IDC16 Apologetics

Dr. Knudsen’s paper is a survey of the ups and downs in the history of apologetics. Dr. Knudsen started his survey by narrating the diminishing influence of apologetics in the Reformed circle particularly from the Dutch Reformed tradition and the goal of Cornelius Van Til to regain its influence. And then he goes on to describe the influence of both empiricism and idealism in the history of apologetics. It appears that the way he describes the relationship between idealism and presuppositionalism that the former birthed the latter. He then proceeded to identify presuppositionalist theologians and stated in detail his points of differences particularly from Van Til’s version of presuppositionalism. Listening to the ideas of both sides, the points of differences between Cornelius Van Til and Dr. Knudsen about apologetics is based on each having his own school of philosophy, the transcendental presuppositional and cosmonomic. Both of them claimed that the other school has foreign elements...

The 2nd chapter of Bahnsen's book, Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis (pp. 27 - 87)  is divided into three major sections: the nature and necessity of apologetics; the relationship of apologetics to theology, evangelism, and philosophy; and the aim of apologetics. Each of these major sections contains Bahnsen’s summary and analysis. After presenting his summary and analysis, he subdivides each section under several points: the first major section into five points, the second major section into six points, and the last major section into three. Interestingly, the structure of the book, which is also true to this chapter is that all the points under major sections contain excerpts taken from Van Til’s books. Hence, the subtitle “Readings and Analysis.” To me, the book is like a collection of Van Til’s writings on the subject appropriately arranged by Bahnsen according to the design that he has in mind. In this present summary of the chapter, I intend to just post quotes...

In this article, we will discuss four things related to apologetics: a brief historical background, issues, definition, and message. Brief History Bernard Ramm, in the 1st chapter of his book,  Varieties of Christian Apologetics (1962, pp. 11-27), gave us an overview about the  three systems of apologetics and enumeration of problems or issues in this academic discipline. Before introducing his twin subjects, he first narrated a brief historical background of apologetics. He traced it first from ancient Athenian legal proceedings where the accused had to defend himself. In the New Testament, he saw this apologetical activity both in the ministry of Christ and the apostles (Matthew 22; Acts 22:1ff; 23:1ff; 24:1ff; 26:1ff; Galatians 1 -2; 1 Corinthians 9; 2 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 4:16). And then in the early church, the practice had been continued and Origen’s Against Celsus was recognized as the greatest work of apologetics of the early church. However, it was ...

This blog post will serve as an example how does a presuppositional apologist like Greg Bahnsen refuted arguments against Christianity. The material on this topic relies heavily on Greg Bahnsen’s Apologetics in Practice . Instead of starting with a usual theoretical foundation, we will introduce the subject of presuppositional apologetics with a concrete illustration to show how it works in practice. And so we will start with a reading of Bertrand Russell’s essay, “Why I Am Not a Christian?” After reading the essay, we will present Bahnsen’s article in outline format covering a brief narrative of Russell’s philosophical evolution, criticisms against Christianity, and a refutation of them. A.       Brief history of Bertrand Russell’s philosophical evolution 1.       Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) studied mathematics and philosophy at Cambridge University and began his teaching career there. 2.       He wr...