and enjoy! And give all Glory to Christ.

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