Every Thought Captive: A Study Manual for the Defense of Christian Truth [Paperback]

Jr. Richard L. Pratt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1979

In down-to-earth language Richard L. Pratt, Jr. has given us this helpful study manual on apologetics, the task of defending the faith. Far from a theoretical exposition, this training manual teaches how to answer nonbelievers and to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." Pratt shows how the biblical doctrines about humanity and our relationship to our Creator determine how we should do apologetics. Within this theological framework he examines the premises, attitudes, and specific steps involved in a genuinely biblical defense of Christianity. Illustrations and review questions help to make this a valuable tool for individual or group study.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard L. Pratt, Jr. is a graduate of Roanoke College. He holds the M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia and the Th.D. in Old Testament Studies from Harvard Divinity School (while at Harvard he gained a reading knowledge of eleven languages.) He is currently Associate Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He is author of the books Designed for Dignity: What God Has Made It Possible for You to Be and He Gave Us Stories: The Bible StudentÂ’s Guide to Interpreting Old Testament Narratives and has been a contributor to several books and journals.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: P & R Press (June 1, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875523528
• ISBN-13: 978-0875523521
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Apologetics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, it's the Best Intro. to Biblical Apologetics!..., July 25, 2001

By 

Chang Yuon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Every Thought Captive: A Study Manual for the Defense of Christian Truth (Paperback)

Pratt gives us a very short and condensed form of what is known as Pressupositional Apologetics (following after VanTil). Although Pratt hardly defends this approach from all it's critics, he lays down clearly what is at the heart of biblical apologetics. He does this by first showing his readers that God-centered apologetics arises from love for God and the gospel.

God depends on no one to defend His truth. His truth stands as true regardless. However, because we are called and loved by God, studying apologetics should be our passionate duty. Thus, God's word becomes "both the foundation upon which our defense must be built and one of our belief which must be defended." (pg.4)

Pratt then focuses on the nature of common grace in apologetics. More specifically, nature of man before and after the fall, and man's ability to come to the knowledge of God. This foundation is critical for biblical defense and clear thinking. Is it that man has no knowledge about God but is still able to reason Him out? Or is it that man has the knowledge of God, so that he must be rationally honest with himself to see God? Finally, is there a neutral ground where Christians and non-Christians could come together for an unbiased examination?

Without getting too technical, Pratt gives us an enriching exercise of searching and examining the Scriptures. However, Pratt's treatment is so brief and condensed that it lacks clarity on some major points. For instance, I cannot agree with his view on logic--that it is merely a part of creation. True, there are inferences and conventions in logic that are man-made; but Pratt seems to over-simplify the nature of logic as being completely separated from God. I come to understand that logic has a transcendental quality that reveals the eternal character of God. Therefore, God cannot create a thing not equivalent to itself! Oh well, I give Pratt the benefit of the doubt...I'm probably wrong or mistaken (after all, He's the certified theologian!)

Interestingly, Pratt then critiques Evidental method of apologetics. Namely, Paul Little's "Know Why You Believe." Although, I thought Pratt's critique was necessary and valuable (I whole-heartly agreed), I thought it was a bit unfair because he never bothered to examine the critique of VanTil's apologetics. (But then again, this is an intro. designed for High schoolers)

Pratt pretty much ends his book with some applications. Questions like "What's the proof of God?", "How do we know the Bible is God's word?", and "Why is there so much suffering in the world?" are addressed. However, only in an outlined-sketchy way. Maybe he ran out of space or time (I don't know), but he's application seems a bit weak.

Don't get me wrong!...Pratt, gives us the best introduction to Pressuppostional apolgetics I've ever seen--showing us correct foundation and motive. So Pratt pushes the readers to be patient regarding all the challenges he/she could not answer from his/her friends. But all the patience leads to the last 3-4 chapters of this 14 chapter book. Maybe Pratt thinks that he set the foundation so strong that application will come naturally. Or maybe there's a second book! (I doubt it...it's been over 20 years since the first printing)

In short, I thought this book was excellent as an intro. (it really deserves 5 stars), but could be better if you supplement this book with another. I recommend "Persuasion" by Doug Wilson. Wilson's book is all application (with little or no theory) which is filled with sampled dialogues. So...Pratt's Very Short Book with Wilson's Very-Very Short Book...this combo packs a punch for anyone who wants an intro. in apologetics!!!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, easy, March 12, 2002

By 

Apologia (LA, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Every Thought Captive: A Study Manual for the Defense of Christian Truth (Paperback)

and faithful to scripture. This is the idea book you want to start with on Christian apologetics. Filled with neat illustrations, and practical advice, it should be good for high schoolers who want to know more on Van Tillian thought. What is especially helpful is that Pratt criticizes a book entitled KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE by Paul E. Little, which suggests a more popular tactic for defending the faith. Here, Pratt writes (p.73-74): "Little's view of reason has several major difficulties. First, human reason is not seen as entirely dependent on God. Little encourages the Christian apologist to present Christianity as a view to be examined and judged by independent human reason....Second, reason is not seen as affected by the fall of man into sin. Man's problem does not, for Little, include blindness to the truth but his unwillingness to choose the truth which he is fully capable of knowing. As a result, Little treats rationality and logical analysis as something neutral for both Christians and non-Christians." Why is it that human reasoning must judge God's existence? Who are we to put "God in the dock"? What Pratt is saying is that neutrality is a myth because "sin has so affected mankind that even rational abilities are not neutral." When a non-Christian suggests that he is "honestly" looking for the God of Christianity, and is left wanting, he seems to skip the fact that he is wearing what Cornelius Van Til calls "colored glasses" that keep him from finding the truth. His own autonomous worldview won't find the truth, he must have the Christian worldview.

Here is the Table of Contents:
Foreword
Author's Note
Acknowledgments
1. A Firm Foundation
2. Where It All Began
3. The Character of Man before Sin
4. The Character of Man in Sin
5. The Character of Man Redeemed by Christ
6. The Non-Christian Point of View
7. The Christian Point of View
8. Attitudes and Actions
9. Popular Tactics
10. Structure of a Biblical Defense

11. Defending the Faith (1)
12. Defending the Faith (2)
13. Defending the Faith (3)
14. An Apologetic Parable

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to presuppositional apologetics, March 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Every Thought Captive: A Study Manual for the Defense of Christian Truth (Paperback)

I felt this book was an excellent foundation for further studies and practice of presuppositional apologetics. Pratt provides a manual for Christian apologetics by getting to the heart of the matter - the unbeliever's commitment to independence while suppressing the truth in unrighteousness. Pratt stresses the importance of addresses the foundational issues in apologetics. This book was extremely helpful.