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An Introduction to Christian Apologetics: A Philosophic Defense of the Trinitarian-Theistic Faith

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Carnell was professor at Fuller Seminary from 1948-67.

Carnell put forward a fixed approach, combining the classical approach, underlining the law of contradiction. He defends the proposition that logic must be valid because its denial is self-defeating. On the otherside, he rejected the idea that theism could be deductively proved. Therefore, he challenges Thomism's belief of a deductive approach, and finds that it cannot be validly proved.

Natural knowledge of God's existence doesn't take a person very far, not far enough. Thus, he centers on an evidentialist, experiential approach. Here he latches onto systematic consitency, the lack of internal contradiction coupled with external agreement in one's experience.

He proposed in other works and this that one's apologetic approach should mirror the times, as he stated: "an apologist must play it by ear."

Edward John Carnell (1919-1967) was an ordained Baptist minister, who also served as President of Fuller Theological Seminary from 1954-1959, and then as professor of Apologetics.

The keyword to Carnell's approach is "systematic coherence." He sought to find "a successful union of the ideal and empirical worlds," and notes that "every man is a philosopher of a sort, and must pass judgment upon the whole course of reality. But the only proof he can offer, both for his system of philosophy and for the actions which flow from it, is systematic coherence ... It is this framework that the Christian offers proof for his system: it sticks together ... God is absolute consistency. And the will of God has been revealed in Holy Writ."

As presented by Carnell, "Three problems wait for the philosopher's solution. First, truth, must be located. Secondly, a rational universe must be plotted. Finally, these two must be so united that they will provide a basis for trust in personal immortality." "Having no perfect system of thought while we walk by faith and not by sight, the Christian suggests that a rational man settle for that system which is attended by the fewest difficulties." However, he further says that "Logic can be the means by which the Spirit leads a man into faith, but it is the Spirit, not logic, which finally seals the faith to the heart."

He admits that "This is not a formal demonstration of God's existence: it is simply proof by coherence. The existence of God is the self-consistent hypothesis that the mind must entertain when it views all of the evidence which experience provides."

Philosophical approaches to Christian apologetics are somewhat "out of fashion" these days (cf. Josh McDowell, Lee Stroebel); but Carnell was an important figure on the scene, and a worthy contrast to Gordon Clark, Cornelius Van Til, etc.