Monday, February 18, 2008

Cornelius Van Til

I have been tearing apart another book for my upcoming senior thesis: namely, "Christian Apologetics" by Cornelius Van Til. I think what impresses me most is how close he gets to the line of rude without actually going over it. He is truly unapologetic for his methodology of apologetics and its source in Reformed Theology. I think that he has displayed a different kind of honesty in practice (but not in principle) than Antony Flew. His honesty leads him to the very heart of the matter on every real point of contention between men: that is, their presuppositions. Van Til refers to this at one point as the colored glasses that a man sees the world through. If you change the glasses, you will change the way in which he sees everything he encounters.

I like his exposition on presuppositions. I have always sought after knowledge. I have always wanted to know things. At some point, however, you cannot keep going back in the chain of knowing. At some point the buck has to stop. Presuppositions are those things we hold first. Dr. Van Til does an admirable job explaining this. I cannot say a thing bad about this book yet. I will let you know if anything comes to mind though.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful review and commentary. your quest for knowlege is great! Surely come across as a voracious reader. Indeed, readers are leaders. Samuel.

Coffee Joe said...

Whether or not I am a leader, I do read a lot. And I do seek after truth.