Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason: The Clarity of General Revelation and Function of Apologetics [Paperback]

Owen Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2005

Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason offers a study of Princeton Theologian Benjamin B. Warfield's view of apologetics and the role of reason in religious belief. In order to understand Warfield's view of "right reason," the book explores the intellectual development of Princeton Theological Seminary, Warfield's debate with Abraham Kuyper over the need for apologetics, and the manner in which Cornelius VanTil attempted to adopt the best from both Warfield and Kuyper.

The first chapter examines the influence of Scottish Common Sense Philosophy on Princeton Theological Seminary. This chapter focuses on Charles Hodge and his affirmation that reason can be used to know God. The second chapter concentrates on Warfield and his continuation of the Princeton approach to apologetics. The third chapter considers the challenge raised by Abraham Kuyper and looks at Warfield's response. The final chapter discusses Cornelius VanTil and his attempt to take what he saw as best from Warfield and Kuyper while avoiding potential problems in each.

The theme of this book is Warfield's affirmation that the redemptive claims of Christianity must be established by first arguing that there is a God and a need for special revelation. Warfield's approach to apologetics contains the potential to establish the foundation for a natural theology, especially with respect to the existence and nature of God.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...interesting discussion and presentation of the material....Anderson's small book provokes discussion and further reflection. (J. Mark Beach Mjt )

From the Back Cover

Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason offers a study of Princeton Theologian Benjamin B. Warfield's view of apologetics and the role of reason in religious belief. In order to understand Warfield's view of "right reason," the book explores the intellectual development of Princeton Theological Seminary, Warfield's debate with Abraham Kuyper over the need for apologetics, and the manner in which Cornelius VanTil attempted to adopt the best from both Warfield and Kuyper.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: University Press Of America (October 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761832882
• ISBN-13: 978-0761832881
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,928,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Graduate Student in Worldview Apologetics, November 28, 2005

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Keith Makedonsky - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason: The Clarity of General Revelation and Function of Apologetics (Paperback)

'B.B. Warfield and Right Reason' is an insightful work calling its readers to explore the rich history of apologetics with in the Christian faith and to see how B.B. Warfield understood the role 'reason' has in arguing for the validity of the Christian faith inlight of the doctrine of the clarity of general revelation. As the waves of post-modernism and dogmatic relativism flood the american culture, this work provides a light in this sea of intellectual darkness.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CALL FOR FIRM FOUNDATIONS, November 22, 2005

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Lucio R. Gastelum "Ad Majorem Gloriam" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason: The Clarity of General Revelation and Function of Apologetics (Paperback)

Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason: The Clarity of General Revelation and Function of Apologetics provides a clear and concise study of the development of Princeton Theological Seminar and a profound study and refutation of common sense realism which was adopted as the epistemological method used to defend the truth of Christian Theism. Dr. Anderson does not stop in the refutation of common sense realism, but goes further in seeing the necessity for Christian apologetics to base its claims in the use of "right reason", that is to say in the critical use of reason employed in the examination of general revelation.
Dr. Anderson exhorts Christian apologists to see where Benjamin B. Warfield and Charles Hodge needed to go further in their affirmation of the clarity of general revelation. To affirm that clarity is needed, requires being able to show it. It is at this point where Dr.Anderson provides a good and needed contribution to the field of apologetics due to the present avoidance of Christian Apologists to engage with the problems that have divided and challenged the Church since the enlightenment.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calling for Clarity and Inexcusability in Apologetics, October 26, 2009

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Mike Robinson "Mike A Robinson: Apologetic An... (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Benjamin B. Warfield and Right Reason: The Clarity of General Revelation and Function of Apologetics (Paperback)

Owen Anderson makes significant contribution in the exploration of the relationship between faith and reason. He accomplishes this epistemic exercise by contrasting the apologetic formulations of Warfield, Kuyper, and Van Til. He prefers Warfield's position, but is not sharply opposed to the majority of the work of Van Til and Kuyper.

He is extremely careful in pointing out error or incongruity in these scholars as his goal is to demonstrate "the scope and sequence of the proofs required in showing clarity and inexcusability."

The great contemporary sage Surrendra Gangadean's forward is worth the purchase of this book alone (He defines his idea of Reason; Natural Theology; Skepticism; Fideism; a new twist on a Theistic Proof, p. xv; the Program of Natural Theology; and further erudition - that's just the forward!).

Chapters are:
1. Princeton and Common Sense Philosophy
2. Warfield and Right Reason
3. Warfield and Kuyper
4. Warfield and Van Til

The author gives careful summary of Van Til's apologetic as he seems to agree with much of Van Til's thought. Nonetheless he writes that Van Til's analysis of Warfield and Kuyper "seems to leave some problems" (p. 58). He argues that all worldviews must be circular including Van Til's (p. 59). And he seems to reject Van Til's ultimate pre-commitment forasmuch as he affirms Reason as the only correct starting assumption (p. 59).

Anderson contends that theistic proofs can be advanced if the apologist deals rightly with Hume's and Kant's criticisms. He leaves that effort for another day. Anderson's work should be commended as excellent introduction in the contrast between the above named apologetic giants. I highly recommend this well constituted and clearly defined philosophical treatise.
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